Description

"M.A.D." (Missile Attack and Defense) is a classic action game released for the Atari 2600/VCS, developed by U.S. Games in 1982. In the game, players are tasked with defending cities from an onslaught of incoming enemy missiles. Using a cursor to aim, players must fire intercepting missiles from their bases to destroy the threats before they can obliterate the cities below. As the game progresses, the speed and number of incoming missiles increase, making the task increasingly difficult. The game's simple yet compelling mechanics and its progressively challenging levels encapsulated the essence of early 80s arcade-style gameplay, making it a popular choice among gamers of that era.

The design and gameplay of M.A.D. are reminiscent of other missile defense games of the time, particularly Atari's own "Missile Command." However, M.A.D. differentiated itself with different visuals and game mechanics, such as unique levels and score multipliers for successive hits. Its release during the golden age of arcade games allowed it to capitalize on the popularity of the genre, though it did not achieve the same iconic status as some of its contemporaries. The game was part of a larger push by U.S. Games, a subsidiary of Quaker Oats at the time, to enter the video game market, a curious example of diverse companies trying to leverage the burgeoning video game industry. Despite its more obscure status in the vast library of Atari 2600 games, M.A.D. remains a beloved memory for those who experienced it during its prime.

Title

M.A.D. - Title

Close

Gameplay

M.A.D. - Gameplay

Close