List of Atari arcade games explained

Atari was an early pioneer in the video game industry. In fact, it virtually created the industry with its introduction of the arcade game Pong. The brand name "Atari" was used for many years and applied to several other entities that developed products ranging from arcade video games to home video game consoles to home computers to video games for personal computers.

Below is a list of arcade video games produced by Atari. These games were produced by Atari, Inc. from 1972 to 1984 starting with Pong, and Atari Games from 1984 to 1999. Atari no longer manufacturers arcade games. In fact, the entity that now owns the brand name, (French company, Infogrames), never has.

For a full list of games developed or published by Atari from 1972 to 1984, see List of Atari, Inc. games.

Legend
Vector display
Raster display
Unreleased

0-9

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720°19862, alternatingA skateboarding game with a unique joystick which moves in a circular fashion.

A

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A.P.B.19871The player as "Officer Bob" drives around the city from an overhead view, catches criminals and issues fines.
Accelerator19882, simultaneousA futuristic racing game where players race on twisting tubes.
Akka Arrh19822, alternatingAn unreleased prototype space shooter in which the player must defend a spaceship from approaching enemies and prevent them from building a cannon.
Anti-Aircraft19752, simultaneousEach player controls an anti-aircraft gun and tries to shoot down more aircraft than their opponent.
Arcade Classics19922, simultaneousPlayer can select from enhanced versions of earlier Atari games, Super Centipede or Missile Command II, both of which allow for two-player simultaneous play.
Area 5119952, simultaneousThe players attempt to kill the aliens and their mothership.
Area 51/Maximum Force Duo19982, simultaneousPlayers can choose to play either of the previous games, Area 51 or Maximum Force.
19982, simultaneousAn updated version of Atari's 1995 game with better graphics and smoother animation.
Asteroids19792, alternatingThe player must avoid floating asteroids and blast them to smithereens. Alien spacecraft must also be avoided or killed. One of Atari's biggest hits.
Asteroids Deluxe19812, alternatingSequel to Asteroids featuring harder gameplay, shields and automatic firing.
Atari Baseball19792, simultaneousA black and white video game of baseball where player compete against one another.
Atari Basketball19792, simultaneousA black and white basketball game where players can compete head-to-head.
Atari Football19792 or 4, simultaneousA black and white American football game where players are represented by X's and O's.
Atari Mini Golf19781An unreleased black and white mini-golf game.
Atari Soccer19792 or 4, simultaneousA black and white video game of soccer with players with X's and O's atop their heads.
Avalanche19782, alternatingPlayers attempt to catch falling rocks via several paddles. Black and white, but uses a color overlay.

B

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Badlands19892, simultaneousAn auto racing game with guns set in a post-apocalyptic world.
Batman19902, alternatingThe player takes on the role of the Caped Crusader participating in scenes taken from the 1989 film of the same name. Scenes are varied and include a final confrontation with The Joker.
Battlezone19801A big hit for Atari, the player controls a tank from the point-of-view from inside the tank. Novel controls, game cabinet and graphics made this a standout.
Beat Head19932, simultaneousA competitive rhythm game. Never released into full production.
Beavis and Butt-Head19962, simultaneousA prototype of a game based on the animated TV series; never released.
Black Widow19822, alternatingThe player is a spider at the middle of a web, trying to defend it from enemies.
Blasteroids19872, simultaneousPlayers blast asteroids and other targets and try to catch powerups to upgrade their weapons.
BMX Heat19911An unreleased motorcycle racing game.
Boxing19772, simultaneousAn unreleased black and white prototype of a boxing game.
Bradley Trainer19801A special-purpose version of Battlezone for the U.S. military. Players do not control the tank as in the original game, only the tank turret.
Breakout19762, alternatingPlayers break down a wall at the top of the screen with a ball and paddle.

