Paul Neave of Neave Interactive has done a very good thing. He has created flash-based clone versions of some of our favorite early 80s video games. You can play these games on his site for free using the links below.
Play Online Here
- Asteroids
- Space Invaders
- Pacman
- Frogger
- Simon
- Tic Tac Toe (like from the 1983 movie WarGames)
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Donkey Kong
In making my way through the games on his site I am struck with how shamefully out of practice I am. It is clear that I have neglected Frogger for far too long. The online high scores for that particular game are in the 67,000 point range. In my first several attempts, I averaged a whopping 810. Ouch. One thing is clear; I need to devote the rest of my afternoon to improving that score.
One of the great things about these games is the three-deaths-and-the-game-is-over-standard. Today’s gaming options lack this finality. In watching my son play on the Xbox, I see him crash or die many more times than three and continue on. The stakes were higher for us in the 80s. You could die three times (as my recent re-entry into 
Frogger demonstrates) within fewer than 10 seconds. And, in the early 80s, that 10 seconds cost you a quarter!
Enjoy the games, and thanks, Paul! It’s an awesome good time.
Thank you, Atari!
In addition, we found some great games on the Atari website (thanks to reader Jeff E. for sending these awesome links). Jeff has tested the games and share that, “the games themselves are good, but the fullscreen option on most of them is kind of crappy, except for centipede and missile command.” So, skip the fullscreen option and enjoy!
January 9, 2016
Hello Alli: I’ve spent years thinking and looking as it was called a game I played in the 80’s, it was a diamond that was moving up and down and had to avoid touching as gremlins type that you appeared very close to where oneIt was located. The game was to complete the screen that was adding the percentage to 100%. I would love to know how aunquye is called, and I do not think I can get to play … Thank you !!