Plaque Attack

Smile! Activision's Plaque Attack Brings the Battle for Dental Health to Atari 2600!

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — Activision officially announces the release of Plaque Attack for the Atari 2600 video game system. Designed by acclaimed game creator Steve Cartwright, the title transforms everyday dental hygiene into a fast-paced, action-packed arcade shooter.

In Plaque Attack, players take control of a tube of toothpaste stationed inside a human mouth. The objective is to guard top and bottom rows of teeth from relentless waves of junk food—including hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, donuts, soft drinks, and candy—by blasting them with toothpaste before they cause decay.

TECHNICAL SPECS AND RELEASE DATA

Title: Plaque Attack

Platform: Atari 2600 (VCS)

Developer and Publisher: Activision

Lead Programmer: Steve Cartwright

Atari Release Year: 1983

Genre: Fixed Shooter / Action

Game Modes: 1 Player

Format: ROM Cartridge (4 KB)

KEY FEATURES

Dual-Row Dental Defense: Protect both the upper and lower arch of teeth from foods invading in fast, sweeping geometric patterns.

Varied Food Invaders: Battle through distinct food types per stage, ranging from salty fast foods to sugary treats, each with unique speeds and flight paths.

Tooth Replacement Bonus: Reaching score milestones (every 2,000 points) awards bonus replacement teeth to restore lost gums.

Escalating Difficulty: Incoming food waves accelerate rapidly, demanding sharp reflexes and relentless firing precision.

TRIVIA AND TECHNICAL FACTS

The "Tooth Protectors" Patch: Players who scored 35,000 points or higher could mail a photo of their TV screen to Activision headquarters to receive an exclusive woven "Tooth Protectors" embroidered patch.

Steve Cartwright's Signature Style: Famous for turning quirky concepts into compelling arcade shooters (like Megamania), Cartwright drew inspiration from everyday dental hygiene to craft an intense defense game.

Vibrant Atari Sprites: The game makes clever use of the Atari 2600's TIA chip, rendering recognizable food items like strawberries and burgers while keeping smooth horizontal performance.

Playful Health Message: While purely an arcade action game, Plaque Attack earned praise from educators and parents for making dental care fun and memorable for young gamers.

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

Plaque Attack on Atari 2600 stands out as one of the most inventive fixed shooters in the VCS catalog, offering non-stop shooting action packed with classic Activision polish.

Steve Cartwright

1983