# Space Jockey: an exact-ROM Atari 2600 disassembly

> A labeled and commented 6502 assembly listing reconstructs Space Jockey, US Games' first Atari 2600 game from 1982, and sets the TIA read base so it compiles to the exact 2K ROM image. An assembler switch selects NTSC or a PAL listing taken from the Carrere Video release, whose changes to vertical blank timing and colors are documented. Header notes discuss the origin of its horizontal positioning routine, and comments label obstacle attributes such as shot and firing flags.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-09
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-10
- Original resource: <https://www.qotile.net/minidig/disassembly/space_jockey.asm>
- Primary source: <https://web.archive.org/web/20260501090911/https://www.qotile.net/minidig/disassembly/space_jockey.asm>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/space-jockey-atari-2600-disassembly-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/space-jockey-atari-2600-disassembly-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/space-jockey-atari-2600-disassembly-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** A 6502 assembler and vcs.h version 105 or later.
- **Testing evidence:** Compiles to the exact ROM image; the PAL listing follows the Carrere Video release, where speeds and sound frequencies were not adjusted for PAL timing.
- **License:** No licence stated on the project page.

## Primary sources

1. <https://web.archive.org/web/20260501090911/https://www.qotile.net/minidig/disassembly/space_jockey.asm>
2. <https://web.archive.org/web/20260714091141/https://www.qotile.net/minidig/>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.