Atari 2600 · Racing
Night Driver
Deep cut
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1980 (originally 1976) |
| Genre | Racing |
| Developer | Atari |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 3 |
Released for the Atari 2600 in 1980, Night Driver is a racing game developed by Atari. This 2600 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1976.
It landed about 3 years into the 2600's life. Other notable 2600 releases from 1980 include Adventure, Phoenix and Boxing. Among the 23 2600 racing games in our database, it ranks #7 by legacy score.
Atari also made E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Combat and Asteroids for the 2600.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to race and compete
- 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 a story or exploration rather than laps
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Night Driver is like
Racing games range from realistic driving to kart racers with weapons and shortcuts. Races are short, making them great for quick sessions and split-screen rivalries.
Tip for newcomers: Learn each track's racing line and braking points; in kart racers, item strategy matters as much as driving.
Night Driver walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Night Driver.
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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.
Night Driver FAQ
When did Night Driver come out on the 2600?
Night Driver was released for the Atari 2600 in 1980; the original game dates back to 1976.
Who made Night Driver?
It was developed by Atari.
Is Night Driver multiplayer?
No. Night Driver is a single-player game.
How long does Night Driver take to play?
As a racing game, Night Driver 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 Night Driver 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.