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No
memory back up, no
polygons, and nothing over a Megabyte. The ratio of these scores is much lower compared to newer system like the PS3 and Nintendo DS, but you still need skill to play most of these games here and that's what counts. Moon Patrol is still number 1 here by the way. I also added the model number for most Atari games to help people who go by number. All reviews are by StarSoldier unless noted. The overall scores are out of 100. The graphics, sounds, and gameplay are out of 10. |
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SCORE / NAME
51 ADVENTURE (Atari, 1981)
Just like the name
implies your a simple little block in a quest for adventure. Find items, carry
them, and avoid the giant duck like dragon to become a hero. Adventure is
a very cool and unique game back then but it's certainly very outdated by
most of today's adventure titles. Still a must for retro fanatics because
of its history and it's still better than the entire Sword Quest games
(the so called sequels) combine. This game also has the creator's name hidden
away in a secret location, one of the first real video game Easter eggs in
history. Why? Atari programmers were not aloud to get credit for their work
and this little secret was more of a form of rebellion rather than an actual
objective. When this news of a hidden feature got out to the gaming world
it actually increased sales of the game.
Model #2613
for 1 player only
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 6
Look for ADVENTURE on eBay here!
18 AIR RAIDERS (Mattel, 1982)
Oh great, it's a serious first person flight sim for the system and yes Air Raiders is another
fairly common flight simulator for the Atari 2600 that fails to create
a true scene of flying. The game is very confusing to play thanks to some
of the overly blocky 3D graphics and slow controls.
For 1 player only
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 4
Look for AIR RAIDERS on eBay here!
12 AIR SEA
Here is one of Atari's
first games on the 2600 and believe me, it really shows! Air Sea Battle is a really basic two player
only shooting gallery featuring tons of vehicles but some very limited controls.
You can find this game just about anywhere but it's still not worth picking
up.
Model #2602
For 2 players only
graphics: 2
sound: 0
gameplay: 1
Look for AIR SEA BATTLE on eBay here!
49 ARMOR AMBUSH (Mattel, 1982)
It's plays and looks like Atari's Combat but now this game takes place
on some different and more detailed terrain. Sadly, this is two players only
just like Combat so it lacks originality but if you liked Atari's earlier
game too then be sure to give this a shot.
For 2 players only
graphics: 3
sound: 1
gameplay: 2
Look for ARMOR AMBUSH on eBay here!
60
ASTEROIDS (Atari, 1981)
Here is a great classic shooter that uses flat but colourful Asteroids
and not the vector graphics found in the arcades. The game is simple: destroy
all the asteroids on the screen to finish your current level but watch out
for alien space ships both big and small. Asteroids is a addictive space shoot
em up that suffers from bad flickers.
Model #2649
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 4
Look for ASTEROIDS on eBay here!
58 ASTRO BLAST (Mattel, 1981)
This shooter is also available on the Intellivision but it's under a slightly
different name. Astro Blast is a fun and very chaotic game that's a good mixture
of the games Space Invaders
and Asteroids. The game was OK in the day and it is actually faster
then its Intellivivsion counterpart but the graphics aren't not nearly as
sharp and it's a bit too repetitive unfortunately like most Atari 2600
games.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5
Look for ASTRO BLAST on eBay here!
41 ATLANTIS (Imagic, 1982)
This game reminds me of Atari's Missile Command but instead of blasting
down missiles, you're shooting down invading aircrafts. You must defend the
underwater city of
For 1 player only
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 4
Look for ATLANTIS on eBay here!
52 BATTLEZONE (Atari, 1982)
This home version of the original vector wonder has some very solid graphics
especially for the system but the tough game play may ruin it for others.
It's almost impossible not to get hit here by the other rival tanks out there
since the game play is so slow.
For 1 player only
graphics: 6
sound: 4
gameplay: 4
Look for BATTLEZONE on eBay here!
65 BERZERK (Atari/Centuri, 1981)
The arcade game about a lone man running and shooting his way through
deadly corridors that kill on impact and giant robots that shoot you on site.
You should also be careful of the settings here too because the evil Mr. Happy
will hunt you down if you take too long in making your escape. Berzerk is
a fun shooter as you try to survive against a horde of evil endless robots.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 3
gameplay: 2
Look for BERZERK on eBay here!
15 BOXING (Activision,
1980)
Here is an unbelievably
short lived overhead boxing game that can be played with a second person or
a computer controlled opponent. Simply score more points in the limited amount
of time to beat your friend to win the contest. Boxing is a fun game if you
play against a friend but the appeal is quite limited.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 1
Look for BOXING on eBay here!
