Road Runner 2600 box art

Atari 2600 · Racing

Road Runner

SystemAtari 2600
GenreRacing
DeveloperAtari
PublisherAtari
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut

Developed by Atari, Road Runner arrived on the Atari 2600 as a racing game.

Atari also made E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Combat and Asteroids for the 2600.

Road Runner supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • 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 want a story or exploration rather than laps

What playing Road Runner 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.

Road Runner gameplay screenshot on 2600
In-game screenshot (2600)

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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.

Road Runner FAQ

Who made Road Runner?

It was developed by Atari.

Is Road Runner multiplayer?

Yes. Road Runner supports up to 2 players.

How long does Road Runner take to play?

As a racing game, Road Runner 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.

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