#atari cartridges

It’s really amazing what the classic video game deep dive has done for my anxiety, but what’s most surprising is how calming the Atari 2600 games have been. It’s a silly thing to say, given how many (looking at you, Galaxian) just get harder and harder as the game progresses, but there’s something hypnotic about the games I’ve been playing that’s just... soothing.

I’ve also become obssessed with the cartridge art — the game’s main selling feature — and the role they played in connecting your brain to the story and the rudimentary, blocky things on screen. Not knocking the graphics. They’re all awe-inspiring.

Anyway, this article talks to some of the original graphic artists and what motivated their work. It’s worth a read.