VCS Y2K

by David Giarrusso




Y2K is here, but the new millennium is still officially a year away -- will the Atari 2600 get lost among the 8-track tape players and vinyl turntables? Hell no! In fact, here are ten great 2600 games to ring in 2001 with.




Adventure (by Atari)

Still the ultimate adventure game, this one will live forever. Guide "Billy the Box" through castles, catacombs, and cadavers of dreaded dragons in search of the Golden Chalice, or, more importantly, the legendary "microdot." Warren Robinett will never be forgotten as the creator of this cart, and of copycat easter egg shenanigans.




H.E.R.O. (by Activision)

My pick for the best 2600 game ever. This cart has everything: great graphics, cool animation, fantastic color, accurate sound, bombs, laser fire, lava dwelling tentacles, and lots, lots more. It's an action adventure game that blows away some of the best efforts of the game designers of today, and it's pushing twenty! Don't spend too long mulling over solutions to the roadblocks thrown at you -- your energy is running out!




Tapper (by Sega / Bally)

A great game for the designated drivers out there on New Year's Eve. Serve drinks (Mountain Dew in this version) to the unruly customers to keep them happy. Watch the Soda Bandit closely during the bonus rounds, or you'll wind up wearing that Mountain Dew instead of drinking it.




Night Driver (by Atari)

A great game for the non-designated drivers out there on New Year's Eve. You can enjoy an evening of imbibing and still "drive" without hurting any innocent bystanders outside of the party's living room. Night Driver keeps things simple, and uses the paddle controllers, unlike Pole Position (by Atari) and Enduro (by Activision), which utilize the joystick. A driving game? With a joystick? Ugh. Blocky Night Driver wins hands down.




Any of the X-rated Atari 2600 games

Why? 'Cause these carts prove that no matter how ridiculous, where there's a will, there's a way. This is 4K porn at its best. Necessity is the mother of invention, but did anyone really NEED a XXX VCS? Apparently, someone did. The game pictured above is Beat 'em and Eat 'em (by Mystique).




Crackpots (by Activision)

Those of us unable to celebrate the dropping of the ball in Times Square can ring in the new year by dropping flowerpots on top of big nasty bugs. Actually, I suppose there will be more than a few people doing the same thing, for real, in Times Square. Oh well, more reason to stay home and play Crackpots!




Mountain King (by CBS)

It was the first video game to include one of the most awesome classical music pieces ever, In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg. What's not to love??




Track & Field (by Atari)

This 2600 cart is a better party game than Decathlon (by Activision), since no one will be tempted to cheat. Only two players can compete in any given game, but this cart has more head-to-head action than Activision's version of the Olympic games.




Super Breakout (by Atari)

Could anyone really welcome the new millennium without this timeless classic? Another party favorite, this paddle-perfect game is what simple and fun games are all about. With all of the different variations, there's a game on this cart for kids of all ages.




Warlords (by Atari)

Still one of the best multi-player regicide games ever. Grab three friends and duke it out to see who will wind up the Duke of Dukes! Then, when a champion is crowned, make the losers gather 'round and chant "You're the Duke! A#1!"


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!