ET The Extra-Terrestrial is an adventure game released for the Atari 2600 in December 1982. Atari published the title, and Howard Scott Warshaw designed and programmed the entire project in only five and a half weeks to meet the holiday shopping rush. The game ties directly into the Steven Spielberg film of the same name, putting players in control of the lost alien as he searches for parts to build an interplanetary telephone. The goal is simple in concept but tricky in execution. Players guide ET across six screens filled with pits, government agents, and a scientist who tries to capture him. Each pit may contain a phone piece, a candy reward, or nothing at all, and climbing out of a pit consumes precious energy. The game stands as a notable piece of video game history because of its rushed production and its reputation as a commercial disappointment, which many writers cite as a factor in the 1983 video game crash.
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Screenshots

0.01 MB · Atari 2600 ROMs
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Specifications
| Platform | Atari 2600 ROMs |
|---|---|
| Genre | Simulation |
| File Size | 0.01 MB |
| Release Year | 1982 |
| Developer | Howard Scott Warshaw |
| Updated | Jun 22, 2026 |
Overview
ET The Extra-Terrestrial is an adventure game released for the Atari 2600 in December 1982. Atari published the title, and Howard Scott Warshaw designed and programmed the entire project in only five and a half weeks to meet the holiday shopping rush. The game ties directly into the Steven Spielberg film of the same name, putting players in control of the lost alien as he searches for parts to build an interplanetary telephone. The goal is simple in concept but tricky in execution. Players guide ET across six screens filled with pits, government agents, and a scientist who tries to capture him. Each pit may contain a phone piece, a candy reward, or nothing at all, and climbing out of a pit consumes precious energy. The game stands as a notable piece of video game history because of its rushed production and its reputation as a commercial disappointment, which many writers cite as a factor in the 1983 video game crash.
The gameplay loop centers on energy management and exploration. ET starts with a set energy meter that drains with every action, and players must collect Reese's Pieces to refill the meter while hunting for the three telephone parts hidden in the pits. Once all parts are gathered, the player must reach a designated landing zone and call the mothership before the timer runs out. Different zones present different hazards, including FBI agents who steal collected items and scientists who drag ET back to a laboratory. Multiple endings reward skilled play, including bonus points for rescuing a fellow alien or collecting extra candy after the rescue. The game supports a single player and offers three difficulty settings selected through the console switches. Despite its harsh reception at launch, ET has gained a small cult following among retro collectors and historians who study early game design. The cartridge remains one of the most famous releases on the Atari 2600 platform.