In Atari 2600 Crash Dive, you are tasked with scoring as many points as possible by destroying various enemy targets, including ships, helicopters, planes, giant sharks, stingrays, squids, angler fish, and lobsters. You must accomplish this before running out of fuel or crashing your flying submarine. Additionally, you can earn points by collecting treasures located at the bottom of the sea.
You start the game with three flying submarines in reserve. If you manage to fill the prize indicator at the bottom of the screen with six treasures, you will be awarded an extra life.
Keep an eye on the fuel gauge at the bottom of the screen, as it indicates your remaining fuel. To refuel, you must dock with the Sea View, the mother ship at the top of the sea. The amount of fuel you gain depends on the time spent docked with the Sea View.
Scoring in Crash Dive is as follows:
- Plane: 300 points
- Helicopter: 100 points
- Bird: 0 points
- Boat: 50 points
- Stingray: 20 points
- Shark: 100 points
- Angler Fish: 200 points
- Squid: 100 points
- Lobster: 25 points
- Sea Monster: 1 point (for stunning)
Treasures have varying point values, ranging from 200 points for a sword to 5,000 points for a key.
The game includes a prize indicator in the lower right-hand corner of the screen, which shows the prizes found under the minefield and the sea monster. Note that mines are indestructible, so you must dodge them to acquire the main prize.
Your speed and freedom of movement depend on your vertical position:
- Air: Fastest way to travel
- Water: Half the speed of air travel
- Sea Floor: No horizontal movement
Crash Dive offers an engaging gaming experience that challenges your reflexes, strategic thinking, and precision as you navigate the depths of the ocean to destroy enemies and collect valuable treasures.