123 replies to this topic

[Atari Smeghead]

Hi everyone,

I'm not a 2600 owner (I'm an Atari 8-bit /Jaguar/Lynx man, primarily) so forgive me for not knowing this, as I don't normally read this forum.

I've been thinking about the "Holy Grail" game(s) of various systems, that one game that is the hardest to find, and costs the most to obtain.

I went through AA's Rarity Guide, and found all the "10" games... and there are many.

Air Raid
Alien
Asterix
Atlantis II
Beany Bopper
BMX Airmaster
Crypts of Chaos
Demon Attack
Eli's Ladder
Gamma-Attack
Gauntlet
Karate
Mangia
No Escape!
Pepsi Invaders
Solar Storm
Video Life

In your experience, is one of these games (or another not on this list) considered "THE" Holy Grail of the 2600? Or are there so many that fall into this category so that it can't be narrowed down to 1-3 titles?

If you wouldn't mind weighing in on this topic, I would love a bit of back story on why the game is so rare (and/or a link so I can research it myself) and the average/highest cost this cartridge has sold for.

I would prefer this title to be released during the initial "life" of the system, not (necessarily) a homebrew or a prototype.

If this topic has been talked to death, please forgive me and point me to the thread. I tried to find one, but I didn't see anything in a cursory search.

Thanks a lot,
Smeg

Edited by Atari Smeghead, Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:53 AM.

[bomberpunk]

i'm gonna guess Video Life.

[Cortat G]

Air Raid by Men-a-vision.

[HatefulGravey]

Air Raid, which I do not see on your list but should be for sure. As long as I've been around here that has been the one game everyone seems to agree is the "holy grail" for the VCS.

[bennybingo]

Combat...drink it up and you will live for ever!

(truthfully tho...I would say Air Raid or Video Life as far as commercial releases go)

[Atari Smeghead]

HatefulGravey, on Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:39 AM, said:

Air Raid, which I do not see on your list but should be for sure. As long as I've been around here that has been the one game everyone seems to agree is the "holy grail" for the VCS.

You're right - somehow I missed Air Raid (and Alien) in the "10" category. I'll see if I can still add them to the list up-top.

Thanks,
Smeg

Edited by Atari Smeghead, Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:51 AM.

[2600Lives]

It's gotta be Air Raid. The single highest amount paid for a single game was for a complete Air Raid.

[MagitekAngel]

I think Air Raid is in fact the highest paid price for a complete, commercially released game on any system.

But who knows, maybe in a thousand years E.T. or Pac-Man will become the rarest game as hobbyists continue to harvest the shells for homebrew games.

Edited by MagitekAngel, Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:56 AM.

[Atari Smeghead]

bomberpunk, on Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:32 AM, said:

i'm gonna guess Video Life.

Oh yes, Video Life. I missed that one too, but it's on the list now. The guide says, "We believe fewer than 500 copies of Video Life were produced and there are probably many fewer still floating about today." That would make it a good choice!

Thanks for pointing that out!
Smeg

[Atari Smeghead]

2600Lives, on Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:53 AM, said:

It's gotta be Air Raid. The single highest amount paid for a single game was for a complete Air Raid.

MagitekAngel, on Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:55 AM, said:

I think Air Raid is in fact the highest paid price for a complete, commercially released game on any system.

Okay, now that's an interesting stat. Do either of you happen to know how much it sold for? (Or maybe I can do a search for that title in the forums/elsewhere, if you don't know for sure.)

Thanks a lot,
Smeg

Okay, I just did a Google search for it... $31,600??? Wow. Um... wow.

Edited by Atari Smeghead, Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:01 AM.

[bomberpunk]

Wasn't it somewhere near 33k?

EDIT: ok just under 32k. I was close.

Edited by bomberpunk, Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:05 AM.

[MagitekAngel]

If $31600 gives you sticker shock, take heart: you could always get a loose copy for the much more reasonable price of $3575!

[high voltage]

Red Sea Crossing, Birthday Mania, Air Raid are the three 'Holys', Air Raid is the most common of the three.

Edited by high voltage, Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:19 AM.

[Cortat G]

Magicard by Commavid.
Did'nt AtariAge vote that "The Rarest VCS Game?"

[2600Lives]

Yeah, and the guy who bought that Air Raid is a member of AA. Don't remember who it was, but I know he is a member here.

[atari181]

2600Lives, on Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:24 AM, said:

Yeah, and the guy who bought that Air Raid is a member of AA. Don't remember who it was, but I know he is a member here.

Wonder007

[Ataritard]

What about Birthday Mania?

[Cebus Capucinis]

Monogrammed Space Chase.

[jdrose]

Air Raid seems to be the one you are looking for.

The only known original with the box sold for more than $30,000 USD. Loose Air Raids can be had for $3000 to $4000 USD.

I wouldn't call this the "Holy Grail" but Coca Cola's Pepsi invaders is real popular and relatively rare. Word is only 125 were produced.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by jdrose, Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:12 PM.

[awhite2600]

Perhaps I am biased... Extra Terrestrials by Skill Screen Games.

[high voltage]

True, 2 Extra Terrestrials found, right?

[Atari_Bill]

Cebus Capucinis, on Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:03 PM, said:

Monogrammed Space Chase.

Has this ever been proven to exist? Last I knew there was still no definitive proof.

[Lodmot]

I thought Swordquest Waterworld was pretty rare..

[Ranthulfr]

Chase the Chuckwagon!!!

[Wickeycolumbus]

For me:

Birthday Mania
Extra Terrestrials
Gamma Attack
Red Sea Crossing