Defender Classic
Atari 2600 · Shoot 'em Up / Action
Space Jockey
Deep cut
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1982 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | U.S. Games |
| Publisher | U.S. Games |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 2 |
Developed by U.S. Games, Space Jockey arrived on the Atari 2600 in 1982 as a shoot 'em up. It blends shoot 'em up and action elements.
It landed about 5 years into the 2600's life. Other notable 2600 releases from 1982 include Custer's Revenge, River Raid and Haunted House.
U.S. Games also made Gopher, Eggomania and Name This Game for the 2600.
Space Jockey is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
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've played the 2600 hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Space Jockey 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.
Space Jockey walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Space Jockey.
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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.
Space Jockey FAQ
When did Space Jockey come out on the 2600?
Space Jockey was released for the Atari 2600 in 1982.
Who made Space Jockey?
It was developed by U.S. Games.
Is Space Jockey multiplayer?
No. Space Jockey is a single-player game.
How long does Space Jockey take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Space Jockey 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 Space Jockey 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.