Missile Command
Missile Command is a 1980 shoot 'em up arcade game developed by Atari. Players defend six cities from an endless rain of incoming ballistic missiles by aiming a trackball-controlled crosshair and launching counter-missiles from three ground batteries, timing the expanding blasts to intercept threats before they land. Later waves add smart bombs, bombers, and satellites that make defense increasingly desperate.
Released at the height of Cold War anxiety, its bleak premise and unwinnable, escalating waves gave it an unusual emotional weight for an arcade game, ending only when all cities are destroyed and the screen reads "The End." The strategic prioritization of targets and limited ammunition created intense, thoughtful play that set it apart from pure reflex shooters.
Missile Command remains a celebrated classic, readily available through arcade compilations and retro collections, and its themes, imagery, and mechanics continue to resonate with players and designers alike.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Missile Command, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom Rush Vengeance Indie | € 16,79 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch |
| PixelJunk Monsters 2 Indie | € 14,99 | Steam Deck Untested | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Missile Command: Recharged | € 4,99 | Steam Deck Playable | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration | € 39,99 | Steam Deck Playable | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Defense Grid 2 | € 9,75 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
Kingdom Rush Vengeance Indie
€ 16,79A polished defence game for short sessions on any device, with the same read-and-react pressure.
Kingdom Rush Vengeance runs on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch. Not available on Linux, PlayStation, Xbox.
PixelJunk Monsters 2 Indie
€ 14,99A charming indie tower-defense game about protecting what matters.
PixelJunk Monsters 2 runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Missile Command: Recharged
€ 4,99A modern remake with power-ups and updated visuals.
Missile Command: Recharged runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration
€ 39,99Includes Missile Command and dozens of Atari classics.
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Defense Grid 2
€ 9,75Tower defence descended straight from Missile Command: read the incoming waves, protect the cores.
Defense Grid 2 runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch.
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