Pole Position 5200 box art

Atari 5200 · Racing

Pole Position

SystemAtari 5200
GenreRacing
DeveloperNamco
PublisherAtari
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesPole Position
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 7

Developed by Namco and published by Atari, Pole Position arrived on the Atari 5200 as a racing game.

It is part of the Pole Position series. The series also appears on other systems with Pole Position (2600) and Pole Position II (7800). Namco also made Pac-Man, Galaxian and Dig Dug for the 5200.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want a story or exploration rather than laps
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Pole Position is like

Racing games range from realistic driving to kart racers with weapons and shortcuts. Races are short, making them great for quick sessions and split-screen rivalries.

Tip for newcomers: Learn each track's racing line and braking points; in kart racers, item strategy matters as much as driving.

Pole Position gameplay screenshot on 5200
In-game screenshot (5200)

Pole Position walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Pole Position FAQ

Who made Pole Position?

It was developed by Namco and published by Atari.

Is Pole Position multiplayer?

No. Pole Position is a single-player game.

How long does Pole Position take to play?

As a racing game, Pole Position 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 Pole Position 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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