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DOWN AND DIRTY REVIEWS:  ATARI 2600 VCS
    "NOW we are talking retro here!"  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 PS2 and Sega Dreamcast, but you still need skill to play most of these games here and that's what counts.  Moon Patrol is still number 1 here.
The scores are out of 100.

SCORE / NAME

46 ADVENTURE (Atari, 1981)
Your a simple little block in a quest for adventure. A very cool and unique game back then but it's very outdated by most of today's games. Still a must for retro fanatics and better than all the Swordquest games (the so called sequels) combine.
For 1player only.
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 6

10 AIR RAIDERS (Mattel)
The common flight simulator for the Atari 2600. Very confusing to play with very blocky 3Dgraphics.
For 1player only.
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 6

12 AIR SEA BATTLE (Atari, 1978)
A really basis two player only shooting gallery.
graphics: 2
sound: 0
gameplay: 1

31 AMIDAR (Parker Bros./Konami)
A slow moving painting game.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 2

49 ARMOR AMBUSH (Mattel)
Combat on different terrain.

51 ASTERIODS (Atari, 1981)
A great classic shooter that uses flat but colourful asteriods and not the vector graphics found in the arcades. A huge hit for the Atari 2600.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 4

49 ASTRO BLAST (Mattel)
This shooter is also available on the Intellivision. Fun and choatic but it's very repeatitive.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5

50 BATTLEZONE (Atari, 1982)
Good graphics for the system but tough gameplay. It's almost impossible not to get hit.
For 1player only.
graphics: 6
sound: 4
gameplay: 4

39 BERZERK (Atari, 1981)
The evil Mr. Happy is gone from the atari 2600 version but this still a fun shooter for a few minutes.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 2
sound: 3
gameplay: 2

15 BOXING (Activision, 1982)
a unbelievable short lived game.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 1

08 BREAK OUT (Atari)
The one player Pong like game of block breaking.
*paddles*
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 1
sound: 0
gameplay: 1

46 CARNIVAL (Coleco/Sega, 1981)
Shoot various duckys and many other mini targets in this old Sega arcade game.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 4

32 CASINO (Atari)

42 CENTIPEDE (Atari, 1983)
Can be a addictive game if you get on 'fire'! Your hero is only a mere block though.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 4

37 CHOPPER COMMAND (Activision, 1982)
Defender?? It plays just like Atari's Defender expect for the looks.
For 1player only.
graphics: 5
sound: 2
gameplay: 4

06 CIRCUS ATARI (Atari)
*paddles*

25 COMBAT (Atari, 1977)
Prehaps the most common Atari 2600 game out there is this two player only war game that was once a pack in game for the 2600.
For 2players only.
graphics: 1
sound: 1
gameplay: 2

23 CONGO BONGO (Sega)
A poor man's Donkey Kong clone.
For 1player only.
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 1

37 COSMIC ARK

52 CRACK POTS (Activision, 1982)
Kill climbing bugs before they destroy your building.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 7
sound: 4
gameplay: 5

26 CRYSTAL CASTLES (Atari, 1983)
A strange Pac Man clone that's almost impossible to play on this old system. The arcade game wasn't even too great to begin with.
For 1player only.
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 3

47 DEFENDER (Atari/Williams, 1981)
The classic shoot em up of alien's trying to steal humans and it's up to you to save them all. Good but takes some practice.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5

50 DEFENDER II (Atari/Williams, 1988)
This Star Gate game also named Defender II.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5

42 DEMON ATTACK

NEW!!
32 DESERT FALCON (Atari, 1988)
A really bad Zaxxon clone that is really slow and hard on the eyes.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 3

55 DIG DUG (Atari/Namco)
a pretty good translation of the arcade game. Sounds just like it too. Also on the Atari 5200 and 7800 systems.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 5
gameplay: 4

43 DONKEY KONG (Coleco/Nintendo, 1981)
You get only the first and last levels in Coleco's Donkey Kong on 2600. Not a must have.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 2
sound: 4
gameplay: 3

32 DONKEY KONG JR. (Coleco/Nintendo, 1983)
Poor controls with bad graphics. Even worse than the original Donkey Kong on the 2600. Ugly game, just ugly!
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 1
sound: 2
gameplay: 4

40 DRAGON TREASURE (Zellers Canada)


11 E.T. (Atari, 1982)
A confusing search type of game that helped to destroy Atari in 1983.
For 1player only.
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 4

02 FINAL APPROACH
A space shuttle simulator on the Atari 2600................... there are so many things wrong with this concept. Virtually unplayable.

