3D Tic-Tac-Toe for the Atari 2600 is an adaptation of the classic tic-tac-toe game with an added dimension, making it a more challenging and engaging experience for players. The game was developed and published by Atari, Inc. in 1980. Instead of the traditional 3×3 grid, 3D Tic-Tac-Toe uses a 4x4x4 cube, providing a total of 64 cells for play.
In this game, players take turns placing their markers (X or O) in the empty cells within the 3D grid. The objective is to be the first player to achieve a row of four markers in any direction – horizontally, vertically, or diagonally on a single board, vertically in a column, or diagonally through four boards.
While 3D Tic-Tac-Toe can be played with pencil and paper or using commercial sets, the Atari 2600 version offers a convenient and engaging digital version of the game. The game has been analyzed mathematically, and a winning strategy for the first player has been developed. However, this strategy is considered too complex for most human players to memorize and apply during gameplay.