A Collection of Activision Classic Games for the Atari 2600
Description official description
A collection of 30 classic Activision and Imagic titles originally published for the Atari 2600:
- Atlantis
- Barnstorming
- Boxing
- Chopper Command
- Cosmic Commuter
- Crackpots
- Dolphin
- Dragster
- Enduro
- Fishing Derby
- Freeway
- Frostbite
- Grand Prix
- H.E.R.O.
- Ice Hockey
- Kaboom!
- Keystone Kapers
- Laser Blast
- Megamania
- Pitfall!
- Plaque Attack
- River Raid
- River Raid II
- Seaquest
- Skiing
- Sky Jinks
- Spider Fighter
- Stampede
- Starmaster
- Tennis
Groups +
Screenshots
Credits (PlayStation version)
48 People (34 developers, 14 thanks) · View all
Manager | |
Atari 2600 Emulator Technology | |
Shell/Menu Programming | |
Hardware/Support/Special FX Programmer | |
Producer | |
Associate Producer | |
Art Director | |
Games Analyst | |
Art Guru | |
Intro Movie Director and Motion Graphics | |
Intro Movie/Demo/Shell Music | |
Video Post-Production | |
Sound | |
Senior VP of Studio | |
VP of Console Group | |
Creative Director | |
Associate Creative Director | |
Copywriter | |
Production Artist | |
Documentation Manager | |
Manual Layout | |
[ full credits ] |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 52% (based on 8 ratings)
Players
Average score: 2.8 out of 5 (based on 21 ratings with 4 reviews)
The Good
The game comprised every Atari 2600 game I ever remember playing (and I played a lot). They were exactly as I remembered - same graphics, same sounds, same music. A true piece of nostalgia (if you're old enough to be nostalgic), or a true insight into the games of yesterday if you're not.
It's also good for a laugh if you've got a few friends over. It's just as fun to beat them on the Playstation as it was on the 2600.
The Bad
The controls are far too fiddly with the Playstation. What you have to remember is that the Atari 2600 controls were very different, so if you're used to them then be prepared for a rough time as you adapt. If you have a Playstation joystick kicking around, it may make things slightly easier.
The other problem is lastability. If you don't have friends that would enjoy playing Atari 2600 games all night, it does get very boring very quickly. I think anybody who was around for the era would agree - Atari games were made for parties.
The Bottom Line
If you enjoy the old games, you could certainly get a lot of fun out of this collection. It really will be a blast from the past. The control system throws a few obstacles in the way, but a true gamer wouldn't let such a trivial thing get in the way.
However, if you're a younger gamer and used to flash graphics and well-designed cut scenes, you'll probably be wasting your time.
PlayStation · by Dan Clement (2) · 2006
Not worth a purchase, as the games don't live up to the memories.
The Good
I grew up on the Atari 2600. My grandfather purchased one when I was about 3 years old in 1979. This cart... oops, I mean CD, allowed me to play some of my favorite old games again. I used to sit for hours and play 'Freeway', 'River Raid', 'Kaboom!', and a countless many hours were spent running through the 16 color jungle of 'Pitfall'. This PlayStation compilation CD I enjoyed for around 10 minutes.
The Bad
There are a whopping 30 Atari 2600 Activision 'Classic' games on this CD. The great majority of them I have never heard of, never played, or just don't remember. Of the rest, none of them really live up to the fun I remember having with my old Atari 2600 as a little kid in the early 80s.
I think this is in large part is due to the PlayStation controller. It's just too complicated to work effectively for these games. I wanted a big black plastic joystick with a bright orange button in the corner! And forget about playing 'Kaboom!' past the second wave of bombs without an Atari paddle controller. It's just not happening.
The games also seemed to be a bit sluggish, unattractive, and just 'felt wrong'. I realize that I played these games a long time ago, but I am 100% certain that these are for the most part poor conversions. I've since played them on an actual Atari 2600, and I do declare that they are still fun!
**The Bottom Line**
This is a pretty worthless Atari 2600 compilation disc. I would say that if you love these 'classic' games and just have to play them again, then buy this disc. Unfortunately, I already followed that advice, and have realized that it is wishful thinking to imagine that this compilation will satisfy a fix for the old 2600.
PlayStation · by Entorphane (337) · 2002
The Good
There is a good collection of games. Some games that aren't as well known. There are lots of collections with popular old games, this one at least tries to bring in some lesser known ones with a couple well known games.
The Bad
They don't play the best. I don't find most of the games very fun, and the games don't play as well on the PS1.
The Bottom Line
If you like compilations of old Atari games, then this is something you should have.
PlayStation · by Robert Lohr (11) · 2015
Discussion
Subject | By | Date |
---|---|---|
How to get back the main game menu selection | Cynthia Norris | Jul 14, 2009 |
Analytics
Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!
Identifiers +
Contribute
Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.
Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Robert Morgan.
Additional contributors: Entorphane.
Game added April 3, 2001. Last modified January 18, 2024.