The clearest recent prices for Atari Cosmos artifacts are $25,903 and $19,460 for two prototype design mock-ups sold by RR Auction in 2024, including buyer’s premium. Neither was functional, and both lacked the logic board. A separate Cosmos Asteroids hologram with period materials sold for $1,503 in 2026. These are prices for specific auction lots—not a general appraisal of every Cosmos item.
What did Atari Cosmos items sell for?
RR Auction’s results show why the kind of object matters as much as the name on it. The two higher-value sales were prototype design mock-ups from Pong creator Allan Alcorn’s collection; the lower result was a hologram and associated material, not a complete system.
| Artifact and sale | Realized price | What the lot description establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmos prototype design mock-up, March 21, 2024 | $25,903, including buyer’s premium | From Alcorn’s collection; logic board absent and did not power up. RR Auction lot record |
| Cosmos prototype design mock-up, August 22, 2024 | $19,460, including buyer’s premium | From Alcorn’s collection; logic board absent and non-functional. RR Auction lot record |
| Asteroids dual-incandescent hologram plus period materials, August 20, 2026 | $1,503, including buyer’s premium | A hologram/component lot, not a complete Cosmos system. RR Auction lot record |
The two mock-ups sold for different amounts—a $6,443 difference—even though both were described as non-functional. The available lot information does not explain the gap, so it would be speculation to assign it to a particular condition or bidding factor.
Why these results are not a universal Cosmos price
Atari never released Cosmos as a consumer product, so there is no ordinary retail market or established consumer price history to use as a baseline. The auction results above are realized prices for individual artifacts at one specialist auction house. They do not establish a market average, a guaranteed resale value, or the value of a complete, working prototype.
#1 Best Overall
- Officially licensed Atari titles. Titles include Asteroids, Centipede, Millipede, Breakout, Missile Command, Crystal Castles and many more. Game save options.
- Packed with over 200 built-in Atari games + bonus titles. Pac-Man & Galaga not included. Full Game list listed below.
- Includes Atari console, games instructions, 2 wireless joysticks, USB power cable, HDMI cable, and user manual. System connects directly to TV.
- Includes two 2.4 GHz wireless joysticks, inspired by the original Atari joysticks, include paddles for paddle games like Breakout, Warlords and many more.
- User Guide Languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Japanese and Arabic. Dynamic RGB LED lights.
Atari Gaming Headquarters Museum reports planned prices of $100 for the system and $10 per game cartridge. Those were proposed retail prices, not amounts consumers actually paid: Atari Gaming Headquarters Museum’s historical account.
What the Atari Cosmos was
Cosmos was an unreleased tabletop electronic game system combining a red LED array with holographic images on cartridges. The holograms supplied game-themed imagery over the display; describing the device as projecting a modern, free-floating 3-D image would overstate what the design did. Historical descriptions differ in how strongly they characterize the visual effect as “3-D.”
Rank #2
- 🕹️Officially Licensed: Officially licensed Atari titles, ensuring an authentic gaming experience, includes bonus games.
- Portable Gameplay: Powered by 4 AA batteries (not included) or by a USB-C cable (not included). IMPORTANT NOTE: Please use standard non-rechargeable batteries.
- Collector's Item: A must-own for collectors and fans of video games, celebrating Atari's pioneering legacy spanning over 50 years.
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm headphone jack lets you enjoy Atari on the go on your own privately. Built-in speaker with volume control and brightness adjustment
- 🎯 Iconic Titles: Relive iconic Atari classics like Pong, Yars Revenge, Breakout, Asteroids Centipede, Missile Command, and many more with 100 games in one compact unit.
Atari engineer and designer Roger Hector recalled that the project reached production tooling and pilot production with eight game cartridges. He also said it appeared at the 1981 Winter CES and Toy Fair. Hector attributed the decision to hold it back to CEO Ray Kassar’s explanation that Atari had overbooked VCS orders and needed production capacity. That is Hector’s account of what he was told, not proof that it was the sole cause. Atari Compendium account and interview.
How to assess a specific Cosmos item
A useful comparison starts by identifying exactly what is being sold. The cited lots include two design mock-ups and a separate hologram with period materials; those are not interchangeable with a complete or operating system.
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Rank #3
- · This product features retro classic video games. Please note that the sound and picture displayed on your TV may not match the quality of modern technology.