04 BARN STORMING (Activision, 1983)
What was a cool enough game at the beginning just ended after a few seconds
or minutes. All you have to do in this game is flying under 10 or 25 barns
and then its game over. Barn Storming is a decent time trial idea but there
is very little game play here.
For 1 player only
graphics: 3
sound: 1
gameplay: 0
Look for BARN STORMING on eBay here!
17 BREAKOUT (Atari, September 1977)
The one player Pong-like
game of coloured block breaking action. This simple game is about as boring
as a game could ever get because there are no power ups, weapons, or even
interesting level designs to keeps the player going.
*Paddles needed
Model #2622
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 0
sound: 0
gameplay: 1
Look for BREAKOUT on eBay here!
56 CARNIVAL (Coleco/Sega, 1981)
Carnival is just that, a video carnival game where you shoot various toy
ducks, a spinning wheel, and many other mini targets in this old Sega arcade
game. Time is limited here so shoot fast or its game over. Carnival doesn't
look like much but it plays fine.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 4
Look for CARNIVAL on eBay here!
60 CENTIPEDE (Atari, 1983)
This classic bug shooter
can be a very addictive game if you get on 'fire'! Your hero is now only a
mere block though because of the limited power of the 2600 and even the mushrooms
lack detail but at least the simple but intense game play is still intact.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 4
Look for CENTIPEDE on eBay here!
51 CHECKERS (Activision, 1983)
This is one of the few stand alone Checkers video games I know of. It
sure may not be much to look at but still this game is a guilty pleasure for
me. Unlike real Checkers all the rules are already enforced so you don't have
to fight with friends if they try something funny plus for a older game the
computer AI is pretty good. Checkers is completely no frills so sadly there
is no sexy half naked girls telling you are the winner after a match (the
game just quietly freezes up) or anything like that but the game plays well
enough to be just slightly above average.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 1
sound: 1
gameplay: 3
Look for CHECKERS on eBay here!
37 CHOPPER COMMAND (Activision, 1982)
Defender? Chopper Command plays just like Atari/Williams's space game;
Defender except for the new desert looks of course. In CC you must use your
high powered helicopter to protect friendly ground convoys from enemy choppers
and planes. This is a fairly difficult and intense shooter with some decent
graphics for its day but I dropped a few points for its lack of innovation.
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 2
gameplay: 4
Look for CHOPPER COMMAND on eBay here!
25 COMBAT (Atari, 1977)
Perhaps the most common Atari 2600 game in known existence is this two
player only war game that was once a pack in game for the original 2600 VCS.
The game has some nice options where you edit the environments and even the
vehicles but it's always one on one fight no matter what happens and not everyone
will go for that.
Model #2601
For 2 players only
graphics: 1
sound: 1
gameplay: 2
Look for COMBAT on eBay here!
38 COMMANDO (Activision/Data
East/Capcom, 1987)
Come on, if you don't remember the other ones on here then maybe you know
this Capcom arcade shoot them up, uh? The graphics are bland, the action is
slow, and using the grenades is a hassle (you have to hold down the button).
Even the NES version is better than this and that was pretty bad too.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 2
Look for COMMANDO on eBay here!
23
This game may look
good in the screen shots but this jungle based game is nothing more then a
poor man's Donkey Kong. The action is hard to see and the graphics
are sub par at best thanks to all of the attention going into the well designed
backgrounds and not the actually characters themselves. Good luck making to
the top in this confusing game.
For 1 player only
graphics: 4
sound: 2
gameplay: 1
Look for CONGO BONGO on eBay here!
37 COSMIC
In this simple game
you must protect your giant space ship from your enemies but you can only
fire in four directions. You could do worse for the Atari 2600 but
don't expect a lot of deep game play here people.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 2
Look for COSMIC ARK on eBay here!
52 CRACK POTS (Activision, 1982)
Despite the odd drug
friendly name, you have to kill climbing multiple coloured bugs before they
destroy your building in this unusual game here instead. As the colours change
in the bugs, the trickier they are to hit and if they destroy too much of
your building then it's game over. Crack Pots is a fun game of single screen
action.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 6
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Look for CRACK POTS on eBay here!
