It's time to make another periodic update to your Atari 2600 game list, because yet another prototype cartridge has been uncovered from the grave: Combat II. When you think about it, it's really mind-boggling. We don't often hear about too many NES, Sega Master System, ColecoVision or Vectrex being discovered, yet it seems that Atari titles are being found at an astonishing rate... even fifteen years after the fact.

The eagerly awaited sequel to the original 2600 pack-in cartridge, Combat II never made it out for the machine. Say what you may about the old, first generation game -- we loved it then and still adore it now. Tons of game variations featuring bi-planes, tanks, and even the option for bank shots, and simple yet addicting two-player action made for more restless nights than we care to admit. Although playable in its current form, we are guessing that Combat II was in its early stages of development. Game options are few, and only tanks are playable in this sequel.

You get a choice of three somewhat different screens, but the goal remains the same -- blast your opponent before he gets you. Each player starts at opposite corners of the screen. The player basically makes his way through the terrain - and sometimes some obstacles depending on which game you play - while making his way toward his foe. There's a large river that divides each players' territory but it does not affect the movement of the tanks in any way. The only noticeable on-screen environment that factors into play are the barriers (or walls) that block the path and shot of the tanks. As in the original Combat, they can be used as strategic hideouts as well as temporary repreives when you're under agressive attack. Overall, however, the outcome of your battle is more or less contingent on your ability to aim and shoot your cannon. Without taking under account that this game is probably not in its final form, Combat II is disappointing. Graphics are hardly an improvement over its predecessor. The variety is lacking with no options for such cool features like invisible tanks, bank shots and planes. Finally, it seems like Atari tried more for a simulation feel with this one, and lost much of the high-action fun of the first Combat in the process.

Title	Combat II (Prototype)
Publisher	Atari
Reviewer	Keita Iida