- Video game console with 130 Built-In games, including Atari 2600 classics like Asteroids, Centipede, and Missile Command, as well as other legends like Activision Pitfall and River Raid. Refer to the uploaded game list picture to find games of interest.
- This is a mini console, significantly smaller than the original Atari console. HDMI video output (720P) Plug & Play on HD TV (HDMI cable included). Save/Load/Rewind all games/Powered by Micro USB (adapter included).
- The joystick is wired, not wireless, and includes red buttons on the side. There are no additional buttons. Wired paddles may not have the flexibility to move to the side of the TV, but this is consistent with the original gaming experience.
- Please review full game list. For better gaming experience, please update the firmware for the product as soon as you plug the item in.
- Artifact type and completeness: distinguish a working prototype or complete system from an empty mock-up, a single hologram, packaging, or documentation.
- Authentication and provenance: look for records that support the item’s identity and ownership history. The 2024 mock-ups were identified as coming from Alcorn’s collection.
- Operation and condition: establish whether it works and document cosmetic condition. Both 2024 mock-ups lacked logic boards and could not function as complete operating units.
- Included material: note original holograms, cartridges, packaging, and documents, and whether they are part of the lot or merely shown alongside it.
- Sale context: compare the sale date and venue as well as the object. A few auction results cannot supply adjustment rates for condition, completeness, or provenance.
If you are considering a sale, describe the item precisely and retain its provenance and condition records. A specialist auction or consignment service may be a route to a market for this kind of memorabilia, but the cited results are comparables, not a promise of what another lot will bring.
How rare is the Atari Cosmos?
Cosmos is extremely rare because Atari never released it, and specialist auction listings describe surviving hardware and components as exceedingly rare. Published counts are not consistent: one Atari Gaming Headquarters account said only one system had then been located, while a later Handheld Museum entry described six known units, including mock-ups and working prototypes. These are dated secondary accounts with different scopes, not an authoritative current census. Handheld Museum entry.
Rank #4
- Officially licensed: This officially licensed Atari console features classic games from Atari, including titles originally released on the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Atari Arcade, Atari Recharged, M-Network and Balls Of Steels Pinball tables.
- 🕹️ 200+ video games built-in, including PAC-MAN, Atari: Recharged and Balls of Steel, Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Missile Command, Tempest, Warlords, Yars Revenge and many More!
- 🎯 Also includes licensed games from Jaleco & PIKO Interactive. Game Save options.
- High resolution 7” full color display. The integrated paddle, d-pad, trak-ball, numeric keypad, bumpers, and classic gamepad buttons (A,B,X,Y) allow you to play every game in the collection with the controls it was designed for.
- 🕹️ Connects to TV via HDMI. Built in Wi-Fi for easy updates. Powered by a built-in rechargeable battery.
Sources and collection context
The Strong National Museum of Play announced on January 27, 2026 that it had acquired the Curt Vendel Atari Collection, including engineering and product materials intended to support research and future public viewing. The collection is a relevant preservation resource for Atari history; its announcement does not establish the value or population of Cosmos objects. The Strong’s announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- REAL PLAYABLE RETRO GAMING EXPERIENCE: Enjoy authentic gameplay on a mini Atari 2600 console featuring a working joystick and TV screen. Includes 10 classic games like Pac-Man and Breakout with real sound effects for a true vintage arcade feel.
- 10 BUILT-IN CLASSIC VIDEO GAMES: Preloaded with iconic Atari titles, this mini arcade system delivers hours of entertainment without downloads or internet. Perfect for fans of retro gaming and collectors of vintage consoles.
- PORTABLE MINI ARCADE CONSOLE: Compact 3.5” size makes it easy to take anywhere—great for travel, desks, or small spaces. A fun handheld gaming option for kids and adults who want gaming on the go.
- PERFECT GIFT FOR RETRO GAMERS & KIDS: A nostalgic gift idea for adults who grew up with Atari and a fun introduction to classic games for kids ages 8+. Ideal for birthdays, holidays, and stocking stuffers.
- COLLECTIBLE MINIATURE ATARI SYSTEM: Designed to resemble the original Atari 2600, this tiny arcade unit is both a playable game and a collectible display piece for gaming enthusiasts and collectors.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
