Cyberball

September 1, 1988(38 years ago)·Full Release

Atari Games

Publisher: Jaleco, Sega Enterprises, Ltd., Tec Toy, Atari Games, Domark Software

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4.0

5 user ratings

★

4.0

5 critic ratings

★★★★★★★★★★

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VOTES

Genres: Sport, Strategy

Platforms: DOS, C64, Amiga, NES, ACPC, ZXS, Genesis/MegaDrive, Arcade, Atari-ST

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Screenshots

ActionScience fictionSingle playerMultiplayerBird view / IsometricClassInd L

Summary

Cyberball is an Atari Games arcade title featuring 7-player American football action, where robotic avatars vary in speed, size, and ability. Instead of the traditional downs system, the game uses a dynamic ball that shifts through stages — from "cool" to "warm," "hot," and finally "critical" — as it's handled during play. Players can reset the ball to "cool" by crossing the 50-yard line or by changing possession, whether through a touchdown, interception, or fumble. If a robot is tackled while holding a critical ball, both the robot and the ball are destroyed. Each robot has limited durability, and as offensive players take hits, they degrade, eventually emitting smoke and then flames after repeated damage. A flaming robot will explode on impact, causing a fumble. Throughout the game, players can enhance their robots with faster, tougher models using bonus cash earned during gameplay.