My Top 10 Favorite Atari 2600 Games

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  • Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
  • Here are what I consider the best games for the Atari 2600 console, according to my own tastes. I had the system as a kid, and I still enjoy it today as an adult.
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Комментарии • 319

  • @GamingTheSystems1
    @GamingTheSystems1  Год назад +44

    Dreamcast is next!

  • @geekwithsocialskills
    @geekwithsocialskills Год назад +35

    I've been an Atari gamer since it came out in 1977 when I was a kid. I still enjoy the console in 2022. As for games, Imagic and Activision made some of the best games on the Atari 2600 back in the day. I was surprised you didn't have Pitfall or HERO on your list, but as you mentioned, not everyone's list will be the same LOL. As a side note, I have the exact same Pac-Man binder you keep your high scores in. Be sure to checkout some Atari 2600 homebrews. Wonderful stuff being made in present day for the console.

    • @JustWasted3HoursHere
      @JustWasted3HoursHere 9 месяцев назад +1

      Indeed! Homebrews are amazing, such as "Pac-Man 8K", "Mappy" and "Donkey Kong VCS". Amazing what can be done when you have infinite time to work on your game.
      - Pac-Man 8K: ruclips.net/video/JA3mIWzwrZk/видео.htmlsi=6Lkc6aJtB39zARzR&t=26
      - Mappy: ruclips.net/video/w-8xNE_Knx8/видео.htmlsi=R3XCFwiMtVzrZAkb
      - Donkey Kong VCS: ruclips.net/video/_Y6vhLDN3dI/видео.htmlsi=VSaJfv4jQOE-Umov

  • @zoiuduu
    @zoiuduu Год назад +10

    i had to give u a like, no intro, no asking for subs, no sponsers, right to the point, i didnt have to skip the first part of the video as i do in any other video, thank you so much for this editing.

    • @fictionalmediabully9830
      @fictionalmediabully9830 Год назад +1

      Yeah. Compared to a lot of other videos, the writing is sharp and snappy.

    • @GamingTheSystems1
      @GamingTheSystems1  Год назад +3

      I used to have a short intro, but cut it out in the last two videos. This is the first time I dove right into number 10.

    • @GamingTheSystems1
      @GamingTheSystems1  Год назад +4

      BTW, there is no writing for the Top 10s. I did some notes, but didn't really use them in the video. It's easy to talk about things that are enjoyable to you.

  • @dwightdixon8508
    @dwightdixon8508 Год назад +26

    I always enjoy firing up my 2600 and playing Pitfall II, HERO, Frogger, Yars’ Revenge, Keystone Kapers, Frostbite, QBert, Pengo, Dig Dug, Popeye, Jungle Hunt & Atlantis. River Raid & Ms PacMan are also great

    • @urbanknish
      @urbanknish Год назад +2

      That's a pretty stellar list.

    • @nick6var
      @nick6var Год назад

      I like your list better.

    • @hyundaisonata580
      @hyundaisonata580 10 месяцев назад

      I remember Yars Revenge

  • @fictionalmediabully9830
    @fictionalmediabully9830 Год назад +10

    A solid list. Here's my Top 10 from what I've played so far.
    1. Yars' Revenge.
    2. Raiders of the Lost Ark.
    3. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial.
    4. Spider-Man.
    5. Night Driver.
    6. Street Racer.
    7. Missile Command.
    8. Video Checkers.
    9. Dodge 'Em.
    10. Ms. Pac-Man.

    • @Jeff9202
      @Jeff9202 Год назад +2

      Will never understand why ET got such a bad rap lol always loved that game, maybe just sentimental . ?

    • @sandal_thong8631
      @sandal_thong8631 Год назад +4

      @@Jeff9202 Someone did a video about _E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial_ where he falls in a pit, tries to get out, falls again, and repeats. That's the experience of little kids, and why it was returned. If they had done playtesting they might have known this and fixed it. Or if they had made it about a bicycle chase action game it could have been great.

    • @Jeff9202
      @Jeff9202 Год назад +1

      @@sandal_thong8631 maybe so, i was a little kid playing that game so maybe they had a glitch or something.? Who knows, it wasn't a great game from what i remember, but not terrible...

    • @danieldoyle8724
      @danieldoyle8724 8 месяцев назад +1

      Yes! I love to see Raiders of the Lost Ark and ET mentioned. I know ET gets trashed but that is honestly, no lie one of my favorite 2600 games.

  • @Shoqtheropy334
    @Shoqtheropy334 Год назад +3

    1. Berserk
    2. Yar's Revenge
    3. Jr Pac Man
    4. Crystal Castles
    5. Blueprint
    6. Warlords
    7. ET
    8. Cosmic Ark
    9. Spiderman
    10. Lock N Chase

  • @marsbitrona5920
    @marsbitrona5920 Год назад +3

    There are three Atari games that I always come back to: Pitfall II, Aquaventure, Frogs & Flies. 2600 can be pretty rough around the edges, but those three are among my favorite games. Especially Frogs & Flies.

