Complete Atari 2600 Game Library

Pac-Man

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:11:35 GMT

Release: Mar. 1982 Arcade Developer: Namco (Toru Iwatani) Ported & Published by: Atari (Tod Frye) Port of Arcade: Pac-Man (1980)

Although it sold 7 million units to a user base of 10 million, this port's quality was widely criticized. Having manufactured 12 million cartridges with the expectation that the game would increase sales of its console, Atari incurred large financial losses when forced to scrap over five million copies. This was one of the catalysts that led to the North American video game crash of 1983, second only to the home video game version of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Space Invaders

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:10:54 GMT

Release: 1980 Arcade Developer: Taito (Tomohiro Nishikado) Ported & Published by: Atari (Rick Maurer) Port of Arcade: Space Invaders (1978)

The 2600 port of this insanely-popular arcade hit turned out to be the firt 'killer app' for video game consoles. It helped quadruple sales of Atari's home console.

Asteroids

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:11:50 GMT

Release: 1981 Arcade Developer: Atari (Ed Logg) Ported & Published by: Atari (Brad Stewart) Port of Arcade: Asteroids (1979)

Based on Atari's best selling arcade game of all time, which was such a big hit at the arcades that many operators had to install larger coin boxes to the cabinets.

Pitfall!

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:12:57 GMT

Release: Sep. 1982 Developer: Activision (David Crane) Published by: Activision

This original 2600 release was a huge success for Activision, selling over 4 million copies, and is often regarded as the first true 'platform' game.

Frogger

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:12:22 GMT

Release: 1981 Arcade Developer: Konami / SEGA Ported & Published by: Parker Bros. (Ed English) Port of Arcade: Frogger (1981)

This franchise was originally called 'Highway Crossing Frog' until someone smart at SEGA decided to change it to 'Frogger' instead.

Missile Command

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:12:48 GMT

Release: 1980 Arcade Developer: Atari (Dave Theurer) Ported & Published by: Atari (Rob Fulop) Port of Arcade: Missile Command (1980)

The original arcade version was one of the biggest hits for Atari, with its coin-op machines still outperforming other arcades even into the 1990s.

Donkey Kong

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:13:06 GMT

Release: 1982 Arcade Developer: Nintendo (Shigeru Miyamoto) Ported & Published by: Coleco (Garry Kitchen) Port of Arcade: Donkey Kong (1981)

Both Atari and Coleco fought to get publishing rights for the game from Nintendo, but Coleco won. For first six months, it was only available bundled with ColecoVision consoles, but by the end of 1982, a stand-alone Atari 2600 version was available.

Combat (Tank Plus)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:12:15 GMT

Release: Oct. 1977 Developer: Atari (Joe Decuir; Larry Wagner) Published by: Atari, Sears

One of the original nine launch titles for the Atari 2600 VCS, Combat came bundled with the systems until 1982. The game was partly based on Atari's 1974 arcade game 'Tank' and 1975's 'Anti-Aircraft II'

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:13:16 GMT

Release: Dec. 1982 Developer: Atari (Howard Scott Warshaw) Published by: Atari

Being only given six weeks to develop it in order to get onto holiday store shelves, Howard Scott Warshaw went on to create what many consider The Worst Video Game of All Time, and which was the catalyst behind the 'video game crash of 1983'. As a result of overproduction, millions of unsold cartrdiges ended up being buried in a New Mexico landfill.

Centipede

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:12:02 GMT

Release: 1982 Arcade Developer: Atari (Ed Logg; Dona Bailey) Ported & Published by: Atari Port of Arcade: Centipede (1980)

Defender

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:13:24 GMT

Release: 1981 Arcade Developer: Williams Elec. (Eugene Jarvis) Ported & Published by: Atari (Bob Polaro) Port of Arcade: Defender (1980)

Dig Dug

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:13:58 GMT

Release: 1983 Arcade Developer: Namco Ported & Published by: Atari Port of Arcade: Dig Dug (1982)

Yars' Revenge

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:12:41 GMT

Release: May 1982 Developer: Atari (Howard Scott Warshaw) Published by: Atari

This title was Atari 2600's best selling original title (it wasn't an arcade port), and was highly praised, which is odd as the same programmer went on to make E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, which brought on the downfall of Atari.

