Space Invaders Classic
Atari 5200 · Shoot 'em Up
Beamrider
Deep cut
| System | Atari 5200 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Activision |
| Publisher | Activision |
| Players | 1–4 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 2 |
Developed by Activision, Beamrider arrived on the Atari 5200 as a shoot 'em up.
Among the 17 5200 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #15 by legacy score.
Activision also made Pitfall!, Kaboom! and Megamania for the 5200.
Beamrider supports up to 4 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
- you've played the 5200 hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Beamrider 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.
Beamrider walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Beamrider.
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Playing 5200 games today
The 5200 library is small and arcade-focused, so it suits players who enjoy classic coin-op ports. The original non-centering joysticks are famously fragile, which is why many collectors use refurbished or modern replacement controllers.
Beamrider FAQ
Who made Beamrider?
It was developed by Activision.
Is Beamrider multiplayer?
Yes. Beamrider supports up to 4 players.
How long does Beamrider take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Beamrider 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 Beamrider 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.