$2,000 for a working Paperboy.. Thoughts?

FrancisJFox

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A working Atari Paperboy just dropped into the market today; it's being sold for $2,000.00 American Dollars in the Midwest region.

Any comments community?

Be Well
 
Even with the weirdly high prices on Paperboy parts lately, that seems a little high.

It could sell for that though, eventually. It would certainly help if it's been restored.

Edit: oh, I see this is about a game FS on the forum. Dude can ask what he wants for it. If you don't like his price you could make an offer. I don't think we need to price police his offering.
 
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Paperboy is an $800 game ... to me. I wouldn't pay more than $800 for one and that one better be in good shape. I've had two. I've sold two.
 
The seller says it's in good condition - just needs side art.

This is the one on the forum? Sides are painted wrong color, so that is not really accurate.

I agree with Frizz mostly. Does Paperboy sell for $2K? In some rare cases where condition merits. Would I pay that? No, to me it seems way too high.
 
Is it a $2000 game?

no...


Can I get $2000 for one?

Unfortunately, yes. Current market has escalated this game into the "stupid money" region. Enough people want one, and the rarity factor is driving the price way up. The $800 control panel mentioned on both here and facebook is real. This game has sold many times over in the $1500 range and just keeps climbing. Sad, but true.
 
This is the one on the forum? Sides are painted wrong color, so that is not really accurate.

I agree with Frizz mostly. Does Paperboy sell for $2K? In some rare cases where condition merits. Would I pay that? No, to me it seems way too high.

Edit: Most recent ebay sale was $2025.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-Paper...kih%2FbHZw4rPueRrI2Z4%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

One before that sold for $2425.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Paperb...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
 
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The Arcade in Brighton, MI sold their Paperboy (less than mint condition - could have benefited from a restore ) sold their PB about a year & a half ago for $800.00.

I agree ~ these games are only worth what people will pay for them.

God, I wish I would have gotten into this hobby 10 years ago.
 
That seems about what to expect, based on recent prices.

Let's face it, Paperboy is a hard game to find, and the dedicated cab is even more in demand because it just can't be simulated properly in Mame (without the handlebars).

I got mine a few years ago, only by finding an inexpensive Championship Sprint and converting it to Paperboy. But now, even that would be an expensive option with the cost that the Paperboy parts are bringing. I think the high prices are going to be here for a while, unless a lot more cabinets get discovered somewhere.
 
I don't think it's out of line at all. The proof is out there. It does say "obo". $1500-$1800 is possible.

It comes down to your location and "how bad do you want it".

Prices aren't dropping anytime soon unless we go to war or Obama declares a 3rd term for one reason or another.
 
Is it a $2000 game?



no...





Can I get $2000 for one?



Unfortunately, yes. Current market has escalated this game into the "stupid money" region. Enough people want one, and the rarity factor is driving the price way up. The $800 control panel mentioned on both here and facebook is real. This game has sold many times over in the $1500 range and just keeps climbing. Sad, but true.



I've never heard Paperboy classified as a rare game. In fact, I'd say the opposite. Interviews with developers have said it was an extremely good seller and made Atari loads of cash from selling so well and their unique selling arrangement with Paperboy.
 
Last week a paperboy handlebar control panel sold on ebay, it had 20-something bids, it went for 900 dollars.

If a control panel can go for $900 then an entire working game, regardless of the condition of the art on it, should certainly be able to fetch at least 2x that...so 2Gs, while not my cup of tea, it is certainly within the realm of possibility.
 
Paperboy needs a unique controller and if production numbers are to be believed (3442) that combo makes it a rare game that can't be emulated in MAME (unless of course you can get your hands on one of the 3442 controllers).
 
Paperboy needs a unique controller and if production numbers are to be believed (3442) that combo makes it a rare game that can't be emulated in MAME (unless of course you can get your hands on one of the 3442 controllers).



Paperboy doesn't need a unique controller. It uses one. An analog joystick could be used if some really wanted to.

There definitely were more then 3442 controllers made as That only counts the number of paperboy sold.

I'm not sure how a unique controller factors into a game being rare as I would have thought it only had to deal with the number made. If 3442 is a rare number then do we now classify most games from that era and beyond as rare now?
 
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Paperboy doesn't need a unique controller. It uses one. An analog joystick could be used if some really wanted to.

There definitely were more then 3442 controllers made as That only counts the number of paperboy sold.

I'm not sure how a unique controller factors into a game being rare as I would have thought it only had to deal with the number made. If 3442 is a rare number then do we now classify most games from that era and beyond as rare now?

Yeah, ok - you win. It isn't rare and I guess everyone that can't get a hold of one of the plentiful handlebar controllers is building and trading them with joysticks.
 
One of the most basic rules of economics is supply and demand dictates price.
Rarity and quality would be the other contributing factors.
Although Paper Boy is technically not a rare game, the demand is definitely there and current market trends have defiantly reached this price and well above.
Its a popular game that is quite sought after by collectors.
Personally I would rather have a Paper Boy, then some rarer game at the same price level that holds no nostalgic factor for me that I never played as a kid.
 
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