Are Retro Game Prices Really That Bad? 

The price of everything is not the same as things were in 2019. Games, housing, cars, etc. You can still find deals you just have to look a little harder or bundle

Finally! Someone that sees things the way I do. I know the prices have gone up for retro games but the price for over 95% of the retro market is cheaper than when it was new. For instance, DKC was $60 new and if it is $20 (loose) today after 30 years of inflation, well I think you are doing well with such a classic timeless game. Sadly so many RU-vidrs focus on the 5% of games scaring people off.

I wanna point out that the pricecharting price you showed for the different regions of Pokemon Emerald was probably not the best example. since pricecharting is very bad destinguishing between repro/fakes of Pal games, those very often gets bundled in with the sold price of loose games. That is why the Pal version of Pokemon emerald was listed as only 30$. A more realistic price for a real Pal Pokemon Emerald is probably more around 100$. Pricecharting also has the problem that it cannot destinguish between different language versions of Pal games, for example on Pricecharting right now the average loose price of Terranigma for Snes is 60$. The problem is that this number include the English, German and Spanish versions of that game, where the German and Spanish versions are almost half the price of that of the English version which is more realisticly a 110$ game.

For me, I realized that a Everdrive N8 Pro/FX Pak Pro is indistinguishable from a real NES/SNES cartridge. Much more affordable than collecting, and playing on original hardware

One good thing about retro collecting is sometimes if the EN games are expensive I just flock to the JP ones and it gives me motivation to learn Japanese and buy these games instead of going for the EN which saves me money at times as an average retro collector/gamer.

I really like the tone of your voice, how casual you sound, and how you cover content. Keep it up, kid!

Use a time machine and scan every flea market. Youre welcome

Prices aren't a concern for me since I don't collect to sell. I collect games to preserve and play.

Incredibly valuable video. I didn't know about pricecharting so I was going through ebay sold listings instead. Now I can save all that time.

Thanks for making another awesome, high quality video! Glad you're uploading more frequently

Great video! And I completely agree with the statement to only buy what you want to play. It's so easy to over-buy. I have over-bought in the past (and, to be honest, will most likely in the future too), which also applies to digital games. I think a lot of us have vast Steam Libraries full of games we don't even remember buying.

All the prices you show are for loose copies often not even in optimal conditions . Collectors usually want the complete in box stuff that is outrageously expensive

Here’s my thought. Games are never going to be as cheap as they were… but the truth is, used games were always way undervalued. What other item do you buy new for $60 that sell for $2 in a couple of years? I think this retro boom will die out. Maybe not soon but, truthfully, using retro machines is a pain in the ass (and don’t even get me started on people who claim that the “only way” to truly experience retro games is on CRTs). As soon as emulation becomes more easily accessed by the average person, they no longer will want to have a physical copy of, say, Mario Party 3. I’ve been a “collector” for over 30 years. But I haven’t bought a retro game in years. There’s just very little point.

Dude you are making such a great videos! Please dont stop you have potential.

I think emulation keeps them in check. I'm happy about that. The WATA scandal is absolutely a factor though. Definitely watch the vid recommended in this video.

Great video! I like how you pointed out that there are plenty of affordable games that are still very good and in some cases considered must-plays like SMW and ALTTP. Most youtubers just focus on the expensive ones as if those games are the only titles to bother with if you want to get into retro. I think part of it too is that consumers need to be honest with themselves and decide whether they want to play or collect. You can do both, but as you mentioned the collecting side is going to be more expensive. There are numerous ways to play games whether it be for free via emulation, modern console ports, subscription services, flash carts and ODEs on original hardware, etc. So there really isnt much holding a person back from just playing games. If that person "needs" an original chrono trigger cart...so be it but better bring the funds! Lol.

You’re fool if you’re still collecting retro games. This market is about to take a total nose dive.

Well done video with some great pointers! Perhaps the days of buying whatever you want on a shoestring budget are gone, but there are several options to play every game on real hardware (Everdrive carts, etc.) for the cost of a few expensive games.

