Back to main list of All our 2600 Games
The Atari 2600 was first released in North America in September 1977 and featured 9 launch titles: Air-Sea Battle, Basic Math, Blackjack, Combat, Indy 500, Star Ship, Street Racer, Surround and Video Olympics. The final licensed Atari 2600 game released in North America was Secret Quest in 1989, and the final licensed game released in Europe was Klax and Acid Drop in 1990 and 1992. Even with their 1980s limited colors and block graphics these games are still entertaining to play today! We have over 500 Atari 2600 games for you to play online for free using our Atari 2600 Javascript Emulator.
This game is mobile device friendly and Iphone compatible. Enjoy!
Instructions and Keyboard Controls towards bottom of page.
Click “Game Reset” or F12 to Start Game
INSTRUCTIONS:
If you grew up in the 80’s you shouldn’t need instructions!! You might find some help at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Atari_2600_games and look up the game you need assistance playing.
CONTROLS:
Click “Game Reset” or F12 to Begin/Restart Game
Arrow Keys – Move
Space bar to fire/action button
ACTIVISION
FISHING DERBY
INSTRUCTIONS
This is one of the Activision video games that is fun toplay even if you don't
know the rules. So go ahead! Use your Joystick Controllers. And when you're
ready to find out why some fish bite and some don't, how to tell the whoppers
from the lunkers and--especially--how to keep the shark from eating your catch,
read these simple instructions. Good Luck!
-------------------------FISHING DERBY BASICS----------------------------------
1. Hook up your video game system. Follow manufacturer's instructions.
2. With power OFF, plug in game cartridge.
3. Turn power ON. If no picture appears, check connection of your game system
to TV, then try steps 1-3 again.
4. Select game with game select switch.
Game 1: You against the Activision computer fisherman.
Game 2: You against another player.
5. Use left Joystick Controller for fisherman on the left pier and to play
against the computer (Game 1).
6. Use right Joystick Controller for fisherman on the right pier (Game 2).
7. Hold Joystick Controller with red button at upper left. Move your Joystick
from left to right to move your pole out and back. To lower and raise
your line, move the Joystick up and down.
8. Choose your difficulty or handicap for each player (or the computer):
a(up)--Fish won't bite unless you get the end of your line right
under his nose.
b(down)--Fish will bite if you get the end of the line near his mouth.
(Hint: When learning FISHING DERBY, handicap the computer at a, and put
your switch at b.)
---------------------------------
9. Scoring (top of screen): |Note to owners of Sears |
There are six rows of fish. From the top |Tele-Game Video Arcade system: |
down, they count as follows: | |
First two rows: 2 pounds each | Difficulty switches are called|
Second two rows: 4 pounds each | skill left (or right) player |
Bottom two rows: 6 punds each | and a(up) is expert and |
The big ones are down deep. Go for 'em! | b(down) is novice. |
---------------------------------
10. Press game reset to start each FISHING DERBY. First player to land 99 lbs.
of those beautiful fish wins.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW TO MAKE 'EM BITE
Drop the very end of your line (that's where the bait is) down to the level you
want to fish. Then move the bait to touch the mouth of the fish you want to
catch. The difficulty settings determine how close the bait has to be before
he bites. See Instruction #8.
GOT ONE HOOKED? If you don't do anything after hooking a fish, he will swim
slowly up toward the surface (and the shark might gobble him up). If you want
to reel him in fast, push the red button. Be quick, though. When both players
have hooked a fish, only one can reel up at a time (the first one hooked).
The other fish will swim up slowly until the first fish has either been caught
or eaten by the shark.
HOW TO BE A CHAMPION
FISHING DERBY ANGLER
Tips from David Crane, designer of FISHING DERBY
David Crane, formerly a senior game designer at Atari, also designed
Dragster for Activision. He believes in taking on game assignments
that everyone else says are impossible--and always gets them done.
"The most important thing I can tell you is to WATCH OUT FOR THE SHARK! I've
made him quick and wily and unpredictable. If your fish touches the chark
anywhere, he'll turn in a flash and snap it up. So try to keep your fish away
from him while you're reeling in.
"Once you've hooked your fish, you'll want to play him back and forth until the
shark moves out of the way, then push the red button and land him quickly. You
can reel in more or less slowly by pressing or releasing the red button and you
can move your line back and forth with your Joystick.
"Since the big fish are in the fifth and sixth rows, go deep. Start with the
fifth row if you're the player on the left. You will have a little advantage
there, because you can reach the fifth row first. The player on the right
should go to the sixth row to catch his big ones.
"Also, watch to see which fish start from your opponent's side and which start
from your side. As fish are caught, they are replaced on the side they started
from. It's better for you to catch fish that start uner your pier, because you
can usually go right back for another one.
"FISHING DERBY is a game designed to be fun for everyone in the family. Now
you won't have to get rained on or sunburned when you go fishing. I'd like
to hear how you like it."
[David Crane]
Look for more ACTIVISION video game cartridges wherever you buy video
game cartridges. Drop us a note and we'll add you to our mailing list
and keep you posted on new ACTIVISION game cartridges as they become
available.
ACTIVISION
Activision, Inc., 759 E. Evelyn Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(c) 1980 Activision AG-004-03 10/80 Rev. 2
-------------------Atari 2600 Instructions Archive-------------------
REQUIRMENTS:
Our Atari 2600 emulator utilizes Javascript to run in your browser. No plugin is required, but a fast modern web browser will enhance the game play.
Emulation on mobile devices will drain your battery quite fast. I recommend playing while device is plugged into charger.
KEYBOARD CONTROLS
