Asteroids Classic
Atari 2600 · Shooter
Espial
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1983 |
| Genre | Shooter |
| Developer | Orca Corporation |
| Publisher | Tigervision |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut |
Developed by Orca Corporation and published by Tigervision, Espial arrived on the Atari 2600 in 1983 as a shooter.
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.
Orca Corporation also made River Patrol and Springer for the 2600.
Espial is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
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'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
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Espial 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.
If you like Espial, the Matrix also picks…
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.
Espial FAQ
When did Espial come out on the 2600?
Espial was released for the Atari 2600 in 1983.
Who made Espial?
It was developed by Orca Corporation and published by Tigervision.
Is Espial multiplayer?
No. Espial is a single-player game.
How long does Espial take to play?
As a shooter, Espial 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.