29 CROSSBOW (Atari/Exidy, 1984, 1987)
This super lame target
game about a team of adventures looking to survive through several boring
locations. This could have a good adventure game but somehow I knew that Atari
couldn't handle it.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 1
gameplay: 4
Look for CROSSBOW on eBay here!
46 CRYSTAL CASTLES (Atari, 1984)
Crystal Castles is
a strange Pac Man clone that's almost impossible to play on this old
system thanks to the strange isometric angles. The arcade game wasn't even
too great to begin with because the awkward controls but at least it had a
roller ball for the stupid bear's movements.
For 1 player only
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 3
Look for CRYSTAL CASTLES on eBay here!
61 DEFENDER (Atari/Williams, 1981)
The classic shoot them up of alien's trying to steal humans is here on
the Atari 2600 and it's up to you and your star ship to save everyone
or deal with the aftermath once they're captured. Defender is a good game
but takes some practice especially with the signal button control.
Model #2609
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5
Look for DEFENDER on eBay here!
60 DEFENDER II (Atari/Williams, 1988)
Although it was known as Star Gate in the arcades, it was also
named Defender II when it was released in 1988. It plays like the same old
Defender but now can warp in special wormholes on the playing field and the
graphics look more true to the classic original thanks to line art style.
Model #26120
for 1 or 2 players
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Look for DEFENDER II on eBay here!
42 DEMON ATTACK (Imagic, 1981)
In this game you must shoot down various killer birds to survive from
their swarming attacks. This game got Imagic into trouble because Atari sued
the makers of Demon Attack saying it was too similar too their game called
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 3
Look for DEMON ATTACK on eBay here!
32 DESERT FALCON (Atari, 1988)
Desert Falcon is a really bad Zaxxon clone that takes place in
the hostile deserts instead of deep space. Sadly the game is really slow and
the position of your character makes it hard not to get hit. This blocky shooting
game is also fairly hard on the eyes too.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 3
Look for DESERT FALCON on eBay here!
55 DIG DUG (Atari/Namco, 1983)
This is a pretty good translation of the arcade game and it even sounds
just like it too. This unique game lets you pop your enemies (there are only
two different enemies though) with a special pump while digging your way though
dirt. It's more fun then it sounds. This game is also on the Atari 5200
and 7800 systems if you're interested.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 5
gameplay: 4
Look for DIG DUG on eBay here!
52 DOLPHIN (Activision,
1983)
Before games like Ecco the Dolphin made their entrance there was Activision's
very original Dolphin title. You help a Dolphin out run a deadly Squid while
avoiding the many sea creatures that get in the way. You can even turn the
tables on the Squid by getting a seagull as a power up. Dolphin maybe basic
in design but it is still a very unique title!
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Look for DOLPHIN on eBay here!
40 DONKEY KONG (Coleco/Nintendo, 1981)
The arcade favourite
arrives on the 2600 but you get only the first and last levels in this action
platformer. Not a must have because it's almost as bad of a translation as
Atari Pac Man for the 2600 was but I did however
like the start anytime you want feature at the start of every level which
kind of works as a 'pause'.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 4
gameplay: 3
Look for DONKEY KONG on eBay here!
32 DONKEY KONG JR. (Coleco/Nintendo, 1983)
What could have been
a great action game like the arcade game was suffers from poor controls and
very bad graphics. This game is even worse than the original Donkey Kong on
the 2600 and that was a fairly bad translation as well. Ugly game, just ugly!
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 1
sound: 2
gameplay: 4
Look for DONKEY KONG JUNIOR on eBay here!
04 DOUBLE DRAGON (Activision, 1987)
If you thought the
NES and SMS were bad wait till you get a load of this! This
popular arcade fighter is basically stripped down to the core since the graphics
are super blocky and the sounds are minimal. I can stand some bad presentation,
this is the Atari 2600 after all, but what I can't stand is the unfair
and hard to control game play.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 1
sound: 4
gameplay: 2
Look for DOUBLE DRAGON on eBay here!
10 DRAGSTER (Activision, 1982)
This is another one of those two player only games here on the Atari 2600.
Just be the first one to cross the finish line to win the race but don't over
use your engine or you'll burn out of control. Dragster has very limited appeal.
For 2 players only
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 1
Look for DRAGSTER on eBay here!
Total Recall Dud
of the Month!
11 E.T.
(Atari, 1982)
Now before you get
excited about having one of the biggest movies of all time on the Atari
2600 you should play it first! ET is a one very confusing search type
of game where you help the alien himself escape from nasty detectives and
several pitfalls while finding Resse Pieces to help him get back home. What
makes this game so appalling is the continuous pits that are little alien
friend always seems to fall in. ET is very demanding and very tedious to play
and it was so bad that it helped to destroy Atari in 1983.
