Tank Command (USA)

Tank Command is a top-down tank shooter that hit the Atari 7800 in 1988, published by Atari Corp. This was an official release for the system, designed to show off the 7800's graphical capabilities with detailed sprites and smooth scrolling. The game puts you in control of a lone tank rolling through enemy territory, a setup familiar to anyone who played arcade tank games from the mid-80s. It's one of the more action-heavy titles in the 7800 library, sitting alongside games like Desert Falcon and Commando.

You drive your tank around large, open battlefields, taking out enemy tanks, turrets, and bunkers. The core loop is straightforward: move, aim, and fire while dodging incoming shots. Each level ends when you destroy a set number of targets or reach a certain score threshold. There's no story to speak of, just wave after wave of opponents that get tougher as you advance. The controls use a simple scheme where one direction moves the tank and another fires the cannon in whatever direction you're facing; you have to line up shots carefully because the enemy shots move fast.

For a game of its era, Tank Command offers a solid challenge that keeps you coming back for another try. It's not the deepest game on the system, but it nails the arcade feel with short, intense rounds. If you enjoy retro shooters like Battle City or Firebird, this one fits right in. The 7800 didn't get a huge library, so any well-made shooter like this is worth checking out for collectors or anyone curious about Atari's console.