Shopping for retro legacy video games is less about finding a console and more about deciding how much tinkering you're willing to do. Should you spend $52.24 on a Coleco Telstar that is listed for parts, or jump to $145 for an Atari bundle with games and controllers? In between sit a ColecoVision in black and a handheld lighter-game hybrid that's as strange as it is collectible. This guide walks through four very different retro options so you can match your budget, your display setup, and your tolerance for "project" items.
Quick Take
- If you want the lowest price and are ready to repair: Vintage Coleco Telstar Arcade Video Game Console w/ Gun Controller ROUGH COND at $52.24.
- If you want the most complete bundle: Vintage Atari CX-2600A Video Game Console W/ 15 Games, Paddles, & Joysticks at $145.
- If you want a dedicated home console with flexible hookups: Vintage Coleco ColecoVision (Model 2400) Video Game System - Black (2400 at $120.
- If you want a conversation-piece handheld that combines an LCD game with a lighter: Vintage Gambler Lighter WIN INTERNATIONAL Handheld Electronic Video GAME A1 at $128.
Price Comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar | Condition / What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage Gambler Lighter WIN INTERNATIONAL Handheld Electronic Video GAME A1 | USD 128.00 | Used; handheld game/lighter sold as-is | |
| Vintage Coleco Telstar Arcade Video Game Console w/ Gun Controller ROUGH COND | USD 52.24 | For parts or not working; includes gun controller and original cables | |
| Vintage Atari CX-2600A Video Game Console W/ 15 Games, Paddles, & Joysticks | USD 145.00 | Used; tested working with 15 games, paddles, joysticks, TV adapter | |
| Vintage Coleco ColecoVision (Model 2400) Video Game System - Black (2400 | USD 120.00 | Used; home console with RF and S-Video connectivity |
The price spread runs from $52.24 to $145, with the lowest option coming in 64% below the highest.
Decision Matrix
- Lowest-cost project: The Telstar Arcade is the cheapest entry point, but it's a fixer-upper.
- Play-ready bundle: The Atari CX-2600A is the most likely to let you start gaming quickly, with a full games/controller bundle.
- Display-friendly classic: The ColecoVision Model 2400 gives you more flexible video hookup options for a vintage system.
- Collector's curiosity: The WIN International lighter game is the oddest of the four and the least practical, so buy it for the story, not the gameplay.
Product Notes
Vintage Gambler Lighter WIN INTERNATIONAL Handheld Electronic Video GAME A1
This is the wildcard of the group: a Win International handheld that combines an electronic lighter with an LCD game. Priced like a collector's oddity rather than a daily player, it's one of the higher-ticket items here. The item is used, and the lighter itself is described as looking gorgeous, but the unit has not been tested because the seller lacks the small battery and doesn't know how to refill the fuel. It is sold as-is. If you collect unusual handhelds or want a display piece that starts conversations, this is the one. If you want to actually play a game, you'll need to source a battery and figure out the fuel situation, which makes it a project with a high curiosity payoff.
Vintage Coleco Telstar Arcade Video Game Console w/ Gun Controller ROUGH COND
The most affordable retro console in the group, this Coleco Telstar Arcade includes a gun controller plus original cables and controllers. But the condition is clearly stated as "For parts or not working," so treat it as a restoration project or a parts donor. The console shows peeling stickers and surface scratches from years of use. The original cables and controllers are a useful start if you're piecing together a complete setup. The catch: you're buying an untested unit that may need repair. This is not a plug-and-play purchase. It's for someone who enjoys opening up a console and bringing it back to life.
Vintage Atari CX-2600A Video Game Console W/ 15 Games, Paddles, & Joysticks
The most expensive and most complete option here, the Atari CX-2600A comes with 15 games, paddle controllers, joysticks, and an adapter for newer TVs. The seller notes it is tested and working, though "a little finicky." That finicky caveat is worth repeating: one of the included controllers is believed not to work, and the charger is not the original. If you want the full retro starter kit and are okay with a minor quirk or two, this bundle gives you the most to play with immediately. If you expect every controller to work perfectly, you'll need to plan for a possible replacement.
Vintage Coleco ColecoVision (Model 2400) Video Game System - Black (2400
This black ColecoVision Model 2400 is a dedicated home console that sits in the middle of the price spread. It lists both RF and S-Video connectivity, giving you more hookup flexibility for a vintage system. The console is used and works as a standard-def machine, so the output is below 480p - part of the era's charm. The trade-off is that it comes as just the system, not a bundle, so you'll need to track down controllers and games separately. It's a good centerpiece for a dedicated classic-gaming setup.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
- For a low-cost weekend project: the Coleco Telstar Arcade.
- For the most playable bundle out of the gate: the Atari CX-2600A.
- For a clean, classic home console to build around: the ColecoVision Model 2400.
- For a one-of-a-kind shelf piece: the WIN International lighter game.
