Key Facts

  • The Lego Atari 2600 is a reincarnation of the classic video game system in the form of a Lego set. It comes with 2,532 pieces, and is 4 inches high, 13 inches wide, and 9 inches deep. It is suitable for individuals aged 18 and above.The only places fans can obtain the set at present are Lego.com and Lego stores at a price of $239.99.

The Lego Atari 2600 brings the classic video game system back in Lego form. Although you can’t play this Atari on the TV, you’re sure to get hours of fun assembling pieces. Atari Lego is excellent memorabilia especially if you haven’t played the real Atari in many years. The set’s accuracy is astounding, and the controller’s joystick pretty incredible, with a full range of motion.

© Evan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Lego Atari 2600: Best Deal Today

Lego recently released the Atari 2600 set, so it has not made it to retailers. Currently, Lego.com and Lego stores are the only places to purchase the Atari 2600, costing $239.99. They typically do this for the more expensive sets, such as their Icons and Ideas collections.

Although the sticker price is quite high, it is a pretty good price for a Lego set, considering the per-piece price is about 9-1/2 cents. In addition, licensed sets like the Atari 2600 are usually considered a reasonable price under 10 cents.

Lego Atari 2600: Overview

The Lego Atari 2600 recreates the classic console with a few additions. With 2,532 pieces, the Atari 2600 is a pretty large set. It’s designed for 18 and above. The set is 4″ tall X 13″ wide X 9″ deep.

With the Lego set, you can relive the fun and excitement you enjoyed with the Atari 2600 in a new way. Once complete, you will undoubtedly want to fire it up and play some Adventure or Space Invaders.

Lego painstakingly recreated every detail of the console down to the faux woodgrain finish on the front. The set has many extras, which help add some fun and excitement.

Release date and price

Price cuts and sales are unlikely as most Lego sets like this rarely drop in price, but it is possible. However, you can find bonus deals on lego.com, such as double VIP points and bonus sets throughout the year.

Lego Icons

Lego recently launched its Icons’ models to replace creator lineup. It is designed for adult builders and includes more advanced sets than their smaller toy sets.

Many of these sets are similar to the Atari 2600 in that they take something from the real world and turn it into Lego form. Other examples from this line include vehicles, plants and even historical buildings.

Features

The console is masterfully recreated down to the switches and cartridge slot. But the details don’t end there. On the backside, you will also find controller inputs and switches for channel and difficulty.

The best part is you get much more than just the console. The controller looks and feels just like the original, and the joystick even moves. Plus, it also includes three cartridges, Asteroids Adventure and Centipede.

Another nice addition is the three miniature models of each game, bringing to life a real Centipede, the castle from Adventure and Asteroids getting blown up. The set also includes a game storage stand that resembles one you would have found in the 80s.

But another surprise lies inside; just slide forward the front of the console to reveal a hidden scene. It is a Lego minifigure playing an Atari on an old tube TV in a room that’s perfectly out of the 80s.

Specifications

Lego Atari 2600 Review

As a big fan of retro gaming and the Atari 2600, this Lego set is absolutely fantastic. Its size and scale are perfect, and the additional cartridges are a nice touch. The cartridge stand is a nice touch as it harkens back to a time when gamers prominently put them on display.

Another nice feature is the three models, which are based on Centipede, Asteroids and Adventure. These can either be displayed alongside the console or in another location. The controller is also a nice touch where it’s full of detail and includes the brown markings and a red button, just like the originals did.

But Lego saves the best for last when you slide the console open; you find a guy sitting in a room playing on a tube TV with his Atari. The details in this room are phenomenal. From the boom box all the way down to the posters on the wall, this bedroom looks like it’s right out of the 80s.

We also found that the cartridge slot and the controller connection were also nice touches as you feel a solid connection. The Atari shirt-wearing minifig holding a controller is also a nice addition.

While I wasn’t alive when the Atari 2600 launched, I still very much enjoy the console, and I have one of my own. So when the Lego Atari 2600 came out, I had to buy it, and I am sure glad that I did.

It sits nicely next to my Lego NES console, and while it doesn’t have a TV to go with it, it still looks great sitting next to the NES. I look forward to Lego releasing more of these consoles in the future and having a full collection of Lego consoles next to the real ones.

While the console is great, we shouldn’t forget to talk about the downsides, and the main one is that this is expensive for just a display piece. Whether you should buy one depends entirely on your budget and your love for the machine. Although it is nice, it probably isn’t worth the cost to most non-gamers.

Another negative you may find is that there are a lot of stickers. I personally don’t mind stickers when they are used in places that originally used stickers. So cartridges and console labels. However, some still find it unacceptable for sets of this price to use any stickers.

Lego Atari 2600 Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • High-quality building setMultiple display piecesIncludes a minifigure

Cons:

  • Pretty expensiveThe slide mechanism is finickyHas a lot of stickers

Lego Atari 2600: Is It a Buy?

The Lego Atari 2600 is a great set with many hidden details. However, it’s not the most affordable. Lego collectors will love the attention to detail, such as the scene inside the console.

Similarly, they will enjoy the separate display scenes for Centipede, Adventure, and Asteroids. The classic cartridge holder is also a nice touch, and all of these pieces could be displayed separately.

If you have a Lego collection or a video game collection, then the Lego Atari 2600 will be a nice addition. It will look great sitting next to the Lego Nintendo Entertainment System console. Both consoles are roughly the same scale, so they will pair well.

Buy it if…

You love the Atari 2600

If you grew up with the Atari 2600 or you’re a big fan of the console, then you will probably enjoy this set. This is especially true if you love to collect gaming memorabilia, plus it will look great sitting next to your real Atari 2600.

You are a big fan of Lego sets

You should also consider buying this set if you’re a big fan of Lego and enjoy building their models. This is a unique crossover where a unique product is brought into Lego form. The building style is very unique and features many techniques that builders will love.

Don’t buy it if…

You don’t want to shell out a couple of hundred bucks on a Lego set

This set isn’t cheap, considering it will sit on a shelf. Although it is a great display piece, Atari 2600 Lego is not something you will find useful or entertaining just sitting idle. If you’re not a big fan of Atari, this may not be right purchase for you as well.

Lego sets can bring you down a rabbit hole if you let it. Many sets come out every year, and you can’t possibly buy and build all of them. If the Atari 2600 doesn’t mean much to you, then it is probably best to avoid purchasing this set.

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