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Atari 2600 Game History: 1983
An incomplete chronological history of Atari VCS games.

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 Dec

 

 

 

January 1983

Phoenix  YouTube

Model Number: CX2673

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Release Date (month/year): 1/1983

 

Spider Fighter  YouTube

Model Number: AX-021

Company: Activision

Programmer: Larry Miller

Release Date (month/year): 1/1983

 

Star Wars: Jedi Arena  YouTube

Model Number: PB5000

Company: Parker Brothers

Programmer: Rex Bradford

Release Date (month/year): 1/1983

 

Spider-Man  YouTube

Model Number: PB5900

Company: Parker Brothers

Programmer: ?

Release Date (month/year): 1/1983

 

New at the Movies

The Evil Dead (January 1)  YouTube

Joysticks (January 1)  YouTube

The Year of Living Dangerously (January 21)  YouTube

 

New on TV

The A-Team (January 23)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

Space Age Love Song  YouTube

Flock Of Seagulls

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me  YouTube

Culture Club

Pass The Dutchie  YouTube

Musical Youth

Hungry Like The Wolf  YouTube

Duran Duran

Stray Cat Strut  YouTube

Stray Cats

Billie Jean  YouTube

Michael Jackson

Back to Top

 

 

 

February 1983

Ms. Pac-Man  YouTube

Model Number: CX2675

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1981 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 2/1983

 

Crazy Climber  AtariAge

Model Number: CX2683

Company: Atari

Programmer: Alex Leavens

Note: Based on the 1980 arcade game by Kijima Masao.

Release Date (month/year): 2/1983

 

Seaquest  YouTube

Model Number: AX-022

Company: Activision

Programmer: Steve Cartwright

Release Date (month/year): 2/1983

 

New at the Movies

Videodrome (February 4)  YouTube

The Pirates of Penzance (February 18)  YouTube

The King of Comedy (February 18)  YouTube

 

New on TV

Wizards And Warriors (February 26)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

One On One  YouTube

Hall & Oates

Come On Eileen  YouTube

Dexy's Midnight Runners

Mr. Roboto  YouTube

Styx

I Know There's Something Going On  YouTube

Frida

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)  YouTube

Journey

Breaking Us In Two  YouTube

Joe Jackson

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March 1983

Oink!  AtariAge

Model Number: AX-023

Company: Activision

Programmer: Mike Lorenzen

Release Date (month/year): 3/1983

 

New at the Movies

My Tutor (March 4)  YouTube

Spring Break (March 25)  YouTube

The Outsiders (March 25)  YouTube

Max Dugan Returns (March 25)  IMDb

The Meaning of Life (March 31)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

Der Kommissar  YouTube

After The Fire

She Blinded Me With Science  YouTube

Thomas Dolby

Lies  YouTube

Thompson Twins

Little Red Corvette  YouTube

Prince

Beat It  YouTube

Michael Jackson

Jeopardy  YouTube

Greg Kihn Band

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April 1983

Dolphin  YouTube

Model Number: AX-024

Company: Activision

Programmer: Matthew Hubbard

Release Date (month/year): 4/1983

 

Keystone Kapers  YouTube

Model Number: AX-025

Company: Activision

Programmer: Garry Kitchen

Release Date (month/year): 4/1983

 

Reactor  YouTube

Model Number: PB5330

Company: Parker Brothers

Programmer: Charlie Heath

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game by Tim Skelly.

Release Date (month/year): 4/1983

 

G.I. Joe Cobra Strike  YouTube

Model Number: PB5920

Company: Parker Brothers

Programmer: Someone with the initials "J.E."

Release Date (month/year): 4/1983

 

M*A*S*H  YouTube

Model Number: 11011

Company: 20th Century Fox

Programmer: Frank Cohen

Release Date (month/year): 6/1983

 

New at the Movies

Losin' It (April 8)  YouTube

Flashdance (April 15)  YouTube

Something Wicked This Way Comes (29)  YouTube

Valley Girl (April 29)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

It Might Be You  YouTube

Stephen Bishop

Let's Dance  YouTube

David Bowie

Overkill  YouTube

Men At Work

Rio  YouTube

Duran Duran

Welcome To Heartlight  YouTube

Kenny Loggins

Stranger In My House  YouTube

Ronnie Milsap

Always Something There To Remind Me  YouTube

Naked Eyes

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May 1983

Enduro  YouTube

Model Number: AX-026

Company: Activision

Programmer: Larry Miller

Release Date (month/year): 5/1983

 

At the Arcades

Star Wars  YouTube  International Arcade Museum

 

New at the Movies

Doctor Detroit (May 6)  YouTube

Return of the Jedi (May 25)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

Never Gonna Let You Go  YouTube

Sergio Mendes

Time (Clock Of The Heart)  YouTube

Culture Club

All This Love  YouTube

DeBarge

Electric Avenue  YouTube

Eddy Grant

Come Dancing  YouTube

The Kinks

Our House  YouTube

Madness

Too Shy  YouTube

Kajagoogoo

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June 1983

Revenge of the Beefsteak Tomatoes  AtariAge

Model Number: 11016

Company: 20th Century Fox

Programmer: Jon Russell

Release Date (month/year): 6/1983

 

Atari Video Cube  AtariAge

Model Number: CX2670

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Release Date (month/year): 6/1983

 

Blueprint  AtariAge

Model Number: 4L-2486-5000

Company: CBS Electronics

Programmer: Frank Cohen

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 6/1983

 

Solar Fox  YouTube

Model Number: 4L-2487

Company: CBS Electronics

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1981 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 6/1983

 

Tunnel Runner  YouTube

Model Number: 4L-2520

Company: CBS Electronics

Programmer: Richard K. Balaska Jr.