C

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California Speed19981A racing game with several different tracks set in California.
Cannonball19762, alternatingAn unreleased black and white game where the player tries to fire a human cannonball through an opening in a wall.
Canyon Bomber19772, simultaneousPlayers control blimps which fly over a canyon dropping bombs. Canyon "boulders" are worth different points. Black and white.
Centipede19812, alternatingA big hit for Atari, the player controls the character at the bottom and shoots a segmented centipede as it advances down the screen through a field of mushrooms. Other enemies, such as spiders and fleas, also threaten the player.
Championship Sprint19862, simultaneousA racing game in which players attempt to beat each other around tracks while avoiding hazards.
Cloak & Dagger19832, alternatingThe player attempts to destroy Dr. Boom's underground bomb factory. Featured in a film of the same name.
Cloud 919832, alternatingThe player shoots down clouds in the sky that threaten to flood his chamber at the bottom of the screen.
Cops19941A laserdisc game based on the TV series of the same name; players must shoot criminals or chase after them in their patrol car.
Cops N Robbers19764, simultaneousA black and white game; players can choose to be cops and shoot at and stop robbers or vice versa.
Crash 'N Score19752, simultaneousA black and white demolition derby game where the object is to hit randomly appearing numbered pylons.
Crystal Castles19832, alternatingA moderate success, the player controls a bear character to collect crystals along paths in various caves with avoiding enemies. The player can find and use various powerups and secrets.
Cyberball19884, simultaneousRobotic football of the future. Robots can explode with the ball if it reaches critical temperature. Players can upgrade robots from funds from successful plays.
Cyberball 207219892, simultaneousAmerican football with robots.
Cyberstorm19932, simultaneousA futuristic one-on-one fighting game with robots.

D

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Danger Express19922, simultaneousA two-player brawler which takes place on a train.
Destroyer19771A black and white game,;the player moves a destroyer along the top of the water and drops depths charges towards enemy subs.
Doctor Pong19732, simultaneousA black and white game; a free-to-play variant of Pong designed specifically for pediatricians' waiting rooms.
Dominos19772, simultaneousA black and white game; players try to make a competitor's domino trail run into theirs.
Drag Race19772, simultaneousA black and white game; players compete in a drag race.

E

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Empire Strikes Back19851A sequel to the very successful Star Wars, this game features a color vector display and digitized voice samples as the player battles Imperial Walkers, TIE fighters and navigates asteroid fields.
Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters19892, simultaneousAn alien race is holding hostages on a planet. The player must rescue them, destroying aliens in the process.

F

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Fire Truck19782, simultaneousA black and white game; the player drives a fire truck through twisting city streets. In two-player mode, both players cooperatively drive the truck, one in front, one in back.
Firebeast19832, alternatingAn unreleased prototype also known as Dragon Master, this game was apparently inspired by Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series of books. Riding a flying dragon, the player must destroy silver threads before they reach the ground and start fires.
Firefox19841Based on the film of the same name, the player pilots and experimental craft as he attempts to blast enemies and gain enough fuel to finish the level.
Flyball19762, simultaneousA black and white baseball game.
Food Fight19832, alternatingThe player attempts to gathers piles of food and hurl them at angry chefs as he attempts to reach and eat an ice cream cone before it melts.
Freeze19962, simultaneousA puzzle game; the player must try to match three of the same colored fish in a row.

G

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Gauntlet19854, simultaneousA huge hit for Atari, released during the Dungeons & Dragons craze, Gauntlet features four adventurers exploring a dungeon. "Health" continually runs out, requiring players to steadily pump credits into the game.
Gauntlet II19864, simultaneousA sequel to Gauntlet. Profitable, though not as big a hit as the original.
Gauntlet Dark Legacy19994, simultaneousAn expansion of Gauntlet Legends featuring 5 new levels and 4 new characters
Gauntlet Legends19984, simultaneousA sequel to Gauntlet. Though it sportedsome innovative features, it garnered a lukewarm reception.
Goal IV19754, simultaneousA foosball-like game, with paddles instead of players.
Gotcha19732, simultaneousTwo-player maze game where the players try to catch each other.
Gran Trak 1019741A black and white driving game where the player races around a track for points.
Gran Trak 2019742, simultaneousA black and white racing game. Players drive cars around a track for points.
Gravitar19822, alternatingA difficult shoot-em up, where gravity factors into the gameplay.
Guardians of the 'Hood19923, simultaneousPlayers attempt to break up gangs that have taken over the character's neighborhood.
Guts and Glory19892, simultaneousAn unreleased military-style shoot 'em up with multiple missions.

H

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Hard Drivin'19891Players test drive a high-powered sports car on different stunt courses.
Hard Drivin's Airborne19931An unreleased sequel to Hard Drivin', in this racing game, the player controls a car that can transform into an airplane.
Hi-way19752, alternatingA black and white driving game where players must avoid oncoming traffic.
Hot Rod Rebels20001An unreleased sequel to the San Francisco Rush series.
Hydra19901The player drives a hovercraft trying to deliver secret documents. He must avoid mines and other obstacles.

