Tank 8 (set 1)
Atari (Kee Games) • 1976


Tank 8, released in 1976 by Kee Games (an Atari company), offers a unique multiplayer maze shooting experience for up to eight players. Utilizing an early microprocessor, this game departs from previous tank games that relied solely on hardware design. Players control individual tanks within a confined arena, maneuvering with double vertical joysticks and firing upon opponents to eliminate them. The gameplay is most engaging with multiple participants; a solitary player will find the experience limited as other tanks remain stationary. During the attract sequence—the demonstration mode played when no coins are inserted—all eight tanks move independently, showcasing programmed routines that determine their actions. This feature initially impressed Atari executives who would often wager on which tank would emerge victorious during these displays. A single button controls firing for each player. Tank 8 represents a notable step in arcade game development, marking an early application of microprocessor technology to control gameplay elements within the popular tank shooter genre.
Details
- Manufacturer
- Atari (Kee Games)
- Year
- 1976
- Players
- 8
- Genre
- Maze / Shooter Small
- Display
- raster
- Emulation status
- good
- MAME ID
- tank8
Machine data derived from the MAME project.