Release Date (month/year): 6/1983

 

Tac-Scan  AtariAge

Model Number: 001-01

Company: Sega

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 6/1983

 

At the Arcades

Dragon's Lair  YouTube  International Arcade Museum

 

New at the Movies

WarGames (June 3)  YouTube

The Man with Two Brains (June 3)  YouTube

Trading Places (June 8)  YouTube

Octopussy (June 10)  YouTube

Superman III (June 17)  YouTube

Twilight Zone: The Movie (June 24)  YouTube

Porky's II: The Next Day (June 24)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

Sweet Dreams  YouTube

Eurythmics

1999  YouTube

Prince

Every Breath You Take  YouTube

The Police

She Works Hard For The Money  YouTube

Donna Summer

Is There Something I Should Know  YouTube

Duran Duran

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'  YouTube

Michael Jackson

Back to Top

 

 

 

July 1983

Jungle Hunt  YouTube

Model Number: CX2688

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 7/1983

 

Kangaroo  YouTube

Model Number: CX2689

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 7/1983

 

James Bond 007  AtariAge

Model Number: PB5110

Company: Parker Brothers

Programmer: ?

Release Date (month/year): 7/1983

 

New at the Movies

Mr. Mom (July 22)  YouTube

Class (July 22)  YouTube

Jaws 3-D (July 22)  YouTube

National Lampoon's Vacation (July 29)  YouTube

Krull (July 29)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

(Keep Feeling) Fascination  YouTube

The Human League

Maniac  YouTube

Michael Sembello

It's A Mistake  YouTube

Men At Work

I'll Tumble 4 Ya  YouTube

Culture Club

Lawyers in Love  YouTube

Jackson Browne

Human Nature  YouTube

Michael Jackson

The Safety Dance  YouTube

Men Without Hats

Puttin' On The Ritz  YouTube

Taco

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August 1983

Battlezone  YouTube

Model Number: CX2681

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1980 arcade game by Ed Rotberg.

Release Date (month/year): 8/1983

 

Pole Position  YouTube

Model Number: CX2694

Company: Atari

Programmer: Doug Macare

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 8/1983

 

New at the Movies

Risky Business (August 5)  YouTube

Cujo (August 12)  YouTube

Smokey and the Bandit III (August 12)  YouTube

Strange Brew (August 19)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

Tell Her About It  YouTube

Billy Joel

Promises, Promises  YouTube

Naked Eyes

King Of Pain  YouTube

The Police

(She's) Sexy + 17  YouTube

Stray Cats

True  YouTube

Spandau Ballet

Total Eclipse Of The Heart  YouTube

Bonnie Tyler

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September 1983

Krull  YouTube

Model Number: CX2682

Company: Atari

Programmer: Dave Staugas

Release Date (month/year): 9/1983

 

Cookie Monster Munch  AtariAge

Model Number: CX26102

Company: Atari

Programmer: Gary Stark

Release Date (month/year): 9/1983

 

Alpha Beam with Ernie  AtariAge

Model Number: CX26103

Company: Atari

Programmer: Michael Callahan

Note: Graphics by Preston Stuart.

Release Date (month/year): 9/1983

 

Amidar  YouTube

Model Number: PB5310

Company: Parker Brothers

Programmer: Ed Temple

Note: Based on the 1981 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 9/1983

 

New at the Movies

Strange Invaders (September 16)  YouTube

Educating Rita (September 21)  YouTube

The Big Chill (September 28)  YouTube

Brainstorm (September 30)  YouTube

 

New on TV

We Got It Made (Sept. 8)  IMDb

Webster (Sept. 16)  YouTube

Hardcastle & McCormick (September 18)  YouTube

Hotel (September 21)  YouTube

AfterMASH (September 26)  YouTube

Oh, Madeline (September 27)  YouTube

Manimal (September 30)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

One Thing Leads To Another  YouTube

The Fixx

Delirious

Prince

Suddenly Last Summer  YouTube

The Motels

Burning Down The House  YouTube

Talking Heads

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October 1983

SwordQuest WaterWorld  YouTube

Model Number: CX2671

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

Dig Dug  YouTube

Model Number: CX2677

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

Gravitar  YouTube

Model Number: CX2685

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

Joust  YouTube

Model Number: CX2691

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

Moon Patrol  YouTube

Model Number: CX2692

Company: Atari

Programmer: ?

