Game Title: Space Invaders Programmer: Rick Maurer Publisher: Atari Year Released: 1980 Number of Players: One or Two Controller: Joystick Description:Each time you turn on Space Invaders you will be at war with
enemies from space who are threatening the earth. Your
objective is to destroy these invaders by firing your "laser
cannon." You must wipe out the invaders either before they
reach the earth (bottom of the screen), or before they hit you
three times with their "laser bombs." (From Space Invaders Instruction Manual)
The desire to make backup copies of software has been around since the early years of video games. Devices such as the "Prom Blaster" by JS&A were available making it easy to copy any Atari 2600 cartridge onto a blank cartridge. Atari sued JS&A to stop the sale of the device. JS&A reasoned that since they offered a series of 9 games that they permitted to be copied and sold, the device had a legal use. Atari won the lawsuit and the "Prom Blaster" was pulled from the market. In this ad for the "Prom Blaster", the headline, along with the picture of an Atari published game cartridge placed next to the Prom Blaster, clearly hints at the copying and selling of Atari's titles.
Atari 2600 Television Commercial
How well do you know Atari 2600 history? Try these trivia questions!
What is the Atari 2600 game that is known as the first video game to contain an "Easter Egg"?
Game Title: Missile Command Programmer: Rob Fulop Publisher: Atari Year Released: 1981 Number of Players: One or Two Controller: Joystick Description: "As base commander it is your responsibility to protect and
defend six cities on the planet of Zardon. The Krytolians have
begun firing interplanetary ballistic missiles. They are
aiming at your cities and missile bases. Your only defense is
to fire back with antiballistic missiles. But watch out, the
Krytolians are sly, they also have cruise missiles. Cruise
missiles look like satellites, but they are just as deadly as
the interplanetary ballistic missiles." (From Missile Command Instruction Manual)
Can you name the Atari 2600 games that these screen shots are from?
Atari 2600 vs. Intellivision
Introduced by Mattel Toys in 1980 to compete with the Atari 2600, the Intellivision was more powerful, offered better graphics, and had an optional voice module that added speech to some games. While technically superior to the Atari 2600, the Intellivision never surpassed the Atari in popularity, possibly due to the larger game library of the 2600 and the terrible controllers of the Intellivision. Mattel Toys sold 3 million Intellivision video game systems, compared to the 25 million Atari 2600 systems sold, making the Atari 2600 the most popular video game system of its time. This picture from an Intellivision advertisement illustrates the superior graphics of the Intellivision compared to the graphics of the Atari 2600.
Atari 2600 Television Commercial
Atari 2600 Quick Facts!
The Atari 2600 was originally known as the Atari VCS (Video Computer System). The name "Atari 2600" was first used in 1982, after the release of the Atari 5200.
It was the first successful video game console to use plug-in cartridges instead of having one or more games built in.
The system was originally sold between 1977 and 1984, returned in the late 1980s, and was officially discontinued in 1991.
Atari Flashback Classic Game Console!
Flash back to the ’80s!
Relive the 1980s video game revolution! Go back in time with a retro-style game console that includes 20 classic Atari games and two Atari 7800 inspired joysticks!
Just plug into your TV, and play away! One or two players can enjoy the famous games that set the standard for greatness.
No extra game systems needed, no additional software, no worries. Just the perfect gift for the '80s generation… and their kids!
Did You Know?
The airplane in Activision's River Raid was originally going to be a boat but was changed because the boat's design 'looked funny'.
Did You Know?
Atari's Space War is based on one of the first video games ever. The original was created in 1962 and ran on a mainframe computer.
Game Spotlight!
Game Title: Jungle Hunt Programmer: Publisher: Atari Year Released: 1982 Number of Players: One Controller: Joystick Description: The object of Jungle Hunt is to rescue Sir Dashly's kidnapped
mate, who, after hours of valiant fighting, was overpowered by two
man-eating (and woman-eating) savages. To rescue Lady P., you'll have to make your way past four sets of
obstacles: the vines of the Forest, the crocodiles of Reptile River, a
landslide of bouncing boulders, and the spears of the two masked
cannibals. (From Jungle Hunt Instruction Manual)
Introduced by Mattel Toys in 1980 to compete with the Atari 2600, the Intellivision was more powerful, offered better graphics, and had an optional voice module that added speech to some games. While technically superior to the Atari 2600, the Intellivision never surpassed the Atari in popularity, possibly due to the larger game library of the 2600 and the terrible controllers of the Intellivision. Mattel Toys sold 3 million Intellivision video game systems, compared to the 25 million Atari 2600 systems sold, making the Atari 2600 the most popular video game system of its time. This picture from an Intellivision advertisement illustrates the superior graphics of the Intellivision compared to the graphics of the Atari 2600.
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