    • @jasonc2784
      @jasonc2784 Год назад

      Oh I loved playing frogs and flies with my sister. We always made characters out of the frogs rather than playing the game.

  • @rick330
    @rick330 Год назад +5

    This guy continues to be my friend in another dimension. Enduro was soo good and Ioved river raid. I was honestly thinking the same thing about megamania being a step above everything else.

  • @noemedmedia
    @noemedmedia Год назад +2

    A woman did River Raid, but let's not forget a woman did (half of) the original arcade Centipede. Her name is Dona Bailey, but it's unconfirmed if she's actually the mother of Justin Bailey.

  • @Jarod_Schultz
    @Jarod_Schultz Год назад +6

    Some of my favorite 2600 games are Enduro, Pole Position, Jr. Pac-man, Missle Command, Millipede, Pitfall, Hero, Keystone Kapers, along with lesser known games like Laser Gate and Star Gunner. I also love homebrews like Space Rocks, Juno First, Lady Bug, Scramble, Super Cobra the Arcade game, and Draconian.

    • @Gen-X-Memories
      @Gen-X-Memories 7 месяцев назад

      How do you play Scramble on the 2600? Is it just the ROM? The reason I ask is because the joystick only has one button so how do you drop your bombs?

    • @Jarod_Schultz
      @Jarod_Schultz 7 месяцев назад +1

      It's a homebrew developed by Champ Games. The button is for both shooting and dropping bombs.@@Gen-X-Memories

    • @Jarod_Schultz
      @Jarod_Schultz 7 месяцев назад +1

      It also has an option for a Genesis controller for a 2 button game.@@Gen-X-Memories

  • @azorz6071
    @azorz6071 Год назад +5

    Adventure is probably my all time favorite on the 2600. First game with an Easter egg. Superman and haunted house are right behind it.

    • @sandal_thong8631
      @sandal_thong8631 Год назад

      Too bad they didn't convert another text adventure game like _Voodoo Castle. Haunted House_ could have been so much better, if they'd used 24 screens instead of 4 screens with 6 rooms each. I played it, but it got old fast. I can't see playing it again since I beat game 9 in 5 matches.

    • @danieldoyle8724
      @danieldoyle8724 8 месяцев назад

      Superman is fantastic! I still love that game.

  • @matthewlane518
    @matthewlane518 Год назад +6

    I'm surprised river raid never got a NES port, and I had vanguard as a kid, and yes it was great!

    • @jdd3786
      @jdd3786 Год назад +1

      Now that would have been really cool.

  • @redd7188
    @redd7188 Год назад +9

    Journey Escape - it had a great intro, music and was fun to play. It was also the only game I remember that were given money not points.
    Pele's soccer- loved the fireworks at a goal.
    Jungle Hunt- level variety kept me coming back
    Solaris- great graphics
    Donkey Kong Jr.-great graphics and variety.
    Realsports Tennis- putting your name on the scoreboard was cool.
    Realsports Boxing- one of the best boxing games ever. Love everything about it.
    Skateboarding- a lot of fun
    Freeway
    River raid
    Frostbite
    Decathlon
    Keystone kapers
    California Games
    Ok, I"ll stop🤣

  • @nearvanaman
    @nearvanaman Год назад +2

    Great list. Shoot me, but one of my favourite games is "Boxing". I could probably play that for longer in one sitting than most 2600 games.

  • @chucktrow8577
    @chucktrow8577 Год назад +2

    Favorite atari games, pitfall, seaquest, donkey Kong, pacman, frogger, space invaders. I know there were others too. The ones I listed I remember easily because they were played all the time.
    Thanks for sharing your list of favorites. 👍

  • @matthewlane518
    @matthewlane518 Год назад +3

    Megamania was great! My personal favorite game on 2600 was spider fighter

  • @ButterSpider3
    @ButterSpider3 Год назад +1

    Nice pucks! I never knew there was that Stargate cartridge fir 2600!!! I have to find that. I lost my original Atari and am now getting back into building another original 2600 collection. I had several of these as a kid. I had such a blast playing with these games. So many good memories from this system! These are some great suggestions of games that I have forgotten about. I will add them to my list to look for! Thanks.

  • @davy_K
    @davy_K Год назад +4

    When playing Vanguard, do not shoot the boss straight away. Hold your fire and dodge for as long as possible - the longer you wait the more points you get. Very good list - great to see Megamania get the recognition it deserves. Would be high up in my list too. I'd also have Kaboom, Super Breakout, Jr. Pacman, Yars Revenge, Atlantis, Demon Attack, Activision Tennis and Beamrider but I couldn't order them.

    • @fredericgagnon
      @fredericgagnon 5 месяцев назад

      I had Vanguard as a kid and played countless hours and I didn't know that. I also found something new about this game just this week. The level before you get to the boss has these coiled snake looking enemies. If you let them hit you in a certain way, your score racks up for a couple of seconds instead of losing a life.

