Atari 2600 Programming Page

Home-Brewed Projects

If you have any programs you would like added to this list, please mail me at nickb@io.com. PLEASE remember to do this because I usually won't put up anything unless I get explicit permission to put it up.

These games are in formats which may not be familiar to some users. Games in .BIN or .PAL format can be run on emulators for play on your computer of choice, or converted into .WAV files by a program like Makewav. Both kinds of programs are available in the tools section. Games in .WAV format can be played on Atari systems equipped with Starpath Superchargers. Some games take advantage of the Supercharger's memory capabilities and are only available in .WAV format.

.PAL games are in the same format as .BIN games, but they are designed to be run on machines in Europe, or other areas where the PAL standard is in effect. Don't worry; just about any game can be run on any Atari, but European games may scroll on some American displays, and vice-versa. If this happens, adjust the vertical hold on your TV or use an emulator. The color palettes are also somewhat differnt. Some games can be switched between the two standards.

For your convenience, these games are now listed so that the newest entries are listed first, for your convenience.

Simple proof-of-concept demos that aren't much fun to look at or play with are in the Docs section with source.

Warring Worms by Billy Eno, available from Baroque Gaming - A more dangerous implementation of the classic Snake game. You can order, download, or view the source of the game at the Warring Worms homepage.
Thrust by Thomas Jentzsch - A port of the classic "Thrust" for the Commodore 64; this game is both one of the best ports I've ever seen, and one of the best 2600 games I've ever seen. Thanks to clever design, hardly any of the 2600's limitations are evident in this game. You can even play with 7800 controllers and use the second button to thrust. Download the ZIP file.
Jammed by Thomas Jentzsch - A simple puzzle game in beta test. Download the BIN file.
QB by Andrew Davie - A port of a game he wrote in 1984 for the Atari 800. Visit the page to download.
Mondo Pong by Piero Cavina, version 1.0 - A quick Pong clone with eight variations, four if you don't count the "HARD" versions because they aren't any different. Fairly straightforward except for the fact that it's more unpredictable and absolutely not fair. Download the .BIN file.
Oystron by Piero Cavina, version 2.9 - Side shooter with elements of Rip Off and Sinistar. Fast-paced, addictive, chaotic, everything an Atari game should be. Visit the home page or just download the zip file.
This Planet Sucks by Greg Troutman - Formerly known as Rescue. There's this space station, you're supposed to dodge the asteroids so you can land and rescue the guys. Visit the TPS home page to get your copy.
INV by Erik K Mooney, et al - This project was intended to become a more arcade-faithful version of Space Invaders. Erik started the project alone, with help and ideas from the mailing list, and managed to create a prototype with animated invaders, and almost-functional shields and two-player modes before the project was halted. He released the binary with source code for the benefit of other programmers, and eventually Piero Cavina decided to work on it. His version (1/3/98) is in this BIN file. Erik's latest version, including source code, is in this zip file.
Tetris26 by Colin Hughes - 9-Jun-97 version, a tetris clone made as a programming exercise. Uses a 20-column display for top line, color playfield, blocks are slightly spaced, playfield is arcade-size (10 blocks wide). Read the source code to see how he did it. Download the zip file for everything you need. Freeware.
Led Zeppelin Demo - version 0. As far as I know, this is the first Atari 2600 demo with sound. It sucks, though, because I haven't put in drums, and it doesn't follow proper VCS program flow; i.e. it doesn't draw a screen. Source and binary are all available in this zip file.
The Dark Mage by Greg Troutman - The first text adventure for the Atari 2600. Text routines are based on Stellar Track by Atari. The most current version of the program is available as zipped .WAVs that work on your Supercharger, and now in an 8K .BIN that works with emulators and on cartridges. Also, check out the original 4k version: zipped with source, .BIN only. Note: The source code compiles with DASM 2.12. Unfortunately, only 2.02 is available for DOS, so far.

Next: Docs