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MAVERICK'S LIST OF ATARI 2600 VIDEOGAMES

If you don't know what the 2600 is, then
how can I describe it...  think of it as
the Nintendo 64 of the 70's.  Except that
it was also the FIRST mega-popular home
videogame system which lead to the release
of hundreds of games cartridges from dozens 
of manufacturers.  Of course they weren't 
all stellar games, but the best of the bunch 
will give as many hours of entertainment and 
as much enjoyment as any of the "latest and 
greatest" games.  Graphics and sound started 
off as fairly primitive but clever programmers
were able to push the limits of the system 
to give looks and gameplay that seemed beyond 
the capability reflected by the first games.
Activision deserves special note for coming
up with some of the most original and enjoyable
2600 games.  One attractive feature of the 2600 
games carts was the ability to select different 
variations using switches on the game console.
Some cartridges featured only one or two
variations while others had dozens.

The TV-Boy is a hand-held game and controller
that features 127 different 2600 games that
may be selected by number.  The unit does
not have a screen and still must be hooked
up to a TV but makes a great travel partner
and beats carrying all those carts around!
Livens up any dreary hotel room (so long as
you can get the antenna cable off the TV).

Some of my favorite titles are marked * and may
also have a brief commentary as to their merits.


B M GAME (MANUFACTURER)
-------------------------------------------------
. . ADVENTURE (ATARI)*
     you are a square (literally, and perhaps
     figuratively) adventuring through a kingdom
     of castles, mazes and dragons.  Castles need
     to be opened with different colored keys,
     dragons can be killed with a sword, and
     in the meantime you have to collect a
     chalice hidden someplace and bring it
     back to your castle.  On harder levels
     a pesky bat would fly around picking up
     treasures or even you and whisking you away
     to another part of the map.
. . ADVENTURES OF TRON (M NETWORK)
. . AMIDAR (PARKER BROTHERS)
. X ARMOR AMBUSH (M NETWORK)*
. X ASTEROIDS (ATARI)*
. . ASTROBLAST (M NETWORK)
. . ATLANTIS (IMAGIC)
. . BACKGAMMON (ATARI)
. . BARNSTORMING (ACTIVISION)*
. . BASKETBALL (ATARI)
. . BATTLEZONE (ATARI)
. . BERZERK (ATARI)*
     fight your way through maze after maze of
     laser shooting robots and a smiley-faced
     bouncing ball called "Evil Otto."
. . BLACKJACK (ATARI)
. . BOWLING (ATARI)*
. . BOXING (ACTIVISION)*
     duke it out against the computer or another
     player.  Not a lot of strategy here but
     some amusing graphics
. . BRAIN GAMES (ATARI)
. . BREAKOUT (ATARI)
. . BRIDGE (ACTIVISION)
. . BUMP 'N' JUMP (M NETWORK)
. . BURGERTIME (M NETWORK)
. . CANYON BOMBER (ATARI)*
. . CARNIVAL (COLECO)*
. . CASINO (ATARI)
. . CENTIPEDE (ATARI)
. . CHOPPER COMMAND (ACTIVISION)
. . CIRCUS ATARI (ATARI)*
     alternate bouncing clowns off of a teeter-totter
     to pop balloons flying across the top of the
