Insanely Rare and Valuable Atari 2600 Games You Wish You Owned
The Atari 2600 revolutionized the video game industry in the late 70s and early 80s, becoming a household name by pioneering home gaming systems. Its library of over 500 games undoubtedly shaped many childhood memories, but some of these games are not only scarce, but also worth a small fortune. If you’re a collector or simply an avid fan of classic gaming, you will undoubtedly crave these ultra-rare and valuable Atari 2600 games.
1. Air Raid (Men-A-Vision, 1982)
Air Raid is easily one of the rarest Atari 2600 games out there. It is a T-handle cartridge with only around a dozen known copies in circulation. An unusual aspect of this game includes the lack of a label or publisher information on the cartridge. This scarcity has driven its value upwards – a complete copy with box and manual can fetch up to $30,000!
2. Birthday Mania (Personal Games Company, 1984)
Birthday Mania was a unique game designed to celebrate birthdays with mini-games and custom on-screen messages. Due to its highly personalized nature and limited distribution, it is considered one of the rarest Atari games with only a handful of copies known to exist. An unopened copy can be valued anywhere between $15,000 to $35,000.
3. Gamma-Attack (Gammation, 1983)
This sci-fi shooter title was produced by an obscure company called Gammation. There is known to be only one cartridge of Gamma-Attack in existence, which its owner has refused to sell despite offers as high as $50,000.
4. Red Sea Crossing (Inspirational Video Concepts, 1983)
Red Sea Crossing is another game shrouded in mystery due to its extremely limited run. It’s a religious-themed game where players guide Moses across the Red Sea. A copy of the game in its original box can fetch up to $13,000.
5. Extra Terrestrials (Skill Screen Games, 1984)
Created at the height of the E.T. frenzy in 1984, Extra Terrestrials is an independently developed clone of the popular E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial game. Only four known copies exist, with one original game cartridge and manual selling for around $7,000 in 2011.
6. Custer’s Revenge (Mystique, 1982)
Although controversial due to its explicit content, Custer’s Revenge is a highly sought-after rarity among collectors. With only a few hundred cartridges believed to be in existence, this bizarrely themed Atari 2600 game can command a price of over $1,000.
These incredibly rare and valuable Atari 2600 games are truly the stuff of legends among collectors and nostalgic gamers alike. It’s fascinating to see how these decades-old games have become sought-after treasures that captivate enthusiasts across generations.