About
Battlezone is an arcade game from Atari released in November 1980. It displays a wireframe view (using vector graphics rather than raster graphics) on a horizontal black and white (with green and red sectioned color overlay) vector monitor. Due to its novel gameplay and look, this game was very popular for many years. Throughout the 1980s, Battlezone was ported to several home computer systems (usually on the Atarisoft label), including the Apple II, the Commodore 64, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, and the Atari XEGS. The Atari ST port contains large parts of the original 6502 code which is emulated in real time. An Atari 2600 port was also released, but has colored raster graphics due to limitations and the view is behind the tank rather than inside it.
What is happening now
Battlezone is a shooter-simulator hybrid that launched on PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR, and PC in October 2016. The franchise has since expanded beyond its original arcade-style tank combat roots. Recent activity centers on Battlezone Saga: Gacha Diva, a gacha-style spin-off that pivots toward character collection rather than traditional combat simulation. The game leans into sci-fi character designs as its primary draw, with battle animations serving as a focal point of the experience. For players seeking the original Battlezone formula, the shift toward gacha mechanics and character collecting represents a significant departure from the series' established identity.
Games like Battlezone
same kind of game, other series
Media
Releases
Earliest full release on each platform; regional dates can differ.