     screen.  Simplified version of the arcade game.
. . COMBAT (ATARI)*
     take your pick of battling another player in
     tanks, biplanes, or jet fighters.  One of those
     games where you have to play "just one more time"
     to find out who's really the best...
. . COMMANDO (ACTIVISION)
X X COMMUNIST MUTANTS FROM SPACE, SUPERCHARGER GAME 2 (ARCADIA)
. . COSMIC ARK (IMAGIC)
. X CROSSBOW (ATARI) *
. . CRYSTAL CASTLES (ATARI) *
. . DARK CAVERN (M NETWORK)
X X DARK CHAMBERS (ATARI)
. . DECATHLON (ACTIVISION)
. . DEFENDER (ATARI)
. . DEMON ATTACK (IMAGIC)*
. . DEMONS TO DIAMONDS (ATARI)
X X DIG DUG (ATARI)
. . DODGE 'EM (ATARI)*
. . DONKEY KONG (ATARI)
. . DONKEY KONG JR. (ATARI)
. . DRAGONFIRE (IMAGIC)*
X X DRAGONSTOMPER, SUPERCHARGER GAME 6 (STARPATH)
. . DRAGSTER (ACTIVISION)*
     although it doesn't have the H-pattern
     shifting of the Channel F drag racing game,
     this is a classic "test your reflexes" game.
     Especially fun against an equally skilled
     opponent as you alternately win or lose by
     fractions of a second.  The Wico bat-stick
     works particularly well for quick slap 
     shifting.
. . E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (ATARI)
. X ENDURO (ACTIVISION)*
. . ENTOMBED (U.S. GAMES)*
X X ESCAPE FROM THE MIND MASTER, SUPERCHARGER GAME 5 (STARPATH)
X X FIREBALL, SUPERCHARGER GAME 3 (ARCADIA)
. . FIRE FIGHTER (IMAGIC)
. . FLAG CAPTURE (ATARI)
. . FLASH GORDON (20TH CENTURY FOX)
. . FOOTBALL (ATARI)
. . FREEWAY (ACTIVISION)*
     why did the chicken cross the road?  Who cares,
     but you have to get the chicken across multiple
     freeway lanes without getting squashed.  As
     much fun to watch as it is to play, especially
     when two players are competing.
. . FROGGER (ATARI)
. . FROGS AND FLIES (M NETWORK)*
     simple game for one or two players who are
     frogs jumping between lily pads trying to
     catch the most flies with their tongues.
     Amusing graphics and variable skill levels
     make this fun for all ages.
. . G.I. JOE: COBRA STRIKE (PARKER BROTHERS)*
     unique three player simultaneous play.
. . GALAXIAN (ATARI)
. . GHOSTBUSTERS (ACTIVISION)
. . GOLF (ATARI)
. . GORF (CBS ELECTRONICS)
. . GRAND PRIX (ACTIVISION)*
X X GRAVITAR (ATARI)
. . GUNSLINGER (SEARS)
. . HANGMAN (ATARI)*
. . HAUNTED HOUSE (ATARI)*
     simple but classic adventure game of exploring
     a four story, darkened haunted house.  Avoid
     the ghosts and collect pieces of an urn.
. . HOME RUN (ATARI)
. . HUMAN CANNONBALL (ATARI)
. . ICE HOCKEY (ACTIVISION)
. . INDY 500 (ATARI)*
. . INTERNATIONAL SOCCER (M NETWORK)
. X JOURNEY ESCAPE (DATA AGE)*
. . JOUST (ATARI)
. . JR. PAC-MAN (ATARI)
. . JUNGLE HUNT (ATARI)
. . KABOOM! (ACTIVISION)*
     not as fancy as the 5200 version but it uses
     rotary paddle controller which vastly improves
     the feel of the game.  Use buckets to catch
     the bombs dropped by the mad bomber who
     gets faster and faster...
. . KANGAROO (ATARI)
. . KEYSTONE KAPERS (ACTIVISION)
X X KILLER SATELLITES, SUPERCHARGER GAME 7 (STARPATH)
. . KOOL-AID MAN (M NETWORK)
