Hype - Atari, 13 AM Games, and Mighty Yell debuted Missile Command Delta at PAX East 2025

In the movie Wargames, Matthew Broderick is a hacker trying to track down new video games to play. He unexpectedly hacks into NORAD and activates a simulation computer, dedicated to playing games to enhance the strategies of America's nuclear defenses. But unknown to him, the computer thinks the game is real and starts the countdown to a wide nuclear attack. It's a race against time to stop World War III. 

Missile Command is a classic Atari game that was known for its challenge and controls, using the circular motion ball to target enemy missiles and aircraft. The game even had a cameo appearance in Terminator 2: Judgement Day when John Connor tries to evade the T-1000. Turns out, Missile Command and movies have a rhythm. When combined, you get Missile Command Delta. 

Would you like to play a game?

Unveiled at PAX East at the Atari Booth, Missile Command Delta is a new take on the classic game from 13 AM Games and Mighty Yell. Combining a Spielbergian sci-fi with a classic game makes for an interesting combination, and easily one of the most ambitious games coming out in the near future. 

Missile Command Delta takes place in the 80s during the Cold War. A group of young people ventures into an abandoned bunker in the woods. Exploring it, they come to discover that there are secrets buried deep within pertaining to America’s missile defense, and much, much more. The stakes get higher, and the deeper the mystery goes. 

Missile tactics commence

The group does feel like something out of WarGames. They are in high school and have their own troubles and problems. One of them is a rebel who has to contend with the sternness of their military family. Before long, things get serious. They scramble to figure out what's going on as alarms blare throughout the bunker.  

The demo has an exploration piece. Exploring the bunker, players can piece together puzzles, find items, and read documents about the mysterious bunker and its Missile Command program. Uncovering the key card and missile cards, an alarm goes off. It appears the bunker is alerting the visitors to an oncoming attack. Interfacing with the missile computer, the meat of Missile Command Delta reveals itself. 

Multiple Bogeys inbound

The original Missile Command was an arcade game. The goal was to launch nuclear missiles against incoming ballistic missiles. The truck was to aim ahead of the missile and time the shot so that the explosion of the missile destroys the incoming enemy missiles. The original arcade cabinet had a roller ball as the main control. Rolling the ball aimed the cursor at the desired target. It was a frantic gameplay experience where missiles filled the screen, all in an attempt to protect the cities. In Missile Command Delta, this is now turn-based. 

The gameplay for Missile Command Delta takes place through the interface of a computer on a hexagonal grid. The goal is to select missile cards, choose their launcher, arm them, and then launch them to intercept enemy missiles. Like the original, the missiles need to be detonated so that the incoming missiles are destroyed in the ensuing explosion. 

Red alert

Some missiles are two-stage and others are one-stage. A one-stage is a direct shot and explosion. Two-stage rockets require two turns to reach their target and explode. Friendly missiles are blue while enemy missiles are red. Some missiles take time to reach the target, while others will destroy the target in one turn.  Choosing the right missile and the right launcher is everything.  Most importantly, ore

Slowing it down to a turn-based combat system made Missile Command Delta much more hair-raising and tension-filled than expected. I could feel my hands turning cold as I pondered what missile to sue and how to intercept it. One wrong move and it was game over. It truly felt like I was a missile commander plotting and planning movesets. The Cold War tension was real as I plotted meticulously at every move. 

Prepare for Missile Command Delta

The demo wasn’t long, but it shows that Atari is clearly working their magic again with the reintroduction of arcade classics into the modern era. Like Asteroids, Breakout, and Berserk, Atari clearly has a solid foundation and vision to pursue. With Missile Command Delta, this is shaping up to be another special title for the new Atari. 

Missile Command: Delta comes soon to all platforms.