Atari 2600: Combat
September 6, 2009 - 6:23 am - Posted by Sean R.
This game is an enigma. In the 1980′s, all of my friends hated Combat, often poking fun at its plain graphics and simplistic gameplay.
However, 30+ years later, everybody I know that owns an Atari 2600 swears up and down that it’s one of the greatest games ever made.
Each of the game’s 27 variations challenges you to out shoot your opponent over a 2 minute, 16 second time period.
The tank variations have loads of options including different maze layouts, guided missiles, bouncing missiles, and even invisible tanks.
The fact that a tank is relocated after taking a hit reduces the opportunity for “piling on” additional cheap shots.
Most people agree that the “tank pong” variations are the best of the bunch, often resulting in wild and unpredictable matches.
The biplane and jet fighter variations are less exciting, but still deserve a look.
When you fly your plane off one side of the screen you appear on the other side, and clouds are also an option.
The three planes vs. one bomber variation isn’t fair though – that big ol’ bomber has no chance.
Combat for the Atari 2600 is an archaic, simplistic game, but after all these years it’s finally getting some respect.