The Pokemon games are the most frustrating for me, personally. As you stated in the video, these games ALL sold *very* well and there are SO many copies out in the wild. It's just so baffling to me. The 3DS prices are almost just as egregious as Pokemon games. I just wish I at least understood why people are so willing to pay these crazy prices. I've been collecting the NDS/3DS family of consoles, with the intention of getting all the mainline Pokemon games afterward, and it makes absolutely no sense for a console that has been discontinued for less than 10 years to be going for just as much or more than it sold at retail. As far as FB Marketplace for buying retro games/consoles, your availability depends *solely* on your area. My area for instance has essentially nothing at all for retro gaming. Even when something does show up, it's usually in rough shape and the seller will have it listed for the highest price they found on the Google shopping tab with a screenshot of the price they found. Either that, or they just list it for a completely random price that they came up with. Like I've seen a couple people asking for $75 and $80 for a beat up DS Lite, and a O3DS being listed for $200. My favorite is when they list it as "MODDED" and list it for upwards of double the price because they put some pirated games on it. If you live in an area that's good for it, then take advantage of it. For the people like me, it's little to no help at all. My collection has had to all come from online, sadly. It is what it is though.

Retro game prices went actually up, and went off the ramp with lots of pick throughs, because of that one youtube channel that started it all: The Game Chasers :P

Price Charting used to average Amazon, GameStop, and some other sites like JJ Games in the past. They should have expanded the scope of their averaging by including more sites, regional chains and even mom & pop game store that could verify their sales. Would have been overall more healthy for the marketplace, but instead, they got rid of any influence other than eBay which is really unfortunate. Also, many sellers of of the mindset that PC averaging is "skewed too low", because they don't know how averages work. Asking prices always appear higher than actual averages because resellers gonna be resellers.

Great video! Totally agree that there are still wonderful gaming opportunities on a budget (even for GameCube!) I've stopped trying to bid on ebay though. Lately I've been putting in bids at the upper end of the sold items spectrum and always get outbid at an over market price. I just can't understand that.

I love this, great tips. Of course I am one that wants to buy EVERY game for the NES and Sega Genesis, so going in I know I will be working well past retirement age, lol. But overall the tips are fantastic and I love the encouragement

I import Famicom/Super Famicom games and patch them with English text (using the Retron 5) I just acquired Rockman X-X3, Rockman 7, Rockman & Forte, and Rockman Soccer for a total of $150 US (that included shipping and duty)

PS2 has a ton of really cheap games, but some of the craziest games too. Kuon, Rule of Rose, Xenosaga Episode 3, the Silent Hill games like you mentioned. If you like Horror or JRPGs those 2 genres are generally the most expensive.

I could easily recommend an entire retro game setup with systems, controllers and games for $1,000 all in, supporting thousands of hours of gameplay. So it really depends on what you are buying. Adjusted for inflation many games are either cheaper or in line with their original prices.

I like to buy Sega Genesis games CIB, but most my other cartridges are loose. I just like the Genesis boxes. I also collect the disc based games CIB. I’m thinking of maybe starting to collect other special games CIB, like Zelda.

These tips works, but only for those on North America.

for some games, fucking A RIGHT its expensive. lol but for real though, some people just look them up online and think its okay to list their prices like that. my local pawnshops are now doing this. luckily i bought most of them before the younger kids took over and hiked up the prices. i bought disney basketball on gamecube for 15 before they caught on. i think it all started with that whole wata grading situation and that copy of mario 64 going for a million dollars that ruined everything.

I always wonder what the Neo AES would be for average game price? I’m glad I collected for Neo Geo and got a lot of games for okay deals.

I thought Pokemon games were going for more cause a lot of them have Dead save batteries

I have found thrifting is great for ps2, ps3 xbox xbox 360 is great for finding games and you will find some awesome gems

collecting games is simply not worth it anymore. if you're dead set on playing on real hardware, use a flash cart.

