6 - Space Invaders
The different variations allowed for elements like moving shields and invisible invaders but the core game remains a classic. Though it went on to inspire games like Galaxian and Galaga, the original Space Invaders for Atari 2600 remains a worthwhile game to play for an afternoon or more.
5 - Combat
Though simplistic and straightforward, the game remains an enjoyable experience due mostly to the tank levels. A form of Tank Pong can be played that is both brilliant and strangely addicting. Shots bounce off walls and some variations require them to do so before they hit their target. Then again, its Pong with tanks; theres little there that doesnt sound appealing.
4 - Adventure
In the game, the player navigates a series of screens in order to find and return an enchanted chalice to the gold castle. There are multiple items hidden throughout the world, such as swords and the keys needed to unlock the castles, as well as monsters to defeat. There are even dragons named Yorgle, Grundle, and Rhindle that will eat the player if they come in contact with them.
3 - Super Breakout
What Super Breakout offers over its progenitor is a set of three different modes other than the original. Double gave the player two bars on top of each other to move and two balls to juggle, Cavity provided two extra balls encased in bricks that could be used once freed and Progressive, like it sounds, progressively moved the ceiling down to make play faster and more difficult as time went on.
2 - Missile Command
Though it began life as an arcade game, the Atari 2600 port remained miraculously faithful to the source. It limited the player to one missile base, three missiles on the screen at once, and had some other oddities, but remained largely the same even down to the screeching alarms and tones. As an added bonus, the backgrounds changed colors as the waves continue.
The hectic pace and consistent movement made Missile Command an enjoyable game when it first released, and it remains so because of it. Quick! Someone give this game the Geometry Wars treatment, stat!
1 - Pitfall!
The real trouble comes when you factor in the time limit - a mere 20 minutes. The game even taunted players by providing underground tunnels that advanced the screen three times for every full tunnel explored. Unfortunately, said tunnels are even more dangerous that the ground above them with scorpions guarding their passages. If you were looking to actually complete the game, however, they were a necessary evil.
Those lucky enough to reach 20,000 points could even score a sweet patch from Activision for their trouble. How many other games can boast such claims?
What do you think?
Obviously not every game could make the list - there are only so many games that can be labeled the absolute best. We're sure that some of you have games you think should have been added, cut, or rearranged, so let us know in the comments below what you would change about our list of the Best Atari 2600 games of all time.