. . KUNG-FU MASTER (ACTIVISION)
. . LASER BLAST (ACTIVISION)
. . LOCK 'N CHASE (M NETWORK)
. . M*A*S*H (20TH CENTURY FOX)*
     yes, there's surgery in this game.  There's
     also helicopters and parachutes.  An interesting
     combination of games that are fun with one or
     two players.
. . MARIO BROS. (ATARI)
. . MAZE CRAZE (ATARI)
. . MEGAMANIA (ACTIVISION)
. . MIDNIGHT MAGIC (ATARI) *
. . MILLIPEDE (ATARI)
. . MISSILE COMMAND (ATARI)*
. . MOON PATROL (ATARI)
. . MOUNTAIN KING (CBS ELECTRONICS)
. . MOUSE TRAP (ATARI)
. . MS. PAC-MAN (ATARI)
. . NIGHT DRIVER (ATARI)*
. . OMEGA RACE (CBS ELECTRONICS)*
     one of my all-time arcade favorites (I was a
     vector games fanatic.)  Unfortunately the
     graphics are limited and a special controller
     adapter was used with the game, but it still
     manages to capture the spirit of the original.
. . OTHELLO (ATARI)*
. . OUTLAW (ATARI)
. . PAC-MAN (ATARI)*
     yes, I am pulling your leg on this one.  If I
     could arrange for every 2600 Pac-Man cart to
     be vaporized, I would be tempted to do it.
     Obnoxious audio, atrocious graphics...  but
     keep it around to remind you how GREAT the
     really good 2600 titles are!
. X PELE'S SOCCER (ATARI)*
X X PHASER PATROL, SUPERCHARGER GAME 1 (ARCADIA)
. . PHOENIX (ATARI)*
. . PITFALL II: LOST CAVERNS (ACTIVISION)
. . PITFALL! (ACTIVISION)
. . POLE POSITION (ATARI)
. . POPEYE (PARKER BROTHERS)
. . PRESSURE COOKER (ACTIVISION)*
     anyone who has worked in fast food will love
     this.  Make burgers to order as they come off
     the grill and then deliver them to the proper
     bin.  Don't screw up because you have limited
     amounts of each topping.  Fun and fast.
. . Q*BERT (ATARI)
     a game renowned for it's horrible graphics.
     Yes, even worse than 2600 Pac-Man.
. X RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (ATARI)
. . REACTOR (PARKER BROTHERS)
. . REALSPORTS BOXING (ATARI)
. . REALSPORTS BASEBALL (ATARI)
. . REALSPORTS FOOTBALL (ATARI)
. . REALSPORTS TENNIS (ATARI)
. . REALSPORTS VOLLEYBALL (ATARI)
. . RIDDLE OF THE SPHINX (IMAGIC)
. . RIVER RAID (ACTIVISION)*
. . ROBOT TANK (ACTIVISION)*
     forget the lousy Battlezone adaptation, this
     is THE first-person tank game for the 2600.
. X SEA HAWK (FROGGO)
. . SEAQUEST (ACTIVISION)*     
. . SKATE BOARDIN' (ABSOLUTE)
. . SKIING (ACTIVISION)*
. . SKY DIVER (ATARI)*
. . SKY JINKS (ACTIVISION)*
. . SLOT RACERS (ATARI)
. . SMURF: RESCUE IN GARGAMEL'S CASTLE (COLECO)
. . SOLAR FOX (CBS ELECTRONICS)
. . SOLARIS (ATARI)*
     cool Star Raiders variant that doesn't need a
     special controller or keypad.  Fortunately the
     simplified controls don't mean a simplistic game.
     Pilot a spaceship through different sectors of
     space trying to thwart alien invaders.
. . SPACE ATTACK (M NETWORK)
. . SPACE CAVERN (APOLLO)
. X SPACE INVADERS (ATARI)*
     this game came with over a hundred different
     variants as I recall with most all of them
     being both creative and worth trying at least
     once or twice.  Also features an interesting
     variety of two-player options.  This cart alone
