Tempest
Tempest is a 1981 shoot 'em up arcade game developed by Atari, designed by Dave Theurer. Using crisp color vector graphics and Atari's Color-QuadraScan technology, players control a claw-shaped shooter that moves around the near rim of a tube-like geometric field, blasting Flippers, Tankers, and Spikers that climb up toward them from the far end, with a Superzapper to clear the screen in emergencies.
Its striking abstract visuals, distinctive rotary spinner control, varied level geometries, and hypnotic, escalating action made Tempest a standout of the vector-graphics era and one of the first games to let players choose their starting difficulty. The sense of speed, the vivid neon geometric playfields, and the tension of enemies reaching the rim gave it a look and feel unlike anything else in arcades.
Tempest endures as a celebrated classic available through compilations, and its influence can be seen in later tube-shooters and acclaimed reimaginings that carry forward its mesmerizing geometric design.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Tempest, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaero Indie | € 12,49 | Steam Deck Playable | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Polybius Indie | € 14,99 | Steam Deck Playable | PC, PlayStation |
| Tempest 4000 | € 19,99 | Steam Deck Playable | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| Rez Infinite | € 24,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation |
Aaero Indie
€ 12,49Ride a ribbon through neon tunnels, shooting to the beat, with a strong vector-era look.
Aaero runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Polybius Indie
€ 14,99An indie hypnotic tube shooter by Jeff Minter that pushes the Tempest concept into psychedelic territory.
Polybius runs on PC, PlayStation. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox, Switch.
Tempest 4000
€ 19,99An official modern reimagining by original creator Jeff Minter with dazzling neon effects.
Tempest 4000 runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch.
Rez Infinite
€ 24,99A rhythmic tube shooter of wireframe targets and locking-on, Tempest's geometry set to music.
Rez Infinite runs on PC, PlayStation. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox, Switch.
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