Street Racer (1978, Atari 2600) is one of the console’s earliest cartridges — a no-frills, old-school racing game that came out during the system’s launch era. Instead of flashy graphics or realistic handling, you get simple blocky cars, fast reflex gameplay, and multiple variations that make it a time capsule of late-’70s home gaming.

Developed and published by Atari, Street Racer features different game modes packed onto one cart: dodging cars in traffic, drag races, boat races, and even a slalom-style skiing variant. It’s proof that Atari’s earliest titles leaned on creativity and replay value rather than flashy presentation.

Why this piece of Atari history is worth collecting:

1. Launch-Era Title: One of the first wave of Atari 2600 games released in the late ’70s.
2. Multiple Variants: Includes cars, boats, and even skiing mini-games.
3. Simple, Addictive Fun: Classic “beat your high score” gameplay from the pre-crash era.
4. Collector’s Appeal: Early Atari release — a must-have for anyone building a complete 2600 library.

Street Racer for the Atari 2600 may look primitive now, but it’s pure gaming history — the kind of simple, blocky fun that paved the way for decades of racing titles to come.

Looking to buy retro games that take you back to the dawn of home consoles? Pick up Street Racer (Atari 2600, 1978) today and buy retro games on Retro Games eXchange.