Help! is this a good buy? (pics)

[Redseven80]

Magnavox odesey for $350 NZ

[Gunstar Hero]

For a collector, maybe. It looks pretty complete.

For gaming value, no. It's a PONG-type system with a crapload of accessories.

[mahuti]

yawn.

[Stingray]

I can't get the large picture to show, so it's difficult to say if it's complete or not. In any case I'd guess that's probably a fair price for a complete Odyssey, though I really don't know what the going price for one is. It's a pretty highly sought after piece if it is in fact complete.

-S

[Hoagie_one]

old friend of mine has one of those still, in teh box, with like 30 games and some goofy accessories.

he always wanted an excuse to pull it out and play it....never did anything for me

[APFelon]

Electronics are an odd collectable.... can one really classify an old gaming system as an "antique"?

I mean, old gaming systems have no real... "function". Will you get the same amount of fun and joy out of it as you would if you bought it in 1972? Can you display it? Does it have any nostalgia value? Is it really rare, and even if it were, so what?

Compare it to a arcade cabinet. An arcade cabinet has some aesthetic appeal and is a huge nostalgia item. A gaming console from 1972 is... not.

I know what I am trying to say, but I am having trouble saying it. I'll just put it to you this way: Don't buy it, it is a ripoff.

APf

[Stingray]

Compare it to a arcade cabinet. An arcade cabinet has some aesthetic appeal and is a huge nostalgia item. A gaming console from 1972 is... not.

I know what I am trying to say, but I am having trouble saying it. I'll just put it to you this way: Don't buy it, it is a ripoff.

This is of course only your opinion. There are plenty of people who are rabidly into collecting vintage console systems and games (take a look through the Atariage.com forums). Given this item's age, and the fact that it is presumably boxed and complete, there are collectors out there who would love to add it to their collection. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

-S

[Redseven80]

Yeah I'm a collector, and I really want someone to talk me out of it , I might get it , feel the wraith of my girlfriend no doubt, and also I wont tell my friends, "what??!? you spent how much on something with less graphics than a calculator!!!"

[Scott84]

Its not worth it. If you got that for a steal as in under $30 US... then i would say so.

Anything more then $30 is not worth it.

[APFelon]

This is of course only your opinion. There are plenty of people who are rabidly into collecting vintage console systems and games (take a look through the Atariage.com forums). Given this item's age, and the fact that it is presumably boxed and complete, there are collectors out there who would love to add it to their collection. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

-S

Of course it is my opinion. I didn't present it as otherwise. However, doing a simple Google search of the current market value of an Odyssey simply contradicts the seller's price point. From here: http://www.pong-story.com/odyssey.htm

Odyssey information for the collector:

Because it is the first video game system, the Odyssey is quite sought after by collectors. Because of the large numbers produced, it is still easy to find one, especiallly in an auction web site like eBay. Although prices vary depending on the demand, the average price for a complete Odyssey console is $100. Anyone who wants to buy an Odyssey must be patient and not feel the need to buy the first unit offered. Extras like add-on games, carrying cases and rifle packs can add a significant value to the console itself. On the other hand, an incomplete system can sell for very little.

I'm not sure what postage is to the land of the Kiwi, but something tells me if he bought a set from the US he'd save money.

Look, I understand people collect all sorts of things. My mother collects spoons, my wife collects figurines, I collect arcade cabinets. But a serious look at the old electronics market shows that it really doesn't have anything other than a small, die-hard collector base and that old consumer electronic items are still pretty common, even thirty year old items. Folks reflexively don't want to throw out small items that they paid a considerable amount of money for when they can just store it somewhere and forget about it. A patient collector could probably pick up such an item for under 10$ US, if not free from someone who wants to give it a good home.

My point is that 250$ USD is far too much to pay for a thirty year old gaming console. Be patient and wait for a better deal.

APf

[RayB]

The reason they want that much is because it is a rare "first run" of the machine (it was redesigned and came in many more flavors later on) with the box and extra goodies.

Here's an example of one in NEW condition, in the box with all the goods, that sold for $207 us on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4315&item=8166452015&rd=1

That said, that one is in NEW condition, so $250 is a little high, but not as overpriced as people think.

[Redseven80]

Ok then, Its just Ive never seen one here before, so I have nothing pricewise I can compare it with, but I think Ill give it a miss.
Sounds like there not as rare as I thought they where.

[tommy]

i wouldnt let people talk you out off something you like

[JB]

Digitpress estimates a loose one(presumably with enough widgets to ne usable) as worth about 125 US$.
http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/game.cmf?gameid=303