For 1 player only
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 3
Look for ET on eBay here!
55 EUDURO (Activision, 1983)
Like Namco/Atari's Pole Position, Euduro is an early 3D racer. Euduro even
has changing whether conditions in another impressive feet for the Activision
programmers (they really pushed the Atari 2600 to its limits).
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 2
gameplay: 5
Look for ENDURO on eBay here!
02 FINAL APPROACH
A space shuttle simulator
on the old Atari 2600................... There are so many things wrong
with this concept that I don't know where to even begin. "This game is
virtually unplayable!"
*Uncommon 2600 game
For 1 player only
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 4
Look for FINAL APPROACH on eBay here!
51 FLASH GORDON (20th Century Fox, 1982)
Flash Gordon is a
fun shooter that actually fairly deep for an Atari 2600 game since you have
a rather detailed map in plain view. This game was based on a popular character
from a few decades ago by the way.
For 1 player only
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 6
Look for FLASH GORDON on eBay here!
08 FREEWAY (Activision, 1981)
Help two chickens
get across the road in this very limited version of Frogger. Freeway
can only be played with a friend and worse yet, you can only move up and down,
that's it! Maybe this was cool back in the early eighties but not today. "Give
me Frogger!"
For 2 players only
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 1
Look for FREEWAY on eBay here!
72 FROGGER (Parker Brothers/Konami, 1982)
It's just not a Playstation
game after all, is it? This original overhead arcade classic comes home for
the first time and those lucky Atari 2600 gamers got their chance to play
this unique adventure where you have to help a frog get home. Frogger is a great classic of timing and skill and is a must own for Atari
2600 owners because it’s so simplistic and challenging! Frogger almost
loses nothing on its Atari 2600 translation especially when it comes to game
play.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 6
gameplay: 6
Look for FROGGER on eBay here!
34 FROGS N' FLIES (Mattel, 1983)
The person with the
most flies wins, that's it. There is no comic book artist doing the graphics,
there is no famous band doing the background music, and there are no options
for a Create-a-player, trades, or stuff like that....... it's just two frogs
hopping for flies........ That’s it!
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 1
Look for FROG N ' FLIES on eBay here!
25 FRONTLINE (Zellers
This is an unlicensed
version of Atari's Combat game by some of are Zellers stores
here in
For 2 players only
graphics: 1
sound: 1
gameplay: 2
Look for FRONTLINE on eBay here!
73 FROSTBITE (Activision, 1983)
Frostbite is a very
intense and very original jumping adventure in the dangerous
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 4
Look for FROSTBITE on eBay here!
72 GALAXIAN (Atari/Namco, 1982)
If you don't this one Galaxian is the prequel to the famous Galaga which is also by Namco. Its still a fun shooter but really basic
one at that too and at least it sounds way better than that stupid 5200
version. Galaxian is a basic Space Invader clone as you blast away
at a large group of evil aliens looking to take you out but it's still fun and these aliens will swoop down too.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 6
Look for GALAXIAN on eBay here!
54 GORF (CBS, 1983)
The popular Space Invaders/Galaxian-like shooter comes with 4 different
stages available. Galaxian is a great game if you’re looking for more
variety in a shooter but its still far from arcade perfect and there are not
a lot of options either.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 4
Look for GORF on eBay here!
25 GRAND PRIX (Activision, 1981)
One of the first games made by Activision for the Atari 2600 is this really
simple racing contest that ends as soon as you cross the finish line which
only take about a minute or two. Grand Prix is anything but grand!
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 2
Look for GRAND PRIX on eBay here!
27 HAUNTED HOUSE (Atari, 1981)
All the rooms in this stupid haunted house all look the same and your
hero is nothing more than a pair of eyeballs in almost total darkness. Maybe
this game would be decent if there was a map system but I still wouldn't bet
on it.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 4
Look for HAUNTED HOUSE on eBay here!
51 ICE HOCKEY (Activision,
1983)
Despite the popularity of the Atari 2600, there have been very few real Hockey
games (no, Pong
doesn't count as real Hockey) on the legendary gaming unit. Ice Hockey is
sure primitive compared to what we get now of days but this is still a lot
crazy fun and I bet Hockey fans will still like it regardless.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 1
gameplay: 4
Look for ICE HOCKEY on eBay here!
