This isn't the traditional type of game map that most people are used to, but I hope it will still be useful enough to help people understand how the sites in the game are connected.

 

 

 

The Well Sites

The terrain in E.T. for the Atari 2600 is made up of six distinctive sites which may seem to be attached to each other in strange ways, but they are actually wrapped around a cube. The top of every well site leads to the forest (top of the cube) while the bottom takes you to Washington, D.C. (bottom of the cube). The four well sites are also attached at the sides in a continuous loop around the middle of the cube. Just picture a Rubik's Cube with the six E.T. sites attached to each side.

 

 

 

 

 

Side of the Cube

Below is a flattened out side view of the cube. Whether you choose to picture it as a 3D cube or flattened out, it should be clear now that the sites are connected in a specific way. It's not the tangled mess of connections that many newbies seem to believe it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top of the Cube

The forest is connected to the well sites in the following one-way configuration.

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom of the Cube

Washington, D.C. is connected to the well sites in this one-way configuration (bottom of cube).

 

 

Notice how the top and bottom connections are the same as the forest, but the side connections are switched. That's because of their positions on the cube. The connections in this game can be confusing for a newbie, but as you can see, there are only three flattened out configurations to remember. It's pretty easy once you get used to it.

 

 

 

 

The Forest

Do not use the right side of the forest to exit if you can help it. Leaving from the right side always lands E.T. in a well.

 

 

 

 

 

Washington, D.C.

Do not exit from the left side of Washington, D.C. or E.T. will land in a well.

 

 

 

 

 

Tall Twins Screen

Until I can think of something better, I call this the Tall Twins Screen. If you want to leave using the left side, make sure E.T. is in the middle (vertically) to keep E.T. from falling into a well.

 

 

 

 

 

Diamond Screen

I call this the Diamond Screen since the wells kind of look like diamonds.

 

 

 

 

 

Arrow Screen

I call this the Arrow Screen or the Less Than, Greater Than Screen. If you want to leave using the right side, make sure E.T. is in the middle (vertically) to keep E.T. from falling into a well.

 

 

 

 

 

Log Screen

I call this the Log Screen or the Frogger screen since it kind of reminds me of logs floating down a river.

 

 

 

 

 

Well Screen

Jump in a well if you need to pause the game. The FBI agent and the scientist cannot touch E.T. when he is in a well.

 

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How to Get Out of the Wells

The Wells: How close can we get?

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