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game.

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

Sorcerer's Apprentice  AtariAge

Model Number: CX26109

Company: Atari

Programmer: Peter C. Niday

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

Frostbite  YouTube

Model Number: AX-031

Company: Activision

Programmer: Steve Cartwright

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

Death Trap  AtariAge

Model Number: 50010

Company: Avalon Hill

Programmer: Jim Jacob

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

London Blitz  AtariAge

Model Number: 50020

Company: Avalon Hill

Programmer: William O. Sheppard

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

Wall Ball  AtariAge

Model Number: 50030

Company: Avalon Hill

Programmer: Duncan Scott

Release Date (month/year): 10/1983

 

History

Nolan Bushnell allowed to make video games again (October 1)

 

New at the Movies

Never Say Never Again (October 7)  YouTube

The Right Stuff (October 21)  YouTube

All the Right Moves (October 21)  YouTube

 

New on TV

Scarecrow And Mrs. King (October 3)  YouTube

Whiz Kids (October 5)  YouTube

Bay City Blues (October 25)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

Modern Love  YouTube

David Bowie

Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive  YouTube

Men At Work

Say Say Say  YouTube

Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson

P.Y.T.  YouTube

Michael Jackson

All Night Long (All Night)  YouTube

Lionel Richie

Uptown Girl  YouTube

Billy Joel

Say It Isn't So  YouTube

Hall & Oates

Back to Top

 

 

 

December 1983

Space Shuttle  YouTube

Model Number: AZ-033

Company: Activision

Programmer: Steve Kitchen

Release Date (month/year): 11/1983 or 12/1983

 

Q*Bert  YouTube

Model Number: PB5360

Company: Parker Brothers

Programmer: Dave Hampton

Note: Graphics by Tom Sloper.

Note: Based on the 1982 arcade game by Warren Davis.

Release Date (month/year): 12/1983

 

Crash Dive  AtariAge

Model Number: 11031

Company: 20th Century Fox

Programmer: Bill Aspromonte

Release Date (month/year): 12/1983

 

Quadrun  YouTube

Model Number: CX2686

Company: Atari

Programmer: Steve Woita

Release Date (month/year): 12/1983

 

New at the Movies

Scarface (December 9)  YouTube

Sudden Impact (December 9)  YouTube

Christine (December 9)  YouTube

Silkwood (December 14)  YouTube

D.C. Cab (December 16)  YouTube

The Keep (December 16)  YouTube

 

New on TV

Automan (December 15)  YouTube

 

On the Radio

Major Tom (Coming Home)  YouTube

Peter Schilling

Break My Stride  YouTube

Mathew Wilder

In A Big Country  YouTube

Big Country

Karma Chameleon  YouTube

Culture Club

That's All!  YouTube

Genesis

Talking In Your Sleep  YouTube

The Romantics

The Curly Shuffle  YouTube

Jump 'N The Saddle

Holiday  YouTube

Madonna

 

 

 

1982    1983

Back to Top

 

Pages in this Subsection

Quick List

January

Phoenix (Atari)

Spider Fighter (Activision)

Star Wars: Jedi Arena (Parker Brothers)

Spider-Man (Parker Brothers)

 

February

Ms. Pac-Man (Atari)

Crazy Climber (Atari)

Seaquest (Activision)

 

March

Oink! (Activision)

 

April

Dolphin (Activision)

Keystone Kapers (Activision)

Reactor (Parker Brothers)

G.I. Joe Cobra Strike (Parker Brothers)

M*A*S*H (20th Century Fox)

 

May

Enduro (Activision)

 

June

Revenge of the Beefsteak Tomatoes (20th)

Atari Video Cube (Atari)

Blueprint (CBS Electronics)

Solar Fox (CBS Electronics)

Tunnel Runner (CBS Electronics)

Tac-Scan (Sega)

 

July

Jungle Hunt (Atari)

Kangaroo (Atari)

James Bond 007 (Parker Brothers)

 

August

Battlezone (Atari)

Pole Position (Atari)

 

September

Krull (Atari)

Cookie Monster Munch (Atari)

Alpha Beam with Ernie (Atari)

Amidar (Parker Brothers)

 

October

SwordQuest WaterWorld (Atari)

Dig Dug (Atari)

Gravitar (Atari)

Joust (Atari)

Moon Patrol (Atari)

Sorcerer's Apprentice (Atari)

Frostbite (Activision)

Death Trap (Avalon Hill)

London Blitz (Avalon Hill)

Wall Ball (Avalon Hill)

 

December

Space Shuttle (Activision)

Q*Bert (Parker Brothers)

Crash Dive (20th Century Fox)

Quadrun (Atari)

Related RT Page

Related Link

I. C. When

A chronological history of computers, video games, and related technologies (at archive.org).

Me in the Atari years

Me (Duane Alan Hahn) in the Atari 2600 years.

< Back to the Atari 2600 Game History hub page

1982 >

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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