  • @BusyMEOW
    @BusyMEOW Год назад +1

    Commando, Ghostbusters, H.E.R.O. and Pitfall are my favourites, Vanguard was pretty amazing when it came out too

  • @justanobody0
    @justanobody0 Год назад +4

    I didn't even know they had a chess game with a competent AI for the 2600, the surprise for me was not that you chose it as an honourable mention, but that it had a competent computer player

    • @justanobody0
      @justanobody0 Год назад +1

      also I've read that there was a difficulty setting 7, in which it takes on average 10 hours per turn!
      a person said they played that setting, they'd turn off the TV and go to school, and they had a physical chess board, which they would update

    • @GamingTheSystems1
      @GamingTheSystems1  Год назад +1

      I may just be bad at chess, but it seems like the default game has a competent computer opponent. The fact that the computer can play chess at all is amazing; especially given this it came out in 1979.

    • @sandal_thong8631
      @sandal_thong8631 Год назад

      Watch out, they say the computer cheats (moves pieces) while the screen is off. I had a lot of fun playing _Backgammon_ on the Atari, but haven't committed to the brain challenge to win at no-luck strategy games like _Othello_ and _3D-Tic-Tac-Toe._

    • @Gen-X-Memories
      @Gen-X-Memories 7 месяцев назад +1

      ​@@sandal_thong8631Yeah, I remember reading many years ago that the computer will cheat sometimes.

  • @retro_escape2969
    @retro_escape2969 Год назад +3

    Nice list of games! I also like:
    - Kangaroo
    - Street Racer
    - Concentration
    - Sneak'n Peek
    - Haunted House
    - Adventure
    - Beat 'Em and Eat 'Em (oh wait, nevermind, lol I've never actually played this game haha)

  • @Pokinbrat
    @Pokinbrat Год назад +1

    1. River Raid
    2. Chopper Command
    3. Atlantis
    4. Berzerk
    5. Stampede
    6. Spider Fighter
    7. Mr. Do
    8. Lock N' Chase
    9. Enduro
    10. Reactor
    Honorable mentions. Haunted House, Amidar, and Solaris

  • @DrixxelSoft
    @DrixxelSoft 7 месяцев назад

    Some nice surprises on this list! The 2600 was my family's first console in the late '80s, and I genuinely love playing these games to this day.
    My current Top 10:
    - Gravitar
    - Demons To Diamonds
    - Adventures of Tron
    - Solaris
    - Mouse Trap
    - Galaxian
    - Desert Falcon
    - California Games
    - Phoenix
    - Defender 2 / Stargate
    Honourable Mentions:
    - Fantastic Voyage
    - BMX Airmaster
    - Fathom

  • @TingTingMelody
    @TingTingMelody Год назад +3

    Your list is gold! I actually grew up with a lot of these games and were definitely blown away how good they were. I remember playing Vanguard the first time and being able to travel upside down in that cavern. And all the Activision titles mentioned are still my favorites. I would recommend Pressure Cooker and Robot Tank if you haven't played them.

  • @Midwestmint
    @Midwestmint 11 месяцев назад

    Man, I was so happy to see Enduro, even if it wasn't officially on the list. I've always loved the day night cycle and weather changes

  • @marceltiel7919
    @marceltiel7919 Год назад +3

    Always keep coming back to the 2600, the first console/ computer that came in our household when I was a kid...Demon Attack without a doubt my personal fave...

    • @asimian8500
      @asimian8500 Год назад +2

      Love the 2600. It's the only original hardware console I have attached to a CRT television. Using a MiSTer FPGA for everything else.Think of Atari 2600 game graphics as abstract art. It simplifies art to its essentials while focusing on game play.

    • @sandal_thong8631
      @sandal_thong8631 Год назад

      I really prefer _Phoenix_ which _Demon Attack_ may have ripped off, since there was a settlement.

  • @waynerowlinson6177
    @waynerowlinson6177 Год назад +2

    River Raid, Yar's Revenge, Pitfall (and unlike most people, I like it way better than Pitfall II), Donkey Kong, Asteroids, Phoenix, Frogger. I likely pick these as they are some of the relatively few games I had back in the day. I didn't have an Atari, I had a Coleco Gemini, which was an Atari Clone.
    I no longer have the Gemini, but I do have a 2600 and lots of games for it now.

  • @RealziesCuts
    @RealziesCuts Год назад +1

    Pretty cool being the first system I had when I was seven years old and Games I remember most being Combat, then River Raid 🏆

  • @cronsmans
    @cronsmans Месяц назад

    Magamania was one of my favorites as well. I got really good at it and would clear a screen in one pass on certain levels. What I remember most was the greater of Magamania put his own best score in the booklet you would get with the game and would invite anyone who could beat it to take a picture of you tv screen and send it to him. I did beat it but never got around to sending it. Another favorite of mine was Atlantis.