     makes owning a 2600 worthwhile.
. . SPACE JOCKEY (U.S. GAMES/VIDTEC)
. . SPACE WAR (ATARI)
. . SPIDER FIGHTER (ACTIVISION)*
. . SPIDER-MAN (PARKER BROTHERS)*
. . SPRINTMASTER (ATARI)
. . STAMPEDE (ACTIVISION)*
. X STAR RAIDERS (ATARI)*
. . STAR SHIP (ATARI)
. . STAR TREK STRATEGIC OPERATIONS SIMULATOR (SEGA)
. . STAR VOYAGER (IMAGIC)
. . STAR WARS: JEDI ARENA (PARKER BROTHERS)
. . STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI: DEATH STAR (PARKER BROTHERS)
. . STAR WARS: THE ARCADE GAME (PARKER BROTHERS)
. . STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (PARKER BROTHERS)*
. . STARGATE (ATARI)
. . STARMASTER (ACTIVISION)*
. . STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: MUSICAL MATCH-UPS (PARKER BROTHERS)
. . STREET RACER (ATARI)
. . SUB SCAN (SEGA)*
     based on the old arcade standard of dropping
     depth charges on submarines.  Sure it's repetitive,
     and the sonar sound drives everyone else in the
     house crazy, but it makes for great atmosphere.
X X SUICIDE MISSION, SUPERCHARGER GAME 4 (ARCADIA)
. . SUPER BREAKOUT (ATARI)
. . SUPER CHALLENGE BASEBALL (M NETWORK)
. . SUPER CHALLENGE FOOTBALL (M NETWORK)
. . SUPER COBRA (PARKER BROTHERS)
X X SUPERMAN, SPECIAL EDITION (ATARI)*
     great combination of strategy and moderate arcade
     reflexes.  You are Superman flying around Metropolis
     trying to (a) capture Lex Luthor and his band of
     crooks, (b) put back the bridge they just blew up,
     (c) keep Lois Lane from pawing all over you, and
     (d) get to work at the Daily Planet.  Of course you
     will be successful, you are Superman.  Fortunately
     there is an on-screen timer so you can race against
     the clock to prove you were a better Superman than
     your buddy.  Another 2600 "must have."
. . SURROUND (ATARI)
. . SWORDQUEST: EARTHWORLD (ATARI)
. . SWORDQUEST: FIREWORLD (ATARI)
. . TAC-SCAN (SEGA)
. . TANK PLUS (SEARS)
. . TARGET FUN (SEARS)*
     better known as Air-Sea-Battle.  A variety of
     target shooting games for one or two players.
. . TENNIS (ACTIVISION)*
. . TOWERING INFERNO (U.S. GAMES)
. . TUTANKHAM (PARKER BROTHERS)
. . VANGUARD (ATARI)
. . VENTURE (ATARI)*
. X VIDEO CHECKERS (ATARI)*
. . VIDEO CHESS (ATARI)*
     ungodly slow at the higher levels of difficulty.
     A good bet was to leave the game "thinking" all
     day allowing you to get in a move before you
     left for school and maybe one or two after you
     got home.
. . VIDEO OLYMPICS (ATARI)*
     took all the different variations of Pong and then
     added a bunch more.  All multi-player games with
     up to four players.
. . VIDEO PINBALL (ATARI)*
. X WARLORDS (ATARI)*
     an absolute blast!  Hard to explain but up to
     four players each try to defend their castle
     walls depicted in one of the four corners of
     the screen.  A bouncing fireball (which can be
     caught in some variations) must be blocked to
     prevent it from eating a hole in your defense.
. . WIZARD OF WOR (CBS ELECTRONICS)
. . WORD ZAPPER (U.S. GAMES/VIDTEC)
. . YAR'S REVENGE (ATARI)*
. . ZAXXON (ATARI)

