Atari 2600 · Sports
Basketball
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1978 |
| Genre | Sports |
| Developer | Atari |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 6 |
Basketball is a sports game released in 1978 for the Atari 2600, developed by Atari.
It came out in the 2600's second year on the market. Other notable 2600 releases from 1978 include Superman, Canyon Bomber and RealSports Soccer. Among the 44 2600 sports games in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
Atari also made E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Combat and Asteroids for the 2600.
Basketball supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to race and compete
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
Maybe skip it if…
- you need current teams and rosters
What playing Basketball is like
Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.
Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.
Basketball walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Basketball.
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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.
Basketball FAQ
When did Basketball come out on the 2600?
Basketball was released for the Atari 2600 in 1978.
Who made Basketball?
It was developed by Atari.
Is Basketball multiplayer?
Yes. Basketball supports up to 2 players.
How long does Basketball take to play?
As a sports game, Basketball 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 Basketball 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.