25 Atari 2600 games that are still worth playing

00:00 Pitfall
00:30 Seaquest
01:00 Galaxian
01:30 River Raid
02:00 H.E.R.O
02:30 Battlezone
03:00 Pole Position
03:30 Chopper Command
04:00 Moon Patrol
04:30 Atlantis
05:00 Centipede
05:30 Solaris
06:00 Dig Dug
06:30 Donkey Kong
07:00 Super Breakout
07:30 Kung Fu Master
08:00 Space Invaders
08:30 Pitfall 2
09:00 Ms. Pac-Man
09:30 Fishing Derby
10:00 Frogger
10:30 Grand Prix
11:00 Missle Command
11:30 Phoenix
12:00 Joust

[@jmarcguy]

Thank you to my mom who not only played some of the games with me, but sat & listened to all the “laser sounds” & catchy “music”. ❤

[@ScottSiegler]

Good list. I would add warlords, berzerk, outlaw and adventure

[@scottdaniels8129]

Played the hell out of Warlords and Berzerk. Berzerk looked just like the arcade game and was fun as hell with a ton of variations. definitely should have made the list.

[@devMashcom]

Demon Attack and Haunted House and Pitfall were all great fun, and the quality of Ms. Pac Man on the 2600 was really good. Raiders of the Lost Ark was less popular, but we played the hell out of it trying to figure it out! 😂

[@davidfulton179]

Solid list! I might add Yars, Warlords, Star Raiders, Berserk, and Vanguard if you went to 30. Fishing Derby IS surprisingly compelling! And Galaxian and Joust are among the best arcade ports for the 2600. I was less impressed with Centipede initially graphic's wise, but I think they sunk the effort into game play instead which makes it a real sleeper hit in my book. Games like Missile Command and Atlantis always made me super anxious to play! It's like "which city can die?" I'd usually name them for towns around me and play accordingly! (Sorry, Willmington!)

[@GoldenfoxxPrime]

One game I would add, despite its weirdly bad reputation on KZbin, is the game based on Raiders of the Lost Ark. People talk like it was weirdly inscrutable, but I mean my best friend at the time and I solved it in elementary school, and before we ever had the aid of the internet or even anything like the old Nintendo Help Line. I still remember being at his house when we finally found the Black Market area in that game. We knew it existed, I imagine because of the instruction manual, but spent a long time unable to find it. Then, the same day, we found a second way in. Sticking points always seem to work like that. At any rate, it was certainly a better game than that port of Donkey Kong. I STILL remember getting Pitfall II in my Easter basket whatever year that game came out, and just playing it non-stop until I finally beat it, and loving it JUST because it had a discernable goal and ending. Odd that I never actually understood the goal of the first Pitfall game until I was an adult, too; always just thought it was to get as many points as possible in 20 minutes. That said, looking back at these and the great times I had (especially playing Maze Crazy with my next-door neighbors back in the '80s) with them, all I can say is that we were so very easily amused at that age.

[@ngtflyer]

Also Demon Attack, Yar's Revenge, Adventure, Kaboom, Keystone Kapers and Asteroids should be on this list!

[@yuibucki]

Enduro and Montezuma’s Revenge too.

[@DiscoScottie]

All good choices.

[@sabbathtribute]

Demon Attack and Asteroids definitely

[@twalchusky79]

Don't forget Berserk and night driver

[@seanstevenson7533]

Loved Adventure!

[@josephbradshaw6985]

Asteroids, Berzerk, Frogs and Flies, Combat, and Jungle Hunt would be on my list, but this list is good.

[@aquarius5719]

Urquan Masters is a freeware PC game where combat is fought in an Asteroids fashion. In 1992 the game Star Control II was a succes. Later the developers released the code as open source and fans revamped it for modern systems and had to rename as Urquan Masters for legal reasons. It is a space exploration game with combat and diplomacy. Just keep pen and paper to write down data on places and coordinates because the game does not keep a log of the information characters give to you. If you loved Asteroids you will love the combat mode of this game.

[@mpkrist5701]

I’m a sucker for Snoopy and the Red Barron. It just repeats so you can’t actually finish it to my knowledge but I go back to that more than most others.

[@ManelyLion]

Same here!

[@Cyko..]

Fantastic video! Megamania was very fun to me. E.T. was great,

[@benrositas8068]

I never heard, of Battlezone until watching this video, but I wish I had played it, especially when I was a kid. I was into anything military back then and would've loved this game ( which, btw, looks like the 3d version of Combat!).

[@aquarius5719]

You can play Battlezone 98 redux. It is a revamp of the classic with great story arc for scifi lovers but it has a steep learning curve that requires some perseverance.

[@neohermitist]

I'd replace some of these. Indy 500 replacing Grand Prix for example. Probably Combat replacing Pole Position. Adventure is always worth a play.

[@rbartig]

I have 12 of the 25 games listed. Still have my Atari 2600 as a momento of an awesome childhood. Great days.

