Basic Math (video game)

Basic Math
Box art by Susan Jaekel
DeveloperAtari, Inc.
PublishersAtari, Inc.
DesignerGary Palmer
PlatformAtari 2600
ReleaseSeptember 1977
GenreEducational
ModeSingle-player

Basic Math is an educational video game programmed by Gary Palmer and published by Atari, Inc. for the Atari Video Computer System. The game features a series of ten arithmetic problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. The player can edit different gameplay modes to alter how the numbers in the problem are chosen, or if their questions are timed. The game was released in September 1977 as one of the earliest releases for the Atari VCS.

The game is the only known game developed for the VCS by Palmer, who initially worked at Atari creating debugging stations for game developers, and later assisted with work on the Atari 400/800 line of computers. It was the first educational video game for the VCS, with other companies also releasing arithmetic-themed cartridges in the same year for the Fairchild Channel F and RCA Studio II. Both contemporary and retrospective reviews were generally unenthused by the game, with common criticism being that it had poor quality graphics and was not appealing in terms of gameplay or control.