Missile Command

Missile Command was the Cold War condensed into a video game: ballistic missiles rained on your six cities and you had to intercept them with anti-aircraft explosions before they hit the ground. You couldn't win — only delay the inevitable. Designer Dave Theurer had recurring nightmares during development. The 2600 version reduced bases to one but preserved the growing anguish of watching cities disappear one by one. 'The End' on the final screen wasn't a game over: it was an omen.