Is Indy 500 on Steam?

No. Indy 500 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 Indy 500 on?

Indy 500 is available on Atari 2600.

When did Indy 500 release?

Indy 500 was first released on December 31, 1977.

Indy 500

Dec 31, 1977RacingAtari 2600

Indy 500 — frequently asked questions

Is Indy 500 on Steam?: No. Indy 500 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 Indy 500 on?: Indy 500 is available on Atari 2600.
When did Indy 500 release?: Indy 500 was first released on December 31, 1977.

About Indy 500

Indy 500 is a 1977 racing video game developed by Atari, Inc. for its Video Computer System (later known as the Atari 2600). It is themed around the Indianapolis 500, and is based on Atari's earlier 8-player arcade game, Indy 800. Indy 500 was one of the nine launch titles offered when the Atari 2600 went on sale in September 1977. Sears Tele-Games later re-released it as Race; no changes were made to the gameplay. Included with each game was a set of two driving controllers, which were identical in appearance to the 2600 paddle controller but could rotate indefinitely in either direction, among other differences.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

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

Details via IGDB.

Reception

IGDB rating

50/100

from 11 ratings

Collector value & authenticity

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

Loose

Complete

$35

Sealed

$235

Label variants

Release	Loose	Complete	Sealed
Controller Bundle	$26	$62	—
Text # Side Label	$12	$36	—
Text Label	$7	$30	—
Race	$21	$50	$47

Release record

Territory	Label	Catalog #	Rarity
North America Atari	Picture	CX2611	Common+
North America Atari	Text	CX2611	Common+
North America Atari	Text # - "11 indy 500"	CX2611	Scarce
North America Sears	Picture	99821	Scarce+
North America Sears	Text - 49-75149	99821	Scarce
North America Sears	Text - 99821	99821	Scarce

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

Region: NA
Released: 1977
Controller: Driving Controller
Players: 1 - 2
Authenticity: Low

On Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration since Nov 11, 2022 — the cartridge is now a collectibleLow counterfeit risk

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

A 1977 launch title that came with its own controllers, and the most collectible version is the one with them in the box.

Indy 500 was one of the nine launch titles for the Atari VCS in September 1977. Ed Riddle programmed it, and it is based on Atari's earlier eight-player arcade game Indy 800, themed around the Indianapolis 500. Sears later sold it as Race.

Each copy came with a pair of driving controllers. They look like the 2600 paddles but rotate endlessly in either direction, among other differences, and the cartridge was priced above standard games at launch because of them. Reviewers rated it well.

How it was made

Programmed by Ed Riddle, with Carla Meninsky also credited, at Atari, Inc. Based on the Indy 800 arcade game and released as a VCS launch title in September 1977.

What the press said at the time

AllGame		4/5
The Complete Guide to Electronic Games		4/5

“Indy 500 is our driving game choice for the Atari system. We like the inclusion of 14 game variations, representing dif- ferent courses under varying road and weather conditions.”
— JoyStik, December 1982

“Like many 2600 cartridges, Indy 500 gives gamers quite a choice of variations. The tops in thrills is Ice Race, which substitutes a slick surface for the usual roadway.”
— Electronic Games, September 1983

Cartridge & preservation record

Program size 2 KB, measured from the preserved dump.

Catalogue number as recorded for the physical release.

Worth knowing

1981 dealer price. Atari's confidential retailer price list for January 1 to June 1, 1981 lists Indy 500 (CX2611) in its top tier: dealers paid $26.50 against a suggested retail price of $39.95. It was sold packed with Driving Controllers.

Before you buy

Check which version you are buying. The controller bundle, with the two driving controllers, is the complete package and costs more. The Atari text label, the text label with the side number and the Sears Race label are the same game. Without driving controllers it is hard to play as intended, because ordinary paddles do not rotate endlessly. Low counterfeit risk.