My Slow Descent Into Loserhood -- Atari 2600 Missile Command

My Slow Descent Into Loserhood - My Atari Games

Missile Command

Rating: 7.0
High Score (so far): 33740

Again with the commies? What the devil was our fascination with nuclear annihilation? And why aren't we scared anymore? Just because old Gorby aint in charge doesn't mean that the Reds aint still threatening our way of life. So play this game every time like it could be your last. Because it just may be.

Gotta love that mushroom cloud (right). A pretty good kill, in Atari terms. You win this round, Ivan!!

Missile Command was one of the first games I got on my old Atari and it was my favourite then. But in all fairness, I didn't have much too work with. The game is still fun, and always will be. I just appreciate the social commentary aspect a lot more now than I did at 8.

Why do we play games that eminate from our deep seeded fears? After everyone saw Jaws, people were scared to death of sharks. Yet Atari put out at least 2 games I know of that involved escaping from sharks (see this one, for ex.).

Is it just so that we can tell ourselves that we have nothing to fear? Or do we actually like being afraid? Does it turn our crank, so to speak?

And isn't the irony in this game as delicious as pecan pie? Think about it -- in how many Atari games can you insinuate that the enemy is the Commies? Many. Now no matter how good you are at Missile Command, eventually the hammer and sickle is gonna level all your cities. No matter what you do, them Reds are going to win.

I wonder if the boys down in 1 Atari Plaza thought of that.

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