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The Atari 5200, released in 1982, was an ambitious attempt by Atari to rival other home consoles like the ColecoVision and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It featured advanced hardware for its time and offered a range of exciting games, many of which were ports of arcade classics. While the system wasn’t as commercially successful as its competitors, the Atari 5200 developed a dedicated fan base and remains a cherished part of retro gaming culture. One of the standout features for many gamers were the cheats, codes, and secrets that allowed players to enhance their gaming experience. This article delves into the classic cheats from some of the most iconic Atari 5200 games, illustrating how these tricks brought extra fun and excitement to an already fantastic console.
1. Asteroids: Infinite Lives Cheat
The Atari 5200 port of Asteroids (1979), one of the most famous arcade titles of its time, was a staple of the console’s library. Players controlled a spaceship in an asteroid field, blasting away at incoming space rocks while avoiding collision. One of the most popular cheats in Asteroids was the infinite lives cheat, which allowed players to continue the game indefinitely without losing their ships. To activate the cheat, players had to input a specific code or sequence of button presses during gameplay. This cheat transformed the challenging game into an enduring experience, giving players the chance to rack up high scores or simply enjoy the mechanics of the game without worrying about running out of lives.
2. Pac-Man: Unlimited Lives Cheat
Pac-Man (1980) was a groundbreaking arcade game that became an instant hit, and the Atari 5200 version of the game brought this beloved maze-chase action to home consoles. One of the cheats that many players used involved activating unlimited lives. By pressing a specific sequence of buttons during the game’s title screen or initial levels, players could unlock an infinite supply of lives. This cheat gave gamers a much-needed advantage, especially as the game grew more difficult with each advancing level. With unlimited lives, players could enjoy Pac-Man for hours, aiming for high scores and trying to clear as many mazes as possible.
3. Q*bert: Extra Lives Cheat
Qbert* (1982) was a unique puzzle platformer that saw players control the quirky character Qbert, who hopped around an isometric pyramid, changing the colors of blocks while avoiding enemies. The Atari 5200 version of Qbert was highly regarded for its faithful recreation of the arcade original. A well-known cheat for the game allowed players to gain extra lives by inputting a code at the title screen. This cheat helped alleviate the frustration of dying too quickly, especially in the later, more difficult levels. Extra lives allowed players to enjoy the addictive gameplay of Qbert* without the constant need to restart the game from the beginning.
4. Pitfall! II: Lost Caverns – Level Skip Cheat
Pitfall! (1982), created by the legendary game designer David Crane, was one of the earliest and most iconic platformers. The sequel, Pitfall! II: Lost Caverns (1983), expanded on the original with deeper exploration, more complex puzzles, and an intricate level design. The Atari 5200 version of Pitfall! II included a cheat that allowed players to skip ahead to higher levels. By inputting a special sequence of button presses during gameplay, players could bypass the earlier stages of the game and jump directly to more advanced areas, where the real challenges lay. This cheat was especially useful for players who had already completed the lower levels and wanted to experience the more complex and exciting parts of the game.
5. Missile Command: Infinite Ammo Cheat
Missile Command (1980) was one of Atari’s most famous arcade games, where players were tasked with defending cities from incoming missiles by launching counter missiles. The Atari 5200 port of Missile Command remained faithful to the arcade original and was beloved by fans of the original game. A cheat for the Atari 5200 version allowed players to unlock infinite ammo for their missile launchers. This cheat granted players an endless supply of missiles, making it easier to shoot down incoming threats without running out of resources. It was a popular cheat for those looking to extend their gameplay and experiment with different strategies.
6. Centipede: Extra Points Cheat
Centipede (1980), another iconic arcade hit, was a vertically scrolling shoot-’em-up where players controlled a shooter at the bottom of the screen, firing at a descending centipede and other insect enemies. The Atari 5200 version of Centipede kept the original game’s fast-paced action and challenging gameplay. A cheat in the game allowed players to gain extra points by performing a specific sequence of moves or button presses at the beginning of the game or during certain levels. This cheat allowed players to score higher points, making the game more rewarding and giving them an edge in achieving high scores for bragging rights.
7. Frogger: Unlimited Time Cheat
Frogger (1981) was a classic arcade game where players guided a frog across a busy road and a dangerous river, avoiding obstacles and enemies. The Atari 5200 version of Frogger remained true to the arcade original, with a few refinements for home consoles. One of the most popular cheats for Frogger involved activating unlimited time, giving players more leeway to complete the levels without the constant pressure of a ticking clock. By entering a cheat code or pressing a specific sequence of buttons, players could stop the timer, allowing them to leisurely navigate the game’s hazards and reach their destination without the added stress of the countdown.
8. Space Invaders: Extra Lives Cheat
Space Invaders (1978) is one of the most important and influential video games in history, and the Atari 5200 version brought the arcade experience to living rooms around the world. In Space Invaders, players must defend Earth from waves of alien invaders, using a cannon to shoot upwards while avoiding enemy fire. A well-known cheat for the Atari 5200 version gave players extra lives by pressing a series of button combinations. This cheat helped players who wanted to extend their gameplay, particularly as the levels got faster and more difficult. Extra lives made it easier to survive the increasingly aggressive invaders, allowing players to enjoy more of the game.
9. Super Breakout: Unlimited Ball Cheat
Super Breakout (1978) was a breakout clone, where players used a paddle to bounce a ball and destroy bricks on the screen. The Atari 5200 version was a more advanced take on the classic Breakout, with multiple levels and challenges. A cheat for Super Breakout unlocked the ability to play with unlimited balls. Normally, players had a limited number of balls to clear all the bricks, but with this cheat, they could play indefinitely. To activate it, players had to press a specific combination of buttons during gameplay, ensuring that they never ran out of chances to break bricks and achieve high scores.
