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Atari 2600 Game History: 1982
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Below you will find USA related month/year release dates for various games along with lists of popular movies, TV shows, Top 40 music, new arcade games, and so on to help summon your treasured memories of the Atari 2600 and the early 1980s with the bonus of recreating the magical feelings of that special time. For those who only want release dates and nothing else, there is a Quick List of Release Dates on the right side of this page.
To help make your experience even more enjoyable, most items have a link next to them that will lead you to related search results at YouTube where you might find video game commercials, gameplay footage, music videos, and clips from TV shows or movies.
If you find a mistake, or have more information to add, such as month/year release dates for games, please contact me. Every little bit of credible information helps, no matter how insignificant you think it might be. Thanks for your help.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Super Breakout YouTube Model Number: CX2608 Company: Atari Programmer: Nick Turner (aka Sandy Maiwald), Carol Shaw Note: Based on the 1978 arcade game by Ed Logg Release Date (month/year): 1/1982
Spacechase AtariAge Model Number: AP2001 Company: Apollo Programmer: Ed Salvo Release Date (month/year): 1/1982
New on TV Fame (January 7) YouTube
On the Radio I Can't Go For That YouTube Hall and Oates Pac-Man Fever YouTube Buckner & Garcia Working For The Weekend YouTube Loverboy That Girl YouTube Stevie Wonder
Haunted House YouTube Model Number: CX2654 Company: Atari Programmer: Steve Wright Release Date (month/year): 2/1982
At the Arcades
On the Radio I Love Rock 'N Roll YouTube Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Tonight I'm Yours YouTube Rod Stewart We Got The Beat YouTube The Go-Go's Do You Believe In Love YouTube Huey Lewis and The News Take Off YouTube Bob & Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis & Dave Thomas with Geddy Lee) Make A Move On Me YouTube Olivia Newton-John Mirror, Mirror YouTube Diana Ross
Pac-Man YouTube The official release date was March of 1982, but our local Woolco in Roanoke, Virginia didn't get it until April. See April for more information.
Barnstorming YouTube Model Number: AX-013 Company: Activision Programmer: Steve Cartwright Note: First Atari 2600 game to use a sunset in the horizon. Release Date (month/year): 3/1982
Grand Prix YouTube Model Number: AX-014 Company: Activision Programmer: David Crane Release Date (month/year): 3/1982
New at the Movies Porky's (March 19) YouTube
New on TV T.J. Hooker (March 13) YouTube Cagney & Lacey (March 25) YouTube 9 To 5 (March 25) YouTube
On the Radio 867-5309/Jenny YouTube Tommy Tutone (Oh) Pretty Woman YouTube Van Halen Freeze-Frame YouTube The J. Geils Band Juke Box Hero YouTube Foreigner
Pac-Man YouTube ['Release date' for small towns & rural areas] Model Number: CX2646 Company: Atari Programmer: Tod Frye Note: Based on the 1980 arcade game designed by Toru Iwatani. Personal Note: The main reason my family bought an Atari 2600 was for Pac-Man and we brought that first Atari 2600 home on March 27, 1982. We had pre-ordered Pac-Man and got it as soon as it hit the store (Woolco in Tanglewood Mall; Roanoke, Virginia). The official release date was March, and although other people could buy it in March, it didn't get to our store until April, so that's why it is listed here under April. I was stuck playing Combat for at least a week until Pac-Man arrived at the store. Release Date (month/year): 3/1982 and 4/1982
At the Arcades Dig Dug YouTube International Arcade Museum
New at the Movies Diner (April 2) YouTube Cat People (April 2) YouTube The Sword and the Sorcerer (April 23) YouTube
On the Radio Did It In A Minute YouTube Hall & Oats Get Down On It YouTube Kool & The Gang Empty Garden YouTube Elton John Don't You Want Me YouTube The Human League Ebony And Ivory YouTube Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder
Yars' Revenge YouTube Model Number: CX2655 Company: Atari Programmer: Howard Scott Warshaw Note: Based on the arcade game Star Castle. Release Date (month/year): 5/1982