  • @micb3rd
    @micb3rd Год назад +5

    Interesting choices, Defender II / Stargate is so good on the 2600. Surely one of the best graphics games on the system.
    My top 3 favourites are Xenophobe, Radar Lock and Dark Chambers.
    Other top titles IMO are Centipede, Mario Bros, Pole Position and Qbert.

    • @danieldoyle8724
      @danieldoyle8724 8 месяцев назад

      I've been playing the 2600 for decades and have never played Xenophobe or Dark Chambers. I'm going to have to give them a try.

    • @micb3rd
      @micb3rd 8 месяцев назад

      @@danieldoyle8724 For sure do, Dark Chambers is a great dungeon game and better than "Adventure" IMO. Xenophobe is a super tense Aliens inspired survival shooter.

  • @juancervantes2893
    @juancervantes2893 Год назад

    Top 10 in no particular order: Yar's Revenge, Centipede, Berserk, Solaris, Missle Command, Defender, Asteroids, Demon's to Dimonds, Joust, & Moon Patrol. Most I remember from my childhood, but Yar's Revenge and Centipede are relatively recent additions from playing the Evercade. Three honorable mentions are Crystal Castles, Kangaroo and Human Canonball. I actually have tons of honorable mentions as well as lists of games I want to try, like Megamaniac and the Pac-man sequels. Great video.

  • @TFLobo1
    @TFLobo1 Год назад +5

    Some of my favorites:
    Dark Chambers - Gauntlet on the 2600 though slow
    Warlords - 4 player was an absolute blast.
    Atlantis - Favorite shooter.
    California Games - Specifically the BMX portion
    Raiders of the Lost Ark - First game I remember with inventory management.
    E.T. - I thought it was a fun adventure game. Definitely not the worst game ever.
    Indy 500 - Favorite racing game
    Solaris - Felt like a really complex game for the 2600 but I never was able to finish it.

    • @HiNRGboy
      @HiNRGboy Год назад

      I know Dark Chambers on the 7800, there was one on 2600 too? Does it ever get like harder and faster or does it stay kinda sluggish and slow? It seems like a cool game but it's just so sluggish at first...

  • @e4gail
    @e4gail 11 месяцев назад

    Megamania was my very first game back in the 80s. Brought a smile to my face that it made it on this list.

  • @justanobody0
    @justanobody0 Год назад +2

    I can totally relate to joust, so many times I've been out taking a stroll on my flying ostrich and other people mounted on flying ostriches have begun swooping down on me
    and after I've managed to get past that, those pesky pterodactyls are always the bane of my day
    admittedly flying ostriches come in quite handy when living in a world engulfed with lava

    • @sandal_thong8631
      @sandal_thong8631 Год назад

      I didn't get a chance to try it out. Much as I loved the arcade game, it looked really bad in comic book ads. Same with _Mario Bros._

  • @skylined5534
    @skylined5534 7 месяцев назад

    Stargate! Brilliant game. It gets manic as you progress.
    My brother and I used to love playing it together, we'd take turns in being pilot and gunner! (The second joystick controlled ’inviso' which was temporary invulnerability, smart bombs which took every enemy out on screen and emergency hyperspace which could get you out of and sometimes into a jam!)

  • @tijluilenspiegel6029
    @tijluilenspiegel6029 4 дня назад

    I had Termoil too and River Raid, Enduro, Atlantis, Bobby is going home, Frogger three deep II, Keystone Kapers, Commando, Outlaw, Combat, Threshold, Missle Command, Astroids, Berzerk, Space Invaders, Cosmic Arc, Othello, Mario Bros, Laser Gates, Wizard of Wor, Title Match, Pac Man, Astroids, Solaris, Q Bert, Demon Attack and the other 9 games i had i cant remember atm

  • @DecadentGaming666
    @DecadentGaming666 Год назад +2

    Really enjoy these type of videos you're making keep it up!

  • @10MARC
    @10MARC 10 месяцев назад

    My Sears Tele-Games version was from Christmas 1979 I believe. It was my machine of choice until about 1981 when I got my VIC-20, but I still used it a lot until about 1985 or so.
    Freeway, StarMaster, StarRaiders, Ms. Pac Man, Demon Attack, Yars Revenge, Combat, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Missile Command and Atlantis were in my top ten in the early 80's. The list is a bit different now. I still love playing my 2600 games to this day.

  • @tracypointer9530
    @tracypointer9530 10 месяцев назад

    Nice list! Some of my favorites as a kid: Space Invaders, Pitfall, Berzerk, Ice Hockey, Atlantis, Phoenix, Dig Dug, Robot Tank, Hero, Haunted House.

    • @danieldoyle8724
      @danieldoyle8724 8 месяцев назад

      Ice Hockey is really fun. Especially the 2 player mode.

  • @janrovich2430
    @janrovich2430 Год назад +4

    My favorite 2600 games hands down was Adventure

  • @CLINTSTER77COX
    @CLINTSTER77COX Год назад +1

    Great list . Enduro is on my top 10 . I know HERO has been over promoted but i was playing that before RUclips was a thing . 👍🏼

  • @brianashmorestudio
    @brianashmorestudio Год назад +1

    Another late one that’s amazing is the arcade adaptation of Phoenix. Fantastic list!!

