Is Brain Games on Steam?

No. Brain Games is not distributed on Steam, so there is no Steam Charts or SteamDB player count for it. Its live popularity is tracked here via Twitch viewership instead.

What platforms is Brain Games on?

Brain Games is available on Atari 2600.

When did Brain Games release?

Brain Games was first released on December 31, 1978.

Brain Games

Dec 31, 1978MusicPuzzleAtari 2600

Brain Games — frequently asked questions

Is Brain Games on Steam?: No. Brain Games is not distributed on Steam, so there is no Steam Charts or SteamDB player count for it. Its live popularity is tracked here via Twitch viewership instead.
What platforms is Brain Games on?: Brain Games is available on Atari 2600.
When did Brain Games release?: Brain Games was first released on December 31, 1978.

About Brain Games

In Brain Games one or two players attempt to earn as many points as possible by solving various puzzles presented by the computer.

Summary via IGDB.

Brain Games on Wikipedia

Brain Games is a 1978 puzzle video game programmed by Larry Kaplan and published by Atari for the Atari 2600. It is a compilation of six memory games in which the player is tasked with outwitting an opponent, controlled either by another player or artificial intelligence, in sound and picture puzzles. The game is played using a 12 button keypad, as opposed to the Atari 2600’s traditional CX40 joystick controller.

Source: Wikipedia (text under CC BY-SA 4.0).

Game details

Platforms: Atari 2600
Developer: Atari
Publisher: Atari
Themes: Educational

Details via IGDB.

Collector value & authenticity

Atari 2600 · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-06

Loose

Complete

$26

Sealed

$35

Label variants

Release	Loose	Complete	Sealed
Tele-Games	$7	$40	—
Text Label	$5	—	—

Release record

Territory	Label	Catalog #	Rarity
North America Atari	Picture	CX2664	Scarce
North America Atari	Text	CX2664	Scarce
North America Sears	Text	99818	Scarce

Source: Catalog numbers, label types, rarity, controllers and player counts: AtariAge 2600 software database

Region: NA
Released: 1978
Controller: Atari Keypad
Players: 1 - 2
Authenticity: Low

Not in Atari 50 — other compilations and plug-and-plays are not tracked hereLow counterfeit risk

Atari 2600 prices, all games & how to spot a fake

Larry Kaplan's keypad memory games, a curiosity that is only useful with the right controllers.

Brain Games is a 1978 compilation of six memory games, programmed by Larry Kaplan and published by Atari. You try to outwit an opponent, human or computer, in sound and picture puzzles. It uses the 12-button keypad controllers rather than the standard joystick.

Its odd footnote is that a 1984 book, Clinical Management of Memory Problems, suggested it as a tool for memory retraining exercises.

How it was made

Programmed by Larry Kaplan and released by Atari in October 1978. Sears also sold it.

Cartridge & preservation record

Program size 2 KB, measured from the preserved dump.

Catalogue number as recorded for the physical release.

Worth knowing

Prescribed reading. The 1984 book Clinical Management of Memory Problems suggested Brain Games as a device for memory retraining exercises.
1981 dealer price. Atari's confidential retailer price list for January 1 to June 1, 1981 lists Brain Games (CX2664) in its basic tier: dealers paid $14.00 against a suggested retail price of $22.95.

Before you buy

Low risk. You need the 12-button keypad controllers to play it, so factor those in. Three listings are priced: the standard cart, a Tele-Games cart from Sears and a Text Label cart. Loose, all are cheap. Boxed copies cost several times the loose price, and boxed Tele-Games copies cost the most, so check which box and label a listing shows before comparing prices.