Atari 2600 · Shooter / Shoot 'em Up
Crackpots
Deep cut
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1983 |
| Genre | Shooter, Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Activision |
| Publisher | Activision |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 4 |
Developed by Activision, Crackpots arrived on the Atari 2600 in 1983 as a shooter. It blends shooter and shoot 'em up elements.
It landed about 6 years into the 2600's life. Other notable 2600 releases from 1983 include Mario Bros., E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Halloween. Among the 26 2600 shooters in our database, it ranks #6 by legacy score.
Activision also made River Raid, Kaboom! and Barnstorming for the 2600.
Crackpots 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 are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
What playing Crackpots 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.
Crackpots walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Crackpots.
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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.
Crackpots FAQ
When did Crackpots come out on the 2600?
Crackpots was released for the Atari 2600 in 1983.
Who made Crackpots?
It was developed by Activision.
Is Crackpots multiplayer?
Yes. Crackpots supports up to 2 players.
How long does Crackpots take to play?
As a shooter, Crackpots 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 Crackpots 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.