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Category Archives: Atari 2600 Reviews

The Atari Video Computer System (VCS), later called the Atari 2600 and commonly referred to simply as the “Atari”, was released in October of 1977. The VCS popularized the concept of cartridge-based games in lieu of dedicated game hardware like Pong, and as a household name truly brought the idea of home video gaming to the masses. The system was originally bundled with two joysticks, two paddle controllers, and the 2-player only tank warfare game, Combat. Instead of endless paddle game variations, the VCS made it possible to play arcade hits such as Space Invaders, Missile Defense, Frogger, and Asteroids, and was home to original titles like Pitfall!, Yar’s Revenge, and Adventure. The VCS was also the first system for which third party developers produced games, most notably by Activision and Imagic. The system suffered heavily during the video game crash of 1983 and essentially went into hibernation, but was re-released in 1986 as a cheaper alternative to the Nintendo NES and Sega Master System. The Atari VCS was officially discontinued at the beginning of 1992, giving it a life span of over 14 years.

Atari 2600 Reviews

Asteroids

Author Chris Alaimo Date August 29, 2009
Asteroids was a runaway smash hit for Atari in the arcades, so there was...
Tagged 2600, Arcade, Asteroids, Atari, Review, Shooter, VCS |
Atari 2600 Reviews

Bowling

Author Chris Alaimo Date August 29, 2009
In general, bowling is not a game that translates well into the world of...
Tagged 2600, Atari, Bowling, Review, Sports, VCS |

Atari 2600 Reviews, Videos

Explosive Diarrhea Review for the Atari 2600

Author Chris Alaimo Date May 6, 2014
Episode 17 – This week on the show I review Explosive Diarrhea, a homebrew...
Tagged 2014, 2600, Atari, Explosive Diarrhea, Homebrew, Review, VCS, Video |
Atari 2600 Reviews

Golf

Author Chris Alaimo Date August 27, 2009
I would never suggest that it would be easy to create a golf game...
Tagged 2600, Atari, Golf, Review, Sports, VCS |
Atari 2600 Reviews

Keystone Kapers

Author Chris Alaimo Date December 3, 2013
Lifting its name from the old “Keystone Kops” films of the silent film era,...
Tagged 2600, Activision, Atari, Keystone Kapers, Review, VCS |

Atari 2600 Reviews, Videos

Keystone Kapers Review for the Atari 2600

Author Chris Alaimo Date September 5, 2013
Episode 11 – This week on the show, Keystone Cops meets the Atari VCS,...
Tagged 2600, Activision, Atari, Keystone Kapers, Review, VCS, Video, YouTube |
Atari 2600 Reviews

Midnight Magic

Author Chris Alaimo Date September 1, 2009
This game makes the earlier Video Pinball for the VCS look downright awful. Midnight...
Tagged 2600, Atari, Midnight Magic, Pinball, Review, VCS |
Atari 2600 Reviews

Oink!

Author Chris Alaimo Date August 28, 2009
Activision is famous for the quality of their VCS titles, but this game is...
Tagged 2600, Atari, Oink, Review, VCS |
Atari 2600 Reviews

River Raid

Author Chris Alaimo Date August 29, 2009
The mother of all vertically-scrolling shoot-em-ups! In River Raid, you control a fighter jet...
Tagged 2600, Arcade, Atari, Review, River Raid, Shooter, VCS |
Atari 2600 Reviews

Seaquest

Author Chris Alaimo Date May 13, 2014
Seaquest is yet another stellar arcade-style game from the folks at Activision. The game...
Tagged 2600, Activision, Arcade, Atari, Review, Seaquest, Shooter, VCS |
Atari 2600 Reviews

Sky Jinks

Author Chris Alaimo Date August 29, 2009
Similar in principle to slalom skiing, in Sky Jinks you race through a pylon...
Tagged 2600, Activision, Atari, Bob Whitehead, Racing, Review, Sky Jinks, VCS |
Atari 2600 Reviews

Spider Fighter

Author Chris Alaimo Date August 29, 2009
Sometimes I don’t understand where designers came up with their game ideas back in...
Tagged 2600, Activision, Arcade, Atari, Larry Miller, Review, Shooter, Spider Fighter, VCS |
Atari 2600 Reviews

Video Pinball

Author Chris Alaimo Date September 1, 2009
The first time I played it, I really hated this game. It reminded me...
Tagged 2600, Atari, Bob Smith, Pinball, Review, VCS, Video Pinball |
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