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Play Vanguard Online

Dodge walls and weirdly named zones in a little ship that slows down when you shoot—grab "E" pods for a breather, but keep blasting enemies to stay fueled.

Released: 1982
File size: 5.76 KB
Game cover

Game Overview

Vanguard is one of those classic Atari 2600 shooters that feels simple at first—until you realize how much is actually going on. You’re flying this little spaceship through these weirdly named zones (rainbow zone? stick zone?), dodging enemies and trying not to crash into the walls. The controls take a second to get used to—you can shoot in four directions, but firing slows you down, so you’ve gotta time it right.

What I love is how each zone changes things up. Some scroll left to right, others go vertical, and the enemies come at you differently. There’s this moment of relief when you spot an "E" pod—grab it, and you’re invincible for a bit, which helps when the cave walls suddenly close in. But watch your fuel! It drains fast, and the only way to refill is by blasting enemies, so you’re constantly balancing aggression with survival.

And then there’s Gond, the final boss. Took me a few tries to beat him the first time, but once you do, the game just loops back around, harder and faster. It’s the kind of arcade challenge that keeps you leaning forward in your seat.

Vanguard rom

Download Vanguard ROM

You can download this ROM to play Vanguard offline using an Atari 2600 emulator (Top Emulators).

*This ROM is provided for backup and educational purposes only.

Atari 2600
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