51 FLASH GORDON (20th Century Fox)
A fun shooter that fairly deep for a Atari 2600 game.
For 1player only.
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 6

08 FREEWAY (Activision)
Help two chicken across the road in this very limited version of a Frogger type of game. Worse yet, you can only move up and down.
For 2players only.
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 1


62 FROGGER (Parker Brothers/Konami, 1982)
It's just not a Playstation game after all. A perfect game for the Atari 2600 system because its so simplistic and challenging. A great classic!
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 6
gameplay: 6

35 FROGS N' FLIES (Mattel)

25 FRONTLINE (Zellers Canada)
It's a unlicensed Combat game.
Two player game only.

63 FROSTBITE (Activision, 1983)
A intense and original jumping adventune. Collect enough ice to your own igloo while avoiding the many Polar bears, crabs, birds and especially the ice cold water. 
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 4

48 GALAXIAN (Atari/Namco, 1982)
A prequel to Galaga by Namco. Still a fun shooter but really basic one at that too. Sound better than the stupid 5200version.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 1

NEW!!
44 GORF (CBS)
The popular Galaxian-like shooter with 4different stages available.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 4

25 GRAND PRIX (Activision)
43 HUANTED HOUSE (Atari, 1981)
29 INFILTATOR

54 JUNGLE HUNT (Atari, 1983)
the renamed Jungle King arcade game.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 5

49 JOUST (Atari/Williams, 1983)
It looks a little plain but it's still true to the Williams arcade game.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 5

53 JR. PAC MAN (Atari/Namco, 1988)
One of the hardest old school arcade titles ever with huge new mazes (twice the size of Pac Man's mazes) to master. It's a good game of Pac Man but it's a little too demanding at times. Still Recommend!
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 5
gameplay: 5

50 KANGAROO (Atari/Centuri, 1983)
A fun action that is very similar to Nintendo's Donkey Kong. Journey across three levels to rescue you're baby kangaroo.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 4

56 KEYSTONE KAPERS (Activision, 1982)
A unique cops and robbers game in a shopping mall. Catch the trief in 45seconds while avioding the many hazards like shopping carts, radios and airplanes.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 2
gameplay: 5

24 LAZER BLAST (Activision)

42 LOCK N' CHASE  (Mattel)
a pac-man clone that uses a strange and sometimes awkward door management system.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 5

NEW!!
37 MARIO BROS. (Atari/Nintendo, 1984)
The simple looking 2player prequel to the popular Super Mario Bros. features rough controls and basic beeps for sound effects.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5

48 M.A.S.H. (20th Century Fox)
42 MAZE CRAZE (Atari)

57 MEGAMANIA (Activision, 1983)
A cool Galaxian-like shooter where you have to attack typewriters and other strange stuff. Your starship looks alot like the StarShip Enterprise. I recommend it.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5

59 MIDNIGHT MAGIC (Atari, 1988)
A fun pinball game that's more realistic than the earlier Atari game; Video Pinball.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 5
sound: 3
gameplay: 6

55 MISSILE COMMAND (Atari, 1981)
Ask your dad about this one. A Very challenging mission to stop ballistic missiles from destroying 6 of your cities!
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5

58 MS. PAC MAN (Atari/Namco, 1983)
Unlike Pac Man, this Atari translation is actually pretty good. The game still looks blocky and there are tons of flickers on screen but it's a lot better than Atari PacMan from 1982.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 5
gameplay: 5

NEW!!
51 MOUSE TRAP (Coleco/Atari, 1981, 1988)
The Pac Man clone (one of many) as a mouse you eat a board of cheese while avoiding 3cats. This is one of the games re-released in 1988 by Atari.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5

BEST ATARI 2600 GAME!!
65 MOON PATROL (Atari/Irem, 1983)
A impressive action game, even today. Still very challenging with a lot of jumping and shooting. Plus it one of the few Atari games that features 3D backgrounds and game theme music too. Guide your moon buggy across 5levels of deadly pits, landmines, and evil aliens.
For 1 or 2players
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 6

32 OINK (Activision, 1983)

39 PAC MAN (Atari/Namco, 1982)
A weak arcade port that's almost nothing like the original Namco megahit. Still kinda fun though with new and unique sound effects, and beeps. Worth the dollar in the discount bins but not much more.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 1
sound: 3
gameplay: 4

27 PETE ROSE BASEBALL (Alsolute, 1987)

43 PHOENIX (Atari/Centuri, 1982)
This cool retro shooter has three different styles of levels. One is where you fight strange spaceships, one is where you fight robotic birds, and the finally one is a fight a giant battleship.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 5


51 PITFALL (Activision, 1982)
A challenging and fun adventure game that was ahead of its time in terms of gameplay.
For 1player only.
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 6

53 PITFALL II: THE LOST CAVERNS (Activision, 1983)
This Pitfall features a no die system and even background music.
For 1player only.
graphics: 6
sound: 7
gameplay: 6

44 PLAQUE ATTACK (Activision)

47 POLE POSITION (Atari/Namco, 1983)
The popular racing game comes to the Atari 2600 and it plays fairly good eventhough there's only one button to use.
For 1player only.
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 4

55 PRESSURE COOKER (Activision, 1983)
A original game that shows the pain at working for MacDonalds. A very fun game!
For 1player only.
graphics: 3
sound: 6
gameplay: 7

