Is Dragster on Steam?

No. Dragster 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 Dragster on?

Dragster is available on Atari 2600.

When did Dragster release?

Dragster was first released on February 1, 1980.

Dragster

Feb 1, 1980RacingAtari 2600

Dragster — frequently asked questions

Is Dragster on Steam?: No. Dragster 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 Dragster on?: Dragster is available on Atari 2600.
When did Dragster release?: Dragster was first released on February 1, 1980.

About Dragster

You have in your hand one of the most exciting video games ever designed. One word of caution: this game takes a little time to learn because it's so challenging. It's very tricky. So, please read these directions and give yourself some practice time. Then you can aim for the World Record. Game 1: Straight-ahead Dragster, one or two players. Game 2: Steerable Dragster, one or two players. Your Joystick Controller is both the clutch and gear shift for your Dragster; the red button is your gas pedal. Use left Joystick for the top car; right one for bottom car. Hold Joystick with button at the upper left. To shift gears, clutch by pushing Joystick to the left and shift by letting the Joystick spring back to the center. Your car starts each race in neutral (N). There are four gear positions--1, 2, 3, 4--and you must clutch and shift between each gear. You cannot downshift. When the countdown reaches 0, you can start. If you drop into gear too soon, before the end of the countdown, EARLY will appear on the screen and you have to wait for the next race. You can clutch during the countdown, but you cannot drop into 1st until the countdown reaches 0. The object of Dragster is to beat your opponent across the screen, or to race against the clock for best time.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

Platforms: Atari 2600
Developer: Activision
Publisher: Activision
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Themes: Action

Details via IGDB.

Reception

IGDB rating

59/100

from 8 ratings

Collector value & authenticity

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

Loose

Complete

$35

Sealed

$52

Release record

Territory	Label	Catalog #	Rarity
North America Activision	Standard	AG-001	Common+
Europe Activision	Black	AG-001	Scarce+
Europe Activision	White	EAG-001-04I	—

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

Region: NA+EU
Released: 1980
Controller: Atari Joystick
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

One of Activision's first games, a David Crane drag-racing cart that is cheap loose and collected boxed.

Dragster is a 1980 racing game designed by David Crane and one of the first games Activision released. You race an opponent across the screen or race the clock for the best time, depending on the settings. Crane described it as an homage to Kee Games' 1977 arcade game Drag Race.

There is not much to it as a game, but as one of Activision's first releases it has a place in any Activision collection.

How it was made

Cartridge & preservation record

Program size 2 KB, measured from the preserved dump.

Catalogue number as recorded for the physical release.

Before you buy

Low risk; early Activision carts were made in quantity and are not reproduction targets. Loose carts are inexpensive. Boxed copies cost many times the loose price, so the box and manual carry most of a complete copy's value. Inspect box corners and flaps before paying for one.