    • @sandal_thong8631
      @sandal_thong8631 Год назад

      I like it better than _Demon Attack_ which maker was sued for being a rip-off.

  • @BaronStVon
    @BaronStVon Год назад +2

    2600 was before my time, but I definitely plan to get one at some point. Megamania looks like fun

  • @computarman
    @computarman Год назад +1

    Megamania and the arcade game "Astro Blaster" are very similar. Also, Keystone Capers is my favorite game.

  • @Westile
    @Westile Год назад

    Starting the actual content the moment the video starts is greatly appreciated.

  • @nickatmacomb8965
    @nickatmacomb8965 Год назад +2

    I've been waiting for you to do this list! Great job. The 2600 was great 👍

  • @justanobody0
    @justanobody0 Год назад +4

    your old camera simply could not "enduro"

  • @basketballsteve54
    @basketballsteve54 Год назад +1

    I like the way you explained joust which I never understood but now I think I could give it a go.

  • @jlidz
    @jlidz Год назад

    Stumbled across your channel today from the uk yorkshire quality content your games knowledge is impeccable

  • @kewoods99
    @kewoods99 Год назад

    Megamania reminds me very much of an arcade game I loved as a kid called Astro Blaster. I must have sunk a million quarters into that one!

  • @chfgn
    @chfgn Год назад +1

    If you have someone to play against, Frogs and Flies on the 2600 is incredible. Literally the best head-to-head two player game ever made. Just make sure both players are on Hard mode to enable free movement. Every time we bust it out around here people get really into it, it's so much fun.

    • @sandal_thong8631
      @sandal_thong8631 Год назад

      At the time, I didn't know that M-Network was porting Intellivision games in 1982-3. Too bad they didn't do that a year earlier (and add 1-player modes) when there was less competition so they might have scored a 1-million seller. I got _Armor Ambush_ and _Super Challenge Baseball_ when they came out, but the "super challenge" was finding opponents willing to learn the controls and play well.
      Someone and his brother should do videos about the best two-player games on Atari that they loved playing. It's almost a different system from 1977-1980 (lots of two-player games) to 1981-1984 (popular 1-player games).

  • @BardePhilippe.P76
    @BardePhilippe.P76 2 месяца назад +1

    Mines are Yars Revenge, Defender, Combat, Air sea Batlles, Mrs Pac-Man, Pole Position, Qbert, Missile Command, Adventures, Galaxian, Démons to Démons, Star Wars.

  • @bugradio
    @bugradio 9 месяцев назад

    Wow! I did NOT expect Megamania to be #1! I spent the whole vid hoping it would at least get an honorable mention.
    I didn't have my own 2600 as a kid, just played with other folks when i could. Later, as a young adult in the early 2000s, I finally bought my own 2600 on ebay. Megamania was in the lot of games I bought, and it was the first time I ever played it. So, it's a "later" game for me.
    But, wow, it stood out as the most playable and re-playable game I had for the system. As much as I love old faves like Pitfall, I spent way more time with Megamania.
    Thanks for the video! I subscribed!

  • @Dnosirrom
    @Dnosirrom 26 дней назад

    Beamrider 2600, Dig-Dug 2600, Star Rrek Strategic Operations Simulator and Solaris are my top 2600 titles. I still play these ones to this day.

  • @alexshadowfax1119
    @alexshadowfax1119 Год назад

    I tried my first Atari 2600 game a few days ago, it was a console that was before my time, but based on your recommendations I felt like giving it a try. I'm super impressed that they are as fun as they are. I now have a love hate relationship with megamania, it's so difficult and frustrating, but I keep coming back to it for one more try. Thank you for your video.

  • @Cafeman_2D
    @Cafeman_2D Год назад

    My top 3 are Kaboom (a unique and frenzied experience you can only get on a 2600 with paddles), River Raid, and Enduro. I also love Megamania. I enjoy the unique gameplay of Reactor and Stampede as well. Watching an Atari 2600 video which has Shenmue music, wild.

  • @buckeyechad1
    @buckeyechad1 Год назад +1

    Vanguard was great. I forgot about playing that one in the early 80's.

