🛹 720° – The Ultimate Aerial Experience from Atari Games!
In the mid-1980s, skateboarding wasn’t just a sport — it was a cultural movement. And in 1986, Atari Games captured that energy and attitude perfectly with 720°, one of the most ambitious and stylish arcade games of its time. Marketed as “The Ultimate Aerial Experience!”, this game blended cutting-edge technology, killer visuals, and pure arcade adrenaline to create a legend in both gaming and skateboarding circles.
The name 720° comes from one of skateboarding’s most difficult tricks — two full spins in midair — and the game lived up to that name by offering an intense, high-skill challenge that demanded precision and creativity. Players roamed an isometric city on their skateboard, earning tickets and entering skateparks to perform tricks and compete for points. The tagline promised, “All the thrills and skills of real skateboarding with both freestyle and competitive action.”
This advertisement showcases the arcade cabinet’s futuristic design and bold use of color. Atari highlighted several key features that made 720° a technological marvel for its time:
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Superior graphics and fluid animation that brought the skate scene to life.
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A revolutionary joystick that gave players true analog control over movement.
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Add-a-coin feature for continuous play — because no one wanted to stop skating mid-session!
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A booming soundtrack and custom sound effects that captured the pulse of ‘80s skate culture.
Players could skate through parks, ramps, and half-pipes — all while avoiding hazards and racing against the clock. The freedom of movement and unique control scheme set 720° apart from other sports titles of the era, making it one of the earliest games to truly embody “extreme sports” gameplay.
Did you know?
720° was one of the first arcade games to feature a true open-world hub, allowing players to choose where to skate next — a concept that would later influence games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. The game’s unique joystick (often called the “spinner stick”) remains one of the most memorable control setups in arcade history.
Today, 720° stands as a testament to Atari’s creativity and the rise of skate culture in video games. Its neon style, iconic soundtrack, and challenging gameplay continue to capture the hearts of retro gaming fans and collectors everywhere.
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