Ep. 30: 8-bit vs 5200 Part 1: 1982

Player/Missile - An Atari 8-bit Retrospective

In a special multi-part series comparing the 8-bit computers to the 5200 console, this first episode focuses on 1982. Scanning the regular magazines for mentions of the 5200, I also scour other magazines for both 8-bit and 5200 coverage. Only in this special series will you hear article summaries from these periodicals: Electronic Games, JoyStik, Video Games, Video Games Player and Atari Age Magazine.

Introduction

• Atari 5200 Super Community Podcast
• The Atari 5200 Podcast
• Atari 3200 prototype
• Gremlins: last official release for the 5200

Technical References

• Business is Fun by Marty Goldberg and Curt Vendel
• Jan 1984 ANALOG Computing #15 article Transporting programs to the 5200
• Feb 1984 ANALOG Computing #16 update for 2-port 5200

Magazine Chronology

• Jan 8, 1982: Atari Press Release Announcing the 5200
• Winter 1981/1982 Electronic Games
• Mar 1982 Electronic Games
  • Command Line Heroes podcast about Jerry Lawson
• May 1982 Electronic Games
• May/Jun 1982: Atari Age Magazine Vol 1, #1
• Jun 1982 Electronic Games
• Jul/Aug 1982: Atari Age Magazine Vol 1, #2
• Aug 1982 Video Games Vol 1, #1
  • Billy Mitchell & Perfect Pac-Man
  • Historical overview of fake Pac-Man high scores & Billy Mitchell’s Fraud
  • Background research for the above
• Sep 1982: Video Games Player
• Sept 1982: Joystik Magazine
• Sep/Oct 1982: Atari Age Magazine Vol 1, #3
• Nov 1982 The Video Game Update Vol 1, #8
• Nov 1982 Joystik Magazine
• Nov 1982 Electronic Games
• Nov/Dec 1982: Atari Age Magazine Vol 1, #4
• Creative Computing Vol 8, #12
• Dec 1982 Joystik Magazine
• Dec 1982 Video Games Vol 1, #3
• Dec 1982 Electronic Games
  • Arcadia 2001 overview
• Late 1982 Atari P.O.P. (Point Of Purchase) and Advertising Support

Production Notes

• Music: Stef Animal's Bandcamp page
• Episode page: Episode 30
• Twitter: @atari8bitgames