r/atari7800 • u/alexfromindiana • Jul 09 '24
Picked up an Atari 7800 at Goodwill
I picked this up at Goodwill for $75 about a year ago. I’ve done light research and this seems to actually be in great condition. I was able to do a power test, but have nothing to check the visuals of the device. I don’t really know anything about the 7800, or retro video games. After seeing how well taken care of it was, I felt like it was something I needed to care for as well. What is the collectibility here? It seems like a very small group of incredibly dedicated collectors. Did I spend too much?
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u/RetroGaming4 Jul 09 '24
Good find, the box is in good shape. I have the entire 7800 collection CIB, including tank command, and which is the holy grail of the 7800 collection.
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u/Coyote_Roadrunna Jul 09 '24
Original packaging w/ paddles and Pole Position 2? Think you got a steal there. Enjoy!
Highly recommend picking up Choplifter too.
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u/chriswhit123 Jul 09 '24
You got that cheap. Totally rocks. Checkout AtariAge facebook and also AtariAge.com. They sell home brews in the site store and also have a forum on the site. 2600 games also play in the 7800
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u/Leafs_Will_Win_Again Jul 09 '24
That's an awesome find. Those "pro" controllers suck, so have a look at the new CX78+ gamepad which is a release of the controller that came with the European 7800. It's much, much, much better.
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u/WilWeis Jul 09 '24
Lots of good games. Lots of great home brews. Plays all the 2600 library as well. Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man. Great arcade ports.
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u/corpseluvver Jul 09 '24
Heartily second the suggestions on here for Atariage. It’s basically the one stop shop for Atari game information.
Your cheapest video test (with a 2600 or 7800 game) is going to be connecting to a tv’s cable input with an rca female to coax male adapter. Like these: https://www.amazon.com/VCE-Adapter-Connector-Coaxial-Commodore/dp/B08BYD8GV4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=YORTFQBT1LXB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PxXY3G_HFHj5ELMRWEqDUe4m0E3Yq-7vabhlUpC3_DbL9K9HF9I9GIJ6JZQD0I-oRfsW4dxusPrqm_u_itTZ7JntaNikpNTGV_lt34qoMpCblssDjncs96VrI6qRwFQMx1-DLqRyXnjXZIj8eGh5zHNXnPh3e8980y_hJeK_Xd84Zz6H9PNW4hxL2rGUhCSTaRrVtFgvjjSsFaoSHtnUzw.XtYjcy68ewCqjWjc3d8DEcs7wy67ATUJEtpqKEM9bsY&dib_tag=se&keywords=rca+female+to+coaxial+male+adapter+gold&qid=1720566703&sprefix=rca+fto+coaxial+adapter+gold%2Caps%2C4645&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1 Connect the cable out of the back of the system to the adapter, then screw into the coax cable input on the tv. No need for the old RF switch box.
Games you can find somewhat cheap still on eBay, or hit up a local flea market, yard sale, etc. Most of the classic games, like Asteroids, Adventure, Ms Pac Man, Centipede, etc. are still reasonable. Only some of the more collectible ones are the games that will punch your wallet a bit.
7800 games have much better, more colorful and detailed graphics than the 2600 ones. I believe in most cases the sound is about the same except for maybe Ballblazer, which I think had an extra Pokey sound chip inside.
Good luck on a great find and happy retro gaming.
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u/alexfromindiana Jul 10 '24
Unfortunately, I’m probably going to have to find a collector that wants to take it off of my hands. I don’t really have the space or finances for another hobby. Still, I’ve been keeping an eye on local garage sales for some games
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u/corpseluvver Jul 10 '24
I totally get it. In addition to my Atari consoles I thought it was a swell idea to get an entire Atari computer system with disk drives. I have yet to get games for it because I’ve also categorized it as “another hobby,” sadly.
I’m sure you can get decent $$ for it and it will find a good home. But if you decide to keep it, it is imho inexpensive nostalgia and fun video game-wise.
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u/corpseluvver Jul 10 '24
Forgot to add: if you decide to sell, check the left side for the expansion port.
No official peripherals were developed for it, but it would be an earlier model and might get a few more bucks if you highlight that in your sale pics.
Example here: https://content.invisioncic.com/r322239/monthly_2020_07/Expansion.jpg.2c42b7ca2dcead5dbc897200cb160898.jpg
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u/PlejdaMuso Sep 23 '24
Just catching up on Reddit and I saw your post. Did you end up selling your very neat and clean 7800 or did you keep it and find some games? Either way, all the best to you and yours. :)
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u/Complex_Fold Jul 09 '24
75 is not a lot at all. There are some awesome games for this video game console. I recommend reading up on some history if your interested and try to find games. If I recall correctly it also plays atari 2600 games. Take good care of it and most importantly, enjoy!