Ludography
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Dodge 'Em cover

1980 · Atari, Inc. · Arcade · Racing

Dodge 'Em

Atari exclusive

Dodge 'Em is a 1980 Atari 2600 video game, a driving game based on Sega's Head On (1979). The player controls one car and has to drive counter-clockwise, avoiding computer-controlled cars whose sole aim is to produce a head-on collision. The player's car can travel at two speeds, a 'normal' speed which is the same speed as computer-controlled cars, or if the player presses the controller button, his or her car travels at a 'fast' speed double its normal speed. The computer-controlled cars have only one speed. Players change lanes by pushing the controller in the appropriate direction when their car is near one of the gaps in the roadway.

Released
1980
Platforms
Atari 2600
Genres
ArcadeRacing
Developers
Atari, Inc.
Publishers
—
Modes
Single-player
Perspective
Bird view / Isometric
Themes
Action
Country
United States
Languages
English

About

Dodge 'Em is a driving-themed maze game programmed by Carla Meninsky and published in 1980 by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 2600 (originally known as the Atari Video Computer System). Similar to Sega's 1979 Head On arcade game, Dodge 'Em is played on a single screen of four concentric roadways. Sears released the game for the "Sears Video Arcade" as Dodger Cars.

The Dodge 'Em cartridge includes three versions of the game, accessible through the Game Select switch on the Atari 2600. The first game is for one player, and the remaining two are for two players. The second game has the two players, one player playing the role of the player's car, alternating turns. In the third game, one player plays one car the other player controls the other car at the same time, alternating turns.

Keywords

  • car accident

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The player controls one car and has to drive counter-clockwise, avoiding computer-controlled cars whose sole aim is to produce a head-on collision. The goal of the player is to collect all the dots from the maze. Each roadway of the maze has four gaps in it, at the top, bottom, left, and right of the screen. The player can use the gaps to change lanes in order to pick up dots or to avoid the computer-controlled cars.

The player's car can travel at two speeds, a normal speed which is the same speed as computer-controlled cars, or a fast (doubled) speed activated by pressing the controller button. The computer-controlled cars have only one speed. Players change lanes by pushing the controller in the appropriate direction when their car is near one of the gaps in the roadway.

Reception

Dodge 'Em was reviewed by Video magazine in its "Arcade Alley" column where it was described as "one of those rare videogames that is exciting in either one- or two-player versions". Although the reviewers suggested that "the early stages of each Dodge 'Em game can become predictable" for some players, the game was recommended to arcade game fans who were familiar with frequently replaying early levels in order to master them. It would go on to be given Honorable Mention in the category of "Best Solitaire Game" at the 3rd annual Arkie Awards.

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

PlatformReleasedRegions
Atari 260031 December 1980North America

Editions and related releases

Included in
Atari Greatest Hits Volume 1Atari VaultAtari Flashback Classics Vol. 1Atari Flashback ClassicsAtari Retro Handheld Console: Pac-Man EditionAtari 50: The Anniversary CelebrationAtari Flashback 2Atari Flashback XAtari Flashback 6Atari Retro Handheld ConsoleAtari Flashback 2+Atari Flashback 4Atari Flashback X DeluxeAtari Flashback 310 Games in 1Atari Flashback Blast! Vol. 1Atari Flashback 4: 40th Anniversary - Deluxe EditionAtari: 80 Classic Games in One!Atari AnthologyAtari Flashback 8 Gold: Activision Edition

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Collections3 collections

Platform libraries

Genres

Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.