Defender Classic
Atari 2600 · Shoot 'em Up / Action
Planet Patrol
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | Spectravision |
| Publisher | Spectravision |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 1 |
Developed by Spectravision, Planet Patrol arrived on the Atari 2600 as a shoot 'em up. It blends shoot 'em up and action elements.
Spectravision also made Mangià, Chase the Chuck Wagon and China Syndrome for the 2600.
Planet Patrol 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've played the 2600 hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Planet Patrol 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.
Planet Patrol walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Planet Patrol.
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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.
Planet Patrol FAQ
Who made Planet Patrol?
It was developed by Spectravision.
Is Planet Patrol multiplayer?
Yes. Planet Patrol supports up to 2 players.
How long does Planet Patrol take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Planet Patrol 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.