Is Planet Patrol on Steam?

No. Planet Patrol 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 Planet Patrol on?

Planet Patrol is available on Atari 2600.

When did Planet Patrol release?

Planet Patrol was first released on December 31, 1982.

Planet Patrol

Dec 31, 1982ShooterArcadeAtari 2600

Planet Patrol — frequently asked questions

Is Planet Patrol on Steam?: No. Planet Patrol 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 Planet Patrol on?: Planet Patrol is available on Atari 2600.
When did Planet Patrol release?: Planet Patrol was first released on December 31, 1982.

About Planet Patrol

In Planet Patrol it is your misssion to destroy fuel depots of the enemy. You are flying from right to left while dodging oncoming missiles and shooting down enemy ships. In order to replenish your fuel you firstly have to fly into a black ship which will cause a landing strip to appear. After having succesfully landed a truck will refill your ship with fuel. After nightfall enemy ship are not discernable from the background anymore. In order to see them the player has to fire his weapons which makes the enemy ships briefly visible again in the ensuing muzzle flash.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

Platforms: Atari 2600
Developer: Spectravision
Publisher: Spectravision
Game modes: Single player
Themes: Action, Science fiction

Details via IGDB.

Collector value & authenticity

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

Loose

Complete

$27

Sealed

$44

Release record

Territory	Label	Catalog #	Rarity
North America Spectravision	Standard	SA-202	Scarce

Also released in South America by CCE, Datasoft, Digitel, Jo.

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

Region: NA+EU
Released: 1982
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

An obscure Spectravision cartridge, cheap loose with little written about it.

Spectravision developed and published Planet Patrol, releasing it in North America in mid-1982 and in PAL regions in early 1983. Little is documented about the game beyond its publisher and release dates.

What the press said at the time

Electronic Fun with Computers & Games Vol. 1 No. 4	February 1983	4 joysticks
JoyStik January 1983	January 1983	★★★
The Video Game Update Vol. 1 No. 4	July 1982	Graphics ★ · Play-Action ★

“Thankfully, the game action lives up to its grandiose instructions. Even if the graphics weren't as good as they are, the varieties of attackers, obstacles and objectives create welcome diversity.”
— Electronic Fun with Computers & Games, February 1983

“Planet Patrol is an involving fly-and-shoot space game with good, but not spec- tacular graphics.”
— JoyStik, January 1983

“Similar in overall concept to both of these games are Phasar Patrol (Starpath, for the Supercharger) and Planet Patrol (Spectravision). The latter is a solid and enjoyable SF romp, while the former is enriched by the superior graphics available with the Supercharger.”
— Electronic Games, March 1983

“As you can tell by the ratings, both games are very simple.”
— The Video Game Update, July 1982

Electronic Fun rated games out of four joysticks. JoyStik’s capsule ratings run from one star to five.

Cartridge & preservation record

Program size 4 KB, measured from the preserved dump.

Catalogue number as recorded for the physical release.

Worth knowing

1983 Arkie Award. Electronic Games listed the VCS Planet Patrol among the honorable mentions in its 1983 Arkie Awards.

Before you buy

Low risk, with no documented reproductions. Loose carts are inexpensive, while boxed and sealed copies cost several times more. If you are paying for a complete copy, ask for photos of every box panel and the manual.