The Activision Decathlon Classic
Atari 2600 · Sports
Tennis
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1981 |
| Genre | Sports |
| Developer | Activision |
| Publisher | Activision |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 6 |
Released for the Atari 2600 in 1981, Tennis is a sports game developed by Activision.
It landed about 4 years into the 2600's life. Other notable 2600 releases from 1981 include Defender, Asteroids and Amidar. Among the 44 2600 sports games in our database, it ranks #4 by legacy score.
Activision also made River Raid, Kaboom! and Barnstorming for the 2600.
Tennis 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
Maybe skip it if…
- you need current teams and rosters
What playing Tennis is like
Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.
Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.
Tennis walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Tennis.
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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.
Tennis FAQ
When did Tennis come out on the 2600?
Tennis was released for the Atari 2600 in 1981.
Who made Tennis?
It was developed by Activision.
Is Tennis multiplayer?
Yes. Tennis supports up to 2 players.
How long does Tennis take to play?
As a sports game, Tennis 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 Tennis 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.