TV-BOY 127-IN-1 ATARI 2600

Titles already marked * won't be marked
again in the TV-Boy list.

GAME (MANUFACTURER)
---------------------------------------------
3D TIC TAC TOE (ATARI)*
AIR RAIDERS (M NETWORK)
AIR-SEA BATTLE (ATARI)*
ALIEN (20TH CENTURY FOX)
AMIDAR (PARKER BROTHERS)
ASSAULT (BOMB)
ASSAULT (BOMB)
ASTRO WAR (DIMAX)
ATLANTIS (IMAGIC)
BANK HEIST (20TH CENTURY FOX)
BARNSTORMING (ACTIVISION)
BERMUDA (SUNTEK)
BERZERK (ATARI)
BOBBY IS GOING HOME (PUZZY/BIT)
BOWLING (ATARI)
BRICK KICK (UNKNOWN)
CARNIVAL (COLECO)
CHALLENGE (FUNVISION)
CHECKERS (ACTIVISION)*
CHOPPER COMMAND (ACTIVISION)
CIRCUS ATARI (ATARI)
COMMANDO RAID (VIDTEC)*
CONDOR ATTACK (ULTRAVISION)
COSMIC ARK (IMAGIC)
COSMIC CREEPS (TELESYS)
CRACKPOTS (ACTIVISION)*
CRIMINAL PURSUIT (UNKNOWN)
CROSS FORCE (SPECTRAVISION)
DARK CAVERN (M NETWORK)
DEADLY DUCK (SIRIUS-FOX)
DEMON ATTACK (IMAGIC)
DISHASTER (ZIMAG)
DODGE 'EM (ATARI)
DONKEY KONG (COLECO)
DRAGONFIRE (IMAGIC)
EARTH DIES SCREAMING (20TH CENTURY FOX)
ENDURO (ATARI)
FANTASTIC VOYAGE (20TH CENTURY FOX)
FARMYARD FUN (UNKNOWN)
FAST EDDIE (SIRIUS-FOX)
FAST FOOD (TELESYS)*
FIRE FIGHTER (IMAGIC)
FISHING DERBY (ACTIVISION)*
FLASH GORDON (20TH CENTURY FOX)
FROGGER (PARKER BROTHERS)
FROGS 'N FLIES (M NETWORK)
FROSTBITE (ACTIVISION)
GALACTIC (SUNTEK)
GANGSTER ALLEY (SPECTRAVISION)
GAS HOG (SPECTRAVISION)
GOPHER (US GAMES)
GRAND PRIX (ACTIVISION)
GREAT ESCAPE (BOMB)
HANGMAN (ATARI)
HOLE HUNTER (UNKNOWN)
ICE HOCKEY (ACTIVISION)
JAWBREAKER (TIGERVISION)
KARATE (ULTRAVISION)
KEYSTONE KAPERS (ACTIVISION)
LASER BLAST (ACTIVISION)
LASER GATES (IMAGIC)
LOCK N CHASE (M NETWORK)
M*A*S*H (20TH CENTURY FOX)
MAD (US GAMES)
MALAGAI (ANSWER)
MARAUDER (TIGERVISION)
MASTER BUILDER (SPECTRAVISION)
MAZE CRAZE (ATARI)
MEGA FORCE (20TH CENTURY FOX)
MEGAMANIA (ACTIVISION)
MISSILE COMMAND (ATARI)
MISSILE CONTROL (VIDEO GEMS)*
MISSION 3000 (PUZZY/BIT)
MOUSE TRAP (COLECO)
MR. POSTMAN (PUZZY/BIT)
NAME THIS GAME (US GAMES)
NUTS (TECHNOVISION)
OINK! (ACTIVISION)
OTHELLO (ATARI)
PAC-KONG (RAINBOWVISION)
PAC-MAN (ATARI)
PELE'S SOCCER (ATARI)
PITFALL (ACTIVISION)
PLANET PATROL (SPECTRAVISION)
PLAQUE ATTACK (ACTIVISION)*
POOYAN (KONAMI)
Q*BERT (PARKER BROTHERS)
RACQUETBALL (APOLLO)
RAFT RIDER (US GAMES)
REALSPORTS VOLLEYBALL (ATARI)
RIVER RAID (ACTIVISION)
ROBIN HOOD (TECHNOVISION)
ROOM OF DOOM (COMMAVID)
SEA WAR (UNKNOWN)
SEAQUEST (ACTIVISION)
SKIING (ACTIVISION)
SNAIL AGAINST SQUIRREL (PUZZY/BIT)
SPACE CAVERN (APOLLO)
SPACE INVADERS (ATARI)
SPACE JOCKEY (VIDTEC)
SPACE ROBOT (DIMAX)
SPIDER FIGHTER (ACTIVISION)
SPIDER MAN (PARKER BROTHERS)
SQUEEZEBOX (US GAMES)
STAMPEDE (ACTIVISION)
STAR WARS: EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (PARKER BROTHERS)
STARMASTER X-7 (20TH CENTURY FOX)
SUB SCAN (SEGA)
SUBMARINE (UNKNOWN)
SUPER CHALLENGE BASEBALL (M NETWORK)
SUPERMAN (ATARI)
TAC-SCAN (SEGA)
TENNIS (ACTIVISION)
THUNDERGROUND (SEGA)
TIME TUNNEL (UNKNOWN)
TRICK SHOT (IMAGIC)
TURMOIL (20TH CENTURY FOX)*
UFO PATROL (UNKNOWN)
VENTURE (COLECO)
VIDEO CHESS (ATARI)
VIDEO PINBALL (ATARI)
WALKER (UNKNOWN)
WALL DEFENDER (BOMB)
WORD ZAPPER (VIDTEC)
WORM WAR I (SIRIUS-FOX)
YAR'S REVENGE (ATARI)
Z-TACK (BOMB)


6/10/98

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