VCS system box variations?

[boatofcar]

How many 2600 system box variations are there? Was there only one box for the 4 switch woody?

[boatofcar]

Off the top of my noodle, there was:

1977 original heavy 6-switch
1977 Sears Tele-Games heavy 6-switch
1978-79 6-switch
1978-79 Sears Tele-Games 6-switch
1980 Promotional 2600A 4-switch
1980 2600A 4-switch
1982 2600A 4-switch (black) w/ Pac-Man
1982 Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II (7800 case)
1986 2600 JR

Those are just the U.S. releases; all the non-U.S. releases had different boxes, plus ones like:

French/Canadian 2400 (4-switch)
Japanese 2800 (7800 case)
1984 2600 JR (all black)

Thank ye. Any idea where I could find pictures of them? I don't think AA has scans of system boxes...

[y-bot]

Off the top of my noodle, there was:

1977 original heavy 6-switch
1977 Sears Tele-Games heavy 6-switch
1978-79 6-switch
1978-79 Sears Tele-Games 6-switch
1980 Promotional 2600A 4-switch
1980 2600A 4-switch
1982 2600A 4-switch (black) w/ Pac-Man
1982 Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II (7800 case)
1986 2600 JR

Those are just the U.S. releases; all the non-U.S. releases had different boxes, plus ones like:

French/Canadian 2400 (4-switch)
Japanese 2800 (7800 case)
1984 2600 JR (all black)

I've seen another like the promotional one that I think says "refurbished"

y-bot

[GrandAmChandler]

There should be one that says "Promotional: Not for Resale"

[boatofcar]

Thanks! :D I wasn't aware that the 2600jr came with the proline 7800 sticks. Interesting!

[ROBOTNIK666]

While we're on the subject, are there any good pictures of the Sears Video Arcade box that reads "Cartridge Telegames System Video Arcade"?

[atari_wizard]

I've seen another like the promotional one that I think says "refurbished"

Can't seem to find any info on that one. Was "refurbished" actually printed on the box, like the promotional one, or was it just a sticker?

Yes it was. It has "Factory Reconditioned" on the box.

I have the "Promotional Use Only: Not For Resale".

[the 5th ghost]

I've had at least two different versions of the Black "Vader" 4 switch box. One is larger than the other.

[SkiDragon]

I just got a box for the wood grain 4 switch. I dont have it with me but it does have a bunch of pictures of the game "combat" on the back.

[Keir]

VCS (2600A) - 1980 - version 1 (http://home.ptd.net/~stonic/2600A_80_v1.bmp)
VCS (2600A) - 1980 - version 2 (http://home.ptd.net/~stonic/2600A_80_v2.jpg)
VCS - Promotional (http://home.ptd.net/~stonic/VCS_promo.jpg)
Interesting thing about these is that it looks like they just edited 2 switches out of the picture for the '77 box instead of taking a new picture.

[o2william]

Y'know, I'd never seen the Sears Tele-Games console box prior to this thread. Now I'm seized with an overwhelming desire to get one. LOL

Love that '70s Sears styling!

[the 5th ghost]

Y'know, I'd never seen the Sears Tele-Games console box prior to this thread. Now I'm seized with an overwhelming desire to get one. LOL

Love that '70s Sears styling!

Yeah, the best part about the Sears box is that it says "TV not included" Last I knew, flatscreens weren't invented yet! LOL

But yes, I love the Sears Tele-Games stuff. If you look closely, you'll see all the original 9 Sears Tele-Games in their gatefold boxes, including the rare Race with the original hanger style box, on top of the console's box.

Anyway, the 1978 Atari 6 switcher box, that contained the light sixer, was only different in regards to the collage graphics on the front, as well as some of the text on all sides of the box. The console picture was recycled all the way up to the 4 switcher, where they just superimposed a 4 switch control panel over the heavy sixers control panel.

The easiest way to tell an original 1977 box, is that is pictures a Knight Chess piece, and a roulette wheel among the collage. The later boxes from 1978 added in the artwork from games like Codebreaker and Hunt & Score for example.