I obtained this cabinet years ago from another collector in trade, giving up a Vectorbeam Speed Freak to get this and an Elimination, the original version of Quadra Pong. Finding this bronze age gem could prove to be difficult as this version of Tank is extremely rare. Its gameplay is instantly recognizable to retro video game enthusiasts and anyone who grew up with an Atari 2600.

Essentially Ultra Tank is the arcade version of the extremely popular Combat, but with improved sound, graphics and controls. Imbued in the archetypal Atari aesthetic, this uniquely shaped cab is a striking piece. Ultra Tank cabinetĪs a collector, this game is well worth owning. Unfortunately, the robot is rather dumb and not too hard to beat. Additionally, primitive AI made 1-player play possible by battling a “Robot” tank. Ultra Tank incorporated these hacks into switchable options. In this writer’s opinion, the options are not very compelling as most times a player will select the same barricades, visible tanks, and guided missiles. To keep earning money on location, operators hacked the original Tank circuit board enhancing the play.

It was a hit that spurred multiple sequels: Tank II, Tank 8, a bootleg Tankers, and ultimately Ultra Tank in 1978.

Each player has a birdseye view of a maze and drives a tank while avoiding mines and shooting at each other. This combat style differentiated the game in a world of pong and driving video games. Designed by Steve Bristow and developed by Lyle Rains, Tank (Kee Games, 1974) was the original tank combat video game.

Tank battle atari