Polaris 2600 box art

Atari 2600 · Shooter / Action

Polaris

Deep cut

SystemAtari 2600
Released1983
GenreShooter, Action
DeveloperTaito
PublisherTigervision
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 3

Polaris is a shooter released in 1983 for the Atari 2600, developed by Taito and published by Tigervision. It blends shooter 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 26 2600 shooters in our database, it ranks #9 by legacy score.

Taito also made Space Invaders, Front Line and Jungle Hunt for the 2600.

Polaris 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 are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes

What playing Polaris 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.

Polaris gameplay screenshot on 2600
In-game screenshot (2600)

Polaris walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Polaris.

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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.

Polaris FAQ

When did Polaris come out on the 2600?

Polaris was released for the Atari 2600 in 1983.

Who made Polaris?

It was developed by Taito and published by Tigervision.

Is Polaris multiplayer?

Yes. Polaris supports up to 2 players.

How long does Polaris take to play?

As a shooter, Polaris 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 Polaris 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.

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