What Atari Game is Worth $10,000?
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One of the most famous Atari games that has reached a staggering value of $10,000 is Atari 2600's "Air Raid". This game is one of the rarest and most sought-after video games in the world. It was released in 1982 by a small company called Men-A-Vision, and it was a very limited production run.
The rarity and the unique nature of the game make it a collector’s holy grail. Only a handful of original cartridges have surfaced over the years, and they are often sold for astronomical prices when they do appear on the market. Air Raid is particularly famous for its blue label, which stands out from the typical Atari 2600 cartridges, and its extremely limited release, making it a true piece of video game history.
In 2010, a rare copy of Air Raid sold for $33,000 on eBay, setting a record for the most expensive Atari game ever sold at the time. The price has fluctuated over the years, but it remains one of the most valuable and collectible games from the Atari era.
How Much Did the NES Cost in the 80s?
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), released in 1985 in the United States, was priced at $199 when it first launched. This price included the console, two controllers, and the Super Mario Bros. game cartridge, which helped make the NES an incredibly popular choice for families and gamers.
At that time, $199 was considered a significant investment, but the NES quickly became a must-have item. The success of Super Mario Bros. and other iconic games like The Legend of Zelda and Metroid helped propel the NES into one of the best-selling consoles of all time, with over 60 million units sold globally.
How Much Was the Atari 2600 in Today's Money?
The Atari 2600 was initially launched in 1977 at a price of $199, which was a hefty sum at the time. Adjusted for inflation, $199 in 1977 is equivalent to approximately $900 in today's money (2025).
However, by the time the 2600 reached its peak popularity in the early 1980s, its price had dropped significantly. By 1982, the Atari 2600 was being sold for around $99. Adjusted for inflation, that would be around $250 in 2025 dollars.
Even with the price reductions, the Atari 2600 was still one of the most affordable home consoles in comparison to other entertainment options, and it helped introduce millions of people to the world of video games.
Summary of Prices:
- Atari 2600 (1977): $199 (~$900 today)
- NES (1985): $199 (around $540 today)
- Atari 2600 in 1982: $99 (~$250 today)
- Rare Atari 2600 Game "Air Raid": Up to $10,000 for a sealed copy
The prices of these consoles and games give a sense of how the gaming industry evolved in the 80s, and they also highlight the impact that some of these early titles have had in shaping video game history.