The Activision Decathlon 2600 box art

Atari 2600 · Sports

The Activision Decathlon

Certified classic

SystemAtari 2600
Released1983
GenreSports
DeveloperActivision
PublisherActivision
Players1–4 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 8

Released for the Atari 2600 in 1983, The Activision Decathlon is a sports game developed by Activision.

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 44 2600 sports games in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.

Activision also made River Raid, Kaboom! and Barnstorming for the 2600.

The Activision Decathlon supports up to 4 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 want to experience one of the 2600's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters

What playing The Activision Decathlon 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Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

The Activision Decathlon gameplay screenshot on 2600
In-game screenshot (2600)

The Activision Decathlon walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

The Activision Decathlon FAQ

When did The Activision Decathlon come out on the 2600?

The Activision Decathlon was released for the Atari 2600 in 1983.

Who made The Activision Decathlon?

It was developed by Activision.

Is The Activision Decathlon multiplayer?

Yes. The Activision Decathlon supports up to 4 players.

How long does The Activision Decathlon take to play?

As a sports game, The Activision Decathlon 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 The Activision Decathlon 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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