Advice for a teetering collector-to-be?

[orrimarrko]

Hey y'all,

 

I'm not new to Atari or to collecting video games; in fact I've been around for a while.

 

However, I've never truly considered collecting for the 2600.

 

The couple of rares that I had (my miny complete Q*Bert's Qubes, for example) I sold to buy games for other systems.

 

My question to the board is this.

 

I'm a little hesitant, but am seriously considering collecting the 2600.

 

I'm a completist, but know that the 2600 is very challenging (and expensive.)

 

What I'm looking for is advice as to the smart move here - from the most seasoned collectors.

 

Should I simply work on a loose cart collection, and perhaps the occasional manual and/or box?

 

OR

 

The complete route?

 

The reason that I ask is that I'm particularly fussy about condition, and often find that the condition I'm looking for is not readily found with most "loose" carts.

 

Anyway, I appreciate any input.

 

Thanks,

Steve

[CPUWIZ]

You might as well start smoking crack.

[jetset]

Are you collecting just to store them on a shelf and look and say..

"wow...I'm proud of my collection", or

collecting to play the games?

 

For myself, I enjoy playing the games (well...most of them anyway), and the $$$ I saved by not going for complete let me buy more games. You (obviously) need a LOT more cash to collect complete games.

When you say though you're "fussy" about condition...well first off, many of the rarer games will cost you a small fortune, and you still may wind up with a creased, crappy looking box and a cart with an even crappier label.

 

I say go loose. You can still display them nicely, and if you are REALY anal about it, you probably could make your own boxes for them (look on the web for plastic cases) and they would look new...

[orrimarrko]

You might as well start smoking crack.

 

LOL

 

That's funny, and probably accurate.

 

It's funny that you should happen to reply to this thread - did the Qubes reference jog your memory?

 

Anyway, I realize that it's crazy to even try at this point, but it would still be fun.

[orrimarrko]

Are you collecting just to store them on a shelf and look and say..

"wow...I'm proud of my collection", or

collecting to play the games?

 

A little of both, to be honest. I like playing the games of course, but I'm not going to lie and say that it wouldn't look cool on a shelf either.

 

I say go loose. You can still display them nicely, and if you are REALY anal about it, you probably could make your own boxes for them (look on the web for plastic cases) and they would look new...

 

I'll probably end up going loose, but if I happen to come across boxed, complete or otherwise (in better than average condition), I'd pick them up.

[Room 34]

It will cost you a fair amount if you are truly trying to be completist, but something to keep in mind if you're at all falling on the "player" side of the fence is that 99% of the rarest games are utter crap. I wouldn't pay $10 for a Waterworld, much less $800 or whatever it's going for now. (Check that... I would pay $10 for it and then I'd immediately resell it on eBay.)

 

If you want to have a large but not necessarily complete collection, then there is probably nothing else in the world that is less expensive to collect than Atari 2600 cartridges. So what are you waiting for?

 

By the way, there are varying degrees of "completeness." For me, I was just satisfied to have a complete collection of all of the games I remember drooling over in the Atari catalogs as an 8-year-old. So now I have 207 games in my 2600 collection and that may be all I ever own (my last "new" 2600 cart was over 2 years ago), but I'm satisfied.

Edited March 23, 2006 by Room 34

[Atariboy2600]

To start off go to all the nearest Thrift Stores to there electronic section 50% you may fine some old Atari games and other classic video games. Next is ask your friends and other famliy memebers to see if anyof them had any Atari stuff. Ebay can be your friend and your worst nightmare if you looking in the right place so go there for any old Atari items many time you can make a steel on a right bidding. If you like to go online shopping on any Atari maye I recament http://www.4jays.net/ there I shop alot of my fave Atari things

[Dusk2600]

if atari stuff is available around u go 4 it, of none is around u ebay is kinda expensive but it depends, if u collect 4 rarity and dont have serious disposable income dont bother. like others said the highest costing playable game is probibally 10-20.00 at most. the rarest sucky game could be 5,000.00

 

its all about preference, availability and income. collect for fun, not investment cus something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. u never know when something will loose value, i collected nes games for 5 yrs and had around 500 or so games. by the time i sold em games i paid 10-15.00 for were only getting like .01 on ebayh with no bids. BE CAREFUL

[Dusk2600]

actually there r a few fun games that r rare and costly

 

tooth protectors 75.00-150

crazy climber 65-115.00

wall ball 25-40.00

 

but for the most part u can get most of the best games from anywheres 0.00-20.00

[shadow460]

Just my 2 cents, but along the way, there's not a thing stopping you from picking up some of the most fun games you'll ever play for a couple of bucks or so.

