How much should a 5200 console cost?

[Rik]

Hi guys!I am now on the hunt for a USED,not sealed,5200 console.How much money am i looking at for a console?I have no idea what i should pay for one,so i'll ask the 5200 experts here.Sure theres some on ebay,but the prices there tend to be quite inflated.Thanx

Edited August 18, 2007 by Rik

[Brian R.]

Hi guys!I am now on the hunt for a USED,not sealed,5200 console.How much money am i looking at for a console?I have no idea what i should pay for one,so i'll ask the 5200 experts here.Sure theres some on ebay,but the prices there tend to be quite inflated.Thanx

 

Much of what is on eBay is going to be inflated, and thanks to eBay so is much of what isn't on eBay, because the people who heave it search eBay, see the prices there and think that's what their stuff is worth.

 

I met someone today selling some Atari stuff, and I'm afraid he has an inflated idea of what it's worth because of eBay.

 

So, in this day and age, good luck, my friend. I was fortunate in assembling almost all of my consoles before eBay was a household word.

 

I really don't know if a market value can be set. Folks can tell you what they think it should cost. But IMO what it comes down to is what you think you should pay for it - and then hopefully finding a seller who is at least near that.

 

Things to keep in mind - controllers are typically found in non-working condition. And the 5200s that have four controller ports require a unique switchbox in which the power is plugged into. A two-port 5200 hooks up more like a typical Atari system.

 

And if you buy one that happens to be dead - you can get a new board for it, giving you basically a brand new system.

[Rik]

Hi guys!I am now on the hunt for a USED,not sealed,5200 console.How much money am i looking at for a console?I have no idea what i should pay for one,so i'll ask the 5200 experts here.Sure theres some on ebay,but the prices there tend to be quite inflated.Thanx

 

Much of what is on eBay is going to be inflated, and thanks to eBay so is much of what isn't on eBay, because the people who heave it search eBay, see the prices there and think that's what their stuff is worth.

 

I met someone today selling some Atari stuff, and I'm afraid he has an inflated idea of what it's worth because of eBay.

 

So, in this day and age, good luck, my friend. I was fortunate in assembling almost all of my consoles before eBay was a household word.

 

I really don't know if a market value can be set. Folks can tell you what they think it should cost. But IMO what it comes down to is what you think you should pay for it - and then hopefully finding a seller who is at least near that.

 

Things to keep in mind - controllers are typically found in non-working condition. And the 5200s that have four controller ports require a unique switchbox in which the power is plugged into. A two-port 5200 hooks up more like a typical Atari system.

 

And if you buy one that happens to be dead - you can get a new board for it, giving you basically a brand new system.

Thanx for the info BRIAN R,i kind of figured i'd get this kind of response from anyone.I have given up on finding one in the wild,as in my 6 years of hunting thrift shops,game shops,etc,or even before that ,have NEVER SEEN a 5200 console,or anything associated with it.I guess i'll just have to grab what i can on EBAY.And yes prices vary like crazy.

Edited August 18, 2007 by Rik

[Brian R.]

Hi guys!I am now on the hunt for a USED,not sealed,5200 console.How much money am i looking at for a console?I have no idea what i should pay for one,so i'll ask the 5200 experts here.Sure theres some on ebay,but the prices there tend to be quite inflated.Thanx

 

Much of what is on eBay is going to be inflated, and thanks to eBay so is much of what isn't on eBay, because the people who heave it search eBay, see the prices there and think that's what their stuff is worth.

 

I met someone today selling some Atari stuff, and I'm afraid he has an inflated idea of what it's worth because of eBay.

 

So, in this day and age, good luck, my friend. I was fortunate in assembling almost all of my consoles before eBay was a household word.

 

I really don't know if a market value can be set. Folks can tell you what they think it should cost. But IMO what it comes down to is what you think you should pay for it - and then hopefully finding a seller who is at least near that.

 

Things to keep in mind - controllers are typically found in non-working condition. And the 5200s that have four controller ports require a unique switchbox in which the power is plugged into. A two-port 5200 hooks up more like a typical Atari system.

