My now deceased father was a patten attorney for Magnavox in the late 70s and early 80s and was part of the Odyssey game console project doing most of the attendees work for it and for his efforts he got 2 of them, one that was opened and used one that was not and they were both from production before they were released for sale to the public.  My mother recently gave me one that was in the original shipping box addressed to my father.  I have no use for this thing and it takes up a bit of space so I am looking to see what this thing is worth to the "right" collector.  Anyone have any idea what it could it be worth?  I have been told there is a company (the name escapes me) that would X-ray to confirm it is intact and then seal it in a permanent clear case, but I have heard that this is expensive and if it is worth less that the actual accrediting its not really worth it.  So what does the Arfcom game nerds say?

Not a game nerd but I think PSA would do it.

Might be pricy,

Also I think PSA got in trouble for fake authentication or at least the guy on pawn stars did.


Use brave search engine for info , not a Gun forum

@fullautoguy

It would be neat to at least see come pictures of what you have, and if you have access to the opened console. Some of the parts in the unopened box are EXTREMELY rare and would be of interest to museums hunting consumable parts like the original EverReady batteries that came with the consoles and documentation.

At the bottom of this page, there is an email to a guy that has done work dating and cataloging these early consoles. He may have a better idea who you could contact and the best method of preserving it for a hardcore vintage console collector.

https://www.pong-story.com/odyssey_dating.htm

Thanks sir, when I get home I’ll get a pic or 2

bumpdate!

@Fullautoguy

Any pics?

Sorry for the long delay in this

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I had one of those as my first gaming system. Played the heck out if Showdown in 2040 ad and global conquest...or something like that.
Fun system.

Just a FYI- If it really is a pre-production/engineering sample there could be legal issues for selling it. Depending on the exact situation, most earlier samples are still considered company property.
I would suggest checking out that situation before you try to sell it.  In your case, it seems like it was a regular production run and possibly with a very low serial number, so potential value increase right there.

On the other hand, extremely rare pieces of hardware and or games (even Eng/Dev/Demo stuff) can sell for ridiculous amounts if you find the right collector.

The whole card/video game/box collector market entered a huge bubble during covid and I haven't really been following what has happened the last year or so.
If it is a really rare piece with high demand, getting it graded or authenticated somehow could drastically increase the price.

I would think I guy that has the hobby of documenting the history of early gaming would give you a pretty realistic idea of what it is potentially worth or at least get you in contact with someone who knows.
I would try to contact that guy at pong-story and see what he thinks.

Who is “I Guy”

After looking at the back of the box I found the serial number.  So I looked online to see what’s what but all I could find was stuff for the first series odyssey console.

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Contact Pawn Stars

Look to see what they have sold for on eBay.