The Dreadnaught Factor 5200 box art

Atari 5200 · Shooter / Action

The Dreadnaught Factor

Deep cut

SystemAtari 5200
Released1983
GenreShooter, Action
DeveloperCheshire Engineering
PublisherActivision
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 5

Released for the Atari 5200 in 1983, The Dreadnaught Factor is a shooter developed by Cheshire Engineering and published by Activision. It blends shooter and action elements.

It came out in the 5200's second year on the market. Other notable 5200 releases from 1983 include RealSports Baseball.

The Dreadnaught Factor is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

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've played the 5200 hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing The Dreadnaught Factor is like

Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.

Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.

The Dreadnaught Factor gameplay screenshot on 5200
In-game screenshot (5200)

The Dreadnaught Factor walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

The Dreadnaught Factor FAQ

When did The Dreadnaught Factor come out on the 5200?

The Dreadnaught Factor was released for the Atari 5200 in 1983.

Who made The Dreadnaught Factor?

It was developed by Cheshire Engineering and published by Activision.

Is The Dreadnaught Factor multiplayer?

No. The Dreadnaught Factor is a single-player game.

How long does The Dreadnaught Factor take to play?

As a shooter, The Dreadnaught Factor 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 Dreadnaught Factor 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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