 

And if you buy one that happens to be dead - you can get a new board for it, giving you basically a brand new system.

Thanx for the info BRIAN R,i kind of figured i'd get this kind of response.I have given up on finding one in the wild,as in my 6 years of hunting thrift shops,game shops,etc,or even before that ,have NEVER SEEN a 5200 console,or anything associated with it.I guess i'll just have to grab what i can on EBAY.And yes prices vary like crazy.

 

I think since I started "collecting" in the mid 90s, I've seen two 5200s in the wild. The first I passed on, because at that time I was only doing 2600. The second, which I bought, was found in one of the big indoor flea markets, sitting under a record player. I can't even remember what I paid for it. I was just happy to find one, because it was the last Atari console I didn't have.

 

Oh, wait, I did see a third - I posted about it recently, it was the one I found in a garbage can. It didn't work too well, but its case was in surprisingly good shape - a perfect home for a brand new motherboard!

 

If you want one, and want a good one, rather than gambling on eBay, you could get one of the "refurbished" units from one of the various retailers. May cost a bit more, but at least you'd know it will work well. And in the long run, the extra cost probably won't matter.

Edited August 18, 2007 by Brian R.

[Artlover]

I bought a 4 port 5200 in the wild for $30.00.

[Rik]

Should i get the 4 port or 2 port 5200?oh yeah,and the power supply,is the 5200 power supply one of those with a hard to find connector,like the one for the 7800?.Also,as mentioned earlier,you need a special part or adapter to use the 4 port or something?another hard to find part?These are things i need to consider.thanx,the help is greatly appreciated!!!!!

[Brian R.]

Should i get the 4 port or 2 port 5200?oh yeah,and the power supply,is the 5200 power supply one of those with a hard to find connector,like the one for the 7800?.Also,as mentioned earlier,you need a special part or adapter to use the 4 port or something?another hard to find part?These are things i need to consider.thanx,the help is greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

If you can get the right switchbox for the four-port, then there is really no difference, unless you want to use a 2600 adaptor, in which case you'd want the two-port. Although... some four-ports are modified so the adaptor will work, but you can't tell by looking at it on the outside.

 

I understand some games, like Pitfall, aren't supposed to work on the two-port. But I have a two-port and Pitfall works, because it apparently has the four-port ROM, IIRC. Again, can't tell by looking at it.

 

The power supply is the same for both versions, and I don't think its plug is unique. Only difference is where it plugs in. On the two-port, it goes right into the console. On the four-port, it plugs into the switchbox. If you're so skilled, you can modify a four-port to have the power plug into the console, eliminating the need for the special switchbox. Instructions on how to do so were posted in another thread.

 

You can direct connect or standard switchbox a two-port. The four-port has to use the switchbox made for it, because it carries the power. Someone selling a four-port may have the proper switchbox with it. If not, it can be bought from online retailers and eBay.

 

I'd grab whichever one you can find, and deal with the details later.

Edited August 18, 2007 by Brian R.

[cyberfluxor]

I recently bought my 4-port system for $50 with a working trak-ball, 3 Wico sticks (2 that work), 1 Wico keypad, 2 Y-cables, 2 power adaptors, one working switchbox and 6 CIB games. From the time since it was totally worth the $50 and if you have the money laying around spending a bit more for a working system and at least 1 working controller doesn't seem too bad. Of course depending on your local market it may be difficult to locate a 5200 for $60 or under but sometimes you get really lucky. I spoke with some users around the net and got offers to purchase a 5200 CIB and tested working for $50 shipped so don't hesitate to request in Buying/Selling threads as gamers do help out other gamers in need.

 

As for my games I've been pretty lucky I guess, buying 3 commons CIB for $10 shipped on another forum, picking up 12 CIB games for $36 at the same store I grabbed the console, then $3 for 3 loose common carts at pawn shops. So all in all I've spent $99 for everything and have 21 CIB and 3 loose games. I'm very, very content too.

Edited August 18, 2007 by cyberfluxor

[Jess Ragan]

Atari 5200 systems tend to sell for less than ColecoVisions on eBay. Significantly less, actually. I'm not entirely sure why; I think it's because the ColecoVision is more reliable, takes up less space, and has more versatile controller ports than the Atari 5200. I'm sure James Rolphe's slanted review of the system on GameTrailers didn't help matters much, either.