  • @KabukiKid
    @KabukiKid 4 месяца назад

    I begged my mother for Atari's Chess back in the early 80s. I specifically remember her saying it was an extra expensive game and it was $50 at the time. She ended up relenting and got it for me as a Christmas gift. I played the heck out of that game. I remember at the highest difficulty, it took the computer 24 hours per move. That cracked me up... I guess you would have to leave the Atari on for like a month straight to play a proper game at that level. I never did it, but I think I did let it think for most of a day, just as a goof... with the screen flickering non-stop while it computed its next move. lol

  • @newkfromrotterdam
    @newkfromrotterdam 7 месяцев назад

    Awesome recommendations! River Raid is also one of my favs. Gonna try them out soon. Here are mine:
    Yar's Revenge
    Warlords
    H.E.R.O.
    Cosmic Ark
    Wall Defender
    Criminal Persuit
    Jungle Hunt
    Empire Strikes Back
    Return of the Jedi: Death Star

  • @chriscorsello
    @chriscorsello Год назад

    Glad to see a top 10 game list from someone who is like me, in the sense that we both got the 2600 in 1981. Some of these younger gamers have a different perspective having not played them when they were cutting edge. Even I am guilty of judging games that I did not play back then too quickly rather than fully exploring the strategies that actually make the game fun. Was already stoked on your video, but when you put Megamania on top, I'm like- this guy knows what's up! That game is beautifully designed, and is the quintessential shooter of the time. The game play is fun and varied... and reasonably challenging. (You are better at it than me!) It is a game that would easily be dismissed today if you didn't take the time to get through more than the first level or two. Anyway, great to see an honest top 10 list that doesn't just automatically put H.E.R.O. at the top. (I'll admit it is a good game, but never saw it back in the day.) I was lucky enough to play Vanguard back then and was blown away by it. Also, the inclusion of Atari Chess was great. It was a technical A.I. feat for the time with limited memory and processing speed. It was largely felt, when the game was being developed, that it would be impossible to program a challenging A.I. on the Atari. Obviously there are better versions of chess now, but the fact they pulled it off in the late 70s is worthy of note. Nicely done video, I'll check out some of your others.

  • @teddym2808
    @teddym2808 Год назад

    Brilliant. Subbed. Retro game fanatic here, love this kind of content.

  • @hrvat1977
    @hrvat1977 Год назад

    Megamania!! Played when i was a kid and still play it. Spider fighter is my number two for sure, so much fun!!

  • @SergioLopez-sx6bf
    @SergioLopez-sx6bf 11 месяцев назад

    Megamania is my favorite game of all times, i play with it since i was 5yo, and now 40 years later I still playing it in my atari, or pc, some days of a week!!!

  • @mrp4242
    @mrp4242 Год назад

    Nice list!
    I did not have a 2600 as a kid, but my cousin did and one of my best friends did. That’s where my early experience of it came in (1980-1984). Eventually, my friend picked up a C64 and we switched accordingly.
    My family finally picked up a home console in 1988-the Atari 7800-and over the next couple years I collected about two dozen games for it; 12 of which were 2600 titles. The 7800 gets a lot of grief for its sound--but it’s backward compatibility and affordability for our family at the time gives it a solid place in my heart.
    Here’s my top 10 favorites:
    10) Space Invaders. This really was the killer app for the system, considering how big this game was. My cousin killed it at this one.
    9) Ms Pac-Man. Big boost when it went to 7800.
    8) Berserk
    7) Missile Command.
    6) Phoenix. I prefer this to Demon Attack. Honorable mention to Galaxian.
    5) River Raid
    4) Frogger
    3) Wizard of Wor. Huge fan of this game. Probably spent more time playing this with my friend in the early 80s than any other game
    2) Pitfall.
    1) Mario Bros. The 2600 port of this is surprisingly excellent, with great controls.
    Other honorable mentions: Commando, Kaboom!, Keystone Kapers, HERO, Dig-Dug, Joust, Combat, Defender.

  • @jakek5417
    @jakek5417 Год назад +2

    Nice video! I'll need to check out Vanguard.
    My pics:
    Air Sea Battle
    Combat
    Dragonfire
    Fantastic Voyage
    Frankenstein's Monster
    Frostbite
    River Raid
    Seaquest
    Video Olympics

  • @markheberlein1224
    @markheberlein1224 9 месяцев назад

    GREAT video! I’ll seek out your Top 10 list + honorable mentions + Atari book! P.S. I looooved the Pac-Man Trapper Keeper spreadsheet idea! 🕹️

  • @Boswd
    @Boswd Месяц назад

    solid list I agree with almost all of them. You are so right about centifpede it may not have the graphics but holy crap the game play is so fantastic.

  • @TheMultiGunMan
    @TheMultiGunMan Год назад +1

    Great video my friend. I'm not familiar with a lot of them. So, I'll look for them on eBay and the local video game store and see if I can find them.

  • @josephbradshaw6985
    @josephbradshaw6985 Год назад

    My favs are Asteroids, Combat (for multiplayer), Jungle Hunt, Missile Command, Joust, and Frogs and Flies.

  • @ChicagoRetroGamer
    @ChicagoRetroGamer Год назад +1

    Cool list! There are definitely some on this list I still need to check out in greater detail. For me, I will always love Yars' Revenge!

  • @tonycoffee7335
    @tonycoffee7335 Год назад +1

    Missle command is my go to game, Maga maina I have not played yet. Looks fast for a 2600. Great video. Good job. 👍
    Okay people of the world don't forget to use your sega genesis control! :)

  • @retro_reflections
    @retro_reflections Год назад

    Great vid - if I were to start listing fantastic 2600 titles, I'd be at it all day!