22 INDY 500 (Atari, 1977)
Just imagine racing in the 1970? Not pretty! Indy 500 is a very
early version of a Super Sprint type of driving game that comes with
its very own custom Roller controllers for better handling. The game itself
is too bare bones to be taken seriously though but maybe it was a big deal
back then?
*Roller controllers required
For 2 players only
graphics: 1
sound: 1
gameplay: 1
Look for INDY 500 on eBay here!
52 INTERNATIONAL SOCCER (Mattel, 1983)
One of the better looking and one of the better playing soccer games for
the Atari 2600. If you're a Soccer nut and you're looking for some retro action
as well then this is a great choice and this far superior to Atari's Pele
Soccer.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 4
Look for INTERNATIONAL SOCCER on eBay here!
62 JUNGLE HUNT (Atari/Taito, 1983)
The renamed Jungle King arcade game comes to the 2600 complete
with all the vine jumping, swimming, and head hunter avoiding action the title
was known for. The story line here is your girlfriend has been captured by
cannibals and it's up to your explorer butt to save her. The graphics do flicker
now and again but this action platformer game plays very well on the old system.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Look for JUNGLE HUNT on eBay here!
57 JOUST (Atari/Williams, 1983)
Sure, it looks a little
plain here compared to the arcade original and all the characters are just
one solid colour now but it's still true to the Williams arcade game and if
you have a friend around then the two of you could have a lot of fun here.
The game even has the Egg and Survival rounds too.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Look for JOUST on eBay here!
71 JR. PAC MAN (Atari/Namco, 1987)
Never heard of Jr.
Pac Man before? Well if you haven't, then you're not the only one. Jr. Pac
Man was actually one of Atari's late releases in 1987-8 era and most of the
public all but ignored Atari's attempt to come back from the dead especially
with the popular NES out there. If you're at all curious this forgotten
title then you'll find a impressive fast paced action game with nice graphics,
cool sound effects, plus the classic game play that's the hardest of the series
and this kid is only on the Atari 2600. Not only is the skill level there
but the graphics and the sounds are the best of the three 2600 made Pac Man
games and it's also the rarest one too. "Recommend to any hard-core Pac
Man fans too and it's a must for the Atari 2600!"
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 5
gameplay: 5
Look for JR. PAC MAN on eBay here!
54 KABOOM (Activision, 1982)
In this unusual game you guide your water bucket (or buckets) back or
front to catch the falling explosives from the rotten Mad Bomber. Kaboom is
a very simple and yet very addictive game of catch that's one of the better
games used with the paddles.
*paddles required
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 3
Look for KABOOM on eBay here!
63 KANGAROO (Atari/Centuri, 1983)
Kangaroo is a fun action that is very similar to Nintendo's Donkey Kong
but at least your Kangaroo has a offensive attack as well as a jump. Journey
across three levels to rescue you're baby kangaroo from rotten monkeys. It's
a tough and short game but I also feel it was a bit underrated as well.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 4
Look for KANGAROO on eBay here!
61 KEYSTONE KAPERS (Activision, 1982)
Double K here is a unique cops and robbers game in a hectic shopping mall.
You play the role a traditional keystone cop who is on a continuous mission
to catch the thief in a mall. You only have 45 seconds to get him and you
have to avoid the many hazards like shopping carts, bouncing balls, radios
and toy airplanes in the process. Keystone Kapers is your basic run and jump
game but it's fast, it's has variety, and most importantly it's fun.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 2
gameplay: 5
Look for KEYSTONE KAPERS on eBay here!
24 LASER BLAST (Activision, 1982)
Whoa! What the fudge
is this game suppose to be? This shooter isn't a blast at all, it really blows! In this game you use
your star ship to destroy three ground battle guns and after that you repeat and repeat and
repeat............... Yeah, Laser Blast sucks!
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 1
Look for LASER BLAST on eBay here!
42 LOCK N' CHASE (Mattel, 1983)
This is a pac-man clone that uses a strange and sometimes awkward door
management system for the game's maze. In Lock N' Chase your a criminal looking
to get rich by stealing all the goodies on the board plus you risk getting
caught by getting the big money in the center of the maze but be careful of
the four security officers looking to stop you.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 5
Look for LOCK N' CHASE on eBay here!
