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
POLE POSITION
*POLE POSITION is engineered and designed by Namco Ltd.
manufactured under license by Atari, Inc. Trademark and (c)
Namco 1982.
NOTE: Always turn the console POWER switch OFF when inserting
or removing an ATARI Game Program cartridge. This will protect
the electronic components and prolong the life of your ATARI
2600 Video Computer System game.
GAME SUMMARY
POLE POSITION consists of two races: the Qualifying Lap and
the Grand Prix. In both races you're racing against time and
other cars. The longer you race and the more cars you pass,
the more points you score. You earn 10,000 points for
completing a lap and 50 bonus points for each car you pass. A
lap is one complete circuit of the race course (see diagram).
The Qualifying Lap is 90 seconds long, but you must complete
it in 73 seconds (L/73"00) or less to qualify for a position
in the Grand Prix.
If you don't qualify, you can continue racing until the Race
Timer counts down to zero. Then your car stops, a bonus for
the number of cars passed is added to your score, and the game
ends.
If you qualify, your car is positioned for the Grand Prix and
a bonus for qualifying is added to the 10,000 points you
scored for completing the lap. The faster your lap time, the
better your position and the bigger your qualifying bonus (see
SCORING). Go for POLE POSITION, the number one starting spot.
It's worth 4000 bonus points.
In the Grand Prix, your object is to finish the race in the
shortest possible time. At the end of the last lap, a time
bonus for each second left on the Race Timer is added to your
score, in addition to a bonus for the number of cars passed.
The race is four laps long. Complete each lap before the Race
Timer runs out to earn "extended play" time and go on racing.
If the timer runs out before you finish a lap, your car stops,
your passing bonus is added to your score, and the game ends.
Your score, the gear you're in (LO or HI), the Race Time (T),
the Lap Timer (L), and the Speed Line (0 to 200 mph) appear at
the top of the screen.
Press the red button on your Joystick Controller or GAME RESET
to start the Qualifying Lap. See CAR CONTROLS for steering,
shifting, and braking instructions.
## Start
______________|__________________
/ \
/ .-, ____________/
| / | .' |
\ / | | .' |
\._______./ | `-' |
| | | First Corner
| | |
Final Corner | 0.1 Km Radius Turn
Hairpin Turn
GAME PLAY
QUALIFYING LAP. Fanfare music signals the start of the
Qualifying Lap. Your car starts automatically in low gear.
When the red Speed Line is about halfway to 200 mph, shift
down into high gear. Now all you have to do is finish the
Qualifying Lap in 73 seconds or less and pass cars without
crashing into them.
GRAND PRIX. Get set when you hear the three low warning tones
and GO on the high pitched tone.
Chequered flags flash in the score counter when you're close
to the end of a lap. When you finish a lap, four short notes
sound, your car flashes, and extended play time is added to
the Race Timer. Check the Race Timer at the start of each new
lap so you'll know how much time you have to complete the lap.
REMEMBER! If you fail to beat the Race Timer on any lap, your
car stops, your passing bonus is added to your score, and the
game ends.
After the fourth lap, your time bonus (200 points for each
second remaining on the Race Timer) and passing bonus are
added to your score. Then your total time for the race (in
seconds) flashes alternately with your final score.
CRASHING. Crashes aren't fatal, but they slow you down, and
lost time means lost points. Cars can switch lanes, so watch
out!
RUNNING OFF THE TRACK. Running on the red-and-white shoulder
slows you down a lot, but sometimes it's the only way to avoid
a crash.
CONSOLE CONTROLS
Hold the Controller with the red button to your upper left,
toward the television screen.
Press the red controller button or GAME RESET to start the
Qualifying Lap. Press GAME RESET to interrupt a race and
return to the Qualifying Lap. GAME SELECT and the two
DIFFICULTY switches have no function in this game.
CAR CONTROLS
STARTING. Your car starts automatically in low gear.
SHIFTING GEARS. Move your Joystick up for low gear, down for
high gear. Top speeds are 100 mph in low, 200 mph in high.
STEERING. Move your Joystick right to steer right, left to
steer left.
BRAKING. Press the red controller button.
SCORING
* Passing Bonus: 50 points for each car passed.
* Time Bonus: 200 points for every second left on the Race
Timer at the end of the last lap of the Grand Prix.
* Qualifying Bonus:
Position Lap Time Points
(seconds)
POLE POSITION 58"50 4000
2nd 60"00 2000
3rd 62"00 1400
4th 64"00 1000
5th 66"00 800
6th 68"00 600
7th 70"00 400
8th 73"00 200
HELPFUL HINTS
* Shift into low gear after crashing. It will take you less
time to get back up to speed.
* Go flat out on straights. This is where you can make
time.
* Stay in the centre on straights so you can easily pass to
the left or right of other cars.
* Take the inside lane on curves whenever possible. If you
have to pass, it's easier to shift from the inside lane
to the outside lane than the other way around.
* Try to keep your car as straight as possible to avoid
skids. Skids slow you down.
-------------------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
