Publisher: Wizard Video
Release: 1983
Controller: Joystick
Players: 1
Genre: Arcade
Alternate Title: N/A
Model: # 007
Rarity: 7
Programmer: Tim Martin, Robert Barber
Based on the classic movie, this is one of the most tense 2600 games.
You are the babysitter who is under assault from the murderous Michael Myers. Trapped in a giant house, you must run from room to room in order to find children and lead them to safety before you, or them, winds up on the wrong end of a knife.
When the game begins our heroine emerges from a door on the second floor. There are rooms to the left and right, as well as below that can be reached via staircases at the far end of each hallway. As you move from room to room, you will occasionally find a child panicking that is in need of your assistance. By hovering over them and hitting the button they will follow you. If you manage to get them to a safe room at the end of the hall, they’ll be saved and you’ll be rewarded with points.
This is easier said than done however because on virtually every screen the masked killer Michael Myers will appear. Accompanied by a stirring rendition of the legendary theme song, Michael will move at a slow deliberate pace towards you. If you have a child with you however he will make a beeline for him first, which is good for you but bad for them. If Michael comes into contact with the kid, he will fall over dead in a puddle of blood, which was quite the gruesome sight for the times. If he catches you however, you’ll be treated to one of the best video game deaths ever. Your head will immediately disappear and be replaced by a geyser of blood as you run off screen like a chicken with its head cut off. 
You aren’t entirely defenseless however, as there are knives laying about that you can pick up. When confronted with certain death, you can extend it and Michael will not only walk into it, but sprint off screen in pain. This is a temporary reprieve however as he’ll be back stronger than ever on the next screen.
This is one of the most tense games on the 2600, and includes fun slasher movie tropes like flickering lights (which covers up the screen) and killers popping out of closets. Add in the theme music every time Michael emerges from the shadows and you have a recipe for success. If you are a fan of the movie or fun arcade style gameplay, this should be on your list.
More in the Atari 2600 Encyclopedia on great games like this! Plus subscribe to Old School Gamer for FREE by clicking here!
Derek began playing video games in the early 80s, cutting his teeth on every Atari 2600 game he could get his hands on. This kickstarted a lifelong love of games, which continues to this day. No matter how advanced the systems and games become, the love for Atari remains supreme, which is why the Atari 2600 Encyclopedia project was done. With this massive project completed, Derek looks to begin work on another system encyclopedia, hoping to pay tribute to the games that shaped his childhood.
