Atari2600 Japanese Heavy Sixer - Legit, in Brazil now

[TomBrazil]

Folks,

I've seen some discussion about a possibly fake Jap Heavy Sixer on this thread:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/262886-fake-japanese-heavy-sixer-on-ebay/

 

And then this old topic was rediscovered, but the images are gone.

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/249042-is-this-a-japanese-heavy-sixer/

 

I was able to acquire a Japanese Heavy Sixer in Brazil, it's in my hands right now, and, as far as I can tell you, it's legit. I have no second guesses about it.

 

From what I've learned so far, it seems Japanese company Epoch Co. has imported some Heavy Sixers from Sunnyvale before the Atari 2800 was officially released in Japan. It's credible, cause the same thing happened in Brazil. Before Brazilian company Polyvox release Atari licensed consoles, some Light Sixers were imported and have experienced some rudimentary adaptations such as adhesives and partial translations (I have two units of those rare consoles).

 

In the case of the Jap console, I was able to acquire a CIB one, and so we can understand what Epoch did at the time. The adhesives match (they are on the box, on the console, etc), there is a matching new serial number on external and inside box, it doesn't match the console serial number, I figure it's an Epoch internal number.

 

Also curious is the games adaptation. Space Invaders have a rude sticker attached, I could say they would ruin the box, however, nowadays, it's a proof of origin, combined with the Jap manual. Combat is interesting, there's no sticker attached, and the original US manuals are preserved, possibly because the Jap version wouldn't fit in the gatefold pocket. So the new manual was inserted into the box (below the cart). Of course Jap silver games are much more beautiful, IMHO, however, those "first imported games", for me now, they're maybe even more valuable.

 

Power adaptor, RF box, console manual, everything shows this is authentic.

 

Hope you like it! Enjoy.

Edited September 9, 2017 by TomBrazil

[OldMCWeb]

Thats it, i own the version from the thread you are linking from. I watched a guy trying to sell his japan version in box for a redicolus Price.... But finally your psu and manual are the final prove for me.

And why not, that is free market!

Japan and Europe ports where unofficially done, because atari tries to make money

[Keatah]

Page 2 of the manual shows the diagram for a light sixer it seems. But, of course, everything looks genuine. So many supporting details.

[Shawn]

Page 2 of the manual shows the diagram for a light sixer it seems.

 

No it doesn't.

[Keatah]

Yes. It does.

[ApolloBoy]

No it doesn't.

Yeahhh it's definitely a Light Sixer, here's what the backs of each look like; Light Sixer's on the top, Heavy Sixer on the bottom.

 

[BassGuitari]

Page 2 of the manual shows the diagram for a light sixer it seems. But, of course, everything looks genuine. So many supporting details.

The cover depicts a light sixer as well.

[spacecadet]

I have no doubt about the legitimacy of this, just wondering about the actual story. Is it possible Atari tried to get rid of some of the heavy sixers in Japan after the light sixer's release? Maybe these are just later than thought.

[TomBrazil]

I have no doubt about the legitimacy of this, just wondering about the actual story. Is it possible Atari tried to get rid of some of the heavy sixers in Japan after the light sixer's release? Maybe these are just later than thought.

 

I believe it's more likely they imported the Heavy simply cause they were the first manufactured, can't think of other reason to import a heavier console other than lack of options. You ask this because of the manual? I wonder if the light/heavy difference on illustration pictures is of any major significance.

[Keatah]

Can't think of any significance..

 

There is less chance of physical interference with L6 vs H6 if/when using oversized DB9 plugs. I don't recall that being a problem with anything but one obscure rapid-fire adapter. Too big and hit the lip on H6.

[spacecadet]

 

You ask this because of the manual? I wonder if the light/heavy difference on illustration pictures is of any major significance.

 

Well, not "major significance" but I don't know if there are other examples of light sixer materials being included in heavy sixer boxes. That would at least imply that light sixers were at least in the pre-launch stage at that point, if not already out there. That is why I asked.

 

I don't have a US heavy sixer manual either so I don't know if this is a straight reprint with a translation or something more custom to Japan, that Epoch made themselves.

[TomBrazil]

 

Well, not "major significance" but I don't know if there are other examples of light sixer materials being included in heavy sixer boxes. That would at least imply that light sixers were at least in the pre-launch stage at that point, if not already out there. That is why I asked.

 

I don't have a US heavy sixer manual either so I don't know if this is a straight reprint with a translation or something more custom to Japan, that Epoch made themselves.

 

Good point.

[BassGuitari]

 

Well, not "major significance" but I don't know if there are other examples of light sixer materials being included in heavy sixer boxes.

Sure there were. Not talking about Japan necessarily, but there was a thread a few months back asking about whether Atari mixed-and-matched heavy and light sixer consoles, controllers, and parts as they switched production over to the light sixer units. A couple different posters confirmed that their original heavy sixers--the ones they originally got in the late '70s--came packed with CX40s instead of CX10s, or standard text label Combat instead of gatefold 01 Combat, or black power supplies instead of gray, etc.

[masschamber]

Either atari or epoch had to do some internal work on the units. Dead minimum the rf modulator had to be altered as US channel 2 is like channel 98 or something in Japan

[Tweety]

What is the real difference between the Heavy and Light version?

[80sDream]

Greetings all,

I am a retro console enthusiast from Australia.

I spend a bit of time in Japan and have 2 of these consoles, 1 boxed , 1 loose.

 

I would like to add some pictures of my boxed console and some games which were sold by Epoch around the same time.

I don't have any figures regarding dates of release or number imported, but I would think very late 70s would seem right. I have heard some internal work was done internally in the US, I cannot confirm. These were either shipped with cx40s or they were added by Epoch in Japan, I have never seen them with cx10s.

These were sold with a 100V Japanese made power supply and supplied with an Epoch RF switch box.

I can confirm the JP manual also features a light sixer. All games included a Japanese manual. You may also find the pics of the warranty card and Japanese game list interesting.

 

For some reason it has cut the right side of my pictures off, please don't think it's my photography skills.

Anyway you get the idea.

 

please enjoy!

Edited September 22, 2017 by 80sDream

[TomBrazil]

I would like to add some pictures of my boxed console and some games which were sold by Epoch around the same time.

 

 

 

@80sDream, that is very, very, very nice! Thank you so much for the addition! Wonderful set that you have!

 

That post is becoming a true reference!

[Shawn]

Color me corrected on the manual showing a light sixer.