C64: Price Check

[slip81]

I'm just getting started in the wonderfull world of the Commodore 64, but I know knothing about what it's worth, so I have a question for the vets.

Is $82.00 too much for a working boxed C64, with power cord, RF lead, joystick, tape deck and 70 complete games, most of which commons, but classics like Ghosts n goblins, space harrier, super hang on, Bombjack, etc.

Also, what exactly is the RF lead? I'm assuming it's used to hook up the C64 to a t.v's RF jack, but I'm not sure.

[Flack]

Wowie. Well, $82 sounds pretty high to me. I love all things Commodore, but I think I paid $20 for my boxed 64 and I see loose ones from $5-$10 all the time. If you plan on doing much of anything on a 64 you'll dump that tape drive in about 10 seconds and get a disk drive. C64 games, even originals, are worth next to nothing simply due to the huge library (+15,000 games). As far as video cables go, I'd recommend the composite cable so that you can then plug it into any composite monitor (or VCR or television). 40 column text shows up okay on a tv, and the games look great. The C64 uses Atari joysticks so those are cheap too.

If you're paying $82 for that it sounds like you're getting $12 worth of hardware basically and $70 for the software which is way too much.

[zektor]

I have to agree with this. Hold off for a better deal. I spent $80 not too long ago for a C64, C128, Amiga 500, and 2 1541 drives for the C64...not to mention a ton of games.

[Jibbajaba]

I think it should be pointed out that it is not such a bad deal if he is getting it locally. The shipping for all of that stuff (off of ebay or whatever) would be killer. I think that if someone were wanting to start a C64 collection but didn't want to hassle with trying to track one down locally, then this would be an OK deal.

Just my two cents.

Chris

[boatofcar]

See if you can talk him down. I'd pay $50 for the lot.

[Kid Ice]

Wow. I respect Flack and Zektor's opinions, but I've never disagreed with them more. I don't think $80 is a bad price for a C64 w/ 70 originals at all. Joe and I split up a $75 lot with about 50 originals and we were pretty happy with it (although it did come w/ a lot more hardware). If we agree that a working C64 itself is worth $12, that comes to a buck a complete game. If anyone around here wants to sell C64 games complete at a buck apiece, let me know because I'm interested.

I'm talking from the standpoint of a COLLECTOR here...if it's just games you want, you can indeed get 100s of them at little expense (or no expense if you're friendly with a Commodore person)...but I'm talking about floppies w/ 10-20 games apiece, not originals w/ boxes and instructions.

My big question is, what are the complete games and what condition are they in? The games you mentioned are arcadey games that aren't worth a whole lot. But if you have lots of RPGs in there, some Infocom games, some EA games, it could be well worth it. I'm sure 70 complete c64 games, with boxes and instructions, are worth a little more than "next to nothing".

In fact, I'll put my money where my mouth is on this one...if you want to PM me a list of the games that are included, I might be interested in splitting this lot w/ you (and you of course will keep the hardware).

As mentioned before you will definitely need a disk drive.

[slip81]

Well it's not a local thing so I would have to pay shipping from the UK, so I guess this is going to be a no go, as there only seems to be 1 or 2 RPG's and the rest arcade games.

As far as my standpoint on the format, I'm not looking to collect for the system, I just want to enjoy the games, so when I do end up getting a system I'll probably go for floppies since that seems to be the "best bang for your buck" solution, I don't need the original tapes. Thanks for the advice everyone :)

Here is the auction if anyone is interested in seeing it. It's not up to $82 yet, but it looks like it's going to get that high (went up $30 in a day) and $82 U.S was the highest I was going to bid.

C64 Auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=8159991418&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT)

[SoulBlazer]

I'd suggest trying the games you want on emulation first, then buy the real ones.

And I also suggest a C128D. Nice compact system, both 64 and 128 support, and has a drive built in. That was my Commdoore computer and never had a problem with it. :D

[Raedon]

There are few things I consider myself myself an expert at and Commoder is one of them. So here is my advice for you that has nothing to do with that dea.

get a C128.. it is made to stand the test of time. The RF shileld removes heat from the chips. The C128 lasts while the original bradbox 64's are going buggy.

if you buy a C64 breadbox make sure the video out is 8 pin DIN not 5.. Thew original C64 ha a 5 pin and the quality is really bad.

forget 1541 frives.. get 1571 so uo can use both sides of a ds/dd.