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

Still have my 2600 hooked up as well. Certain games will always hold up like Jr. Pacman

[@TomFooleryTheAustere]

Can’t forget Ghost Maner/Spike’s Peak (double ender cartridge by XonoX), Venture, Frostbite, Maze Craze, Popeye, Q-Bert, Demon Attack, Pressure Cooker, Plaque Attack, and Kangaroo were all pretty good games, from what my memory can recall.

[@wallacelang1374]

I still have my Atari 2600 and I still play most of these games that you have demonstrated here. My only real gripe is the way that you have played SPACE INVADERS for you use the shields to your advantage while they are there for once they are gone you are at a greater mercy of the invaders.

[@ZenFox0]

Wow, this brings back some memories.

[@madcommodore]

Despite the blocky graphics almost all VCS games ran at 50/60 frames per second with zero lag controller input too. Loved the VCS, it was a great system when I had it from 1980-1983 until I got a C64 in early 1984.

[@aquarius5719]

Space shuttle is also a memorable Atari 2600 game.

[@davidcarpenter55]

I got is atari 2600 for Christmas in the late 70s and I still have it Tuesday. I did put a mod kit into it.

[@austinevplab7167]

Wow, in my memory Missile Command looked a lot better. I had forgotten how crude the graphics were but these games were a lot of fun back in the day.

[@eternalhalloween1]

"Atlantis," "Beamrider," "Demon Attack," "Haunted House," "Missile Command," "Ms. Pac Man," "Riddle of the Sphinx," "Solaris" "Space Invaders," "Star Trek," "Vanguard," "Wizard of Wor."

[@jeremythomas2865]

Loved Atlantis

[@someuser828]

Great list - and there are many more from the Wooden Wonder

[@funkydmunky1]

Kaboom, Pitfall I,II and Hero and maybe some Enduro. Real games that were pinnacle on the VCS. In a world of MAME and remakes aint no one needing to spend time on a VCS arcade port! Unemployed nostalgia aside (fill yer boots!)

[@funkydmunky1]

It is a great system. A game changer! Doesn't mean it has great games in todays world. Best game then? Okay Combat,because no AI and so many variations(subtle as they were) me and a friend could play for hours.

[@TheTenthArt]

Nice channel!

[@Richard-yw1ez]

Amazing games great times my favorites were space invaders Phoenix galaxian Pacman

[@michaelbuddy]

megamania, demon attack

[@marcosalves9684]

First game I played on MSX was Pitfall and I remember the thrill i had.

[@kevinmarshall808]

Furthermore, River Raid was an awesome game!

[@erics2670]

There was a game called Decathlon or something like that, the first section of the game was a 100 meter dash. I played this game so much and got it to go so fast the rubber cover for the white plastic stick in it came off. I loved that game but can't think of the exact name, it had a pole jump part that I figured out had a glitch and I could go way over what the max height should have been. Love most of the list and making me remember those days so long ago

[@ericspero996]

A solid list. Some surprises here, not because I disagree but rather I had forgotten about them- Phoenix and Fishing Derby (simple but very fun). I would add Adventure and Frankenstein's Monster

[@MarvelousLXVII]

Adventure!!!

[@BrianJNelson]

In addition to Battlezone, which is a solid tank game, I recommend Robot Tank by Activision. The weather effects alone make the game worth giving it a try.

[@aquarius5719]

And if you move to PC, Battlezone 98 redux, a worthy revamp of the game that tried to keep the adrenaline of the original with a great scifi story arc.

[@ManelyLion]

Try some of these later games. I find them very worth playing today: Dark Chambers, Gravitar, Secret Quest, Dessert Falcon, Double Dunk, Crossbow and Crystal Castles.

[@aecnqewimnazxclwdxl]

Two I would add: "Frankenstein's Monster" (excellent beat-the-clock platformer) and "Mountain King" (mostly for the simple concept and music).

[@wizard3z868]

Spider fighter, endero, barnstorming pretty solid choices in this video though

[@MaggieKeizai]

Fishing Derby is probably the most underrated game on the platform. Somehow, it's just a hell of a good game.

[@rumblebars]

just came upon this video. I never really connected well with Atari games back in the day, with only a few exceptions. Pitfall, River Raid and Adventure.

[@jamesdixon6332]

Demon Attack, Keystone Capers, Circus Atari, Yars Revenge, Swordquest, Frogs and Flies, Kaboom, Defender, Berserk, Trick Shot...

[@derekwilliams1660]

When I had my Atari 2600,my favorites were Pac-man,Demon Attack, and Outlaw.

[@caseybrewer8950]

Surround and Outlaw are fun multiplayer games.

[@kevinmarshall808]

Moon patrol was always one of my favorites. I remember playing it in the grocery store while my parents shopped. I later got it for the Atari 2600 as a Christmas present. Not to criticize, but you should have added the game titles in the video. I know most, but not all. Great video though!

[@sigisalmen2399]

All game names appear at the top for a few seconds 🙄

[@kevinmarshall808]

My apologies. I failed to notice the first time.

[@jeffy6903]

Its funny how Sea Quest is just Defender under water and Chopper Command is just Defender in the desert.