Defender YouTube Model Number: CX2609 Company: Atari Programmer: Bob Polaro Note: Based on the 1980 arcade game by Eugene Jarvis, Larry DeMar, Sam Dicker, and Paul Dussault. Personal Note: Unlike Pac-Man, Defender was early, at least where I lived. Everything says Defender was supposed to come out in June. I even got a card in the mail from Atari Age magazine telling me that Defender was coming in June and that I should order it now, but I was glad I didn't because Woolco had it in time for my girlfriend's birthday (May 17). She loved Defender, but didn't have an Atari, so I was very happy that I got Defender early so she could play it on her birthday at my house. Release Date (month/year): 5/1982
New at the Movies Conan the Barbarian (May 14) YouTube Annie (May 21) YouTube Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (May 21) YouTube Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (May 21) YouTube Rocky 3 (May 28) YouTube
On the Radio Rosanna YouTube Toto Only The Lonely YouTube The Motels Let It Whip YouTube Dazz Band Tainted Love YouTube Soft Cell
Chopper Command YouTube Model Number: AG-015 Company: Activision Programmer: Bob Whitehead Release Date (month/year): 6/1982
Starmaster YouTube Model Number: AG-016 Company: Activision Programmer: Alan Miller Release Date (month/year): 6/1982
At the Arcades Haunted House (Pinball Game) YouTube Internet Pinball Database Gravitar YouTube International Arcade Museum
New at the Movies Poltergeist (June 4) YouTube Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (June 4) YouTube ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (June 11) YouTube Firefox (June 18) YouTube Blade Runner (June 25) YouTube The Thing (June 25) YouTube
On the Radio Hard To Say I'm Sorry YouTube Chicago Even the Nights Are Better YouTube Air Supply Do I Do YouTube Stevie Wonder Eye Of The Tiger YouTube Survivor Abracadabra YouTube Steve Miller Band
Math Gran Prix YouTube Model Number: CX2658 Company: Atari Programmer: Suki Lee Release Date (month/year): 7/1982
Demons to Diamonds YouTube Model Number: CX2615 Company: Atari Programmer: Nick Turner (aka Sandy Maiwald) Release Date (month/year): 7/1982
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back YouTube Model Number: PB5050 Company: Parker Brothers Programmer: Rex Bradford Release Date (month/year): 7/1982
New at the Movies The Secret of Nimh (July 2) YouTube Tron (July 9) YouTube Six Pack (July 16) YouTube Zapped (July 23) YouTube The World According to Garp (July 23) YouTube Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (July 23) YouTube An Officer and a Gentleman (July 28) YouTube Night Shift (July 30) YouTube
On the Radio Your Imagination YouTube Hall & Oats Eye In The Sky YouTube Alan Parsons Project Take It Away YouTube Paul McCartney Vacation YouTube Go-Go's Love Will Turn You Around YouTube Kenny Rogers
Berzerk YouTube Model Number: CX2650 Company: Atari Programmer: Dan Hitchens Note: Based on the 1980 arcade game by Alan McNeil. Release Date (month/year): 8/1982
McDonald's/Atari Contest YouTube "Taste the Thrill of Atari at McDonald's" promotion starts (8/15/1982) Atari Age article with game pieces
New at the Movies Pink Floyd: The Wall (August 6) YouTube Fast Times at Ridgemont High (August 13) YouTube Friday the 13th, Part 3 (August 13) YouTube
New on TV Filthy Rich (August 9) YouTube
On the Radio Someday, Someway YouTube Marshall Crenshaw Jack & Diane YouTube John Cougar Mellencamp Who Can It Be Now? YouTube Men At Work
Pitfall YouTube Model Number: AX-018 Company: Activision Programmer: David Crane Note: The 'laser' from Laser Blast was used to create the vine in Pitfall. Release Date (month/year): 9/1982
Star Raiders YouTube Model Number: CX2660 Company: Atari Programmer: Carla Meninsky Note: Based on the 1979 Atari computer game by Doug Neubauer. Release Date (month/year): 9/1982
New at the Movies Eating Raoul (September 24) YouTube Amityville II: The Possession (Sept. 24) YouTube
New on TV The Powers Of Matthew Star (Sept. 17) YouTube Tales Of The Gold Monkey (Sept. 22) YouTube Family Ties (September 22) YouTube Bring 'Em Back Alive (September 24) YouTube Silver Spoons (September 25) YouTube Knight Rider (September 26) YouTube Matt Houston (September 26) YouTube Square Pegs (September 27) YouTube Cheers (September 30) YouTube
