It's not too late to start collecting video games!!!
There are many people out there that have taken up the hobby of video game collecting, you may be one of them or you may not be. If you are not, you will be extreme surprised at how popular this hobby really has become.
Personally, I consider myself more of a reseller, but I do tend to find myself hanging on to some of the more rare titles :)
All of the auction feeds listed here update every hour. Of course, I won't be listing every collectible game here, but it will be a good place to watch things.
Some Definitions you should know.
Platinum Hits - Otherwise known as "PH" - The XBOX and XBOX 360 version of "Greatest Hits".
Player's Choice - Sometimes known as "PC" or "Yellow Label" - The Nintendo version of "Platinum" and "Greatest Hits".
OOP - Out of Print.
NES - Short for Nintendo Entertainment System; used in many auctions as a system identifier.
PS1 / PSX - Short for Playstation 1, used in many auctions as a system identifier.
PS2 - Short for Playstation 2.
PS3 - Short for Playstation 3.
X360 - Short for XBOX 360.
SNES - Short for Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
RPG - Short for Role Playing Game.
First rule of collecting, DON'T OPEN IT.
If you are truly planning on having your collection increase in value then you cannot open the game. If you really want to play it, then buy two; one to keep sealed and one to play. Put the sealed one away then rip open and enjoy the other one. If this game is truly a collectible and you keep your playable game intact with instruction manual and original game case, then there is a good chance it will increase in value also.If you can't afford two games, then another option is to buy one game when it's first released and then wait to see if it goes "Red Label", "Platinum", or "Player's choice". When a manufacturer makes their money back on a title they will introduce special packaging and reduce the price to below $20. As you start to learn how the industry works, then you will get a good feel for which games will go GH and which won't. For Example, I have never seen an Atlus game go GH, but if anyone else has, feel free to drop me a line.
Collectible Example - Nocturne for Playstation 2 by Atlus
When I first started selling, I had a chance to buy this title. If I would have known what I was doing, I would have snatched some up and held on to them. Most of these listed are used and are still selling well above retail.
While you're there do a search on completed items to see what the auctions are ending at.
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Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 07/06/2009) 
Sometimes even "Greatest Hits" can become collectible
Here's another example of a title that I really screwed up on when I first started selling. Final Fantasy VII was available almost everywhere when I first started selling / collecting. If I could have predicted the future, I would have snatched up as many as I could have. There are many examples of the greatest hits title selling for around $40, check out the "black label" games also, they are going even higher.
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Final Fantasy VII
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Final Fantasy VII Official Strategy Guide
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Some picks of huge video game collections.
Looking at some of these may give you an idea of what's collectible.
Some of these collections are absolutely insane.
Microcomputadores Atari y Commodore, y Game boys... una guitarra ;)
here are my DVD and VHS collection of movies
Some of mine PS2, Xbox and Gamecube games
This image is from an
Avoid the "Collector's Edition" Pitfalls
Not all games that are released as "Collector's Editions" will appreciate in value. Many will, but it may take a while and they may bottom out at an extremely low price before appreciating. Instead of paying full price when they are released, wait for the price to drop and then pick one up. Being smart with your money like this will definitely make it go farther so you can pick up that extra RPG when it's released.Take Madden 07 Hall of Fame Edition for example. This game was originally released at a price point of $69.99, check out in the eBay auctions below what has happened to the value since.
Other examples of this occurring happen with racing games, many platform games and some shooters. To start with, stick with only paying full price for RPG collector's editions first and you should be OK.
An example of a Collector's Edition gone bad
Madden 07 "Hall of Fame"
I'm not saying that this game will never be collectible, but chances are it won't be.
However, now that it's at bargain bin price, it might be worth picking up just to wait and see.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byHere are some great resources to start your collection.
- Digital Press
- They used to sell a print guide for collectors, but I believe it is all sold out. They do have an excellent online rarity guide and knowledge base to check out.
- Midwest Gaming Classic
- The Midwest's largest gaming convention. Unfortunately, I didn't get there this year, but I definitely will be attending next year.
- Atari Age
- A definite bookmark for the Atari collector.
- Collectible Nintendo DS Systems
- Information on all of the different Nintendo DS Systems available. Many are collectible.
Where to start?
There are so many games and systems out there that it can be hard to begin. I would start with deciding if your more of a classic gamer or Next Gen gamer. Many classic systems and games can be picked up for a great bargin on eBay. You may also want to consider bidding on a lot with games and a system included; this way you can start playing right away. I've included some vintage lot links on eBay below.If you own a system already, you could probably start with picking up more games for the system you own already.
Gamecube Collector's alert
I try to update this page whenever I can with games to watch for. I just found out about Major League Baseball 2K6 for gamecube this week.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPS2 Collector Alert - AR Tonelico
AR Tonelico is a very rare game that was just released back in February. It was originally sold with an art book and if you ordered it from Rosenqueen.com you also received a very collectible soundtrack. The games on eBay with the Soundtrack are all listed below. You can also buy the game without the soundtrack.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAR Tonelico on Amazon
AR Tonelico: Melody of Elemia
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Ar Tonelico
Amazon Price: $69.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Ar Tonelico V.4 Side Extra
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Ar Tonelico V.1 Side Orika
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Tsukikanade Ar Tonelico Hymmnos Concert Side
Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
The Nintendo 64 is a good place to start.
The Nintendo 64 is one of my favorite systems for game-play and originality of games. There were some real crappy games made for the N64 also, but they won't cost you much to buy and make your collection complete. Keep an eye out for any of the Mario Party games and Banjo Tooie.
All auctions listed below end are updated every one hour.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPick up a Super Nintendo while your at it
Some of the extremely rare RPG's on the SNES system will cost you a pretty penny because they are rare or just good quality games. Don't buy one of the 3rd party systems that have just become available, buy the original. I've tried to weed those out for you in the listings below. I'll give you an example of what to avoid next.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAn example on eBay of what to avoid in a SNES system
You may think you're getting a two for one system with what's listed below, but I have heard that these systems do not always work with all of the games which is why you should buy an original SNES.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byIf Atari is your thing, check out these auctions
Maybe you're really old school and want to start with the Atari. Below are some options for you.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBelow are some NES systems to start with
The top loading NES systems are more reliable than the originals. They are more expensive, but they save you some headaches in the long run.
Once again, stay away from the third party systems for the same reasons as I stated for the SNES.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byMaybe you want to start with Playstation.
If you're going to start with collecting for the Playstation, go ahead and spend the money for a PS2 right away. Your PS1 games will work on the PS2 system and you can cover two bases at once.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCheck out our other video game lenses
- The Software Castle Video Game Lensography
- All of our video game related lenses can be found here. Check back often, we're adding more every week.
Try before you buy.
Are you a game collector? Drop us a line.
fefe wrote...
I love collecting video games, but I open and play them. I guess I don't care too much about reselling them or keeping them in mint condition. Nintendo is my favorite but I have some Sega and Playstation systems too.
Posted May 01, 2008
ank wrote...
hey bcarter, i really liked your lens. you have given good knowledge regarding Video Game Collecting. i have also made a lens you can check out at xbox console
Posted March 27, 2008
ank wrote...
hi bcarter, i really like all the aspect of ur lens. quite good information u have given about how to collect video games. i have also created a lens-Beer pong table
Posted March 25, 2008
Arizona-Snow wrote...
I've still got a Commodore 64 with original games (opened), I wonder how much they are worth.
Posted October 21, 2007
KimGiancaterino wrote...
My teenage stepson has a Game Cube and a Wii. The latter is quite amazing! As long as he keeps his grades up, we're okay with the games.
Posted July 22, 2007
