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BallyAlley_r2_c1.gif BallyAlley_r2_c2.gif Bally Alley Astrocast
Podcast
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The Bally Alley Astrocast podcast covers the Bally Astrocade videogame console released in 1978. This system was also called the Bally Arcade, Bally Professional Arcade, and Bally Home Library Computer. We cover Bally community news, review games released on cartridge and cassette tape, and delve articles from classic computer and game newsletters and magazines (like the Arcadian and Cursor).

The Astrocast can be found in several locations:

The following are archives of some of the previous podcast episodes, including show notes.

Bally Alley Astrocast Episode 0 Bally Alley Astrocast: Episode 0
Introduction

June 3, 2016.

The show's two hosts discuss what will be covered in future episodes of the Bally Alley Astrocast.
Bally Alley Astrocast Episode 1 Bally Alley Astrocast: Episode 1
Gunfight and Checkmate

June 16, 2016.

Episode 1 of the Bally Alley Astrocast covers the two built-in games Gunfight and Checkmate.  The first two issues of the Arcadians newsletter (from April and May 1978) are covered in detail.  Also discussed are the recent additions to the BallyAlley.com website, news and much more Bally Arcade goodness!
Bally Alley Astrocast Episode 2 Bally Alley Astrocast: Episode 2
Red Baron/Panzer Attack and Castle of Horror

July 1, 2016.

Episode 2 of the Bally Alley Astrocast covers the cartridge game Red Baron/Panzer Attack and the BASIC game (released on tape) Castle of Horror.  Issues 3-5 (from June to October 1978) of the Arcadians newsletter are covered in detail.  We also discuss: news, feedback, a few classic letters to the Arcadian from Ernie Sams (who discusses JS&A, the company that originally sold the Astrocade) and Richard Belton (who covers the Maryland User Group).  Finally, there is an interview with Ward Shrake, who created multicarts for several systems, including one for the Bally Arcade/Astrocade.
Bally Alley Astrocast Episode 3 Bally Alley Astrocast: Episode 3
Crazy Climber and Missile Defense

July 26, 2016.

Episode 3 of the Bally Alley Astrocast covers the cartridge game Crazy Climber and the BASIC game (released on tape) Missile Defense. Chris and I discuss what we've been up to lately. Arcadian newsletter issues 1 and 2 (November and December 1978) are covered in detail.  We discuss a bit of feedback. Chris, Paul and I go discuss the very first ad for the Bally Home Library computer (from September 1977). I read from a few letters that JS&A (the mail order company that originally sold the Bally Home Library Computer) sent to customers. The show ends with a one-minute rendition of the Happy Days theme song.
Bally Alley Astrocast Episode 4 Bally Alley Astrocast: Episode 4
Sea Devil and The Pits

August 14, 2016.

Episode 4 of the Bally Alley Astrocast covers the Bally Arcade/Astrocade cartridge game Sea Devil and the BASIC type-in game (published in the Arcadian newsletter) The Pits. Chris and I discuss, as always, what we've been up to lately. Paul and I cover the Arcadian newsletter issues 3 and 4 (January and February 1979).  We cover a bit of feedback too (we could always use more though-- so keep it coming to us). Paul and I discuss seven letters to the Arcadian, dating from late 1978 and early 1979. The show ends with a short tune called Golden Slippers played from a type-in program called Player Piano from the Bally BASIC manual.
Bally Alley Astrocast Episode 5 Bally Alley Astrocast: Episode 5
Arcadian Newsletter (March and May 1979)

October 12, 2016.

Episode 5 of the Bally Alley Astrocast doesn't cover a game this episode. Chris has left as a co-host, so the review of The Incredible Wizard has been pushed to episode 6. Paul and I cover the Arcadian newsletter issues 5 and 6 (March and May 1979). We cover a bit of feedback too. Paul and I discuss eleven letters to the Arcadian, dating mostly from the Spring of 1979.
Bally Alley Astrocast Episode 6 Bally Alley Astrocast: Episode 6
The Incredible Wizard and Arcadian Newsletter (June and July 1979)

November 22, 2016.

Episode 6 of the Bally Alley Astrocast covers The Incredible Wizard, the port of the arcade game Wizard of Wor. Paul and I are joined by our new co-host Michael Di Salvo. Paul and I cover the Arcadian newsletter issues 7 and 8 (June and July 1979). Paul and I discuss six letters to the Arcadian, dating from the Spring and Summer of 1979.
Bally Alley Astrocast Episode 7 Bally Alley Astrocast: Episode 7
Dog Patch and O-Jello

February 1, 2017.

In episode 7 of the Bally Alley Astrocast Chris and I review the Dog Patch cartridge, the 1980 Astrocade port of the 1978 B&W Dog Patch arcade game. Due to scheduling conflicts, Paul and Michael could not record for this episode, so Chris is co-hosting the show with Adam.
Bally Alley Astrocast Episode 8 Bally Alley Astrocast: Episode 8
Blast Droids and Haunted House and Arcadian Newsletters (August and September 1979)

March 12, 2017.

In episode 8 of the Bally Alley Astrocast, Paul, Michael and I review the 4K Blast Droids cartridge that Esoterica released in 1983. This game was written by Dan Drescher, and J.P. Curran. We also review the BASIC game Haunted House released by New Image in 1981. Paul and I discuss the contents and programs included in the August and September 1979 issues of the Arcadian newsletter. We also read feedback from Arcadian readers that sent letters and postcards to Bob Fabris concerning the July 1979 survey question that asked if users would purchase a third-party keyboard and RAM upgrade. Lastly, we cover about ten letters that cover general topics that were sent to the Arcadian from late July to September 1979.
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