33 MARIO BROS. (Atari/Nintendo, 1984)
This simple looking
2 player action platformer game is actually the prequel to the popular Super
Mario Brothers. Although it is simple in design, it's quite
impressive that its on the Atari 2600. Sadly, this features very rough controls
compared to the NES edition and it only has basic beeps for sound effects
as well.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5
Look for MARIO BROS. on eBay here!
48 M.A.S.H. (20th Century Fox, 1982)
In this popular but
kind of grim comedy movie and TV franchise you help to rescue your injured
soldiers with your helicopter in the deadly Korean country side. "They'll
make a game about anything, eh?"
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 5
gameplay: 4
Look for M.A.S.H. on eBay here!
42 MAZE CRAZE: A Game of Cops and Robbers
(Atari, 1978)
Maze Craze is a unique
game of cops and robbers (so the story goes) in giant single screen mazes.
This game as a lot to offer for options but you have to put up with extremely
simple looks and overly confusing structures as well.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 2
Look for MAZE CRAZE on eBay here!
65 MEGA MANIA (Activision, 1983)
Mega Mania is a cool shooter where you have to attack 8 levels of different
enemies like typewriters, blocks of killer cheese, evil hamburgers and other
strange stuff. What makes Mega Mania so original is that each stage has a
different pattern to learn if you want to survive. Your ship even looks a
lot like the Star Ship Enterprise from the original Star Trek. I recommend
Mega Mania if you love simple but fun shoot em ups.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Look for MEGA MANIA on eBay here!
65
Midnight Magic is
a fun pinball game that's more realistic than the earlier Atari game: Video
Pinball. It's even possible to change the colour of the board if you are
good enough, of course. This is the kind of game that's perfect for the Atari
2600 but I have could use a score keeper here.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 5
sound: 3
gameplay: 6
Look for MIDNIGHT MAGIC on eBay here!
63 MISSILE COMMAND (Atari, 1981)
"If you don't know what Missile Command is all about then ask your
dad about this one!" This is a very challenging mission to stop ballistic
missiles from raining down and destroying 6 of your cities. If all the cities
are destroyed then it's game over. The game looks OK I guess but it still
has a really basic detail to it. You also have to shoot down planes, aliens,
and smart bombs too to add to your worries but with all of it hectic action
it is a always a fun game because of its challenging game play. Sure there
is no way you can win and you're pretty much doomed to failure but at least
you can always go for the high score of course.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5
Look for MISSILE COMMAND on eBay here!
70 MS. PAC MAN (Atari/Namco, 1983)
Ms. Pac Man was not
only one of the biggest video games of all time but Atari was way more serious
this time in their arcade creation and they address many of complaints of
the disappointing Atari Pac
Man and thankfully we get a way better game because of it.
Atari's Ms. Pac Man still looks kind of blocky, the sounds is not quite arcade
perfect, and there are tons of flickers on screen, but you still get four
completely different mazes and all new different difficulty settings too thanks
to that upgraded 8K ROM cartridge. Like I said before this is way superior
to Atari Pac Man, this Atari translation of the arcade classic is actually
pretty good and it's definitely worth a purchase and the best about that is
the game is going pretty cheap too.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 6
Look for MS. PAC MAN on eBay here!
50 MOUSE TRAP (Coleco/Atari, 1981, 1988)
In this Pac Man
clone (one of many) you help a lone mouse eat a entire board of cheese while
avoiding 3 wild cats. Your mouse can open and close doors to help avoid them
plus you can even turn the tables on these cats if you have dog biscuits.
The mouse can even use them at your leisure but the dog's time is limited
of course so it's good to act fast. Mouse Trap would have rated higher if
it wasn't so confusing. This is one of the games re-released in 1988 by Atari.
For 1 or 2 player’s
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5
Look for MOUSE TRAP on eBay here!
BEST ATARI 2600 GAME!
GAME OF THE MONTH COLLECTION!
86 MOON PATROL (Atari/Irem, 1983)
One of the joys
of starting up my old Atari 2600 up again is popping in Moon Patrol for another
go. This is a impressive yet quite challenging action/shooter game thanks
with its unique 3D graphics, background music, and its fantastic game play
that's still good even by today's standards. I first got this game way back
in 1984, a time when the whole video game industry was considered dead to
many. If there were more games like Moon Patrol out there than I'm sure the
big crash wouldn't had happened to begin with. It's one of the few Atari games
that as the complete package. Moon Patrol is certainly one of those rare gems
for the Atari 2600!
Model #2692
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 7
Look for MOON PATROL on eBay here!
ATARI
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