Is The Activision Decathlon on Steam?

No. The Activision Decathlon 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 The Activision Decathlon on?

The Activision Decathlon is available on ColecoVision, Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Atari 5200, MSX, Commodore 64.

When did The Activision Decathlon release?

The Activision Decathlon was first released on December 31, 1983.

The Activision Decathlon

Dec 31, 1983SportColecoVision Atari 2600Atari 8-bitCommodore C64/128/MAXAtari 5200

The Activision Decathlon — frequently asked questions

Is The Activision Decathlon on Steam?: No. The Activision Decathlon 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 The Activision Decathlon on?: The Activision Decathlon is available on ColecoVision, Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Atari 5200, MSX, Commodore 64.
When did The Activision Decathlon release?: The Activision Decathlon was first released on December 31, 1983.

About The Activision Decathlon

The Activision Decathlon offers a comprehensive Olympic-style gaming experience, simulating all ten events of a real-life decathlon. Players can compete solo or with up to three others, tackling events such as sprints, jumps, and throws, either in sequence or individually. The gameplay mechanics blend rapid joystick movements with precise button timing, challenging players to balance speed and accuracy. Events like running require vigorous joystick waggling, while hurdles and field events demand well-timed button presses for optimal performance. Points are awarded based on performance in each event, with the highest overall score earning the coveted gold medal, creating an engaging and competitive virtual athletic experience.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

Platforms: ColecoVision, Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Atari 5200, MSX, Commodore 64
Developer: Activision
Publisher: Pony Canyon
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer
Themes: Action, Non-fiction

Details via IGDB.

Every version compared

Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release

Platform	Year	Loose	Complete	Sealed	Period reviews	Built by
Atari 2600	1983	$8	$22	$41	2 reviews	Activision (designed by David Crane)

Also released on: ColecoVision · Atari 8-bit · Commodore C64/128/MAX · Atari 5200 · MSX · Commodore 64. We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.

Collector value & authenticity

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

Loose

Complete

$22

Sealed

$41

Release record

Territory	Label	Catalog #	Rarity
North America Activision	Standard	AZ-030	Scarce
Europe Activision	White	EAZ-030-04I	Rare

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

Region: NA+EU
Released: 1983
Controller: Atari Joystick
Players: 1 - 4
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

David Crane's ten-event track-and-field game for up to four players, and very cheap.

David Crane wrote The Activision Decathlon for the Atari 2600, and Activision published it in 1983. Up to four players compete in the ten events of a real decathlon, either in sequence or one at a time.

It started on the 2600 and was later ported to the Atari 8-bit computers, Atari 5200, Commodore 64, ColecoVision and MSX.

How it was made

Written by David Crane and published by Activision in August 1983, with a PAL release in 1984.

What the press said at the time

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2 No. 5	August 1983	Graphics ★★★★ · Play-Action ★★★★
Electronic Fun with Computers & Games Vol. 1 No. 12	October 1983	4 joysticks

“we are looking at a true classic”
— Electronic Games, December 1983

“Even considering the use of an 8K chip, instead of the more usual 4K chip, David Crane has crammed a lot of game into one cartridge. … This is the ultimate video sports game for the Atari 2600.”
— Computer Entertainer, August 1983

“This always happens. This is one of the reasons I am so fond of Activision's new Decathalon game.”
— Electronic Fun with Computers & Games, October 1983

“To say, beyond this, that Decathlon is one of the most entertaining videogames of the year pretty much caps it off: we are looking at a true classic.”
— Electronic Games, December 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.

Cartridge & preservation record

Program size 8 KB, measured from the preserved dump.

Catalogue number as recorded for the physical release.

How the Atari 2600 version differs

Computer and Video Games rated the VCS version 92%, one point behind the ColecoVision version's 93%.

Also on other platforms

Atari 8-bit · Atari 5200 · ColecoVision · Commodore 64 · MSX

Atari 2600

Activision (designed by David Crane)

Atari 8-bit. Reached number two on the UK Atari 8-bit chart in 1985.

Worth knowing

1985 Arkie Award. Electronic Games named the 2600 Decathlon Best Sports Videogame in its 1985 Arkie Awards.

Before you buy

Low risk; Activision carts of this period were made in quantity and are not reproduction targets. Loose carts are inexpensive, and boxed and sealed copies cost a few times more. Make sure the listing is the 2600 cartridge and not one of the other versions.