He-Man's First Game Commands High Prices
The original Masters of the Universe: The Power of He-Man for Atari 2600 and Intellivision is seeing significant collector interest, driven by its rare comic pack-in.
The market for early console games is often driven by more than just the game itself, and the Masters of the Universe: The Power of He-Man situation proves it. This isn't about groundbreaking gameplay; it's about the full package, specifically the comic book that came with it. We're seeing sealed copies of this 1983 Atari 2600 and Intellivision title hit thousands of dollars.
ComicBook Gaming reports that used copies of The Power of He-Man are relatively affordable. However, brand-new sealed copies on eBay can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. That's a wide spread, but it shows the demand for pristine examples of this early licensed title.
The Comic Book Factor
This is where the real money is. The original Masters of the Universe comic, packed in with the game, is a critical driver for value. Copies without this comic sell for much less, even if the game cartridge itself is in good shape. This is a classic Complete In Box (CIB) versus loose debate, but with an extra layer of collectible media.
Auction data from Heritage Auctions, a major player in high-end collectibles, shows the ceiling. A 9.4 A+ graded new copy of The Power of He-Man sold for $10,200 in 2022. That's a serious number for a game that isn't exactly a gameplay masterpiece. Another 19 copies have sold between $1,200 and $7,800, showing consistent demand for high-grade examples.
The Game Itself: A Quick Look
The game's design is a curiosity. When The Power of He-Man was released, the franchise was still in its infancy. The video game medium couldn’t fully capture the fantasy elements of Masters of the Universe.
It starts with He-Man flying his Wind Raider, battling generic adversaries in a Defender-style segment. The second half shifts to a Breakout and Tron arcade game hybrid, where He-Man faces Skeletor. Players can use He-Man's power sword to deflect Skeletor’s blasts. It's a simple loop, not the epic fantasy experience the franchise would later become.
What This Means for Collectors
What this hints at, for the scene, is the power of ancillary items. The game itself is a historical footnote for many, but the comic makes it a true collector's item. This isn't about playability; it's about the preservation of a complete piece of media history. The market consistently rewards completeness and condition, especially when a unique item like a comic is part of the original release.
The upcoming He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction from Bitmap Bureau and Limited Run might finally deliver a game that captures the show's spirit. That's a different market, though. For the original, the value will remain tied to those pristine, comic-inclusive packages. The data is clear: if you want top dollar, you need the full, untouched experience.
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Originally announced by Atari · first reported by ComicBook Gaming.