[@TopRetroGames]

*Good* games

[@andyauthor2007]

Anytime you want to make a list like this, all you have to do is say every game by Activision, every game by Imagic, and every game by M Network. Seriously though, good video.

[@benaiahburns4046]

Good list, but you missed a few: Jungle Hunt Adventure Asteroids Basketball Berzerk Bowling Bump n Jump Cosmic Ark Crackpots Donkey Kong Dragonfire Frogs & Flies Gunslinger Keystone Kapers Lost Luggage Masters of the Universe Phoenix Plaque Attack Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel's Castle SSSnake

[@worldofretrogaming2248]

Thanks for this. I will probably make a 2nd part soon and will check back this list then when selecting the games for the video.

[@grotgrusson5124]

It hit/got to me first NOW (!)… Should the sound of Harry swinging from vines supposed to represent Tarzan's famous call? 😄

[@fearlessfreep]

Freeway is a superior game to Frogger. And Warlords should be on there simply because it's the best multi-player game on the system - up to 3 other opponents!

[@curmudgeonextraordinaire1884]

Missing Adventure

[@davidgarcia1163]

Activision's Beamrider is my favorite for the 2600.

[@atlasworld]

Chopper command yes i find finally

[@joshuasteele4498]

Asteroids, Dodge’em, and Combat should make the cut

[@originalfred66]

I find Dodge 'Em to be very addictive, especially on the difficult settings.

[@ooj316]

Tanks, yars revenge, defender, adventure. Montezumas revenge.

[@ralphjames1211]

I got the Atari Anthooligy Collection on the PC and an Atari Collection console that has like 125 built in Atari games! So I have everything on your list except for Pitfall 2, Ms Pac Man and Donkey Kong, sorry to say!

[@zhangliao8175]

Third party titles were some of the best. Activision & Imagic being at the top, followed by Coleco, Parker Brothers & M-Network (Mattel). Some first party titles were also very good. It's unfortunate that Atari was never able to finish the SwordQuest series after Fireworld (although a prototype Waterworld exists). I loved those games.

[@RayPVideos]

Great list! I’d add Midnight Magic to the list as well. Addictive, very fast paced and far better than the original Video Pinball. Thanks for sharing!

[@SoulforSale]

Without Mountain King the list is incomplete.

[@LynxVGL]

What’s up with the River Raid footage? I’ve never seen it displayed like that.

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

Good list however I'd replace Centipede with Millipede which is a definite upgrade. Also Jr. Pacman is another good game that held up well on the 2600

[@babylonastronaut]

Honestly, most of the paddle/racing controller games can't be reproduced on modern hardware. There will never be a game like warlords, ever again.

[@DiscoScottie]

Somebody has an Activision bias. Not that that's a bad thing.

[@miscmails1898]

Demon Attack, serious omission in your list, bro.

[@Frizzlefrail]

Dragster was great

[@maisumdomesmo]

Also: Demon Attack and Megamania

[@chasposter6179]

Pong! Will never be surpassed. Never.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

Gravitar.

[@chuckbridgen6785]

No commentary??

[@tendrosstoodross2976]

No Millipede? I always thought it was much better than Centipede.

[@PaladinLarec]

No Tunnel Runner? No subterranean?

[@CRAZYHORSE19682003]

How is ET not on this list?

[@bjarnenilsson80]

As fun as game capture's are, and as well as you have done them here, thus video still keaves me ( I've never owned an atari 2600) with questions , why domyou find them worth playing. I'm not saying thay are not, what I'm saying is that I gind of miss a voiceover where you tell us why you personally find them still worth playing, is it just nostalgia or die they have some historical significance. But hay i might have complitly missed the point if this video, if si I'm sorrt

[@paullatimer9249]

Why not Adventure?

[@jezuzkka6103]

game #26 ENDURO

[@carlacespede3489]

*H.E.R.O el unico juego Atari 2600 que NO tengo 😞*

[@aquarius5719]

Where is Star Raiders?

[@jclay6680]

Wow , no 'crazy climber' .

[@splatbubble]

Heyyyyyy you left off E.T. and Smurf! jk :)

[@The_Amazing_Stories]

No way.... Where is megamania game?

[@brooksfire9580]

Dig Dug should NOT be on that list. I was a huge Dig Dug fan, but couldn't play it on the 2600 as it was so bad and so unfaithful to the original. Yars' Revenge, Kaboom!, Asteroids, Keystone Kapers, Warlords, Berserk, Laser Blast, Megamania... a lot of good ones missing which should replace some of those titles.

[@scottyale2931]

The best games on the 2600 weren't arcade games. Adventure, Superman, Haunted House, Kaboom, Raiders of the Lost Ark are all better than most of the games you picked. The best things on your list were Pitfall, River Raid, Hero, and Battlezone.

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

Adventure is the original Zelda. The graphic may be laughable by today's standards but it was a groundbreaking game.

[@nathanduke5323]

There are only a handful that were ever any good.

[@singalongwrudy8690]

Defender..Basic Programming

[@bobholt6217]

Millipede needs to be on this list. I mean its better than centipede in every way and a crap ton better than most of these games.