Note: This list only accounts for cartridge releases. For release information about the wide array of type-in and cassette-based software, check out the Tape Programs listing and database FAQ assembled by Mike White on https://ballyalley.com/faqs/faqs.html
1978
JANUARY:
Professional Arcade begins trickling out to buyers who preordered through JS&A catalogs the previous fall at the very end of December and into January following delays related to FCC approval and quality control problems. Reportedly launched with five games, though there appears to have been shipping delays with those as well (Source: Weekly Television Digest, December 19 1977; December 1977 JS&A letter; March 15 1978 Ernest Sams letter to JS&A; Merchandising, June 1977)
280 Zzzap – Source: March 15 1978 Ernest Sams letter to JS&A; Merchandising, June 1977; Baltimore Sun, November 5 1978
Panzer Attack – Source: March 15 1978 Ernest Sams letter to JS&A; Merchandising, June 1977; Baltimore Sun, November 5 1978
Sea Wolf – Source: March 15 1978 Ernest Sams letter to JS&A; Merchandising, June 1977; Baltimore Sun, November 5 1978
MAY:
Tornado Baseball/Tennis/Handball/Hockey – Source: March 15 1978 Ernest Sams letter to JS&A; Merchandising, June 1977; Arcadians, May 29 1978
Elementary Math – Source: March 15 1978 Ernest Sams letter to JS&A; Merchandising, June 1977; Arcadians, May 29 1978
OCTOBER:
Bally BASIC – Source: Arcadians, October 10 1978
NOVEMBER:
Blackjack/Poker – Source: Baltimore Sun, November 5 1978
Clowns/Brickyard – Source: Baltimore Sun, November 5 1978
DECEMBER:
Letter Match – Green Bay Press, December 11 1978; Letter to Bob Fabris from Brett Bilbrey, December 11 1978; Daily Oklahoman, March 27 1979; Desert Sun, March 17 1979
1979
JANUARY:
Amazing Maze – Source: Arcadian, January 13 1979
Football – Source: Arcadian, January 13 1979; Arcadian, November 6 1978
FEBRUARY:
Star Battle – Source: Arcadian, March 23 1979; Letter to Bob Fabris from Brett Bilbrey, December 11 1978
OCTOBER:
Bally Pin (would be rereleased as Astrocade Pinball) – Source: Arcadian, October 31 1979; Arcadian, January 15 1980
Space Invaders (would be rereleased as Astro Battle) – Source: Daily Herald Suburban Chicago, December 10 1979; Arcadian, October 31 1979; Arcadian, January 15 1980
1980
Bally seeks to sell off home consumer business to Fidelity Electronics, but the deal falls through. Astrovision(later Astrocade) agrees to the sale in August. (Source: Weekly Television Digest, January 14 1980; Arcadian, March 24 1980; Arcadian, September 17 1980)
OCTOBER:
Dog Patch – Source: Arcadian, November 6 1980
1981
AUGUST:
Galactic Invasion (initial release has the title screen of Galaxian but cart label is the same) – Source: Arcadian, August 12 1981; Yonkers Herald-Statesman, September 6 1981; Ithaca Journal, September 22 1981; Detroit Free Press, October 9 1981; Cincinnati Enquirer, November 14 1981 ; Arcadian, January 22 1982
SEPTEMBER:
Astrovision BASIC – Source: Arcadian, August 12 1981; Arcadian, October 5 1981
Biorhythm – Source: Arcadian, October 5 1981; Cincinnati Enquirer, November 14 1981
Grand Prix/Demolition Derby – Source: Yonkers Herald-Statesman, September 6 1981; Arcadian, October 5 1981; Detroit Free Press, October 9 1981
OCTOBER:
Space Fortress – Source: Arcadian, October 5 1981; Vancouver Sun, November 26 1981; Cincinnati Enquirer, November 14 1981
NOVEMBER:
Blue RAM Extended BASIC – Source: Arcadian, November 10 1981
DECEMBER:
Machine Language Manager – Source: Arcadian, December 7 1981
1982
MAY:
Blue RAM 8k Extended BASIC cartridge – Source: Arcadian, May 7 1982
JUNE:
ICBM Attack – Source: Arcadian, July 6 1982; Author interview with Brett Bilbrey, December 2019
AUGUST:
Incredible Wizard – Source: Computer Entertainer, August 1982; Park City Daily News, September 26 1982
SEPTEMBER:
Pirate’s Chase – Source: Computer Entertainer, September 1982; Park City Daily News, September 26 1982
OCTOBER:
Artillery Duel – Source: Computer Entertainer, September 1982; Computer Entertainer, October 1982; Park City Daily News, September 26 1982
1983
MARCH:
Muncher (March 6) – Source: Arcadian, March 14 1983
APRIL:
Treasure Cove – Source: Arcadian, April 4 1983; Computer Entertainer, May 1983
JULY:
Blast Droids – Source: Arcadian, July 22 1983
AUGUST:
Cosmic Raiders – Source: Arcadian, August 16, 1983; Computer Entertainer, October 1983; Arcadian, October 24 1983
Solar Conqueror – Source: Arcadian, August 16 1983; Computer Entertainer, September 1983; Arcadian, October 24 1983
SEPTEMBER:
Ms. Candy Man – Source: Arcadian, September 28 1983
Sneaky Snake (September 24, at the Astro-Bash event) – Source: Arcadian, November 29 1983; AstroBUGS Newsletter, November 1983
DECEMBER:
Sea Devil – Source: Arcadian, December 22 1983
1984
MARCH:
Maze Man – Source: Arcadian, March 30 1984
1985
MAY:
Life – Source: Arcadian, June 1 1985
DECEMBER:
Bowling – Source: Arcadian, December 20 1985
Checkers – Source: Arcadian, December 20 1985
Conan the Barbarian – Source: Arcadian, June 1 1985; Arcadian, December 20 1985
Missile Attack – Source: Arcadian, December 20 1985
Music Maker – Source: Arcadian, June 1 1985; Arcadian, December 20 1985
Soccer – Source: Arcadian, June 1 1985; Arcadian, December 20 1985
Songs by George Moses – Source: Arcadian, December 20 1985
Video Story Book – Source: Arcadian, December 20 1985
1986
AUGUST:
BASICarts (essentially any BASIC program offered on an auto-booting cartridge; 110 were sold to about 25 people with Old Bent Nose and Yahtzee as the most popular) – Source: Arcadian, August 15 1986; Author interview with Mike White, November 2019