I

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I, Robot19832, alternatingThe player controls a robot and destroys 3D shapes to progress to further levels.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom19852, alternatingAn action game based on movie of the same name, this game puts the player in the role of the famed archeologist as he tries to rescue children and retrieve the Sankhara stones.
Indy 419764, simultaneousA four-player racing game.
Indy 80019758, simultaneousAn eight-player racing game.

J

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Jet Fighter19752, simultaneousPlayers fly around the screen, behind clouds and open sky and fire missiles at each other.

K

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
Klax19892, simultaneousA tile-matching puzzle game where players must match falling blocks by color.

L

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
The Last Starfighter19841Unreleased prototype. The player shoots down enemy spaceships in 3D. Based on the film of the same name.
LeMans19761A black and white driving game. Players drive a car around a track using a steering wheel controller and other authentic driving apparatus.
Liberator19822, alternatingThe player controls four cannons facing a planet. Using a track ball and cannons, the player can shoot down incoming missiles and destroy planetary bases.
Lunar Lander19791Atari's first vector game. The player pilots a lunar landing module, trying to guide it to an appropriate landing site and set it down gently so it doesn't disintegrate on impact.

M

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19972, simultaneousIn this fighting game, players try to wrest control of the dark magic of the Mace of Tanis from the demon Asmodeus.
Major Havoc19832, alternatingThe player must defeat the enemy's defenses, dock with the enemy mothership and blow it up.
Marble Madness19842, simultaneousA hit for Atari. Using a trackball, players guide their marbles around a geometrically Escher-like landscape.
Marble Man: Marble Madness II19913, simultaneousAn unreleased sequel to their hit Marble Madness. Up to three players control marbles around a fanciful landscape.
Maximum Force19972, simultaneousA shooting game; the players battle a terrorist organization.
Maze Invaders19812, alternatingA shoot 'em up game in a maze with moving walls.
Metal Maniax19944, simultaneousA destruction derby game where points are awarded based on how much the player damages opponents' vehicles.
Millipede19822, alternatingA sequel to Atari's hit Centipede, this game features harder gameplay and a larger variety of enemy bugs.
Missile Command19802, alternatingAnother huge hit for Atari. The player defends cities from incoming ballistic missiles with three anti-missile installations. Missile blasts take out incoming warheads.
Missile Command 219822, simultaneousAn unreleased sequel to Missile Command, this game introduced simultaneous multiplayer action to the game.
Monte Carlo19801Player drives a car through a twisting road viewed from above.
Moto Frenzy19922, simultaneousA motorcycle racing game where players can compete on a variety of different tracks.

N

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
Night Driver19761A black and white driving game where the player only see the reflectors to the side of the road.

O

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
Off the Wall19912, simultaneousPlayers try to break through a block formation using a paddle and ball to get to the next level.
Orbit19782, simultaneousA Star Trek-inspired game. Two players try to destroy each other's ships, which are shaped like ships from the Star Trek universe.
Outlaw19761A black and white game where the player tries to outdraw his computer opponent.

P

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Paperboy19841The player controls a paperboy on a bicycle as he delivers newspapers on his route. Players must navigate around obstacles, deliver papers to correct houses and attempt to vandalize non-customers' homes. Notable for custom bicycle handlebar control and high resolution raster display.
Peter Pack Rat19852, alternatingThe player plays a rat and must collect a variety of objects while avoiding enemy animals.
Pin-Pong19742, alternatingA black and white video game version of pinball.
Pit-Fighter19903, simultaneousA fighting game where players can choose to be a variety of different types of fighters.
Pong19722, simultaneousA simulated table tennis game where the player competes against an opponent for the highest number of points. First extremely successful video game, the game that launched the video game industry.
Pong Doubles19734, simultaneousA four-player version of Pong with up to four players playing simultaneously. Upright and cocktail versions were produced of this variant. It was released as Coupe Du Monde in France.
Pool Shark19772, simultaneousA black and white video game version of billiards.
Primal Rage19942, simultaneousThe player controls a dinosaur or a giant ape and fights head-to-head against an opponent dinosaur.
Primal Rage II19962, simultaneousExists only as a prototype. The player's monster can morph into its human representation.
Pursuit19741The player flies a biplane in World War I and tries to shoot down enemy aircraft.

