Meltdown
Atari 2600 · 2007
About this game
Meltdown is basically a game of hide and seek that place on a 4x4 grid of atoms.
At the start of each round you will see a rogue quark move about the reactor agitating the atoms.
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Each time the quark touches one of atoms it will strip off some of the electrons and atom will shrink.
Once an atom has lost all it's electrons it will become unstable, if all the atoms destabilize the reactor will blow! Why 20th Century Fox decided to cancel Meltdown is unknown, but was most likely due to the collapsing video game market.
The decision to cancel the game must have been made at the last moment, as advertisements proudly boasting 'Just Released' had already been printed.
Although Meltdown was displayed at the 1983 CES show, it was never seen again after the show closed.
Long thought lost, Meltdown surfaced in a resale shop in 2004 where by chance it was discovered by a passing collector.
About Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 (1977) was the console that first proved interchangeable game cartridges could sustain a mass-market business, effectively founding the home console industry as we know it. Most common 2600 titles are inexpensive today given how many units and copies were sold, but a small number of extremely rare releases — including several from Atari's own late-era prototype and licensed titles — are among the most valuable cartridges in retro collecting.
Gamevaro tracks Meltdown for Atari 2600 with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Meltdown to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This A2600 release dates back to 2007.
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-15 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €32.84 |
| 2026-07-15 | Loose / Item only | PAL | €18.25 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Only a handful of market sales have been tracked for Meltdown, suggesting it doesn't trade hands very often — a sign of relative scarcity compared to more common Atari 2600 titles.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Meltdown worth?
Meltdown for Atari 2600 is currently worth €18.25 loose. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Meltdown rare?
Meltdown has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Atari 2600 titles.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Meltdown?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. These are tracked as separate market values because the price gap between them can be significant, especially for older releases.
Is Meltdown worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Meltdown is currently worth €18.25 loose, versus €32.84 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
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