Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Combat II Advanced takes the classic tank-on-tank action of the original Combat Two and expands it into a multi-vehicle skirmish with surprising depth. At its core, you’ll still be maneuvering tanks across grid-based arenas, lining up shots and outthinking your opponents. The Atari 5200 port enhances responsiveness, making each turret rotation and shell launch feel instantly gratifying. Fans of the original will find the underlying simplicity intact, yet enriched by new tactical layers.

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Where Combat II Advanced really shines is in its vehicle variety. Beyond the stalwart tank, you can now pilot helicopters, jet planes, and submarines—each bringing unique movement profiles and engagement ranges. Helicopters hover above obstacles for strafing runs, jets zip across the map with precision bomb drops, and submarines patrol below the surface, emerging only to launch torpedoes. This variety forces players to adapt their playstyles on the fly and keeps every match fresh.

Each vehicle boasts a primary and secondary weapon mode, adding another strategic wrinkle. Tanks fire standard shells straight ahead, but their secondary shot is a powerful explosive round that arcs over cover. Helicopters switch between machine-gun fire and missile salvos. Jets trade their downward bombs for high-speed rockets, while submarines toggle between stealth torpedoes and depth charges. Mastering these modes is key to dominating the battlefield.

Multiplayer support for up to four friends turns every session into a frantic free-for-all. Whether you’re staging a four-way dogfight in the skies or teaming up in pairs for submarine ambushes, the simultaneous play cranks the challenge and fun to eleven. The 5200’s keypad controller allows quick weapon swaps and vehicle toggles, keeping the action blistering and intuitive.

Graphics

Visually, Combat II Advanced is a noticeable step up from its Atari 2600 roots. Sprite work takes full advantage of the 5200’s broader color palette, bringing each vehicle into sharper relief against varied terrain backdrops. Tanks sport distinct treads and turret details, while helicopters feature articulated rotor blades that spin convincingly during flight.

Environmental design feels more dynamic, too. Deserts, forests, and water-heavy maps each have their own tile sets and adornments, helping players quickly read the battlefield. Water effects beneath submarines ripple gently, and explosions burst with satisfying pixelated flashes. In two-player splitscreen and full four-player views, frame rates remain smooth, even when multiple vehicles unleash secondary weapons simultaneously.

Special effects heighten the spectacle: jet engine exhaust trails behind your plane in vibrant orange, while depth charges send shockwaves through underwater scenery. HUD elements remain clean and unobtrusive, displaying ammo counts for both primary and secondary weapons without cluttering the main action zone.

Story

Combat II Advanced doesn’t lean on elaborate cutscenes or lengthy lore; instead, it delivers a simple but compelling premise. You command an elite strike force tasked with neutralizing a rogue army that’s seized control of strategic coastal and mountainous regions. Each battle map represents a different contested zone, from fortified desert outposts to naval chokepoints.

Between skirmishes, text briefs set the stage: sabotage enemy supply lines, hold defensive perimeters until reinforcements arrive, or launch full-scale assaults under cover of aerial bombardment. These narrative snippets may be brief, but they provide enough context to give each match higher stakes. You’ll find yourself invested in liberating each map, even if the story unfolds in just a few sentences.

For many players, the minimalist approach works in Combat II Advanced’s favor. The focus remains squarely on fast-paced action, and the story serves as a lightweight framework rather than an intrusive distraction. If you’re looking for a deep single-player campaign with branching dialogue, you won’t find it here—but you will find clear objectives that drive you back into the next skirmish.

Overall Experience

Combat II Advanced is a triumphant port that balances nostalgia with fresh ideas. Longtime fans of Atari’s original will appreciate the faithful handling of classic tank battles, while newcomers will be drawn in by expanded vehicle rosters and multiplayer chaos. Matches never feel repetitive thanks to the interplay of primary and secondary weapons, and the ability to switch between tanks, helicopters, jets, and subs adds strategic depth rarely seen on 8-bit platforms.

The only potential drawback is the lack of a richly woven narrative or progression system—once you’ve unlocked all vehicles and mastered their weapons, there isn’t much else to chase beyond high scores and bragging rights. However, when the core gameplay loop is this addictive, high-score chases and competitive couch sessions feel more than adequate to sustain replayability.

Overall, Combat II Advanced is an essential purchase for Atari 5200 owners seeking a robust multiplayer title and for retro enthusiasts craving a modernized version of a classic. Its blend of accessible controls, varied combat options, and vibrant visuals makes it one of the standout releases on the platform—and a worthy addition to any gaming collection.

Retro Replay Score

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