Death Trap 2600 box art

Atari 2600 · Strategy

Death Trap

SystemAtari 2600
GenreStrategy
DeveloperAvalon Hill
PublisherAvalon Hill
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut

Developed by Avalon Hill, Death Trap arrived on the Atari 2600 as a strategy game.

Avalon Hill also made London Blitz, Out of Control and Shuttle Orbiter for the 2600.

Death Trap is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to think and plan
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you've played the 2600 hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want quick action without planning ahead
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Death Trap is like

Strategy games reward planning over reflexes: command armies, manage resources and outthink opponents on turn-based or real-time battlefields.

Tip for newcomers: Read the manual or tutorial if one exists: retro strategy games often assume you know their rules. Save between missions.

Death Trap 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.

Death Trap FAQ

Who made Death Trap?

It was developed by Avalon Hill.

Is Death Trap multiplayer?

No. Death Trap is a single-player game.

How long does Death Trap take to play?

As a strategy game, Death Trap 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