Laser Blast is a fixed shooter game released by Activision in 1981 for the Atari 2600. David Crane designed and programmed the title during the early years of Activision, the first third-party developer for the Atari console. Players take control of a small flying saucer that hovers above a planetary surface. Three enemy laser cannons sit on the ground below, and the goal is simple: destroy them before they shoot you down. The saucer moves left and right across the top of the screen while firing a steady beam toward the targets. Enemy cannons return fire with their own beams, and a single hit forces the player to crash the ship into the surface. The clean visual style and direct action made Laser Blast a strong example of Activision's early design philosophy. Crane wanted a game that anyone could pick up and play within seconds, yet still reward skilled players who chased high scores across long sessions of arcade style action on home hardware.
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Screenshots
0 MB · Atari 2600 ROMs
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Specifications
| Platform | Atari 2600 ROMs |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action |
| File Size | 0 MB |
| Release Year | 1981 |
| Developer | Activision |
| Updated | Jun 22, 2026 |
Overview
Laser Blast is a fixed shooter game released by Activision in 1981 for the Atari 2600. David Crane designed and programmed the title during the early years of Activision, the first third-party developer for the Atari console. Players take control of a small flying saucer that hovers above a planetary surface. Three enemy laser cannons sit on the ground below, and the goal is simple: destroy them before they shoot you down. The saucer moves left and right across the top of the screen while firing a steady beam toward the targets. Enemy cannons return fire with their own beams, and a single hit forces the player to crash the ship into the surface. The clean visual style and direct action made Laser Blast a strong example of Activision's early design philosophy. Crane wanted a game that anyone could pick up and play within seconds, yet still reward skilled players who chased high scores across long sessions of arcade style action on home hardware.
The gameplay loop centers on quick reflexes and careful timing rather than complex controls. Players score points for each cannon they hit, with bonus points awarded for destroying all three targets in a single wave. After clearing a wave, faster and more aggressive enemies appear in the next round, raising the difficulty curve in clear steps. The game uses only a joystick and a single fire button, keeping the experience accessible to younger fans and newcomers. Activision famously offered a patch to any player who mailed in a photo of a screen showing 100,000 points or more, which created a strong community around the title during its release window. Laser Blast supports single player action only, with no two player mode included on the cartridge. The short rounds, fast pace, and growing challenge give the game lasting appeal. It remains a celebrated piece of early home console history and a fine example of clean arcade design.