Speculations on the future of post-16-bit retro gaming

[BoringSupreez]

As anyone who's tried buying NES or SNES games lately will know, they are worth quite a bit more than they used to be. 80's nostalgia is in full force, and the 90's equivalent is rapidly growing. As far as retro systems go, they have become mainstream and cool again, increasing the demand on limited supply.

I'm wondering, though, if maybe this effect will be lessened on PS1, N64, and last gen's consoles. One thing those old 8-bit and 16-bit systems have going for them is timeless graphics. In contrast, 3D PS1 games (the bulk of the library) look rather crappy. Plenty of people won't touch those games because of the way they look. Sure, PS1 RPGs have really taken off in price over the past seven years or so, but the rest of the games have stayed relatively affordable. It's still quite easy to get a hold of a CIB copy of any Spyro or Crash Bandicoot title, for example. Maybe the effect of "retro cool" has been dampered, keeping the prices more reasonable? And perhaps this effect will extend to the 128-but consoles once 2000's nostalgia marketing hits? I'd like to think so.

By my own logic, I can assume that GBC, GBA, and many DS games will one day be pricey. They have that same classic 2D look to them. Also, it doesn't explain why 2D PC and Sega games have remained affordable over the years.

[GameMasterGuy]

Some modern (typically indie) games purposely use 8-bit graphics despite being inferior to pretty much every art style out there. I'm sure that maybe a decade from now, 32-bit 3D will be the new 8-bit.

[MrNash]

I guess it'll depend on how high print runs were in the post 16-bit generation as well. I remember seeing quite a few copies of, say, Crash Bandicoot games, on store shelves when the series was still in its hayday. Assuming they all haven't wound up in a landfill, I suspect their prices will remain reasonable (assuming we're talking non-sealed here). On the other hand, I picked up a copy of The Misadventures of Tron Bonne the other day, and that cost me a mint, but then again there aren't very many copies of that game floating around out there. Like most other things in life, I think the rare stuff will continue to cost a premium.

[Gamerforlife]

As anyone who's tried buying NES or SNES games lately will know, they are worth quite a bit more than they used to be.

As a collector of such, this annoys me greatly

[Soldier Blue]

Eventually N64 games will be pricey in the future because Nintendo is not defunct (obviously) so no Nintendo games have not been released on compilations. The only way to play these games is to own the cart or download them and Nintendo dosen't have that many on virtual console!

In the part 4 years most desirable N64 game values have gone up but I do think most of the games have aged horribly.

In comparison,the Saturn (32-bit) is already insanely collectable because the only way to play virtually all those games is to own the CD. Hell, even emulators have difficulty.
Most PS1 games are available as a quick download on PSN.

CIB gameboy and gamboy advance are all ready pricey.

[GameMasterGuy]

Eventually N64 games will be pricey in the future because Nintendo is not defunct (obviously) so no Nintendo games have not been released on compilations. The only way to play these games is to own the cart or download them and Nintendo dosen't have that many on virtual console!

In the part 4 years most desirable N64 game values have gone up but I do think most of the games have aged horribly.

In comparison,the Saturn (32-bit) is already insanely collectable because the only way to play virtually all those games is to own the CD. Hell, even emulators have difficulty.
Most PS1 games are available as a quick download on PSN.

CIB gameboy and gamboy advance are all ready pricey.

This. The "Nintendo Premium" strikes again.

[o.pwuaioc]

NES games are pricey? Only a select few, the rest are pretty cheap. Even classics like Zelda, Metroid, and Contra can be had for relatively cheap. Only Mega Man and some of the rarer ones demand a high price.

[GameMasterGuy]

Only Mega Man and some of the rarer ones demand a high price.

Amazon tells me it's only $30. Not that pricey, really. I bet it would have been more expensive back in the 80s.

[Zing]

Yes, the fact that I can buy a CIB NES game now for a price less than what I would have paid 20 years ago is amazing.

[o.pwuaioc]

Only Mega Man and some of the rarer ones demand a high price.

Amazon tells me it's only $30. Not that pricey, really. I bet it would have been more expensive back in the 80s.

Compared to 99% of the rest of the library which is $10 and under (with the vast majority being under five), it is indeed a high price. It's not a Saturn game, but then again, it's not a Saturn game.