Q

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Quadrapong19744, simultaneousSimilar to Pong, in this four-player variant, players must protect their goal.
Quantum19822, alternatingPlayer must capture particles with their probe's tail.
Quiz Show19762, alternatingA multiple-choice question and answer game.
Qwak19822, alternatingUnreleased prototype. The player shifts blocks with paths on them to create a safe path for a duck and her ducklings.
Qwak!19741Not to be confused with Qwak, this is a duck hunting game.

R

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
Race Drivin'19901A fairly standard racing game with a variety of types of tracks, such as stunt or autocross.
Rampart19903, simultaneousPlayers build up castles and then assault other players' towers or enemy boats. Players can reinforce their castles before another round of assault. Play continues in this fashion.
Rebound19742, simultaneousA black and white volleyball game. Players use paddle controllers to serve the ball over the net in the middle of the screen.
Red Baron19811A World War I flight/combat simulator. Players attack other planes and score higher points for long-range kills.
Relief Pitcher19922, simultaneousA baseball game with a number of advanced features; allows for detailed customization.
Return of the Jedi19841A sequel to Atari's two previous Star Wars games, this one breaks from the standard set by the previous two by featuring raster graphics. The player competes in three stages inspired by the film.
RoadBlasters19871In a futuristic setting, the player drives an advanced car and must attack enemy cars, collect fuel globes and catch power-ups. Atari provided a contest that players could win a special T-Shirt by completing all of the levels.
Road Burners19998, simultaneousA motorcycle racing game set in several famous cities around the world.
Road Riot 4WD19911An off-road driving and combat game. Players can choose from a variety of tracks.
Road Riot's Revenge Rally19932, simultaneousAn offroad racing game where the player uses weapons to hinder opponent trucks.
Road Runner19852, alternatingThe player controls the eponymous character trying to collect birdseed and avoid Wile E. Coyote's traps. Based on the popular cartoons with the same characters.
Runaway19822, alternatingThe player pilots a speeding train trying to collect mailbags and avoid collisions with other trains.

S

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S.T.U.N. Runner19891The player drives a futuristic motorcycle-like vehicle. Running time trials, he can hinder other players with his weapons, including the eponymous S.T.U.N. gun.
19962, simultaneousA racing game set in San Francisco, California.
19972, simultaneousA sequel to San Francisco Rush with extra, harder tracks, including one set on the former prison island, Alcatraz.
San Francisco Rush 204919992, simultaneousA sequel to San Francisco Rush, a futuristic racing game which takes place in the eponymous city.
Sebring19791An unreleased first-person racing game.
Shark Jaws19752, alternatingThe player is a diver trying to catch small fish while a great white shark tries to eat him.
Shuuz19902, alternatingA video game of horseshoes with a distinct redneck theme.
Skull & Crossbones19892, simultaneousThe players control pirates on a quest to kill the evil wizard, along the way battling and dispatching enemies.
Sky Diver19782, simultaneousThe player tries to land a skydiver to a marked position on the ground, accounting for wind speed and timing the opening of the diver's chute.
Sky Raider19781The player pilots an aircraft and tries to destroy as many of a variety of enemies as possible in the allotted time.
Smokey Joe19781One-player version of Fire Truck where the player drives a fire engine through a crowded street to a fire and must avoid obstacles such as parked cars.
Solar War19794, alternatingAn unreleased space-themed video pinball game.
Space Duel19822, simultaneousA space combat game where players fight one another and shoot various geometric objects which float about.
Space Lords19928, simultaneousAn ambitious space combat game with numerous options where the player has to complete several phases of the game.
Space Race19732, simultaneousPlayer attempts to guide a spaceship to the top of the screen, avoiding asteroids along the way.
Sparkz19922, simultaneousA puzzle game where players attempt to connect both sides of a pit using falling blocks.
Sprint 119781A racing game with a variety of tracks with hazards.
Sprint 219762, simultaneousThe first game in Atari's Sprint line of racing games.
Sprint 419774, simultaneousA racing game with a variety of tracks with hazards.
Sprint 819778, simultaneousAn 8-player variant of Atari's Sprint line of racing games.
Star Wars19831A big hit for Atari. The player pilots an X-wing fighter attacking the Death Star, a scene inspired by the hit movie . Use of digitized voice samples from the film and slick vector graphics helped this game attract a lot of attention.
Starship 119761The player pilots a spaceship around planets and shoots enemy spacecraft.
Steel Talons19912, simultaneousPlayers pilot a virtual helicopter and compete head-to-head or cooperate to destroy ground targets. Features 3D polygonal graphics.
Steeplechase19756, simultaneousA horse racing game. Horses and riders are represented in simple rows on the game screen. Players must make horses jump over obstacles on the way to the finish line.
Street Drivin19901An unreleased sequel to Hard Drivin' with a variety of types of tracks, such as stunt or autocross.
Stunt Cycle19762, alternatingA black and white motorcycle racing game where players attempt to perform stunts.
Subs19772, simultaneousPlayer attempts to torpedo an unseen sub as many times as possible in allotted time.
Super Breakout19782, alternatingThe player moves a paddle back and forth to bounce a ball into a wall of bricks, breaking bricks with each hit. The goal is to destroy all the bricks.
Super Bug19771A black and white driving game where the player drives a small car through a twisting course.
Super Pong19742, simultaneousAn enhanced version of Pong, with several new features. Harder than the original, and not very popular.
Super Sprint19863, simultaneousAn enhanced remake of the original Sprint line of racing games, with enhanced color graphics, better controls and more immersive gameplay.