  • @tabytha.stryker
    @tabytha.stryker Год назад +1

    excellent selection! i would have added berzerk and spider fighter

  • @300BaudStudios
    @300BaudStudios Год назад

    Very nicely done top 10 list on the 2600!

  • @Bawkr
    @Bawkr Год назад

    These look like some great games, you've got good taste. Never played the Atari but my favorite games that had old versions are: Space Invaders Extreme, Frogger Hyper, Burger Time, Dig Dug, Donkey Kong, Boulder Dash, Asteroids, Lode Runner, Pac-Man 256 & Galaga

  • @schwaaard
    @schwaaard 9 дней назад

    Dude, that's wild. I've never seen anyone else with handwriting just like mine! Looks i-dentical.

  • @marcelrombouts8607
    @marcelrombouts8607 4 месяца назад

    My shortlist: Mario Bros, H.E.R.O., River Raid, Robot Tank, Starmaster, Astroids, Keystone Kapers, Othello, Realsports Volleyball, Decathlon.

  • @scottcalanca5552
    @scottcalanca5552 7 месяцев назад

    TURMOIL!!
    A FLAT version of TEMPEST!? Absolutely perfect description!!!

  • @dennistaylor983
    @dennistaylor983 Год назад +1

    I have 2600 disc for xbox. Play every day. Adventure, backgammon, target fun.

  • @chuckfuller6074
    @chuckfuller6074 Год назад

    I played so much Megamania when I was a kid just watching and listening to it just bow triggered something in me.
    I need to play this soon. Always been in my top 3 with Yar’s Revenge and Adventure. Order keeps changing.

  • @benaiahburns4046
    @benaiahburns4046 10 месяцев назад

    For me, Jungle Hunt and Keystone Kapers, Freeway along with Asteroids and Pitfall are among my favorite games for the 2600.
    Others include:
    Donkey Kong
    Fishing Derby
    Basketball
    Frogs and Flies
    Air Sea Battle
    Galaxian
    Berzerk
    Indy 500
    H.E.R.O.
    Smurfs: Gargamels castle
    Surround
    Kung Fu Master
    Barnstorming
    Plaque Attack
    Phoenix
    Gangster Alley
    Kaboom
    Bowling
    Dolphin
    Fast Eddie
    Gunslinger
    Spider Fighter
    and many more!

  • @Johnnyboi1986
    @Johnnyboi1986 Год назад +2

    First console I ever played, like most people I imagine. Some of my favorites were:
    River Raid
    Pitfall
    Phoenix (demon attack clone?)
    Megamania
    Mountain King
    Frogs and Flies
    Berzerk
    Seaquest
    Chopper Command
    RealSports Volleyball.

    • @asimian8500
      @asimian8500 Год назад +2

      Actually Phoenix was an arcade port. Demon Attack is a clone and had a boss, but due to an Atari lawsuit it was removed. However, the Intellivision Demon Attack has the boss.

    • @Johnnyboi1986
      @Johnnyboi1986 Год назад +1

      @@asimian8500 Interesting, didn’t know that!

  • @GregsGameRoom
    @GregsGameRoom Год назад

    Adventure, Space Invaders, Pitfall II, Solaris, Asteroids, and Warlords would be in my Top 10.

  • @adroharv9213
    @adroharv9213 Год назад +2

    I find it hard to claim certain games as being better for doing things differently. Megamania is an excellent game but it isn't a better game than say Demon Attack because of it's variety in attack patterns, The stricter nature of Demon Attack has the player getting good within that particular design. Demon Attack is a blinding fun tight shooter that isn't any better than Atlantis for example which is arguably a very simple design but is brilliant within that once you get to master it. Atlantis is uniquely brilliant in a way Both Demon Attack and Megamania don't do
    That doesn't stop each one of them being a favourite of course but not better objectively

  • @randomrickreviewsrrr4662
    @randomrickreviewsrrr4662 Год назад

    Nice list, I think Enduro and River Raid would make my Top 10.

  • @stevehastings2010
    @stevehastings2010 Год назад

    My top game for the 2600: _Adventures of TRON_ by M-Network. It's a platformer. Collect 7 "bits" per level then exit via the I/O tower. What makes it unique is that there are few places of safety, but the enemies always move in a predictable way, so a lot of the game is getting behind the enemies for a moment of safety. I also love the "solar sailer" which can carry you over the heads of enemies on one of the platform levels. IMHO it's a 10/10 game, and I still play it frequently (in emulation).

    • @GamingTheSystems1
      @GamingTheSystems1  Год назад +1

      You've convinced me to try it out. I don't play my M-Network games enough.

  • @ringo8410
    @ringo8410 Год назад

    Jungle Hunt and Artillery Duel are among my favorite 2600 games.

