If you want to know which Atari games are worth the most money, the undisputed champions are Air Raid for the Atari 2600 and Red Sea Crossing for the Atari 2600.
A sealed copy of Air Raid sold for $33,433 in 2012, while a loose copy still fetched an impressive $14,000. There are believed to be only 13 total copies in existence for this ultra-rare title.
As for Red Sea Crossing, there are only 2 known copies of this unlicensed biblical game. One copy sold for over $10,000 back in 2012 according to respected video game journalism site IGN.
Now that we‘ve established the crown jewels of expensive Atari games, let‘s explore all the factors that drive the high value of certain vintage Atari releases.
Why Are Some Vintage Atari Games Worth So Much?
As an investment analyst, I‘ve identified four key attributes that make a retro video game valuable and worth big money to collectors:
1. Extreme Rarity
The rarest vintage Atari cartridges that fetch 5 or 6 figure prices at auction tend to have tiny production runs of just a few thousand copies or less. Many were obscure unlicensed releases that didn‘t sell well originally. Sealed copies number in the single digits for some games. Rarity automatically boosts value.
2. Special Variants
Manufacturing errors and special edition variants like the Superman red label edition also command huge premiums. Collectors love oddities and quirks that make a copy unique.
3. Cultural Significance
Games linked to major pop culture trends or historical events gain a special appeal. The infamously bad E.T. Atari game has sold for thousands based on its ties to the 1982 film. Consoles and games released right as Atari peaked or started declining also hold significance.
4. Strong Nostalgia
If a game still resonates strongly with retro gamers who remember it fondly from childhood, demand remains strong. River Raid and other early Atari classics inspire strong nostalgia that boosts prices.
Let‘s analyze some real sales data to see these factors at work:
| Game | Year | Sale Price | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamma Attack | 1983 | $20,100 | Rarity (4 sealed copies known) |
| Birthday Mania | 1984 | $15,000 | Extreme Rarity (1 copy exists) |
| E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial | 1982 | $1,500 | Cultural Significance |
| Halloween | 1983 | $3,000 | Strong Nostalgia |
As you can see, the top factors that drive up value apply across many of the most coveted Atari titles.
How to Spot Valuable Atari Games in the Wild
Part of the fun of classic gaming is hunting for rare finds at garage sales or thrift stores. Here are some tips I‘ve put together for identifying gems in the rough:
- Learn to recognize odd shaped cartridges and unusual form factors, which often indicate limited releases.
- Cross reference against lists of the rarest games and remember odd names that sound unfamiliar.
- Look up the developer. Unlicensed games from small developers are very collectible.
- Note special labels like Sears Tele-Games editions. These indicated early releases.
- Check for early copyright dates on manuals. The 77-83 era is prime.
- Thoroughly inspect condition – boxes, labels, manuals. Completeness boosts value exponentially.
With a little research and some lucky finds, you just may uncover buried treasure!
Where You Can Buy and Sell Valuable Atari Games
If you prefer to skip the hunt and want to directly buy coveted Atari classics, here are some of my recommended marketplaces:
Buy
- eBay – Largest selection but high prices. Sort by newly listed for best deals.
- Local Retro Game Stores – Build a relationship with small shops and get first dibs on rare trade-ins.
- AtariAge Forums – Passionate collector community that regularly exchanges games. Reasonable prices.
Sell
- eBay Auctions – Still the best way to maximize profits selling rare games thanks to widespread exposure.
- Heritage Auctions – Leading collectibles auction house that sells vintage video games. Good for high-ticket items.
- Local Retro Shops – Many stores buy collections or offer consignment sales, minus a commission.
Other Retro Games Worth Big Money
While old Atari cartridges grab much of the spotlight, plenty of other vintage console games command huge prices in the collector market. Here are some examples, courtesy of data from auction aggregate site GameGavel:
| Console | Valuable Games | Recent Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| NES | Stadium Events | $111,000 |
| Super Nintendo | Nintendo PowerFest 1994 | $34,000 |
| Nintendo 64 | ClayFighter Sculptor‘s Cut | $16,100 |
| Genesis | MUSHA: Metallic Uniframe Super Hybrid Armor | $16,500 |
| Neo Geo AES | Samurai Shodown V Special | $15,800 |
The market for retro games remains robust well beyond just the Atari 2600. But those vintage cartridges do tend to grab the highest prices as the pioneers of home console gaming.
The History Behind Atari‘s Downfall
To understand why certain Atari games are so rare and coveted today, you need to know about the precipitous rise and fall of Atari as a company in the early 1980s:
- 1972 – Atari founded and releases earliest arcade games like Pong.
- 1977 – The Atari VCS (2600) console is released and sales explode through titles like Space Invaders.
- 1980 – Atari accounts for 80% of the home video game market. Revenues continue skyrocketing over the early 1980s.
- 1982 – E.T. movie tie-in game cited as one of worst and overproduced titles that led to glut.
- 1983 – Industry wide video game crash sees Atari lose $356 million that year. The crash severely hurt supply of games.
This boom and bust perfectly illustrates how short production spurts surrounding this crash created the ripe conditions for certain Atari games to later become so rare and valuable to collectors.
Do Common Atari Games Have Value?
While the ultra rare Atari specimens command all the attention from collectors, you may be wondering if more common cartridges have any resale value.
In my experience buying and selling Atari games for over 20 years, here are some cases where run-of-the-mill titles can still fetch decent money:
- Sealed Consoles – An untouched 2600 or 7800 in the box can bring $100 to $300. Look for prime condition.
- Large Game Lot – Bundling 25 to 30 games together lets you sell bulk for around $125.
- Complete Box Sets – Iconic games like Asteroids, Centipede, and Pitfall in great shape with manuals can get $50.
- Pristine Condition – Everyday carts in seemingly brand new condition appeal to collectors and gamers alike.
The key is optimizing condition, bundling, and finding buyers willing to pay a nostalgia premium on common stuff they remember fondly.
Tips for Starting an Atari Collection on a Budget
If you want to start collecting Atari without breaking the bank, here are some tips:
- Seek out loose cartridge lots locally via Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Many great deals can be found from parents clearing out their kids‘ old stuff.
- Focus on must-have classics that are fun to play vs. chasing the hyper-rare titles. Enjoyability and nostalgia matter more than value.
- Learn to carefully clean and enhance condition of older carts. Improved looks increase resale potential.
- Have patience and wait for deals. Building a collection slowly over months and years is part of the fun!
With some wisdom and persistence, vintage Atari gaming can become an affordable hobby. It may even turn a profit down the road. But avoid get-rich-quick schemes and keep the focus on revisiting beloved classics!
Let me know if you have any other questions about collecting and valuing Atari games. I‘m always happy to share insider tips with fellow gaming enthusiasts!
