Sub Scan was published by SEGA, released in 1982.

What kind of game is Sub Scan?

Sub Scan is a shooter, strategy game for the Atari 2600.

Can two people play Sub Scan?

No. Sub Scan is a single-player game, so it has no two-player mode.

How much data does Sub Scan load?

The Sub Scan ROM is 4 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 Sub Scan?

Sub Scan 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.

Sub Scan Game (1982) - Atari 2600

Name: Sub Scan
Availability: InStock
Author: SEGA

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 ⚡

Released by SEGA in 1982 for the Atari 2600, Sub Scan is a strategic shooter where you command a surface destroyer tasked with eliminating enemy submarines. Originally based on the arcade game Deep Scan, you must carefully drop depth charges into the ocean to hit subs patrolling at various depths. Unlike more frantic shooters, this game focuses on timing and anticipation, requiring you to lead your targets as your charges slowly sink.

How to Play

Your objective is to sink as many enemy submarines as possible to earn a high score. Use the radar display at the bottom of the screen to anticipate incoming subs before they enter the main playfield. Time your drops carefully, as you can only deploy a limited number of depth charges at once.

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 radar to your advantage; tracking submarines before they appear lets you position your destroyer in advance.
Don’t spam your attacks. Wait until a submarine aligns with your drop path, as missed charges take time to sink and reload.