Quick Step

About

Quick Step pits two players against each other on a grid of trampolines that scroll downward. As a kangaroo or squirrel, you jump to paint tiles your color while dodging the opponent’s. Each trampoline vanishes when it reaches the screen’s bottom, so timing jumps to avoid disappearing is key. Land on a tile with flashing power-up and you can temporarily knock the other player off, adding a layer of sabotage. The game balances frantic action with strategy as you chase points while managing your limited lives. The AI opponent shares the same life count as human players, which adds a twist, ending their lives earns bonus points, but letting them survive too long can backfire. While reflexes often decide matches, the dynamic of competing on equal terms with another player (or computer) makes it tense. Released in 1983, its two-player conflict and color-based rivalry stood out on the Atari 2600, though modern players might find the AI’s fragility uneven.