View Full Version : is there anything special about a black atari 2600?
I just scored a black version of the woodgrain orginal 2600 in my laundry room, I havent seen one b4, is there anything special about it?
I just scored a black version of the woodgrain orginal 2600 in my laundry room, I havent seen one b4, is there anything special about it?
The Darth Vader 2600? Very common. I got it for my 12th birthay and it still works like a charm.
davepesc
04-22-2009, 01:02 PM
"Special," as in "Pure gaming bliss in all its simplicity?" Then yes.
But no, it's "just" a regular Atari 2600.
Cornelius
04-22-2009, 01:31 PM
Someone should correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the first 2600? Before that they were called the VCS, no?
Rickstilwell1
04-22-2009, 01:45 PM
Well it is the first Atari that said 2600 on the actual system label. Before that the Atari Video Computer Systems only said 2600 in the serial number on the bottom of the unit.
You should also note that when this change to the system name occured, the new game cartridges that came out also started saying 2600 on them. Having a silver label instead of a black one on each Atari brand game or manual.
Basically, these revisions to the systems and game/manual/box designs and colors help show the age of the products at a glance. I think it was a pretty good idea though, as Atari 2600 VCS lasted such a long time.
It's especially helpful to those who prefer to organize their game collections by what year the games for each system came out. I like doing that so I know what happened chronologically.
Someone should correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the first 2600? Before that they were called the VCS, no?
No. The Darth Vader edition (as it's commonly known) did not come out until around 1982. From Wikipedia:
In 1980, the Atari 2600 was given a minor revision in which the left and right difficulty switches were moved to the back of the console, leaving four switches on the front. Other than this, these four-switch consoles looked nearly identical to the earlier six-switch models. In 1982, another version of the four-switch console was released without woodgrain. They were nicknamed "Darth Vader" consoles due to their all-black appearance. These were also the first consoles to be officially called "Atari 2600", as the Atari 5200 was released the same year.
Gameguy
04-22-2009, 02:45 PM
No. The Darth Vader edition (as it's commonly known) did not come out until around 1982. From Wikipedia:
Uhh, based on the quote you provided it seems Cornelius would be correct. :?
Someone should correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the first 2600? Before that they were called the VCS, no?
In 1980, the Atari 2600 was given a minor revision in which the left and right difficulty switches were moved to the back of the console, leaving four switches on the front. Other than this, these four-switch consoles looked nearly identical to the earlier six-switch models. In 1982, another version of the four-switch console was released without woodgrain. They were nicknamed "Darth Vader" consoles due to their all-black appearance. These were also the first consoles to be officially called "Atari 2600", as the Atari 5200 was released the same year.
Game Freak
04-22-2009, 04:29 PM
Nope. I got me a vader model, and if i have it, you KNOWit can't be rare :P
it also looks a lot sexier than my woodgrain one :D
NayusDante
04-22-2009, 04:34 PM
What's the approximate value of a black 2600 vs an original VCS or other variant? I'm starting to look around for a 2600, but I haven't decided which model to go for.
DigitalSpace
04-22-2009, 06:04 PM
The "Darth Vader" 2600 - it's not your father, but your father might have played one.
(Couldn't resist.)
Uhh, based on the quote you provided it seems Cornelius would be correct. :?
All I said was it came out in 1982 and it was common. I stand by that quote, and nothing in that Wiki article contradicted that statement. The "no" I said was just saying that no, there wasn't anything special about it, as they were common and not rare at all.
What's the approximate value of a black 2600 vs an original VCS or other variant? I'm starting to look around for a 2600, but I haven't decided which model to go for.
Probably $30 vs. $25.
Gameguy
04-22-2009, 11:37 PM
All I said was it came out in 1982 and it was common. I stand by that quote, and nothing in that Wiki article contradicted that statement. The "no" I said was just saying that no, there wasn't anything special about it, as they were common and not rare at all.
I misunderstood your reply, I assumed you were replying to the quote directly above your statement rather than the original question.
How rare is the promotional 4-switch system? The one stamped "Not for Resale, For promotional Purposes Only" on the bottom. How much are they worth? This was also asked by someone else in the What's it Worth section but got no replies, I'm kind of curious about it.
you guys are awesome, thanks so much for the replies and the history lesson...
Ive got an atari jr and was meaning to get around to adding the original 2600 to my collection so seeing this baby in my laundry room in my building was great (ppl leave shit on a table down there that they think other ppl will want instead of tossing it out)
it was downthere with like 9 games too...
optic_85
04-23-2009, 08:41 AM
you guys are awesome, thanks so much for the replies and the history lesson...
Ive got an atari jr and was meaning to get around to adding the original 2600 to my collection so seeing this baby in my laundry room in my building was great (ppl leave shit on a table down there that they think other ppl will want instead of tossing it out)
it was downthere with like 9 games too...
Wow! That's a pretty great find! Getting a FREE 2600 is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!!!
NayusDante
04-23-2009, 08:50 AM
Yeah, I'd love to find a free 2600. Yesterday I saw a Flashback2 at the thrift for $15, and they wanted an additional $10 for one joystick... I'm really wishing I had picked up that bundle at Play N Trade for like $40 with all the greats, like ET, Pac-Man, etc.
Vectorman0
04-23-2009, 12:09 PM
I misunderstood your reply, I assumed you were replying to the quote directly above your statement rather than the original question.
How rare is the promotional 4-switch system? The one stamped "Not for Resale, For promotional Purposes Only" on the bottom. How much are they worth? This was also asked by someone else in the What's it Worth section but got no replies, I'm kind of curious about it.
They certainly aren't common, but not super rare either. I see them fairly often on ebay. I would say a loose one is worth $25-$75 depending on the condition it is in and who is looking to get one.
jb143
04-23-2009, 12:12 PM
...all the greats, like ET, Pac-Man, etc.
:?
Sarcasm I'm hoping?
Rickstilwell1
04-23-2009, 03:55 PM
They certainly aren't common, but not super rare either. I see them fairly often on ebay. I would say a loose one is worth $25-$75 depending on the condition it is in and who is looking to get one.
Nice. so I got this for a good deal then ($15). The seller didn't know the difference and just had a stock photo. It didn't have any controllers, but in a lot of broken controllers I repaired, there was even a joystick with the yellow-orange markings to match it. I definatlely decided to keep the casing for that one so I could pair it with my promo unit.
So, looks like a heavy sixer is still priced more than a 4 switch promo.
NayusDante
04-23-2009, 06:27 PM
:?
Sarcasm I'm hoping?
If it sounds like sarcasm, it usually is. Still, those are the games I would have tracked down anyway. I have this thing about really bad games, they're actually kinda fun to collect.