10. Defender: Infinite Shields Cheat
Defender (1981) was a side-scrolling shooter where players had to defend astronauts from alien kidnappers while navigating a dangerous landscape. The Atari 5200 version kept the core gameplay intact, but a cheat in the game allowed players to activate infinite shields. By pressing a specific sequence of buttons, players could create an impenetrable force field around their spaceship, rendering them invincible to enemy attacks. This cheat was especially useful for progressing through the more difficult levels, allowing players to enjoy the game without the threat of losing their ship.
11. Keystone Kapers: Unlimited Time Cheat
In Keystone Kapers (1983), players controlled a police officer who had to catch a thief while avoiding obstacles and other dangers. The Atari 5200 version of the game maintained the same zany charm as the arcade original. A cheat for Keystone Kapers involved unlocking unlimited time, which removed the time constraints from the game. Players could leisurely track down the thief without having to worry about running out of time, making it easier to complete the game’s tricky levels and clear the increasingly challenging stages.
12. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: Invincibility Cheat
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1982) for the Atari 5200 offered a unique take on the Star Wars universe, letting players control the Rebel Alliance as they fought against the Empire in the Battle of Hoth. A popular cheat for this game involved invincibility, allowing players to fight the Empire’s forces without the fear of their ship being destroyed. By entering a specific button sequence or code during gameplay, players could make their ship invulnerable to enemy fire, making it easier to progress through the game’s levels and enjoy the Star Wars experience without frustration.
13. Turbo: Unlimited Boost Cheat
Turbo (1981) was an early racing game that featured high-speed racing action and a top-down perspective. The Atari 5200 version of Turbo was a faithful port, but one cheat allowed players to access unlimited boost. By pressing a specific sequence of buttons during the game, players could activate a turbo boost that would continuously increase their speed. This cheat made the game much faster and more exhilarating, allowing players to zip through corners and overtake opponents with ease.
14. Berserk: Extra Lives Cheat
Berserk (1980) was a unique action game where players navigated a maze, avoiding robots and shooting enemies. The Atari 5200 version of the game was beloved for its fast-paced action and challenging enemies. One cheat allowed players to unlock extra lives, making it easier to survive the game’s hostile environment. This cheat was particularly useful in Berserk‘s later levels, where enemies became more aggressive and difficult to avoid. By entering a cheat code or pressing a button combination, players could extend their lives and explore more of the game’s challenging stages.
15. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: Skip to Final Level Cheat
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) was one of the most infamous video games ever made, and it received much criticism for its confusing mechanics and lack of clear objectives. The Atari 5200 version was not immune to these criticisms. However, one cheat allowed players to skip directly to the final level of the game. By inputting a specific sequence of buttons or using a code, players could bypass the maze-like levels and experience the end of the game. This cheat was particularly useful for those who wanted to see the conclusion of the story without getting bogged down in the game’s confusing gameplay.
16. Robotron: 2084: Infinite Lives Cheat
Robotron: 2084 (1982) was a fast-paced, multi-directional shooter where players fought waves of robots while rescuing human survivors. The Atari 5200 version of the game was highly regarded for its challenging gameplay and intense action. A cheat for Robotron: 2084 allowed players to activate infinite lives, which helped make the game more accessible. By entering a button combination during gameplay, players could continue indefinitely, making it easier to achieve high scores and experience all the stages without worrying about losing their lives.
17. Joust: Extra Points Cheat
Joust (1982) was a unique arcade game where players rode on flying ostriches, battling enemies and avoiding obstacles. The Atari 5200 version was a faithful adaptation, and a cheat for Joust allowed players to unlock extra points. This cheat was activated by pressing a specific button combination during gameplay, adding bonus points to the player’s score. Extra points made it easier to rack up impressive high scores and added an extra layer of excitement to the already dynamic gameplay.
18. Galaxian: Bonus Ship Cheat
Galaxian (1979) was one of the earliest space shooters, with players controlling a spaceship that shot at waves of alien enemies. The Atari 5200 version was an impressive port of the arcade original. A cheat for Galaxian allowed players to unlock bonus ships, which gave them additional chances to continue playing. By inputting a specific cheat code or pressing the right combination of buttons, players could earn additional ships, giving them more opportunities to clear levels and shoot down alien invaders.
19. Adventure: Unlock All Rooms Cheat
Adventure (1980) was one of the first action-adventure games to feature an open-world environment. The Atari 5200 version followed in the footsteps of the original, offering exploration, puzzles, and treasure hunting. A cheat for Adventure allowed players to unlock all rooms from the start of the game. This cheat was activated through a specific code and allowed players to explore the game’s many rooms without completing all the required tasks. It was a great way for players to experience the full scope of the game without going through all the puzzles.
20. Swordquest: Extra Items Cheat
Swordquest (1982) was an ambitious game that combined puzzle-solving with action elements. A cheat in the Atari 5200 version allowed players to access extra items early in the game. By inputting a specific cheat code, players could unlock helpful items that would usually take longer to obtain. This cheat added an extra layer of strategy, as players could use these items to overcome obstacles or unlock hidden areas more easily.
Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of Atari 5200 Cheats
The cheats and secrets hidden within Atari 5200 games helped enhance the gameplay experience, making these classic titles even more enjoyable. Whether it was unlocking infinite lives, skipping levels, or gaining extra points, these cheats provided an extra layer of fun and excitement. Even today, retro gaming enthusiasts continue to celebrate these hidden tricks, proving that the Atari 5200’s legacy lives on in the hearts of gamers everywhere.