T

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
T-Mek19944, simultaneousA 3D vehicular combat game where players must defeat their opponents while piloting a MEK vehicle.
Tank19742, simultaneousAn early tank combat game.
Tank II19752, simultaneousThe sequel to Tank.
Tank 819768, simultaneousAn 8-player version of Tank. Also the first Atari game to use a CPU.
Tempest19812, alternatingPlayers control a crab-shaped ship and must destroy incoming enemies which slide down tunnels towards them. A very successful game for Atari, Tempest was one of the first games to feature color vector graphics.
Tenth Degree19962, simultaneousUnreleased one-on-one fighting game with the 3D characters modeled in an anime style. Similar to other one-on-one fighting games of the time, such as Tekken and SoulCalibur.
Tetris19882, simultaneousOne of the most popular video games of all time in all media combined, Tetris is a puzzle game where players try to stack differently shaped blocks into solid rows.
ThunderJaws19902, simultaneousThe player is an elite underwater special agent tasked to infiltrate Madam Q's headquarters and stop her nefarious plans.
Tomcat19831An unreleased and unfinished flight combat game where the player controls an F-14 Tomcat.
Toobin'19882, simultaneousA popular game for Atari. Up to two players paddle down a stream full of rapids and other obstacles, including targets to toss cans at. Atari provided a contest that players could win a special T-Shirt by collecting all of the letters in the game's name, including the apostrophe.
Touch Me19744, simultaneousA timing/pattern game similar to the popular electronic game Simon. Later converted into a handheld electronic game.
Tournament Cyberball 207219894, simultaneousPlayers compete against each other or the computer in a football game played by robots. Winners receive money to upgrade their robots.
Tournament Table19784, simultaneousFeatures a number of selectable and graphically similar simple games (such as Pong and Soccer). For one to four players.
Triple Hunt19771A black and white hunting video game.

U

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
Ultra Tank19782, simultaneousThe final game in the Tank series. Options allow the battlefield to be open or have barriers.

V

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
Vapor TRX19982, simultaneousA futuristic racing game where players pilot flying vehicles.
Vicious Circle19962, simultaneousUnreleased violent 3D fighting game.
Video Pinball19784, alternatingA video game version of pinball. The playfield is a color cardboard cutout and the black-and-white video is reflected on top of it.
Vindicators19882, simultaneousA tank combat game where players fight the evil enemy, the Tangent Empire. Play is from a top-down perspective. Atari provided a contest that players could win a special T-Shirt by completing the contest level in 30 seconds.
Vindicators Part II19882, simultaneousA stripped-down version of the original Vindicators.

W

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
War: Final Assault19994, simultaneousA first-person shooter with players located in a maze.
Warlords19804, simultaneousPlayers defend their castles with shields and can capture and fling fireballs at opposing castles. Fireballs destroy portions of opposing castles when they strike.
Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey19964, simultaneousA joint venture with Midway Games, a hockey game featuring 3D graphics.
Wolf Pack19781An unreleased submarine hunting game with a unique periscope controller.

X

width=20% Namewidth=5% Yearwidth=15% Max Playerswidth=60% class="unsortable" Description
Xybots19872, simultaneousPlayers traverse a maze with an over-the-shoulder viewpoint of their characters. Players must destroy robots and other enemies along the way. Players have the option to buy upgrades between levels.