Best Atari 2600 adventure games

The Matrix has 15 adventure games on file for the Atari 2600, released between 1978–1984. 1 of them support multiplayer. They're ranked below by legacy score, so the games that shaped the genre on the 2600 come first, with lesser-known picks further down.

Adventure games focus on exploration, story and puzzle-solving rather than combat. Progress comes from examining your surroundings, collecting items and figuring out how they fit together.

Typical commitment: weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours). Tip: Classic adventure games can be cryptic by modern standards. Take notes, try everything on everything, and save before risky choices.