Cosmic Ark

In Cosmic Ark, you are the commander of an intergalactic rescue mission with a noble goal: save alien species from planets on the brink of destruction! Developed by Imagic, this Atari 2600 classic blends frantic space action with strategic touches on solid ground, delivering an innovative and challenging experience for the time.

The journey begins with the Cosmic Ark crossing the galaxy. Your mission is simple in theory, but deadly in practice: protect the mothership from constant meteor showers while controlling a smaller ship to descend to planets and capture two life forms before time runs out. Each planet visited brings new challenges, requiring surgical precision and fast reflexes.

As meteors threaten to destroy the Ark, you must quickly switch between defense and rescue modes. An audible alarm warns when star attacks begin, forcing you to return to the main ship and prepare to dodge or shoot the meteors at high speed. After surviving the bombardment, it is time to return to the surface and try to complete the mission.

Graphically impressive for Atari standards, Cosmic Ark features captivating visual and sound effects, and even has a curious technical detail: the game shares the same universe as the classic Atlantis, also by Imagic. According to legend, the Cosmic Ark departs precisely from Atlantis seconds before the planet is destroyed.

With increasing difficulty, accelerated pace, and a hypnotic background track, Cosmic Ark is one of those games that define 80s charm: simple to play, difficult to master, and with that addictive factor that makes you press "Reset" just one more time.

If you enjoy space challenges and high-stakes missions with retro visuals, Cosmic Ark is a must-have in your Atari 2600 classics collection!

Rob Fulop

1982