Debo decir que hay ciertos factores que han provocado el incremento de los juegos retro: 1) Los juegos actuales cuyos costos son muy altos. 2) Los juegos mal elaborados o con demasiado DLC. 3) Los juegos plagados de micro transacciones o pagos. 4) La nostalgia y la curiosidad de las nuevas generaciones. 5) El maltrato, el uso inadecuado de muchos juegos retro dada su antigüedad. Asimismo, es importante tomar en consideración que el costo de los juegos retro varía en cada país o región de acuerdo a sus preferencias. Por ejemplo, en los Estados Unidos los juegos de Baseball, Futbol americano y los FPS tienen una demanda constante. En cambio, en Latinoamérica y Europa son muy buscados los juegos de futbol soccer y los juegos de peleas. Mientras que; en Asia los JRPGs y las Novelas Visuales acaparan mucho la atención en términos generales. Igualmente, no cabe duda que hay ciertas franquicias que son muy populares y por lo tanto sus juegos son muy a costosos. Por ejemplo: The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania, Metal Gear, Pokémon, Fire Emblem, Contra, Super Mario, Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, etc. Bajo esa tesitura, siempre hay que tener cuidado de los vendedores que incrementan excesivamente el costo de los juegos retro porque se aprovechan de la falta de experiencia en este rubro, o porque hay cierta escasez de algunos títulos. En conclusión, siempre es importante comparar precios cuando se buscan videojuegos retro. Gracias por este video informativo. Los mejores deseos para este canal.

How expensive is an SD card?

Literally if you want to play original Hardware. Buy a console. Mod it. Or put a Flashcart in it. Doin. I sold my whole collection because it doesn't really matter anymore to me. It just collected dust on the wall. I rather sell 8t to people who wanted to experience it like i did. And now. Im more happier knowing my games are being cherished where ever they go. I honestly would have felt bad if my games went to another Collector who just held onto the games and waited another 10 years to sell them for more money. Instead of to familys who want to enjoy playing games. I use to be a collector. Now i kinda hate people like me who try to have a big D energy about there collection. Its really NOT interesting at all knowing that one day you myt die. And your collection just goes to someone else. Its really not that interesting to me anymore because of that myn set i had. What happens if i die? Who would want my collection? And who would be able to get it? In the end. Its the journey. Of playing games. Not trying to collect them all. Or all the things you love. If you really love something. You would let it go....

I live for the forgettable games!! There's so many hidden gems in those titles because people don't ever expect them to be good.... and I mean, yeah most of them suck but it's the hidden gems that make it worth it

You are wrong! Crackhead sellers are the ones who sell stuff for cheap usually way cheaper than market price just to score crack! The best deals are the CRACKHEAD Deals!

12:27 Then . . . Just ignore the average and look at the median instead.

The problem is the “blue book” for games is nonsensical and obtuse 🤦🏻‍♂️… vehicle book values are based on condition … but folks out here selling dog chewed copies no label toy box trash for the “loose price “ 🤦🏻‍♂️ … with the rise in popularity… there needs to be a blue book overhaul to keep these gougers in check…

FIFA 14 was the last fifa for ps2, still not worth paying for 😂

FIFA 19....Xbox 360

If you're not investing, or you don't have an insane amount of money, it's just a dumb thing to buy these games If you want to play, there's a way for almost every older console to "hack" it, so you only need the console psp, vita, 3ds, ps1-ps2-ps3, even gameboys

Yes, they are in fact, that bad still.

The easiest way to save money is to stay away from Nintendo consoles.

OG Xbox Games are NOT well covered on newer Xbox Generations... Xbox 360 is! And btw. i would not even pay a DIME for Metroid on NES... "Stinker" Good video though

Money Laundering be like:

"Crack head sellers" lol

What a stupid question. Of course they are. Its ridiculous.

Just waiting for Tekken 4 to go up 💹 also ps2 games are inexpensive for right now