Star Raiders blasts off in early 2011

One of the more ambitious games of the Atari 2600 era was Atari's own Star Raiders, a space combat sim that combined a strategic galaxy map with first-person shooting action. Today, the publisher announced it is working on a remake of the classic for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC to be released early next year. The reboot was first hinted at by retailer listings in mid-July.

Besides having upgraded graphics, the new Star Raiders will have an all-new, episodic storyline, which may--or may not--involve the Battlestar Galactica-ish Zylons of the original. In terms of gameplay, it will retain many elements from the original, including galactic tactical maps and space warps, but will add new elements such as customizable spaceships and "radical battle transformations."

Star Raiders will also add online play to the mix, allowing players to play through its campaign in co-op mode. The game will also have more standard multiplayer modes, including competitive team multiplayer.

Star Raiders is in development at Carlsbad, California-based Incinerator Studios, the formerly internal THQ shop behind the Cars games and the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions of MX vs. ATV Untamed. For more info, read GameSpot's brand-new Q&A with senior producer Jonathan Moses and Incinerator Studios president Joel Goodman.