Atari 2600 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Value Guide

The 1982 Atari 2600 release of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is one of the most significant artifacts in video game history, famously linked to the industry crash of 1983. While millions were buried in a New Mexico landfill due to commercial failure, high-grade sealed copies have become holy grails for collectors of gaming lore.

What Is Atari 2600 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Worth?

The typical price range for Atari 2600 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is $35,000 - $35,000 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The Wata numerical grade, which significantly impacts the $35,000 valuation for top-tier specimens.
• The presence of the original factory shrink wrap, as most copies were opened or discarded in the 1980s.
• The historical notoriety of the title, specifically its connection to the 1983 video game crash and the New Mexico landfill event.
• The overall box condition, including the absence of 'crushing' or sun-fading on the vibrant purple and black packaging.

How to Identify Atari 2600 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial?

• Verify the presence of a professional Wata Games grading capsule and tamper-evident seal.
• Check for the original 1982 Atari, Inc. copyright and 'Made in USA' manufacturing marks on the box.
• Inspect the box for the specific gloss finish and structural integrity unique to early 1980s Atari packaging.
• Ensure the cartridge label inside matches the box art and features the correct product code (CX2605).

History of Atari 2600 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial for the Atari 2600 is legendary, not for its gameplay, but for its catastrophic failure. Released in 1982, the game was rushed to market to capitalize on the movie's success, resulting in poor design and critical panning. It became one of the biggest commercial failures in video game history, leading to Atari burying millions of unsold cartridges in a New Mexico landfill. This event, later confirmed by an archaeological dig, is often cited as a contributing factor to the 1983 video game crash, making the game a significant, albeit infamous, piece of gaming history.