E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Classic
Atari 2600 · Action-Adventure / Shooter
Cosmic Ark
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1982 |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Shooter |
| Developer | Imagic |
| Publisher | Imagic |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 7 |
Cosmic Ark is an action-adventure game released in 1982 for the Atari 2600, developed by Imagic. It blends action-adventure and shooter elements.
It landed about 5 years into the 2600's life. Other notable 2600 releases from 1982 include Custer's Revenge, River Raid and Haunted House. Among the 12 2600 action-adventure games in our database, it ranks #6 by legacy score.
Imagic also made Demon Attack, Riddle of the Sphinx and Trick Shot for the 2600.
Cosmic Ark supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- 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 want a game you can finish in one short session
What playing Cosmic Ark is like
Action-adventures blend real-time combat with exploration, puzzles and item collection. You open up a larger world gradually as new tools let you reach places you couldn't before.
Tip for newcomers: Keep a mental (or paper) map of locked doors and unreachable ledges; most action-adventures expect you to come back once you find the right item.
Cosmic Ark walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Cosmic Ark.
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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.
Cosmic Ark FAQ
When did Cosmic Ark come out on the 2600?
Cosmic Ark was released for the Atari 2600 in 1982.
Who made Cosmic Ark?
It was developed by Imagic.
Is Cosmic Ark multiplayer?
Yes. Cosmic Ark supports up to 2 players.
How long does Cosmic Ark take to play?
As an action-adventure game, Cosmic Ark 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 Cosmic Ark 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.