A - E
I'd like to note when I say good graphics, I'm comparing them to other 2600 games.

Latest additions: Dragonfire
Air-to-Sea Battle
Uses joystick controllers. For 2 players by Atari

A real fun two-player game. All game variations are competition between you and a friend. You are given so much time to get the most points. Variations include target shooting, plane vs. submarine, underwater target shooting.

Graphics have lots of color, some targets have AI(well, sort of), nice sounds. Control is average, you need a good joystick to play real well. Real fun two player game however.
Adventure
Uses joystick controllers. For 1 player by Atari

This is another one of Atari's great classics one the 2600. I guess you could consider it a kind of way early RPG. You are on a quest to collect this trophy thing, but it's hardly going to be an easy task, especially against the many dragon's that live around the land.

Graphics aren't the best, although there are some real cool one's, like the trophy which changes into hundreds of different colors, and there's when you walk through dark places the light effect around your guy. Not many sounds too. But it's real fun to play. Try difficulty level 4, and you'll get the full experience of the game.
Asteroids
Uses joystick controllers. For 1-2 players by Atari

If you don't know what Asteroids is or have never played the 2600 version, something's wrong with you. This is one of the most common and popular 2600 games. Phenominal gameplay, great sound, great control, and good graphics back 2600 Asteroids. This game is just to fun to not play. Also first game ever to use the bank-switching process. Two players is cool too. 66 game variations.
Atlantis
Uses joystick contorllers. For 1 player by Imagic

Kind of a strange game, you play as the city of Atlatis' defense. It's like Missle Command with a twist. No missles flying towards your city, just a bunch of strange looking vehicles that fly over head, and when they get to close they'll destroy one part of your city at a time. Has some pretty good graphics I feel(love those explosions), nice sound. Control isn't to hard to handle. I believe this game is uncommon.
BattleZone
Uses joystick controllers. For 1 player by Atari
Yep, the 2600 has BZone too! Although it's graphics are sprites and not vector. But this does have it's advantages. You get lots of color on the screen(especially the saucers, which look like they've been gouraud shaded). Has a lot of colors, making the graphics experience(for the 2600 of course) much better. One thing missing though are the obstacles. You're just playing on a flat field. This doesn't detract too bad from the game, although you'll be wanting them sometimes for cover. Basically, it's not the same game as in the arcades(not even close really), but it's not a waste of time either.
Berzerk

Uses joystick controllers. For 1 player by Atari

Berzerk is another great Atari classic, which places you on the planet Mazeon. You have to find your way out alive (not necessarily an easy task) although like many of the good old games, I don't think you can "get out alive", just run around blasting the deadly Berzerkrobots, which get smarter and faster as you go along. Also, don't touch any of the walls, as they'll electrocute you. Graphics aren't anything special on the 2600, sound is OK, not anything like the Atari 800 version, but it's really fun to play, as many Atari games are. Berzerk is what inspired other popular games of today, such as Doom.

Bowling
Uses joystick controllers. For 1 player by Atari.

Here is probably the very first bowling game ever made I assume. It's not bad, ends kind of quickly though. Just play your rounds, then it's over. If you get strikes it does show off some of the color capabilities of the 2600, but that's about as far as graphics go. Not a bad diversion =)
Breakout

Uses paddle controllers. For 1-2 players by Atari

Another great and well known classic, Breakout is a variation of Pong. There are several rows of different colored bricks that you have to destroy with a ball. You have a paddle thing to smack the ball with that gets smaller as there are less bricks. Sound and Graphics are OK, but pale in comparison to Super Breakout. Like Asteroids something is wrong with you if you've never played or don't like this game.
Centipede

Trackball Compatable. For 1 player by Atari

2600 Centipede is a fairly good translation of the arcade, not perfect of course. There is a centipede that starts at the top and works it's way through the mushrooms until it gets to the bottom, then works it's way up a little, then back down. Your job is to destroy it. Unfortunately for you, every section of the centipede has a mind of it's own, so when you separate pieces, they'll brach of and go their own way. There are also other various objects that will hinder you quest to destroy the centipede's. In the end you get an insanely fun game, with better-than-average graphics(love those multiple shaded colors), good sound, and easy to use control.
Circus Atari
Uses paddle controllers. For 1-2 players by Atari

Circus Atari has been one of my favorite 2600 games since I found the game at a thrift store. The object of the game is to pop three rows of different colored ballons using two acrobats on a moveable plank. It's hilarious when you miss catching a guy, who splatters into the ground. His legs even twitch(I know, I'm being sadistic here)! Graphics aren't that great, but who cares, just as long as you're having a great time, which you will with Circus Atari!
Chase
Uses paddle controllers. For 1-2 players by Telegames.

