Before Madden, before playbooks that looked like rocket science, there was Football (1978) on the Atari 2600. One of the console’s earliest attempts at America’s favorite sport, this game strips the gridiron down to its core: blocky players, simple plays, and joystick showdowns that feel more like backyard football than the NFL—but in the best way possible.

Each team gets three players, a tiny field, and a whole lot of determination. You’ll hike the ball, run, pass, and tackle in chunky pixel form while trying to outsmart your opponent. It’s primitive by today’s standards, but in 1978, this was cutting-edge competition—and the trash talk was just as real as it is now.

Why Football still scores with retro fans:

1. One of the very first sports games ever made for the Atari 2600.
2. Simple, fast-paced gameplay perfect for two-player rivalries.
3. A piece of gaming history that shows where sports sims began.

If you’re looking to buy retro games on Retro Games eXchange, Football is a must-have for collectors and sports fans alike. It’s chunky, it’s charming, and it’s proof that even in 1978, gamers wanted to bring the big game to their living room.