COMBAT review for Atari 2600
! February 12, 2013
Decades ago, the Atari 2600 arguably dominated console gaming not only because there were simply so many games to choose from but rather the console helped deliver what were then new and thrilling experiences in the comfort of home. No CGI, no polygons and no high-definition visuals back then. Just games with simple 2D graphics and unique sound effects.
One of the first Atari 2600 games I got to play was Combat which was a collection of combat vehicle-themed sessions that made home-based console multiplayer already fun. Regarding the sessions (or modes as others call them), there are over twenty-five but with a big catch – they are actually variations of the basic selections of play.
In Combat, players can select which type of vehicles for both players to use to define their sessions. These include games in which you use tanks, biplanes and jet fighters. For each type, several sessions/modes are offered. You can select a tank combat session which has a wide open field or you can select further modes to add more variety like multiple obstacles that make combat a more tactical challenge.
There is also variety that comes with the type of vehicle selected. Biplanes, for example, can fire machine guns or missiles (straight or guided). In regards to jet fighters, only missiles were available to use. Like the tank option, biplanes and jet fighters have their own ways of making combat fun or simply look different (examples: planes flying in tandem, a giant jet flying, adjusting cloud sizes).
Considering its simplicity, Combat was a fun and even addictive game to play with other gamers in the comfort of home. It sure is a classic in its own right and it sure was a solid game to play when players want some nice action and opportunities to beat the high score.
