Is Plaque Attack on Steam?

No. Plaque Attack 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 Plaque Attack on?

Plaque Attack is available on Atari 2600.

When did Plaque Attack release?

Plaque Attack was first released on February 22, 1983.

Plaque Attack

Feb 22, 1983ShooterArcadeAtari 2600

Plaque Attack — frequently asked questions

Is Plaque Attack on Steam?: No. Plaque Attack 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 Plaque Attack on?: Plaque Attack is available on Atari 2600.
When did Plaque Attack release?: Plaque Attack was first released on February 22, 1983.

About Plaque Attack

Plaque Attack is a 1983 video game for the Atari 2600 that was made by Activision. Loosely based on Space Invaders, the player must prevent food from destroying teeth in a person's mouth. Steve Cartwright, who designed the game, said that game was meant to help people develop good dental habits.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

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

Details via IGDB.

Reception

IGDB rating

57/100

from 9 ratings

Collector value & authenticity

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

Loose

$14

Complete

$67

Sealed

$139

Release record

Territory	Label	Catalog #	Rarity
North America Activision	Standard	AX-027	Scarce+

Also released in South America by Game Action, Supergame.

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

Region: NA+EU
Released: 1983
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

Activision's dental-hygiene shooter, a cheerful oddity that is still cheap loose.

Steve Cartwright designed Plaque Attack for Activision in 1983. You shoot food to protect the teeth inside a person's mouth. Cartwright said the game was meant to help people develop good dental habits. It was made only for the 2600.

How it was made

What the press said at the time

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2 No. 2	May 1983	Graphics ★★★★ · Play-Action ★★★½
Electronic Fun with Computers & Games Vol. 1 No. 8	June 1983	2½ joysticks
Video Games Player Vol. 2 No. 2	November 1983	B+

“There's one problem with Plaque Attack — it isn't much fun to play.”
— Electronic Games, August 1983

“PLAQUE ATTACK has terrific graphics: every food item is immediately recognizeable. … Parents and dentists will unquestionably applaud the message this game delivers, but the kids (and adults) who appreciate good game play will just as surely love the great action it delivers.”
— Computer Entertainer, May 1983

“I bet your most hideous fantasies aren't as paranoid as those depicted in Plaque Attack, another piece of twisted surrealism from the designer of Megamania, Steve Cartwright. … What saves the game is its incredibly lifelike graphics.”
— Electronic Fun with Computers & Games, June 1983

“Plaque Attack is very much like a pop song with an irresistible "hook" that knocks out the listener the first five times around, but sounds tired by the sixth. Still, you'll never see a better bag of french fries on the 2600!”
— Electronic Games, August 1983

Computer Entertainer rated graphics first and play action second, from four symbols (excellent) to one (poor) — stars in most years, diamonds in 1986–87 — comparing each game only with other games for the same system. Electronic Fun rated games out of four joysticks. Video Games Player graded games like a report card, A+ down to C-.

Cartridge & preservation record

Program size 4 KB, measured from the preserved dump.

Catalogue number as recorded for the physical release.

Worth knowing

His wife's verdict. Video Games Player reported in November 1983 that designer Steve Cartwright "says his wife hated the early forms of Plaque Attack, so he improved it."

Before you buy

Low risk; Activision carts of this period were made in quantity. Loose copies are inexpensive, while boxed and sealed copies cost several times more, so check box condition before paying for a complete one.