  • @DannyWelch
    @DannyWelch 9 месяцев назад

    Great list! I don't tend to include arcade conversions in my personal top 10 lists, even though plenty of them are great games. For the 2600, my top 10 are:
    Megamania
    H.E.R.O.
    Enduro
    River Raid
    Atlantis
    Cosmic Ark
    Demon Attack
    Fast Food
    Commando Raid
    Boxing (crazy, stupid, LOL fun with 2 players).

  • @brncrvr
    @brncrvr 9 месяцев назад

    Kaboom, q Bert, ms Pac-Man, hero, pressure cooker, cosmic ark, robot tank, breakout and dragons descent home brew are my go-to.

  • @stephentg1
    @stephentg1 Год назад

    Frogger, Missile Command, Spider Fighter, Berserk, Joust, Adventure, Defender, Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Raiders of the lost Ark

  • @dukorouk
    @dukorouk 3 месяца назад +1

    Just today I brought on atari junior from someone in london. He sold it 25 pounds and came with 15 games. I thought it was a scammer, but I hit gold there, and he gave me one atari 2600 wood ribbon damaged for free.

  • @XV250
    @XV250 10 месяцев назад

    A very good list and I would agree with your choices, especially Enduro and Jr. Pacman. Most 2600 owners rave about Ms. Pacman, but I think Jr. is superior.
    I'd also mention that if you like "death from above shooters" like Demon Attack or Megamania, check out Activision's Spider Fighter. I really like that one.
    A couple of other games that should get honorable mention are Berzerk and Asteroids...

  • @Uriel77200
    @Uriel77200 7 месяцев назад

    Defender, Pinball, Space Invaders, Asteroids, Ms PacMan, Demon Attack, Battlezone, Atlantis, Pitfall, Frogger, pole Position, Joust, River Attack, Dig Dug, and Centipede. Thats my top 15.

  • @noahboat580
    @noahboat580 5 месяцев назад

    Watching that James and Mike Monday multipart series for the atari 2600, Vanguard is on my list for atari 2600 games. "Luther destroys the god!"

  • @fmdof
    @fmdof Год назад +2

    my mom is a legend at megamania. she's hit 1,000,000 points several times. I have no idea how.

  • @markastoforoff7838
    @markastoforoff7838 Год назад +2

    One game that I liked was the one that came packaged with it, Combat but they should have included a single player mode. It's not all that exciting to shoot down enemy planes or tanks when they are just sitting ducks.

    • @sandal_thong8631
      @sandal_thong8631 Год назад

      The Atari logbook challenge says to play game 15 on difficulty B.
      Pro (Blue Angel): shoot 17 (I did 19 in 1982)
      Master (Flying Phantom): shoot 26 (I did it in 2006)
      Wizard (Scourge of the Skies): shoot 34 (I did 35 in 2020)
      I felt it made the Atari look bad by 1981. I got _Armor Ambush_ in 1982, but that didn't have a 1-player mode either. _Time Pilot_ looks like the flying part of _Combat._ Maybe for variety you could have another player use paddles to avoid being hit in the jet fighters. If you press both buttons simultaneously, it thinks you're moving the joystick left and right at the same time, which causes a weird effect.

  • @blarghblargh
    @blarghblargh 8 месяцев назад

    not in order:
    reactor, mr do's castle, congo bongo
    tron: deadly discs, superman, moonsweeper
    return of the jedi, warlords, river raid, cosmic ark
    and several others that have ports on other systems that I'd prefer to play today, but played it first on 2600 (frogger, joust, kangaroo, mario bros, etc)
    I'd probably put Venture on the list, but I have never gotten very far in it. but it seemed really cool back then. I should give it another go...

  • @Jarod_Schultz
    @Jarod_Schultz Год назад +2

    I like River Raid, but I think the game would make more sense if you have a boat rather than a plane. The fact that the plane crashes into the river bank or bridge doesn't make sense because it should be able to fly over them.

    • @GamingTheSystems1
      @GamingTheSystems1  Год назад

      It could be that they are flying low to avoid radar 🤣

    • @Jarod_Schultz
      @Jarod_Schultz Год назад

      @@GamingTheSystems1 LOL

    • @asimian8500
      @asimian8500 Год назад +1

      @@GamingTheSystems1 Actually, you're right. It's flying below radar level which is why you have to shoot the bridge.

  • @MatthewStreets-sc1cv
    @MatthewStreets-sc1cv Год назад

    👍🙂 Nice bunch of 2600 games you've shown. After 13:15, the space ship in a game called "Mega Mania" is similar to the D-7 and K'Tinga Class Klingon battle cruisers. 😁 By the way have you heard about the new game console called Atari 2600 Plus?. 🙂 The new system is designed to let you play most of the 2600 games. (Some of the 7800 games as well) 🙂 It may even let you play the games that you've all ready got.

  • @bryansteele832
    @bryansteele832 Год назад

    1. Enduro
    2. Missle command
    3. Centipede
    4. warlords
    5. breakout
    6. Kaboom
    7. yars revenge
    8. Asteroids
    9. Battlezone
    10. space attack