Retirement of Lego Atari 2600 Building Set
Lego discreetly initiated the retirement process of its Atari 2600 building set towards the end of last year. As we enter March, the sentimental 2,532-piece display model is now unavailable at all major retailers except for one. You can still purchase the Atari 2600 for its standard $240 MSRP on Amazon. Last year, Amazon, like other retailers, depleted its stock of this set, but occasionally restocks retired Lego sets, as seen in this case.
Although the Lego Atari frequently received discounts ranging from $50 to $100 during its over two-year existence, the $240 price tag may seem steep. However, resellers on platforms like Amazon and Walmart have recently begun listing the retired set for prices exceeding $300. It is possible that $240 will seem like a bargain in the near future.
This set is ideal for advanced builders. Once constructed, you will have a replica console with operational switches, a brick-based Atari joystick that emulates the original controller’s movements, and even multiple cartridges for display.
It’s important to note that this Atari console is purely for visual emulation, yet another nostalgic surprise is a hidden gaming room reminiscent of the ’80s era. This small diorama features intricate details like a vintage landline telephone, television, posters, and a boombox.
The buildable cartridges are modeled after actual games such as Asteroids, Centipede, and Adventure. These cartridges can be stored in a case and assembled into miniature 3D versions of the games’ vignettes. Moreover, the console includes a switch to alternate between color and black-and-white displays.
Presently, the Atari 2600 stands as the most cost-effective option among Lego’s retro video game hardware sets. The Nintendo Entertainment System and Pac-Man Arcade kits rarely deviate from their $270 price points–with the NES often out of stock. Later this year, Lego will expand its gaming hardware collection with a Game Boy building set. The upcoming Game Boy Lego set is rumored to be released in October, priced at $60 MSRP.
Other Lego Gaming Hardware Sets
Additionally, Mega Bloks has produced an officially licensed Xbox 360 Collector Building Set, consisting of 1,342 pieces, exclusively available at Target.