Defender Classic
Atari 2600 · Shoot 'em Up / Action
Omega Race
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1983 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | Bally Midway |
| Publisher | CBS Software |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 5 |
Developed by Bally Midway and published by CBS Software, Omega Race arrived on the Atari 2600 in 1983 as a shoot 'em up. It blends shoot 'em up and action 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 72 2600 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #25 by legacy score.
Bally Midway also made Rampage, Tapper and Gorf for the 2600.
Omega Race 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
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Omega Race 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.
Omega Race walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Omega Race.
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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.
Omega Race FAQ
When did Omega Race come out on the 2600?
Omega Race was released for the Atari 2600 in 1983.
Who made Omega Race?
It was developed by Bally Midway and published by CBS Software.
Is Omega Race multiplayer?
Yes. Omega Race supports up to 2 players.
How long does Omega Race take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Omega Race 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 Omega Race 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.