Defender Classic
Atari 2600 · Shoot 'em Up / Action
Demon Attack
Certified classic
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1982 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | Imagic |
| Publisher | Imagic |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 9 |
Demon Attack is a shoot 'em up released in 1982 for the Atari 2600, developed by Imagic. It blends shoot 'em up and action 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 72 2600 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #8 by legacy score.
Imagic also made Cosmic Ark, Riddle of the Sphinx and Trick Shot for the 2600.
Demon 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 want to experience one of the 2600's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Demon 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.
Demon Attack walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Demon Attack.
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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.
Demon Attack FAQ
When did Demon Attack come out on the 2600?
Demon Attack was released for the Atari 2600 in 1982.
Who made Demon Attack?
It was developed by Imagic.
Is Demon Attack multiplayer?
Yes. Demon Attack supports up to 2 players.
How long does Demon Attack take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Demon 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.
Read more about Demon Attack 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.