Classic Game Room reviews VANGUARD for Atari 5200. Previously CGR reviewed the 2600 version and you'll note some major visual differences between two versions of this awesome game. Vanguard is one of the earliest space ship shooters, or SHMUPS, which was released in the arcades in 1981. This Atari 5200 release is from 1983 and would be an amazing game if the 5200 controllers did not suck the lift out of the gameplay. Maneuver your space ship through tight spaces, tunnels and fire at enemies in four directions... just don't try to do any of it with precision thanks to the awful, mushy 5200 controller. Even a refurb controller can't save the controls in this game. Vanguard was originally published by SNK who is better known for the Neo-Geo and Metal Slug than Vanguard! For a fun, affordable game that kicks ass, check out Vanguard on the Atari 2600, or brave the controls and take on the Atari 5200 version. This CGR review of Vanguard has gameplay from the Atari 5200 version of Vanguard showing old school side and vertical scrolling shooter game play.