At a Time When No One Expected It, Atari’s Fire Truck Was a Surprisingly Fun Co-Op Video Game
These days, “co-op” is a feature that’s often talked about in games. After all, who doesn’t want a friend to come along for the ride? Or two or three? Super Mario Bros. Wonder is all about that, as are other games. It’s a welcome feature, one that really found its place in gaming when COVID was making the rounds and we were stuck inside with family and/or friends.
But, hey, “co-op” existed long ago. Like…1978. That’s right, at a time when video gaming was just getting its start, Atari managed to define what cooperative gameplay was all about with a very surprising — and hilarious — title.
Programmed by Howard Delman, Fire Truck released in 1978. Its arcade build is definitely interesting, with one sit-down seat for a player in the front and a stand-up space in the back for a second player, both with their own steering wheels.
In the game, players have to work together in order to navigate a twisting course filled with cars and oil slicks, all while trying to build up as high a score as possible before fuel runs out. The front player steers the fire truck, while the player behind them tilts the rear of the vehicle so that the tail doesn’t go swinging all over the place.
Over the course of the game, how far you get as a team resulted in a scoreboard that went from “Sorry” to “Ace,” depending on how well you did. (Don’t be shocked if you get a “sorry” off the bat — most players did in their day.)
Sure, the game’s ancient now, but when Fire Truck came out, it introduced a concept of playing together with a friend — something that Atari wouldn’t really capitalize on until it began to grow in the arcade market. And let’s be honest, the game is fun. Even when you’re crashing, it’s absolutely hilarious, because the concept of the two of you trying — and failing — to work together really brings out the laughs. Not to mention you could activate bells and horns to bring authentic noises into the game, even if they didn’t add any prominent features.
It’s just interesting because Fire Truck is still a great deal of fun. You can actually enjoy the game now in Atari 50 for consoles and PC, even though its control set-up is vastly different. But it’s great to see it get its fair share of appreciation, considering that, yes, it may have defined what we’ve come to expect from co-op. Even if your friend does drive disastrously. (Or you — it could be your fault, after all.)
I suggest giving it a go. Finding the original arcade game is pretty much impossible now (save for any collectors that have it on hand or that rare “barcade” sighting), but Atari 50 has very good distribution and emulation, so you get an idea of just what it was like back then. You’ll have to bring your own bells and horns, though. Digital Eclipse could only bring so much to the table.
Have a great week, everyone!
