Homebrew Games
See also: Atari 2600 homebrewThe Atari 2600 is a popular platform for homebrew projects. Unlike later systems, the Atari 2600 does not require a modchip to run homebrew cartridges. Although there is one high-level compiler available — batari Basic — most development for the Atari 2600 is still done in 6502 assembly language. The 2600 lacks video memory, has only 128 bytes of RAM, and requires precise timing; homebrews written in assembly are typically considered programming challenges.
In 2003, Activision selected several homebrew 2600 titles for inclusion in the Game Boy Advance version of their Activision Anthology, as indicated below.
(49/565+) This is a partial list.
Game Title | Developer (Designer) | Publisher | Year | Genre | Notes and references |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A-VCS-tec Challenge | Simon Quernhorst (Programmer), Paul Slocum (Music) | AtariAge | 2006 | Action | Port of Aztec Challenge |
Alfred Challenge | Eric Bacher | Ebivision | 1998 | Action | Platform-and-ladder game |
Allia Quest | Igor Barzilai | Ebivision | 2001 | Action | Fixed shooter game |
Bee-Ball | Ivan Machado | AtariAge | 2007 | Action | |
Bell Hopper | Tomas Härdin | self-published | 2011 | Action | A demake of Winterbells. Placed 5th in the game development competition at Assembly Summer 2011. |
Boulder Dash | Thomas Jentzsch and Andrew Davie | AtariAge | 2011 | Action | |
Climber 5 | Dennis Debro | XYPE | 2004 | Action | Included in the Activision Anthology |
Conquest of Mars | Champ Games (John W. Champeau) | AtariAge | 2006 | Action | Inspired by 1981 game Caverns of Mars |
Duck Attack! | Will Nicholes | AtariAge | 2010 | Action-Adventure | Loosely based on Adventure |
Edtris 2600 | Ed Federmeyer | Hozer Video Games | 1995 | Strategy | Unofficial port of Tetris |
Euchre | Erik Eid | self-published | 2002 | Strategy | Included in the Activision Anthology as Video Euchre |
Fall Down | Aaron Curtis | AtariAge | 2005 | Action | |
FlapPing | Kirk Israel | AtariAge | 2004 | Action | Originally titled JoustPong |
Four-Play | Zach Matley | AtariAge | 2006 | Strategy | |
Go Fish! | Bob Montgomery | AtariAge | 2005 | Action | |
Gunfight | Manuel Rotschkar | XYPE | 2001 | Action | |
Halo 2600 | Ed Fries | AtariAge | 2010 | Action | Based on Bungie's Halo series; Fries was involved in Microsoft's acquisition of Bungie |
Hunchy II | Chris Walton | AtariAge | 2005 | Action | |
Jammed | Thomas Jentzsch | XYPE | 2001 | Strategy | |
Juno First | Chris Walton | AtariAge | 2009 | Action | |
K.O. Cruiser | Devin Cook | AtariAge | 2010 | Sports | |
Lady Bug | Champ Games (John W. Champeau) | AtariAge | 2006 | Action | |
Marble Craze | Paul Slocum | XYPE | 2002 | Action | |
Mean Santa | John K. Harvey | 2600 Connection | 2009 | Action/Strategy | |
Medieval Mayhem | SpiceWare (Darrell Spice Jr.) | AtariAge | 2006 | Action | Remake of Warlords that adds arcade features missing from the original home version. |
Okie Dokie | Bob Colbert | Retroware | 1996 | Strategy | Included in the Activision Anthology |
Oystron | Piero Cavina | XYPE | 1997 | Action | Included in the Activision Anthology |
Pesco | Eric Bacher | Ebivision | 1999 | Action | |
Pressure Gauge | John K. Harvey | Self-published | 1999 | Action/Puzzle | |
Seawolf | Manuel Rotschkar | XYPE | 2004 | Action | |
Qb | Andrew Davie | XYPE | 2001 | Action/Puzzle | |
SCSIcide | Joe Grand | AtariAge | 2001 | Action | Updated and re-released in 2005 as Ultra SCSIcide |
Skeleton+ | Eric Ball | AtariAge | 2003 | First-person shooter | Included in the Activision Anthology |
Sound X | Ed Federmeyer | Hozer Video Games | 1994 | Music | |
Space Treat Deluxe | Fabrizio Zavagli | AtariAge | 2003 | Action | Included in the Activision Anthology |
Space Instigators | Christopher Tumber | XYPE | 2002 | Action | |
Squish 'Em | Bob Montgomery | AtariAge | 2007 | Action | |
Star Fire | Manuel Rotschkar, Thomas Jentzsch | XYPE | 2003 | Action | |
Stay Frosty | SpiceWare (Darrell Spice Jr.) | AtariAge | 2007 | Action | Also included on 2007 AtariAge Holiday Cart: Stella's Stocking |
Strat-O-Gems Deluxe | John Payson | AtariAge | 2005 | Strategy | |
Super 3D Portals 6 | Zach Hinchy | self-published | 2008 | Strategy | A demake of Portal |
SWOOPS! | Thomas Jentzsch | AtariAge | 2005 | Action | |
Synthcart | Paul Slocum | AtariAge | 2002 | Music | Keyboard controllers are used to create sound loops |
Thrust | Thomas Jentzsch | XYPE | 2000 | Action | Re-released with enhancements in 2002 as Thrust+ DC Edition and in 2003 as Thrust+ Platinum |
Toyshop Trouble | John Payson, Zach Matley, Bob Montgomery, Thomas Jentzsch, Nathan Strum | AtariAge | 2007 | Action | Also released in 2006 as 2006 AtariAge Holiday Cart: Toyshop Trouble |
Turbo | AtariAge | AtariAge | 2010 | Racing / Driving | |
Vault Assault | Brian Prescott | self-published | 2001 | Action | Included in the Activision Anthology |
Vong | Rick Skrbina | self-published | 2008 | Sports | |
Warring Worms | Baroque Gaming (Billy Eno) | AtariAge | 2002 | Action | Expanded and re-released in 2005 as Warring Worms: The Worm (Re)Turns |
Read more about this topic: List Of Atari 2600 Games
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