Atari 2600 logo
Atari 2600 Logo

Dragster on the Atari 2600 by Activision

Dragster, released in 1980 for the Atari Video Computer System, is the first video game developed by Activision.

General Information

Developer - Activision

Publisher - Activision

Release - 1980

Platform(s) - Atari 2600

Number of Players - Single-player

Genre - Drag racing

Dragster is the first video game developed by Activision. It was programmed by David Crane, who later wrote Pitfall!. The object of the game is to either beat the player's opponent across the screen or to race against the clock for best time, depending on the settings used. Dragster is an unauthorized adaptation of the 1977 Kee Games coin-op Drag Race.

Dragster reviewed by Video magazine in its "Arcade Alley" column where it was described as having "an interesting premise" and as being "undeniably clever and, with a lot of patience, ... probably fun" but the reviewers also called it the "least" of Activision's early Atari 2600 releases. Specific criticism was given to the "clumsy" and "annoying" gameplay mechanics, and the game design was characterized as "ill-suited to the Atari control system"

VIEW ATARI GAMES BY

Recent Atari Game Additions

VIEW ATARI GAMES BY