Ms. Pac-Man

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:13:34 GMT

Release: 1982 Arcade Developer: GCC / Midway Ported & Published by: Atari Port of Arcade: Ms. Pac-Man (1981)

General Computer Corp created a Pac-Man clone prototype called 'Crazy Otto' and showed it to Midway, Namco's US distributor. Midway was very impressed with it, and after getting tired of waiting on Namco to deliver a sequel to Pac-Man, decided to re-brand Crazy Otto as 'Ms. Pac-Man' and released it without Namco's approval. After it became a huge hit, Midway and GCC handed over all rights to the game to Namco, to avoid any legal fights.

Grand Prix

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:13:41 GMT

Release: Mar. 1982 Developer: Activision (David Crane) Published by: Activision

One of the first side-scrolling racing games developed.

Pole Position

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:13:53 GMT

Release: 1983 Arcade Developer: Namco Ported & Published by: Atari (Doug Macare) Port of Arcade: Pole Position (1982)

Q*bert

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:16:33 GMT

Release: 1983 Arcade Developer: Gottlieb (Warren Davis) Ported & Published by Parker Bros (Dave Hampton) Port of Arcade: Q*Bert (1982)

Kaboom!

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:14:16 GMT

Release: 1981 Developer: Activision (Larry Kaplan) Published by: Activision

Originally meant to be a port of the 1978 Arcade game 'Avalanche', the gameplay concept had to be dramatically altered due to limitations of the 2600. However, Avalanche arcade title never took off in popularity, while Kaboom! became one of Activision's greatest hits, selling over one million copies. It is often regarded as the greatest 2600 game ever made.

Adventure

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:33:02 GMT

Release: 1979 Developer: Atari (Warren Robinett) Published by: Atari

Considered to be the first action-adventure game ever created, as well as inclusion of the first popular 'Easter Egg' included within a game. At the time, Atari never gave designers credit for their games (which eventually led four top programmers to leave and form Activision) but Warren Robinett included a hidden Easter Egg which revealed himself as the designer.

Joust

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:14:09 GMT

Release: 1983 Arcade Developer: Williams Elec. (John Newcomer) Ported & Published by: Atari Port of Arcade: Joust (1982)

Berzerk

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:14:26 GMT

Release: Aug. 1982 Arcade Developer: Stern Elec. (Alan McNeil) Ported & Published by: Atari (Dan Hitchens) Port of Arcade: Berzerk (1980)

Video Pinball

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:14:56 GMT

Release: 1980 Developer: Atari (Bob Smith) Published by: Atari

Cosmic Ark

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:15:32 GMT

Release: 1982 Developer: Imagic (Rob Fulop) Published by: Imagic

Sequel to Imagic's game 'Atlantis'. Rob Fulop, its designer, was a former Atari programmer (Night Driver, Missile Command) who left and formed Imagic along with programmer Bob Smith (Video Pinball).

Haunted House

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:16:09 GMT

Release: 1981 Developer: Atari (James Andreasen) Published by: Atari

One of first games to feature scrolling graphics as well as one of the earliest examples of 'survival horror' game genre.

Galaxian

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:15:08 GMT

Release: 1983 Arcade Developer: Namco (Koichi Tashiro) Ported & Published by: Atari Port of Arcade: Galaxian (1979)

Chopper Command

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:15:16 GMT

Release: Jun. 1982 Developer: Activision (Bob Whitehead) Published by: Activision

Became very successful hit because it was perceived to be a superior version to Atari's own 'Defender' port.

Hangman

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:32:33 GMT

Release: 1978 Developer: Atari (Alan Miller) Published by: Atari

Warlords

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:14:47 GMT

Release: 1981 Arcade Developer: Atari Ported & Published by Atari (Carla Meninsky) Port of Arcade game: Warlords (1980)

Often cited by 2600 fans as one of their favorite titles, and easily the best multi-player game for the console, Warlords was a huge hit throughout the life of the 2600. The original 1980 version used joysticks, but the 1981 re-release made use of the much-better suited paddle controllers.

Demon Attack

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:16:21 GMT

Release: 1982 Developer: Imagic (Rob Fulop) Published by: Imagic

Loosely based on 1979's arcade hit 'Galaxian', Imagic's Demon Attack had very similar gameplay to Atari's 'Phoenix' title, prompting a lawsuit by the gaming giant. Imagic settled out of court, and Demon Attack went on to become Imagic's only big sales hit.