 

I recently purchased an Atari 5200 on eBay for five dollars... that's the one that didn't work. The second one cost me twenty one dollars. By contrast, ColecoVisions will run you AT LEAST forty dollars in the average eBay auction. That's quite a price gap!

[atari5200dude]

Also if you get a 4 port you need to get it modded to use the VCS adaptor, The motherboard will short out if you use it without a mod

[BydoEmpire]

I don't know if this is typical, but this last January I got a working 2-port w/ 1 working controller and a couple of commons at Flea World for $35.

[kb9snl]

I found only one 5200 in the wild, and it didn't have anything with it at all. I had looked and looked for months for one, and ran across this one in a stack behind some stuff at a flea market along with at 2600jr. console. It was a 4-port that was really, really clean. I picked up the 4-port switchbox and a power supply for it on eBay, along with a controller that half worked. I ended up buying one of the "Redemption 5200" units from the AtariAge store (not cheap!) so I could use a Sega Genesis controller with it...it was awesome! I have since sold it to buy even more 2600 cartridges! I only got around $35 out of it on ebay at the time, so that tells me that from time to time you'll find some great deals, as I paid around $50 I think for the controller adapter alone!

 

Good luck!

[ymike673]

I bought a 2 port on Ebay several months ago for $21 including postage and the console, adapter and 1 of the controllers works. The seller said the unit had been sitting up in his attic for years so I took a chance on it. I already had a 4 port that I purchased new back in 1982. If you buy a 4 port you can buy the switchbox for $10-15 on Ebay.

[shadow460]

I wouldn't worry about buying a 4 port switchbox. If it comes with one, then great. If not, the parts you need to replace it cost about $5, and it takes about an hour to do.

[Brian R.]

I found only one 5200 in the wild, and it didn't have anything with it at all. I had looked and looked for months for one, and ran across this one in a stack behind some stuff at a flea market along with at 2600jr. console. It was a 4-port that was really, really clean. I picked up the 4-port switchbox and a power supply for it on eBay, along with a controller that half worked. I ended up buying one of the "Redemption 5200" units from the AtariAge store (not cheap!) so I could use a Sega Genesis controller with it...it was awesome! I have since sold it to buy even more 2600 cartridges! I only got around $35 out of it on ebay at the time, so that tells me that from time to time you'll find some great deals, as I paid around $50 I think for the controller adapter alone!

 

Good luck!

 

Since the Redemption adaptor is a low-production volume, specialized, new piece of equipment, it doesn't surprise me that it will cost more than a 5200 console itself.

 

It's a shame you sold the only 5200 you ever found in the wild, especially after investing in the Redemption unit. Did you sell it, too?

 

Best advice I can give anyone is don't sell your systems. Especially if they work. Even if you get bored with it for a time, just set it aside. You'll return to it eventually. But once you get rid of it, you may never see it again.

[BONK]

<paid 20$ for a 4 port system only with the adaptor at a local video game store. Then again I also spend 20$ on a working controler.

Edited August 18, 2007 by BONK

[Rik]

Wow!,thanx for all the tips and suggestions so far,YOU GUYS RULE!I'm open to more!

[classics]

I agree, unless you are 100% sure you are getting at least one working controller, keep it under $30.

 

Steve

[SRGilbert]

Wow!,thanx for all the tips and suggestions so far,YOU GUYS RULE!I'm open to more!

I'd suggest you put a post in the Wanted section of the Marketplace. I'll bet lots of guys on here have an extra they'd be willing to sell or trade for a reasonable price. In fact, I got mine from Classics and it's been great!

[Lord Helmet]

I agree, unless you are 100% sure you are getting at least one working controller, keep it under $30.

 

Steve

 

Agreed 100%

 

If you arent prepared to open up the controller, clean it, and sometimes replace parts, you will have to buy a refurbished controller, which will set you back some more cash. I've never had a controller show up that worked 100% without some cleaning and rebuilding.