Fall Down - Atari 2600

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$30.00

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Fall Down pits the ever-opposed forces of RED and BLUE* against each other in an ultimate battle to capture scrolling platforms! The first player to fall past a platform captures it and scores a point. Taking time to collect power-ups can give some advantage, but taking too long only results in death at the top of the screen. Watch out, because as you progress, the platforms slowly accelerate!

Fall Down includes both two-player and single-player modes against a highly effective computer opponent. Game modes include:

  • Human vs. AI
  • Human vs. AI, easy mode
  • Human vs. AI, pass-by mode
  • Human vs. AI, invisibility mode
  • Single Player
  • Human vs. Human
  • Human vs. Human, pass-by mode
  • Human vs. Human, invisibility mode

In pass-by mode, the players don't bounce off each other as in the default mode. In invisibility mode background alternates colors, making one of the players invisible. Easy mode makes the computer opponent fairly dumb.

Includes cartridge and full-color manual created by Dave Exton. Available in NTSC and PAL television formats, please specify above when ordering.

* BLUE couldn't make it for the PAL version, but his side-kick BLUEISH GREEN was more than ready to take up the fight!

AtariVox Enhanced

Fall Down was one of the first homebrew games to support Richard Hutchinson's AtariVox. Fall Down uses the AtariVox to save your high score for each game mode, as well as for some in-game speech ("Red Wins! New High Score!"). When you power off your Atari 2600 and come back later to play Fall Down, your high scores will be restored!

Author Aaron Curtis
Number of Players 1 - 2
Controller Joystick Controllers
Cartridge Size 8K
Label Design Dave Exton
Manual Design Dave Exton
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J on 01/04/2024 08:49pm
What a great game! Possibly the best two-player game I own. Great for gaming with kids or other adults.
Kris Andreason on 09/13/2020 11:50am
Awesome game. My daughter and I played this and we couldn't stop laughing. Such a simple and fun game to get the family and friends together and have fun. I enjoyed playing against the computer too.
Dan Wolak on 03/07/2020 07:55pm
Usually, I only purchase arcade ports for the 2600. Fall down is a rare exception. The 2600 has some excellent, classic 2-player game like Combat, Video Olympics (pong sports), Demons to Diamonds, and Warlords. Fall down has all the makings of a classic. It's very simple to play and fiercely competitive. Just be the first player to fall through the gap in each platform to score the point and don't get stuck at the top of the screen or you die. I love the power-ups and the 10 game variations! You don't have a buddy to play against? No problem! With the six different single-player modes, you can compete against the AI or just take a breather and practice by yourself. The graphics are simple, yet effective. The opening music is catchy. This game is definitely a gem.
Robert Smith on 01/18/2020 01:14pm
This is a really fun game, simple and fun. I could imagine playing this back in the 80s when Atari was the system to own. Great addition to my collection.
Kal on 03/19/2019 02:18pm
I cannot stress enough how superb this game is. I put it on and got my two boys, 15 and 10, to come and try it out. Three hours later the 15 year old was crowned house master of Fall Down. It is co-op couch video gaming at its best. Do not hesitate- it's better to most modern triple A games!
Dion Olsthoorn on 11/05/2018 01:17pm
This is the best 2 player game I own!!

I recently brought along my old Atari 2600 to a family weekend, and Fall Down was played the most by far!

Really fun and addictive! Maximum score.
Andrew Logan on 02/16/2018 04:42pm
This game is so fun. This would have been a console seller back in the hey day. it could have helped save the company if it came out around the crash of 83.
Dan Crisler on 01/27/2018 10:25am
This may well be the best Atari 2600 game of all time. I say that having played well over 500 VCS games including all the favorites and the Supercharger games and a good portion of the homebrews. For me, it basically comes down to this game and Dragonstomper with the tie breaker going to whether you're looking to play a simple and relatively short game (Fall Down) or a more complicated and long game (Dragonstomper). I agree with the other reviewer that had this game came out during the system's heyday it would now rival Pitfall as the system's most iconic game. It's certainly a lot more fun than Pitfall, which hasn't aged well.

This is a lot of praise. If there is a flaw, it's that I wish there was more skill and less luck involved about reaching the holes and/or pellets (balls?), but I think in order to have done this some of the frenetic action would need be sacrificed. So chalk this up to picking at nits.

