ET the Extra Terrestrial for Atari 2600

Embark on a misunderstood quest in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial for the Atari 2600, a game based on the beloved 1982 film. As the stranded alien E.T., players must explore a maze-like world of pits and forests to collect pieces of an interplanetary phone and call home—all while avoiding government agents and scientists. Designed under extreme time constraints, the game became infamous for its cryptic objectives and punishing gameplay, but it remains a fascinating piece of video game history and a symbol of the early industry’s growing pains.

Key Features:

Movie-Inspired Adventure
Take on the role of E.T. as he tries to phone home and evade capture.

Exploration-Based Gameplay
Wander through interconnected screens, each containing pits, items, and hazards.

Collect Phone Pieces
Find and assemble three components needed to contact E.T.’s spaceship.

Avoid Enemies
Outrun scientists and agents who steal items or carry E.T. away from his goal.

Gaming History Icon
Widely cited as a major factor in the 1983 video game crash, making it a collector's curiosity.

Metadata:
Genre: Action / Adventure
Platform: Atari 2600
Developer: Atari, Inc.
Publisher: Atari, Inc.
Release Dates:
North America: December 1982
ESRB Rating: Not Rated (Predates ESRB)
Mode: Single-player