I lost two 7800 boxes today

[MegaManFan]

I feel like I lost a family member. My complete Atari 7800 collection is now incomplete.

 

Thankfully because I had everything stacked up alphabetically, and only one stack was against the wall of the bookshelf that got water warped, I only lost the first two titles in the stack furthest to the left. Ace of Aces and Asteroids.

 

Thank God that Fatal Run, Ikari Warriors, Mean 18 and Planet Smashers were higher in the alphabet right? Otherwise DAMN I'd be hosed.

 

Needless to say I'm now looking to replace these boxes. It has been so long since I acquired them I'm completely out of touch as to the current market, but without even consulting the rarity guide I should think Atari 7800 Asteroids is almost dirt common. Ace of Aces, I'm not so sure.

 

This is more traumatic to me than it really ought to be, but I also have to unbox some Mega Man action figures that got water damaged too.

 

Oh, and randomly I'm also going to need a new Berzerk box for Atari 5200 - that bit the bullet too.

[Rik]

I feel like I lost a family member. My complete Atari 7800 collection is now incomplete.

 

Thankfully because I had everything stacked up alphabetically, and only one stack was against the wall of the bookshelf that got water warped, I only lost the first two titles in the stack furthest to the left. Ace of Aces and Asteroids.

 

Thank God that Fatal Run, Ikari Warriors, Mean 18 and Planet Smashers were higher in the alphabet right? Otherwise DAMN I'd be hosed.

 

Needless to say I'm now looking to replace these boxes. It has been so long since I acquired them I'm completely out of touch as to the current market, but without even consulting the rarity guide I should think Atari 7800 Asteroids is almost dirt common. Ace of Aces, I'm not so sure.

 

This is more traumatic to me than it really ought to be, but I also have to unbox some Mega Man action figures that got water damaged too.

 

Oh, and randomly I'm also going to need a new Berzerk box for Atari 5200 - that bit the bullet too.

I know the feeling. Nothing's worse than water damage, better than fire damage obviously, but still sucks REALLY BAD. I had a beautiful mint collectable KISS lunchbox, not the one from the 70's but a newer one. It fell from the top of an 8 foot shelf to the hard basement concrete floor when i was fiddling around rearranging, which is carpeted but with thin weaved carpet. The top corner of it dented in. It was made of cheap tin that stretches if you try to work with it in any way. Anyways it always sucks so bad when something mint, is NO longer mint because of some stupid accident.

Edited November 29, 2014 by Rik

[KevinMos3]

With a bit of effort, water damage is actually repairable. If you're up for it, I'd recommend practicing on something first and then proceeding with the following. You can either take the box completely apart or just flatten it out (taking it apart is a more complete solution). Lay it on a nice flat heat resistant surface (even a regular ol' Formica counter top will do). If the box is discolored, even if it's so bad it's brown, you can apply some bleach and once the discoloration is gone, gently rinse it with warm water. If there's no discoloration, great, just skip the bleach. After the box is free of bleach (if it's not gone, it will yellow over time), dab away any excess water and lay a paper towel over it. Use an iron at a low heat setting over the paper towel, flip the box and repeat ironing as many times as necessary until dry. If you completely disassembled the box, use a permanent glue stick to re-glue where you took it apart.

 

You have to be patient and gentle throughout the process, but I've restored some VERY nasty items this way. It also works for manuals, game covers (such as the Sega Master System and Genesis), etc. I've also gotten careless and messed up, but quickly learned my lesson. I've restored some things that were badly wrinkled and some that were badly discolored and they now look brand new.

 

However, the games you mentioned are pretty dirt cheap. I just hate to throw out old items like that if I can repair them.

Edited November 29, 2014 by KevinMos3

[MegaManFan]

It wasn't just water unfortunately. They had sat against the water warped wooden bookshelf for a few months and developed a secondary (and yucky) problem. Thankfully it didn't spread to everything else but all my 7800 games are now in a water tight plastic bin. I think I may have a replacement for Aces already thanks to AA, and Asteroids is definitely on the cheaper side.

[bikeguychicago]

If it comes down to it, both games can be easily had new on ebay for pretty cheap. Ace of Aces would be the more expensive of the two but should still be obtainable for around $15.

[MegaManFan]

If it comes down to it, both games can be easily had new on ebay for pretty cheap. Ace of Aces would be the more expensive of the two but should still be obtainable for around $15.

Thanks to a VERY KIND AtariAge user, I've already got a pending replacement for the Ace of Aces box. I'm keeping an eye out for an Asteroids box that's loose, but if necessary I'll buy a CIB one from the usual methods. I'm holding off on that for now.

[MegaManFan]

Success! My complete collection is now complete again. *happy dance* Oh eBay sniping, how I've missed you. Got a boxed Asteroids for $4.75 and promptly deleted all the other auctions I was watching. People seriously wanted $23 for this CIB. GTFO!