One of those cheap rip-offs of another Atari game, Chase is the exact thing as Surround by Atari. The premise of the game is a lot like Tron's light cycles game. The graphics are really simple, not many colors, and monotonus sound. Two player competition can be fun though...but that's about as deep as it goes.
Commando
Uses joystick controllers. For 1-2 players by Data Age

My friend who is getting some new Atari 2600 games from another friend(as well as an Atari 7800), had this as one of the games he's getting. When I first saw it, my jaw dropped. While it takes after the Front Line setting, it's a different game, and has unbelieveable graphics.

What you do is go up the screen, blasting enemies with either your gun or grenades. It gets harder as you go along, as well as when you advance levels. The graphic detail is amazing. It has lot's of colors, even has shades. Sprites are detailed, enemies have some AI to them. There are plenty of obsatcles - hills, tree, trenches, moving trucks, etc. It's also kind of difficult. Took me a couple times to beat level 1, while my friend has yet to do it. It has music too. I wonder if they used the Atari Super Chip, it looks like it uses extra RAM. But if you can find this game, don't just leave it on the shelf - witness what the 2600 can do...
Defender
Uses joystick controllers. For 1 player by Atari

The 2600 version of Defender is a lot different than other versions of the game. First off, the landscape consists of buildings and no mountains, and all the humaniods are on the same level ground. You ship is real small, but has a good weapon, although that doesn't continually fire like it does on other versions, it's like a one shot thing that you can fire over and over without continually pressing the button. The graphics are pretty good, moves fast all the time with several sprites on-screen. Sounds good as well. Not a bad version of the game.
Demon Attack
Uses joytick controller. For 1 player by Imagic

Demon Attack is a somewhat popular 2600 game. It's desciption, kind of like Phoenix. You have your movable ground turret and in the sky are a bunch of strange creatures that move from left to right that fire a bunch of stuff at you. Some of these enemies split into two, and will attack you from there. I think it's a fun game, and you probably will too. Makes good use of colors, sound and control are pretty good. Overall, a great 2600 game.
Demons to Diamonds Uses paddle controllers. For 1-2 players by Atari

Demons to Diamonds is a strange game. You get a movable cannon at the bottom, and the playfield is remininscent of Air To Sea Battle, except you shoot these demon things that will become diamonds that you have to blast. It doesn't get easy though as demons will fire back, and they're pretty fast. Strange but fun.
Dig Dug Uses joystick controller. 2 skill levels. For 1 player by Atari

Dig Dug for the 2600, in my opinion, is a blast! I've had a lot of fun playing this game. You are a little guy that goes underground to kill these strange monsters. You do it by exploding them, using an air pump. You also can kill them by dropping rocks onto them at the precise moment and such.

While not up to speed with other versions exactly, Dig Dug on the 2600 isn't a wasted effort. Has lots of colors and levels, and also some good music. Easy control, great gameplay. Recommended for most anyone who has a 2600.
Dragonfire Uses joystick controllers. For 1-2 players by Imagic

Dragonfire, while not a common title you may find lying around, is quite a gem. Made by Imagic, the same people who made 2600 classics like Demon Attack, this is a game I think if you ever found you probably enjoy it.

The basic premise of the game is that several dragons have taken over your castles and run everyone out of them, and you, the prince, wants to go back inside the castle to pick up treasure that's been left behind.

The game is made up of two screens(that I've encounterd so far), that change in color and difficulty as the games goes along. First you have to duck and jump over fireballs, then on the next screen, you must collect all the treasure on the screen while avoiding fireballs being constantly shot at you.

The graphics are pretty good, and everything moves very fast. The resolution is real nice too. But what counts the most is that it's addictively fun(not to mention entertaining to watch your guy get plastered by a fireball). The game gets much harder as you go along, so it keeps a fresh pace. So if you ever find this title, I'd definently suggest picking it up.
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