Ikari Warriors Co-op
Atari 2600 · Shoot 'em Up / Action
Vanguard
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | SNK |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 6 |
Vanguard is a shoot 'em up released for the Atari 2600, developed by SNK and published by Atari. It blends shoot 'em up and action elements.
Among the 72 2600 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #21 by legacy score.
SNK also made Ikari Warriors for the 2600.
Vanguard 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
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Vanguard 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.
Vanguard walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Vanguard.
If you like Vanguard, the Matrix also picks…
Defender Classic
River Raid Classic
Combat Classic
Phoenix Classic
Demon Attack Classic
Missile Command Classic
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.
Vanguard FAQ
Who made Vanguard?
It was developed by SNK and published by Atari.
Is Vanguard multiplayer?
Yes. Vanguard supports up to 2 players.
How long does Vanguard take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Vanguard 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 Vanguard 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.