It really is a true 10 out of 10 game-- and if you like the 2600 at all, which of course you do or you would not be reading this-- it's a must own.
TAV on 01/08/2018 01:12pm
Love this game, very addictive!
Roger Wolf on 06/29/2015 03:08pm
Along with Medieval Mayhem and Warring Worms the best multiplayer game out there on the Atari 2600. I play this game now for several years with my friends and it belongs to our top10 hit list on all consoles. Even of par with absolute party game legends like Bomberman.
Adam Ford on 01/22/2015 02:47pm
Some very addictive and enjoyable 2 player competitive gameplay. This game would be fun on any console. It makes me happy that the Atari 2600 has games like this one.
Dan Vaughn on 05/11/2014 11:07am
If "Fall Down" had been available (for the VCS) in the early 1980's , it would've sold 3 - 5 million copies easily. I place this game in the same league as "Tetris" because it is a brilliantly simple, yet wildly fun concept. This game should be produced for all gaming platforms and computers NOW- what a winner!
brian on 08/08/2011 04:52pm
Simple game, simple review. This is a great game, very addicting and fun.
Steven Isaac River on 04/21/2010 09:34pm
Not many of my friends share my joy for the Atari 2600 but after playing this game for just a few minutes they quickly become enthralled in hours of game play. The game doesn't last long but it's still great fun especially for two people.
Brian Rittmeyer on 08/17/2007 11:18pm
They joy of the 2600 is in its simplicity, and one of the games to capture that idea perfectly is Fall Down. This is video gaming at its purest, simplest and most fun form. No complex controls. No detailed environments. No lengthy back story. Two players - one red, one blue - running frantically across scrolling platforms, with whoever falls through a hole first claiming it. Yes, there are power-ups, but getting them is more a secondary objective to the first - capturing the level, scoring the point and avoiding death at the top of the screen. It's easy to play and lots of fun, which may be a surprise given just how simple an idea it is. Success will often depend on getting the right momentum, or just dumb luck, in choosing which way to run for the opening. You can be ahead, or be behind, and then have the tide turn. The game has several variations for one and two players, and for single players the VCS is a worthy and fair opponent. A fun game enhanced by its label and manual that is worth a purchase.
Jozef Wiencis on 04/08/2006 04:52pm
This is an incredibly simple yet wickedly addictive game. My first original homebrew purchased and worth every penny. I've been playing it non-stop since I got it!
Nathan Strum on 03/28/2006 04:17am
Fall Down is one of the most addictive games I've ever played on the 2600. It's a fast, frenetic game where momentum is your best friend, and your enemy is the dreaded BLUE. As you continually fight your way to the bottom of the screen, capturing platforms as you go, you need to descend as fast as possible; but BLUE is also racing to the bottom of the screen, and will not only steal platforms from you, but take power-ups that you need, and even block you from getting to the next platform. Most of the reviews for Fall Down have focused on its two-player action, but even as one player vs. the computer, it's fantastic fun! Few things are as satisfying as slamming into your opponent at just the right moment to force him off the top of the screen. It's the perfect, quick game for the 2600, and one you'll be coming back to again and again.
Philip Dangler on 01/04/2006 03:01pm
This game is simple and brilliant. My favorite homebrew release so far. I have been playing it in emulation and I can't wait for the cart to get here!
Raul Torres on 01/03/2006 09:43am
My friends think I'm a weirdo cause I still like the 2600. With all the Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo hype & eye candy, I can sort of understand why they think that... Almost ;)

I however, have yet to see a game that requires that you learn a 15 button controller with 2 analog sticks on the mentioned consoles be as much fun as Fall Down is on the 2600.

This is a game that I have shown everyone that visits & they actually take time to play it a few times. Ofcoarse they give up after a clean the floor with them, but hey!!!! They tried it & liked it.

Another fine example of quality gaming... and this one is one that everyone can play and have fun with instantly out of the box, without a steep learning curve.
David Exton on 11/26/2005 06:38am
The best 2 player 2600 game..ever! Minutes will turn to hours as you fight for supremacy of those ever scrolling platforms. Really finely tuned playability that lets you either use all of your skill or 'bump' the other guy to his doom like a cheating swine! :)

(gotta declare an interest as I did the label, though I had no part in the making of this wonderful title....pretty happy with the label though :) )
Joseph Till on 08/25/2005 01:47pm
Very fun, and very addictive!
Scott Huggins on 07/06/2005 12:17pm
This was the 6th Homebrew game I purchased over the years and I must say, it's the best...by far. All of the game options are fun: you vs. AI, you all alone, you vs. an opponent. The game play is so smooth and I love the sprite animation. I turned on some of my HALO2 friends to this game and they loved it. This is the perfect "PARTY" game... people instantly get it. Plus the addition of the power ups are a nice addition!

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