Stampede

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:17:09 GMT

Release: 1982 Developer: Activision (Bob Whitehead) Published by: Activision

Mouse Trap

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:16:01 GMT

Release: 1982 Arcade Developer: Exidy (Larry W. Hutcherson) Ported and Published by: Coleco (Sylvia Day) Port of Arcade: Mouse Trap (1981)

Air-Sea Battle / Target Fun

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:17:01 GMT

Release: 1977 Developer: Atari (Larry Kaplan) Published by: Atari, Sears

This was one of the nine original launch titles for the Atari 2600 console. It was also launched as 'Target Fun' for the Sears Video Game system, which was simply an Atari 2600 re-branded by Sears.

Jungle Hunt

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:15:46 GMT

Release: 1983 Arcade Developer: Taito Ported and Published by: Atari Port of Arcade: Jungle Hunt (1982)

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:34:53 GMT

Release: Nov. 1982 Developer: Atari (Howard Scott Warshaw) Published by: Atari

Although a very mediocre, if not bad game, it was the work on this title which led director Steven Spielberg to insist that Howard Scott Warshaw be the programmer on the ill-fated 'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial' game.

Street Racer

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:32:46 GMT

Release: 1978 Developer: Atari (Larry Kaplan) Published by: Atari

Slot Racers

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:14:32 GMT

Release: 1978 Developer: Atari (Warren Robinett) Published by: Atari

Megamania

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:34:27 GMT

Release: Sep. 1982 Developer: Activision (Steve Cartwright) Published by: Activision

Riddle of the Sphinx

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:16:52 GMT

Release: 1982 Developer: Imagic (Bob Smith) Published by: Imagic

Considered one of the most complex games for the Atari 2600 system, even using the difficulty and 'Tv-type' switches on the console as ways to change status screens in the game.

Kangaroo

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:35:44 GMT

Release: 1983 Arcade Developer: Sun Elec. Ported and Published by: Atari Port of Arcade: Kangaroo (1982)

River Raid

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:35:57 GMT

Release: 1982 Developer: Activision (Carol Shaw) Published by: Activision

The grandfather of vertical shooter games, River Raid was impressive in the huge variety of non-random terrain included within. Also, it was first video game ever to be put on the German index of 'media items harmful to young persons'. It remained a banned game in Germany until 2002, when Activision successfully had the title removed off the index so they could release their PS2 Activision Anthology.

Phoenix

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:34:01 GMT

Release: 1982 Arcade Developer: Amstar Elec. Ported and Published by: Atari Port of Arcade: Phoenix (1980)

Though gameplay was similar to Galaxian or Space Invaders, this title was a hit because it was the first arcade game ever to present boss battles as separate challenges at the end of each level.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:58:36 GMT

Release: 1982 Developer: Parker Bros. (Rex Bradford) Published by: Parker Bros.

Having secured publishing rights to all Star Wars games for the Atari 2600, Parker Brothers released Star Wars: The Arcade Game, Jedi Arena, and Return of the Jedi, but 'The Empire Strikes Back' was by far the most successful.

Super Breakout

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:33:27 GMT

Release: 1981 Developer: Atari (Nick Turner) Published by: Atari, Sears

Seaquest

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:34:46 GMT

Release: 1983 Developer: Activision (Steve Cartwright) Published by: Activision

Amidar

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:38:36 GMT

Release: 1983 Arcade Developer: Konami Ported and Published by: Parker Bros. (Ed Temple) Port of Arcade: Amidar (1981)

Atlantis

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:33:17 GMT

Release: 1982 Developer: Imagic (Dennis Koble) Published by: Imagic

In November, 1982 there was an Atlantis competition, where 4 finalists competed in a shoot-off in Bermuda. The winner took home $10,000.

Outlaw / Gunslinger

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:34:11 GMT

Release: 1978 Developer: Atari (David Crane) Published by: Atari, Sears

Partly based on Atari's 'Outlaw' arcade game, released in 1976, the Atari 2600 port added many more gameplay modes as well as player vs player shootouts that wasn't possible on the arcade version. It was published by Sears Tele-Games as 'Gunslinger'.

Starmaster

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:33:46 GMT

Release: 1982 Developer: Activision (Alan Miller) Published by: Activision

Surround (Chase)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:39:12 GMT

Release: 1978 Developer: Atari (Alan Miller) Published by: Atari

Venture

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:59:43 GMT

Release: 1982 Arcade Developer: Exidy Ported and Published by: Coleco (Joseph Biel) Port of Arcade: Venture (1981)