Base Attack 2600 box art

Atari 2600 · Shoot 'em Up

Base Attack

SystemAtari 2600
GenreShoot 'em Up
DeveloperQuelleSoft
PublisherHome Vision
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut

Released for the Atari 2600, Base Attack is a shoot 'em up developed by QuelleSoft and published by Home Vision.

QuelleSoft also made Dishaster and Dancing Plate for the 2600.

Base Attack 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've played the 2600 hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets

What playing Base Attack is like

Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.

Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.

Base Attack gameplay screenshot on 2600
In-game screenshot (2600)

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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.

Base Attack FAQ

Who made Base Attack?

It was developed by QuelleSoft and published by Home Vision.

Is Base Attack multiplayer?

Yes. Base Attack supports up to 2 players.

How long does Base Attack take to play?

As a shoot 'em up, Base Attack 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.

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.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you