Games that aren't rare that are usually overpriced

[dedalusdedalus]

every mario, final fantasy and zelda game....

I just noticed that even Wind Waker is starting to get pricey. I thought that might be the first Zelda to not become overpriced, but the rule still holds.

[BoringSupreez]

Anyway, some of the Star Wars games for oXbox are rather pricey. For example, both KOTOR games (especially the second one), Republic Commando, Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, and most surprisingly of all, Battlefront 2. Yes, the one that sold millions and millions. It goes for like $25 to $30 used. I can't believe it, I got mine new at Bestbuy on clearance for $5 in 2007, I never though in a million years it would ever be worth more than $5. Especially since the online mode is dead, of course.

I've noticed that too, most of them sold MILLIONS. The GC version of Star Wars: Jedi Academy II is pretty pricey too.

That one's been pricey for quite a while, partly because it didn't sell well like the other versions.

[BurningDoom]

every mario, final fantasy and zelda game....

I just noticed that even Wind Waker is starting to get pricey. I thought that might be the first Zelda to not become overpriced, but the rule still holds.

Zelda games I'd say, yes. Mario games, not so much. I bought all 3 of the original Super Mario Bros. games on NES for under $10 a piece as well as Super Mario World for SNES.

[FiftyDollarCurse]

Rarity is not the only factor that determines the price of retro games. Popularity and quality can also have a major effect.

[CFFJR]

Hell, most retro stores have what I've started calling the "Mario Premium". Which is to say, if its a Mario game, they're gonna charge 15-25 bucks at the low end.

Never mind that Mario games are common as dirt.

[StarRipper]

Pretty much anything by Nintendo seems to go down to at least $20 minimum. Especially games that star Mario in anything.

I've seen quite a few games that are a bit overpriced despite being common. Currently, I see the Fatal Frame series at around $30, which isn't too bad, but I bought FFIII for nearly new about a year ago at $40...and it was a used copy.

Another one to add is Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Game sold boat loads, became a GH, and...still is at the GH price to this day. Hell, some stores still have the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy at $40 still. And yet another huge franchise that recently went down in price, Call of Duty on PS3. Anything past COD3 was $40 for a looooong time. The price just recently went down on those.

[HellHammer]

Funny, I just came across a chart that had the recent 2nd hand sales of Mother 3, which are apparently rising like crazy.

Just like with most of the classics (Mario RPG, EarthBound, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI and VII) the people who have these games now, probably have some sort of attachment to them. Whether it was your childhood copy or an expensive eBay copy, anyone who cares enough to know, knows they aren't making any more of 'em. These games, for the most part, were big to begin with. Having had years of solid 'classic' reputations, it's not surprising that they only continue to become more and more popular/sought after.

As far as the Mario premium, Target carries Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and New Mario Bros. Wii, each for the exact same price of $49.99, CURRENTLY...Interpret that as you will.

[Sideroller]

I've noticed Final Fantasy Tactics even goes for a shit ton on Amazon. I'm not sure how many of that game was released or sold, but it seemed fairly common around the time it came out. Plus I bought my copy for maybe 7 or 10 bucks or so back in the early 2000's (that goes for FFVII black label as well, and we know how much that commands nowadays).

I think some games are just charged more because sellers know there are people who will want to buy it no matter what. Hence overpriced Mario/Zelda and Final Fantasy.

And pretty much any other RPG that came out for the PS1, though some are actually rarer than FF.

[yomomma1]

As others have mentioned, FF7. I see 60 dollar ebay BINs for a good condition greatest hits version.

[Mechblue]

Sentimental value is likely responsible for a lot of those old RPGs (ok maybe some greed). But I think a bigger factor now is that the folks that played it back in the day or didn't have the money to buy it have disposable income; so they are willing to drop the cash on it. People seem to be lining up to spend 80+ on Earthbound, and the same for Suikoden II. Decent amount of copies but people are just going with the flow and commanding top dollar and there's no shortage of people who pay it every day.

I guess it's a little more understandable for games that never got a re-release or a greatest hits but how many times has Chrono Trigger been re-released? And how much is the SNES cart still worth?