Atari Football Rules

[joeybastard]

I was at a place called the Baha in New Hyde Park, NY over the weekend and played Atari Football against my friend for about an hour. That tracball is the best thing for sports games ever. They had a bunch of Atari Coin Ops there also like Area 51, Centipede and some others.

 

There is no football game more fun over beers in the bar the Atari Football.

[Sir Plus]

Ahhh... sweet X and O goodness. The way video football is really

meant to be played. That game will outlast holodecks, I swear.

 

 

 

And slapping the trackball around gets you prepared for the inevitable

fight later when an inebriated buddy accuses you of cheating.

 

 

 

 

"No w way!"

[Inky]

I despise real football... But then the Bears aren't real football... but I have many fond memories of Atari Football. The game was pure genius.

[joeybastard]

Oh I hate real football too. In fact I hate watching most professional sports, but I like playing video games versions of them. We had such a heated game going for a while I actually started to sweat from slapping the tracball. Granted I'm not in the best of shape but that game gets pretty physical when you're chasing the other guys long bomb pass. I live around the corner from the place I mentioned so I'm definetely going back!

[Sir Plus]

True, I'd much rather have real football being played on the field...

instead of this endless penalty flag, overtime version of pro football that

we have now. Back before inside stadiums when northern teams were

REALLY something to contend with. But I'll always enjoy watching the

scramble, regardless. And betting on football is more of a

challenge these days, since it's basically a toss-up

 

 

 

 

I knew something went wrong when Fran Tarkinton started shaving

his legs.

[Big Player]

Oh boy do I love Atari Football. I would love to actually own one.

 

X and O's--a living playbook.

 

The best part was I could always outrun my brother in the game. Nothing like those huge trackballs. Well, they seemed huge back then.

[joeybastard]

They are pretty big as far as tracballs go. It's real easy to catch the edge of your hand between the console and the ball - OUCH!

[Sir Plus]

It's designed that way.... gives you manly calluses to aid in smacking your drunk buddy around after ungrounded accusations.

[Rob Mitchell]

Atari X & O football is great! One was for auction and located nearby. I think it went for $350 +++ .. but the sound was out. I kinda wish I had bid on it anyway.

 

The nearest thing for the home is Blitz for the Vectrex which uses X & O for the player movements. I can connect two Wico Trakballs to the Vectrex for simulation (but it's still not true trakball mode .. just joystick mode). Maybe I'll do this when my nephew comes over for Christmas.

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA