Haunted Houses (Atari Reimagined, 2022)
The third game in the Haunted House series (all of which appear here) starts with a mandatory single-player tutorial that lasts about five minutes. After that, players will unlock the first of three levels, all of which can be played in split-screen co-op.
The Atari 2600 Haunted House was a top-down maze game in which players controlled a pair of eyes as it searched for three pieces of a relic. This sequel operates on the same premise, but now the graphics are 3D. Players can even switch between a behind-the-back or a top-down camera angle. Darkness plays a big part in this game, with the environments mostly appearing in pitch darkness except when lightning strikes. Enemies like bats and super annoying ghosts must be avoided or warded off by carrying a specific item.
There are two playable characters to choose from, each with unique items to light their surroundings and make items easier to find. Both items work for a short time before they switch off and cool down. Haunted Houses’ simple but stylish 3D graphics and split-screen co-op are commendable, but the constantly dwindling light and unkillable enemies make for a stressful experience.
Quadratank (Atari Reimagined, 2022)
This modern sequel to Combat, the Atari 2600 pack-in, offers two game modes (Combat or Capture the Flag), three maps, two terrain types, and a handful of additional options. Solo players can compete against 1-3 enemy tanks, two co-op players can battle against two AI tanks, or up to four players can battle each other. The optional split-screen view limits each player’s view of the battlefield.
Quadratank also adds power-ups into the mix, and the 2.5D visuals strike the sweet spot between classic and modern. This one has good potential as a party game, though the small number of maps might hurt the game’s staying power. Just be sure to pick a control type that everyone can grasp; the default tank-style controls are a bit complex for this style of game.
Space Duel (Arcade, 1982)
Atari’s only 2-player game with vector graphics, Space Duel is extremely similar to Asteroids. Instead of shooting asteroids, players shoot at colorful geometric shapes. Otherwise, the controls and gameplay are mostly identical.
Two-ship gameplay is Space Duel’s innovation. When playing solo, the player can choose to control either a single ship or two ships that are tethered together. In co-op, players have the similar choice of being tethered or untethered. Naturally, tethering keeps both ships in close proximity – for better or worse.
Tempest 2000 (Atari Jaguar, 1994)
The first Tempest (also included in this collection) is a 1981 arcade game that originally used a spinner instead of a joystick. This sequel (which is also found in Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story) retains similar gameplay but vastly improves the graphics and sound and adds several modes, including the “Tempest Plus” co-op mode.
Whether playing solo or co-op, players move their pincer-shaped ships around the edges of various vector-based levels. Enemies descend from the end of the level and advance towards the screen and the players. Should a foe reach the boundary of the level where players are located, they will advance and kill the player – unless a “Superzapper” bomb is used. Despite the inability to dodge enemies at close range, Tempest 2000 is stylish and interesting enough to warrant some solo and co-op attention.
VCTR-SCTR (Atari Reimagined, 2022)
Digital Eclipse decided to make an original game that pays tribute to multiple classic Atari games, and VCTR-SCTR is the result. It starts out as an updated version of Space Duel and Asteroids, complete with the option to play with tethered or untethered ships. Complete the first level, though, and both players must then safely land their ships Lunar Lander-style. Next comes a third-person 3D racing/shooting level, followed by a Temptest level.
The sheer variety of gameplay types and homages makes VCTR-SCTR special, and it also looks and sounds great. Shame there’s no way to select or skip levels, though, as the Lunar Lander stage is bound to give some players trouble.
A Retro Balancing Act
With a games lineup spanning so many titles and years, gamers are bound to find games that they like and dislike in Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. On the downside, many (but not all!) Atari 2600 games have aged poorly. The presence of 6 Lynx and 9 Jaguar games is a plus, but the Lynx games have had their multiplayer support removed, and easily half of the Jaguar games here are terrible. Those platforms were home to better games than Atari 50 would have you believe. Still, the new games from Digital Eclipse help make up for the scarcity of 1990s-era titles. Neo Breakout, Quadratank, and VCTR-SCTR are particularly memorable. Atari 50 offers more than enough fascinating historical content and a diverse enough library of games to make it a must-have for any retro gaming enthusiast. Let’s just hope that the promised “Enhanced Edition” DLC adds at least a few post-2600 games to the lineup!
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration (the original edition) sells for $39.99 on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and Steam. The Steam version is fully Steam Deck compatible.
An Xbox download code was provided by the publisher for this review.
Verdict
Co-Op Score
Overall
The Co-Op Experience: Some of the included games offer two-player co-op in different variations: Atari Arcade Fire Truck: Two players control opposite ends of a fire truck, steering at the same time. Driving without crashing earns extended play time. It even has horns and a bell! Space Duel: Players can team up in two different ways: by being "fused" into a space station together, or independently of one another. Dark Chambers: Join up with a fellow hero and work your way together through the castle. Atari Reimagined Haunted House: Two players can explore mulitple environments together. Quadratank: In the team games, two players can take on a couple of bots together. VCTR-SCTR: Team up with a friend to play the various stages. Atari 7800 Asteroids: In Team Play each player has their own ship and both try together to get the score higher and higher. Basketbrawl: Team up against a team of AI-players. Centipede: In Team Play, two players work together to save the Enchanted Forest. Scores are combined and shooting each other has no negative effect. Dark Chambers: Join up with a fellow hero and work your way together through the castle. Atari Jaguar Tempest 2000: Team up with a friend in the Tempest Plus-mode and melt everything away on screen together.
Co-Optimus game reviews focus on the cooperative experience of a game, our final score graphic represents this experience along with an average score for the game overall. For an explanation of our scores please check our Review Score Explanation Guide.