Cost of a 2600

[Sheepz]

I am looking into getting a 2600 and I wanted a price guide. How much should I have to pay for one?

[stingray2772]

buy mine lol...

[Red 5]

In general:

 

$15 - $20 for a jr.

$20 - $30 for a 4 switch / light sixer / Sears system

$30 - $50 for a heavy sixer

 

That's for a loose system.

Boxes, condition, etc all add more.

 

You can easily get one here.

Ask for one in the Marketplace.

Most people here have an extra or two.

[VideoFever1982]

I am looking into getting a 2600 and I wanted a price guide. How much should I have to pay for one?

I've picked them up as low as $2. I've found a few for free. Average price I've seen for a complete set is around the $20-$25 range. Check nearby used thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets. Shop around to get the best deal and be sure not to grab the first thing that comes along. I waited many years to get a Turbo Duo. Something I'd never even seen in real life before other than pictures and on the internet. Finally i go to a flea market and find one with a ton of stuff for only $3. Total value: $600. You'll eventually find somebody that has no idea what they have and they'll practically hand it to you.

[Sheepz]

What is the difference between the 3 consoles?

[Mirage]

What is the difference between the 3 consoles?

 

http://www.atariage.com/2600/archives/consoles.html

[Benzman66]

You can buy Ataris on Ebay from $0.99 up to $500.00 in varying conditions. I buy on a daily basis and have always been pleased with what I get.

[Ian Primus]

What is the difference between the 3 consoles?

 

It's primarily cosmetic. Yeah, there's some minor electrical differences, but they all play the same games.

 

You shouldn't have any problem finding a 2600. There are TONS of them out there, they are very durable, and they're easy to find stuff for. Even if you just find a bare console, you can use a Sega Genesis controller (B button fires), you can use a simple phono plug to F connector adapter to hook the thing to the TV (available at Rat Shack for a couple bucks), and you can power it with a simple, easy to get AC adapter.*

 

*The Atari 2600 (all models) use a 9vDC, 500ma AC adapter. The plug is a two conductor 1/8" headphone type plug, the tip is positive. If you need a power adapter, just find any AC adapter that puts out 9vDC and at least 500ma of current, and solder on a new plug to fit the Atari.

 

-Ian

Edited February 24, 2009 by Ian Primus

[shadow460]

What is the difference between the 3 consoles?

Age, collectibility, and looks. If you just want one to play, get the cheapest one you can find. If think you might get into collecting, get the heavy sixer. If you're a rabid gamer, get the heavy sixer anyway for the joysticks alone.

 

Oh, yeah, there's the Flashback 2 also. It's not able to play cartridges out of the box but it does have pre programmed games and some decent 2600 compatible joysticks. It can have a cartridge port added if you want one.