Best Atari 2600 shooters

The Matrix has 44 shooters on file for the Atari 2600, released between 1977–1984. 22 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.

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.

Typical commitment: an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through). Tip: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.