If the games are not carts then they are freebee's. a PC, starcom and a 1541/1571 drive is all you need to play downloaded games. Bottom line with all computer collecting.. no cart? every game is free or the cost of a floppy.

Tape games are almost always dead unless brand new *AKA bootleg*

after inspecting the console, load up a game and let it load thing for a few minutes whole hitting keys..

Cost of this..

games worthless unless cart

C128/C64 (same price) $20 w. PSU and some randomw cables.

1541.1571 drives.. get the 1570 $20 each

With all the cables and a floppy you are looking at $50 on ebay. with random crap like joysticks.

Don't bother with the C64 if you don't have to.. the C128 has staying power and is the same brice.

Got any questions just PM me.

now.. if there is a working 1581 drive.. BIN

[davidleeroth]

No love for tapes? Awww... I love my C64 tapes.

I'd pay $50 for the lot shipped. Too bad shipping anything over 2kgs from UK is ripping you off. With that domestical quote (£11.21) you'd be looking for ~£100 to US. The dom. quote is too high but still you won't get the shipping below £50 using Royal Mail.

[chaoticjelly]

get a C128.. it is made to stand the test of time. The RF shileld removes heat from the chips. The C128 lasts while the original bradbox 64's are going buggy.

Well I only ever found two Commodore 128's.. and both were fried!!

I've got loads of C64's.. breadbin and mark 2.. and most seem to work fine.. and the ones that dont just need a simple fuse replacing inside (most people throw them away because of this.. they dont know!)


I'd pay $50 for the lot shipped. Too bad shipping anything over 2kgs from UK is ripping you off. With that domestical quote (£11.21) you'd be looking for ~£100 to US. The dom. quote is too high but still you won't get the shipping below £50 using Royal Mail.

Parcel2go.com have very reasonable rates for up to 10KG to the USA... cheaper than Royal Mail certainly.. and I think there's still a code to get 5% off... if you have an account you put the codeword "greasy" in the special voucher box...

As for the system.. its okay I guess, but the games suck ass.. they're all budget... so pretty worthless in any collectors eyes.. (there are some very rare budget games.. but most are the usual junk)

We want full price originals ;)

[Mayhem]

Well it's not a local thing so I would have to pay shipping from the UK, so I guess this is going to be a no go, as there only seems to be 1 or 2 RPG's and the rest arcade games.

You're in the US right? Well if it isn't Europe or Australia you live in, I definitely would not buy this. Surprised no one has mentioned this just yet; you won't get a signal out of the PAL C64 in an NTSC country through RF!

Get a C64 from the country you reside in, far easier and at least you know it will work properly ;)

As for originals not being worth anything... yeah right... plenty of originals are worth money to collectors. Such stuff includes Lucasarts games, Ultima series, many other RPGs, stuff by Synapse and Broderbund, random cartridges (hey check the guide!) and so on.

[Kid Ice]

Well it's not a local thing so I would have to pay shipping from the UK, so I guess this is going to be a no go, as there only seems to be 1 or 2 RPG's and the rest arcade games.

As far as my standpoint on the format, I'm not looking to collect for the system, I just want to enjoy the games, so when I do end up getting a system I'll probably go for floppies since that seems to be the "best bang for your buck" solution, I don't need the original tapes. Thanks for the advice everyone :)

Here is the auction if anyone is interested in seeing it. It's not up to $82 yet, but it looks like it's going to get that high (went up $30 in a day) and $82 U.S was the highest I was going to bid.

C64 Auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=8159991418&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT)

Up to about US $150 now, and deservedly so with that many boxed games.

But...why didn't you just provide the link to the auction to begin with? My thinking was that you knew someone who had this big pile of complete C64 games to unload for 82 bucks. That would have been a sweet deal IMO.

But not only is it an auction, an unfinished auction, and the loot's over in Europe! That changes things considerably. I don't even know if that system would work on a US TV.

[Flack]

But...why didn't you just provide the link to the auction to begin with?

My guess is, so none of us would bid against him. :)

[Kid Ice]

But...why didn't you just provide the link to the auction to begin with?

My guess is, so none of us would bid against him. :)

Did I mention that my ebay ID is "lewchenko"? LOL

[Raedon]

I don't know about the UK and Commodore so I won't give advice at this point beyond $50 US shipped is the usual going proce for a C64/C126 a floppy and a tape drive with some other random stuff thrown in.