Space War was published by Atari, Inc., released in 1978.

What kind of game is Space War?

Space War is a action, shooter game for the Atari 2600.

Can two people play Space War?

Yes. Space War supports multiplayer (Multiplayer). Player 1 uses the arrow keys, player 2 uses WASD, and two USB or Bluetooth gamepads can be connected instead.

How much data does Space War load?

The Space War ROM is 2 kB. It is fetched once when you press play and then cached by your browser, so returning to the game does not download it again.

Which emulators can run Space War?

Space War runs on Atari 2600 and Javatari / Stella JS Engine. You can switch between them from the emulator list further down this page if one performs better on your device.

Space War Game (1978) - Atari 2600

Name: Space War
Availability: InStock
Author: Atari, Inc.

Action / Button	Keyboard Key
D-Pad (Up / Down / Left / Right)	`Arrow Keys`
Button A	`Z` or `J`
Button B	`X` or `K`
Button X / Turbo A	`A` or `U`
Button Y / Turbo B	`S` or `I`
Select	`Shift`
Start	`Enter`

Gamepad Input	Retro Function	Keyboard Key
D-Pad / Analog	Character Movement / Steering	`▲` `▼` `◄` `►`
Button A (East)	Primary Action / Attack / Fire	`Z` / `K`
Button B (South)	Secondary / Jump / Cancel	`X` / `J`
Button X / Y	Special / Turbo / Extra Fire	`A` / `S`
Select	Insert Coin / Select Option	`Right Shift`
Start	Game Start / Pause Game	`Enter`

Gamepad Input

Retro Function

Keyboard Key

D-Pad / Analog

Character Movement / Steering

▲ ▼ ◄ ►

Button A (East)

Primary Action / Attack / Fire

Z / K

Button B (South)

Secondary / Jump / Cancel

X / J

Button X / Y

Special / Turbo / Extra Fire

A / S

Select

Insert Coin / Select Option

Right Shift

Start

Game Start / Pause Game

Enter

Emulator Core Engine	Technology	Multiplayer	Gamepad	Touch	Ads	Action / Switch
EmulatorJS (Default WebAssembly)	`WebAssembly / JS`	YES	YES	YES	NO	▶ ACTIVE
Atari 2600 (Recommended)	`WebAssembly / Libretro`	YES	YES	YES	NO	PLAY ⚡
Javatari / Stella JS Engine	`WebAssembly / Libretro`	YES	YES	YES	NO	PLAY ⚡

Emulator Core Engine

Technology

Multiplayer

Gamepad

Touch

Ads

Action / Switch

EmulatorJS (Default WebAssembly)

WebAssembly / JS

YES

▶ ACTIVE

Atari 2600 (Recommended)

WebAssembly / Libretro

YES

PLAY ⚡

Javatari / Stella JS Engine

WebAssembly / Libretro

YES

PLAY ⚡

Space War is a classic 1978 two-player competitive shooter developed by Atari for the Atari 2600, heavily inspired by the pioneering 1962 mainframe game. Players pilot competing starships—the wedge-shaped Needle and the triangular Wedge—in a screen-wrapping duel to destroy each other while managing fuel and ammo, with various modes altering the physics of the battlefield.

How to Play

The objective is to outmaneuver and shoot the opposing player. Game variations can include a central sun with a gravitational pull and the ability to use hyperspace to teleport out of danger. Use the joystick to rotate and thrust your ship, and the trigger to fire.

Joystick control:
	Player 1:	Player 2:
joystick	↑↓←→	TGFH
trigger	Spacebar	A
turbo	Del	.
RESET	F12	F12
SELECT	F11	F11
Pause	Alt+P	Alt+P
black-white / color mode: F2
paddle / joystick mode: Alt+L

Tips

Use the gravity of the central sun to slingshot your ship for a speed boost, but be careful not to crash into it.
Conserve your fuel and ammunition. Running out leaves you defenseless until the round ends.
Hyperspace is a risky defensive move; you might reappear directly in the line of fire or inside the sun.