On the Radio Valley Girl YouTube Frank Zappa/Moon Unit Zappa I Ran (So Far Away) YouTube A Flock Of Seagulls Gloria YouTube Laura Branigan Heart Attack YouTube Olivia Newton-John Don't Fight It YouTube Kenny Loggins/Steve Perry
Megamania YouTube Model Number: AX-017 Company: Activision Programmer: Steve Cartwright Release Date (month/year): 10/1982
Swordquest Earthworld YouTube Model Number: CX2656 Company: Atari Programmer: Tod Frye Release Date (month/year): 10/1982
Realsports Baseball YouTube Model Number: CX2640 Company: Atari Programmer: Joseph Tung Release Date (month/year): 10/1982
Realsports Volleyball AtariAge Model Number: CX2666 Company: Atari Programmer: Bob Polaro Release Date (month/year): 10/1982
New at the Movies My Favorite Year (October 1) YouTube First Blood (October 22) YouTube Halloween 3 (October 22) YouTube Monsignor (October 22) IMDb
New on TV Remington Steele (October 1) YouTube Voyagers (October 3) YouTube Tucker's Witch (October 6) IMDb Newhart (October 25) YouTube St. Elsewhere (October 26) YouTube
On the Radio Love Me Tomorrow YouTube Chicago Nobody YouTube Sylvia Mickey YouTube Toni Basil Rock This Town YouTube Stray Cats Steppin' Out YouTube Joe Jackson Pressure YouTube Billy Joel Muscles YouTube Diana Ross I'm So Excited YouTube Pointer Sisters
Raiders of the Lost Ark YouTube Model Number: CX2659 Company: Atari Programmer: Howard Scott Warshaw Note: Graphics by Jerome Domurat. Release Date (month/year): 11/1982
New at the Movies Creepshow (November 12) YouTube Tex (November 19) YouTube
On the Radio Whatcha Gonna Do YouTube Chilliwack It's Raining Again YouTube Supertramp Sexual Healing YouTube Marvin Gaye Maneater YouTube Hall & Oats Dirty Laundry YouTube Don Henley Rock The Casbah YouTube The Clash You Can't Hurry Love YouTube Phil Collins The Girl Is Mine YouTube Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney Down Under YouTube Men At Work Africa YouTube Toto
River Raid YouTube Model Number: AX-020 Company: Activision Programmer: Carol Shaw Release Date (month/year): 12/1982
Realsports Football YouTube Model Number: CX2668 Company: Atari Programmer: Robert Zdybel Release Date (month/year): 12/1982
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial To What Degree . . . Model Number: CX2674 Company: Atari Programmer: Howard Scott Warshaw Note: Graphics by Jerome Domurat. Release Date (month/year): 12/1982
Vanguard YouTube Model Number: CX2669 Company: Atari Programmer: ? Release Date (month/year): 12/1982
New at the Movies Gandhi (December 8) YouTube 48 Hours (December 8) YouTube Sophie's Choice (December 10) YouTube The Toy (December 10) YouTube Tootsie (December 17) YouTube The Dark Crystal (December 17) YouTube
On the Radio Goody Two Shoes YouTube Adam Ant Shock The Monkey YouTube Peter Gabriel Allentown YouTube Bily Joel Heart To Heart YouTube Kenny Loggins
1982 1983
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Pages in this Subsection January Super Breakout (Atari) Spacechase (Apollo)
February Haunted House (Atari)
March Pac-Man (Atari) Barnstorming (Activision) Grand Prix (Activision)
April Pac-Man (Atari) [small towns & rural areas]
May Yars' Revenge (Atari) Defender (Atari)
June Chopper Command (Activision) Starmaster (Activision)
July Math Gran Prix (Atari) Demons to Diamonds (Atari) S.W.: The Empire Strikes Back (P.B.)
August Berzerk (Atari)
September Pitfall (Activision) Star Raiders (Atari)
October Megamania (Activision) Swordquest Earthworld (Atari) Realsports Baseball (Atari) Realsports Volleyball (Atari)
November Raiders of the Lost Ark (Atari)
December River Raid (Activision) Realsports Football (Atari) E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (Atari) Vanguard (Atari) Related RT Page Related Link A chronological history of computers, video games, and related technologies (at archive.org). 
Me (Duane Alan Hahn) in the Atari 2600 years. |
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Disclaimer View this page and any external web sites at your own risk. I am not responsible for any possible spiritual, emotional, physical, financial or any other damage to you, your friends, family, ancestors, or descendants in the past, present, or future, living or dead, in this dimension or any other.
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