Welcome to the world of archeology! Prepare to be bored, frustrated and confused for hours on end. Then, maybe once in a while, there will be a minute or two of inspiration, excitement and discovery. Even a world famous archeologist like Indiana Jones doesn't escape such drudgery, at least if this game is any indication.
I must confess I'm not much into intricate puzzle games like this one. But I must also confess that as far as intricate puzzle games go, this one is pretty good. Even with the Atari 2600's limited resources and very basic graphics, the game succeeds in immersing you in Indy's quest to find the Ark of the Covenant. If you're the kind who loves starting a game with no idea how to proceed, and aren't afraid to hit the reset button dozens of times as you try to find the right combination of items to carry or steps to take in unearthing the next clue, then Raiders of the Lost Ark is for you. Personally I wish the game had also mixed in some of the elements that made Indy an action star as well as an archeologist, but then we can't have everything.
Grade: B.