Raiders of the Lost Ark

Raiders of the Lost Ark is an adventure game developed and published by Atari, released in 1982 for the Atari 2600 console. The game is based on the first film in the Indiana Jones series, and puts the player in the role of famous archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones in search of the legendary treasure of the Ark of the Covenant.

The game takes place in several different locations, including a market in Cairo, the Egyptian desert, the underground labyrinth of Tanis, and the temple where the Ark of the Covenant is hidden. Players control Indiana Jones as they explore these locations, searching for clues and solving puzzles to discover the location of the Ark.

The game features an inventory system that allows players to collect and use various items, such as keys, torches, and dynamite. Players can also interact with other characters, such as Marion Ravenwood, a love interest of Indiana Jones, and Sallah, a friend and ally of Indiana.

A unique feature of the game is its ability to interact with the movie on which it is based. Through a hardware accessory called "AdventureVision," players could watch scenes from the movie on their televisions and then use the game controller to interact with the scenes. This allowed players to explore and discover new details in the movie while playing.

In short, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a classic Atari 2600 game that offers an exciting adventure of archaeology and action. With its inventory system, challenging puzzles, and ability to interact with the movie on which it is based, the game continues to be appreciated by many players to this day.

Howard Scott Warshaw

1982