Centipede Classic
Atari 2600 · Shooter
Asteroids
Certified classic
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1981 (originally 1979) |
| Genre | Shooter |
| Developer | Atari |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Asteroids |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 12 |
Asteroids is a shooter released in 1981 for the Atari 2600, developed by Atari. This 2600 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1979.
It landed about 4 years into the 2600's life. Other notable 2600 releases from 1981 include Defender, Amidar and Kaboom!. Among the 26 2600 shooters in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.
It is part of the Asteroids series. The series also appears on other systems with Asteroids (7800) and Asteroids Hyper 64 (N64). Atari also made E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Combat and Klax for the 2600.
Asteroids supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the 2600's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
What playing Asteroids is like
Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.
Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.
Asteroids walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Asteroids.
If you like Asteroids, the Matrix also picks…
Crackpots Deep cut
Star Fox Deep cut
Duck Hunt Classic
Duke Nukem 3D Classic Co-op
GoldenEye 007 Classic
Playing 2600 games today
Most 2600 games are built for short, score-chasing sessions, which makes them perfect for a quick nostalgia hit. Original hardware is cheap and plentiful, the Atari 2600+ reissue plays original cartridges on modern TVs, and official collections such as Atari 50 bundle many first-party classics.
Asteroids FAQ
When did Asteroids come out on the 2600?
Asteroids was released for the Atari 2600 in 1981; the original game dates back to 1979.
Who made Asteroids?
It was developed by Atari.
Is Asteroids multiplayer?
Yes. Asteroids supports up to 2 players.
How long does Asteroids take to play?
As a shooter, Asteroids typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Asteroids on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.