39 Q*BERT (Parker Bros., 1982)
If you can get the controls down then the game can be kinda fun.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 5
sound: 3
gameplay: 4

32 REACTOR (Parker Bros.)

26 REAL SPORTS BASEBALL (Atari, 1982)
Simple design that anyone can play.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 2

10 REAL SPORTS FOOTBALL (Atari)
36 REAL SPORTS TENNIS (Atari)
16 REAL SPORTS SOCCER *FOOTBALL* (Atari)

43 RETURN OF THE JEDI (Parker Bros., 1983)
Kinda confusing to play and it's hardly addictive.
For 1player only.
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5

23 SEAQUEST (Activision, 1983)
38 SKIING (Activision, 1983)

33 SOLAIRS (Atari, 1988)
A confusing shooter that's kinda a sequel to the first person shooter Star Raiders (which also sucks) it seems, but the graphics were nice considering they were on the 2600.
For 1player only.
graphics: 7
sound: 3
gameplay: 4
SECOND OPINION!!
While Moon Patrol is a good game, it shouldn't be #1. Solaris is the best game for 2600, by far!!!! It's really hard, and a little confusing when you go to warp, but I still think the modes for battle are way better than Moon Patrol. Think about it, Solaris you can fight on the planet, in the Corridors of the Planet, and you can engage in space battles, some of which are really challenging, like those holographic skulls.
-Tom Paris

11 SPACE ATTACK (Mattel, 1981)
The odd first person shooter with a half a hour mission.
For 1player only.
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 1

50 SPACE INVADERS (Atari/Taito, 1981)
kewl! a classic shoot em up by Taito in 1980 with over a hundred types of games. This game helped to make the Atari 2600VCS famous.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 6

44 SPACE JOCKEY
27 SPIDER FIGHTER (Activision, 1983)
23 SPIDERMAN (Parker Brothers)


41 STAKEBOARDIN' (Alsolute, 1987)
A tougher stakeboarding game than it needs to be. To make your character 'duck' you need to press down twice, which is really confusing.
For 1player only.
graphics: 4
sound: 5
gameplay: 5

50 STARGATE (Atari/Williams, 1984)
This is Defender II with a different name. Plays great like the arcade game.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5

05 STAR MASTER (Activision, 1983)
a star raiders clone that has almost has no action on the screens at all. Please buy this game with the instructions or your gonna be in huge trouble.
For 1 player only.
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 7
SECOND OPINION!!
I was surprised to see this game rated so low...it's one of my top favorites for the 2600. But I also want to say thanks for putting up such a great website!
-Chuck (44 and still defending the universe)

31 STAR RAIDERS (Atari, 1982)
The first person 3D shooter with a free Keypad included.
*Keypad reqired*
For 1player only.
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 6

17 SUPER BREAKOUT (Atari, 1978)
The sequel to BreakOut features some new options to help you destroy that annoying multi-coloured wall..
*paddles required*
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 1
sound: 1
gameplay: 2

22 SURROUND (Atari)
For 2players only.
graphics: 1
sound: 1
gameplay: 2

30 SURVIVAL RUN

NEW!!
05 SWORDQUEST:  EARTHWORLD (Atari, 1983)
The Adventure sequel that was too big for one game, so Atari planned 4 SwordQuest games in a new series. EarthWorld is one of the first in this hard to play SwordQuest series. The original Adventure was way better that this or any other SwordQuest game. Best to avoid them all expect maybe SwordQuest:WaterWorld, which is kinda rare.
For 1player only.
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 2

06 SWORDQUEST:  FIREWORLD (Atari, 1983)
This sucks too!
For 1 player only.
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 4

53 TAZ (Atari, 1983)
It's a fairly simple game of avoiding dynamite and eating food, simple but additive. Stars the Tazmania devil from the old Warner Bros. cartoons.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 3
sound: 2
gameplay: 2

51 TRON'S DEADLY DISCS (Mattel)
For 1player only.
graphics: 3
sound: 3
gameplay: 5

NEW!!
50 VANGUARD (Atari, 1982)
One of the first shooters to feature scrolling backgrounds. Not a bad shooter but the control of the ship and aim of the gun are both with the joystick.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 6

53 VENTURE (Coleco, 1981)
Winky must search for treasure in this cool overhead action game.
For 1 player only.
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 4

40 VIDEO PINBALL (Atari, 1980)
21 WARLORDS (Warlords, 1988)
37 WINTER GAMES (Epyx, 1982)

45 YAR'S REVENGE (Atari, 1981)
A original shooter featuring a bug trying to destroy a enemy nest. Very repeatitive unfortunately.
For 1 or 2players.
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 8

39 ZAXXON (Coleco/Sega, 1983)
It's a 3D view and not a overhead view like the arcade. Its a little hard to play.
For 1player only.
graphics: 4
sound: 3
gameplay: 6
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