 

This is what makes collecting for the 7800 quite fun for me. I have the chance to pick up inexpensive games that have good solid gameplay (Yars' Revenge, Warlords, plus hundreds of other commons), and they cost me pocket change. Then once in a while, I come across a 7800 only cart, and buy it. Til the next find, I grab a 2600 title or three here and there, and I go enjoy those.

 

I don't actively collect for the 2600, but since my Atari plays 2600 games, I take full advantage of that with no regrets.

 

Bust out the joystick and the crack pipe--you'll need 'em.

[orrimarrko]

Aarrgh!

 

One problem with having OCD is the inability to focus on anything else once something gets into my head.

 

In this case, I've been spending every spare minute browsing everything 2600.

 

(and Neo Geo, as I collect that too)

 

Can't get it out of my head that I would love to collect the boxed games, but they are expensive.

 

What to do...

[shadow460]

Well, you're probably used to trading your left arm for games anyway with the Neo-Geo. Getting hold of a boxed Atlantis II shouldn't be a problem financially if you have the money to spend on Neo Geo.

[Cassidy Nolen]

I agree, if you collect for Neo, then 500-600 for a boxed Crazy Climber will seem normal

 

Seriously, if you are passionate about the 2600 it is an amazing system to collect for. I started in 01 seriously collecting for it and like you had collected for other systems before. I almost exclusively collect for the 2600 now (do pick up the occasional new release for anotehr system).

 

HTH, good luck,

 

Cassidy

[IBP]

One problem with having OCD is the inability to focus on anything else once something gets into my head.

 

If you have OCD then you're going to be scratching the walls and absolutely penniless if you start collecting for atari.

 

I'm not OCD as far as I know, but I am fanatical about completing things which means I push really hard to complete manufacturers' collections, almost at any cost. Uncomplete sets irritate the hell out of me.

 

Seriously, collect for the Lynx. You'll live a happier life.

Edited March 25, 2006 by IBP

[Shawn]

Well, you're probably used to trading your left arm for games anyway with the Neo-Geo. Getting hold of a boxed Atlantis II shouldn't be a problem financially if you have the money to spend on Neo Geo.

 

 

Wow, if you mean the AES you must already have the crack pipe handy cause that system is VERY pricey for the bigger titles.

[+remowilliams]

I was going to advise you run away. And quickly.

 

Then you mentioned you're your a NeoGeo collector. So you're already maxed out in nuttiness

[orrimarrko]

Yep, I'm kind of retarded.

 

And begging for punishment. Either way, the 2600 seems right up my alley...

 

Only question is boxed vs. loose.

 

Still can't decide, but I'm leaning towards loose with complete title pickups when available.

[Dusk2600]

i had a neo geo for 6 monthes, and i had the 4 crappiest titles launched 4 the system. all the good games fetch a lot of cash. so i sold off my neo geo and games for like 290.00 and bought a crack rock and pipe , havent looked back since

 

Gi mm EE SoM CrAcK!!!!!

[CPUWIZ]

Yep, I'm kind of retarded.

 

And begging for punishment. Either way, the 2600 seems right up my alley...

 

Only question is boxed vs. loose.

 

Still can't decide, but I'm leaning towards loose with complete title pickups when available.

 

You must go the whole way, loose is lame.

[homerwannabee]

You can get about 75 percent of the games for this system for a pretty good deal. the last 25 percent is going to cost you though.

[orrimarrko]

Well, I said what the hell, and jumped in with both feet.

 

I figure that the only way I'll learn is by making purchases and learning from any mistakes I make along the way (that's how it is with other systems.)

 

Spotted a Stronghold cart in what looks to be really decent shape in an auction with other carts, so I bought the auction.

 

I figured I can sell off the other stuff that I don't want.

 

Here goes nothin'!

 

Orri-