Atari 2600s + 7800s survival chance

[Dr. Dib]

Ok, here's my dilemma, which seems like a bit of an overstatement but whatever, I found a pretty good Atari lot for a pretty good price. The only problem is that the person selling the lot is unable to test the consoles nor the games. She has no idea how to hook them up as it seems.

She did say that the games have been sitting on her front porch, but have only gotten dusty with no moisture. I'm already set to buy this if Ataris are known for good survival rates. I've only owned two and one of them was broken so I'm a little biased.

Thanks in advance
-Dr. Dib

[CastlevaniaDude]

The 2600 is like indestructable. Can't speak to the 7800. I've beaten the hell out of 2600s though and they are very resiliant. There was a web site I saw several years ago that spoke to this -- they would take 2600s and put them to the test with various extremes (hot, cold, damp, light, dark) as well as carts (going so far as to fully submerge them and still boot up like new!) and it was pretty impressive.

I've bought several "as is" Ataris off of ebay over the years and had a 100% success rate. They really are rather tricky to hook up to a modern TV if you have no idea what you're doing, so honestly, the seller probably doesn't.

If it's a very low price, give it a shot knowing you might lose one or both. No different than blowing a few bucks at the casino, right?

[JohnnyA]

Of all the 2600s I've ever owned, roughly 25% were dead.

[Steve W]

Were they dead consoles, or just dead power supplies? The power supplies are probably the weakest link on Atari 2600s, with the front panel switches being second (especially for someone like me who loved 'frying' games when I was a kid!).

The 7800 might be a bit more difficult, if the original power supply isn't included. It's not something you can pick up at Radio Shack.

[otoko]

Yea.. I have two and one is a heavy sixer that has been through worse. I looks as if the previous owners beat the living daylights out of the poor thing, and it has a broken switch broken off.

No matter it still works great.

[Dr. Dib]

I guess I'll try my luck then. I'll probably ask for a lower price since they are untested though. If they don't come with power supplies there are two used game store nearby that may have them, so I may be okay.

Thanks for all the help.