Collecting on the cheap.

[TheGregzilla]

Ok, Ive always just collected N64. Thats it. I have some other random assorted classics and systems, but Ive never went out of my way to buy them unless it was a great deal. So the other day I decided Id like to flesh out my SNES library a bit. Herein lies a huge issue I realized...


Why are so many SNES games SOOOOOO OVERPRICED!?!???

I understand some games are especially rare, or popular or whatever, and that would factor in to higher demand/cost. There are however, a number of games that I wouldn't consider to be rare, or especially popular at all (outside of hardcore gamers/niche fans) that seem to be ridiculously priced.

I think a USED SNES game, no box, that isnt particularly rare should go for 1-15 dollars.
This brings me to the specific offender in question (at least the one that I thought was the most ridiculous)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time -37.99 + 4.99 Shipping, USED, With tears in the label.

WHA?

Needless to say I wont be picking that up.

[flojocabron]

ahh the great debate is back again.

We've talked about this many times and it wont end anytime soon.

Games were reasonably priced in the beginning, but now that everyone has access to the internet, many have the ability to get prices based on ebay/amazon sites.

There are other sites as well that can tell you what a games usual online price is.

This has given some people ideas. Whether good or bad depends on who you ask.

Also, easier acess to the net can give people the ability to amass a larger collection. All they need is an unending supply of cash.

As long as someone is paying for it, people will keep selling it. And keep raising the prices.

supply and demand.

[Damm64]

The demand of retro games (especially nintendo) has been incresing over the years. TMNT 4 is a popular game, so is gonna go for a high price, also the cult classics will go for high prices. You will need to find hidden gems or games that really went under the radar.

If you want collecting on the cheap check your local game stores, or friends houses that used to have old consoles, check the internet, etc. Ebay and amazon could work to find some deals but it takes some time.

You can also buy games for other consoles, the xbox and genesis games are really really cheap.

[BoneSnapDeez]

There's this pretty good console out there called the Sega Genesis. The games are cheap.

Most of my 16-bit collecting is focused more towards Genesis now.

But I feel your pain, TheGregzilla. I'm (slowly) trying to complete a North American SNES RPG collection. Thankfully, I already have some of the heavy hitters like EarthBound and Chrono Trigger. But games like Ogre Battle, EVO, and Lufia II - those are gonna hurt my wallet a lot.

[TheGregzilla]

^Well thats the thing that kinda kills me about it though, Chrono Trigger SMRPG, SMW etc, these are the huge games that get brought up all the time, but If you just walked up to the average gamer and asked about there favorite SNES games, Its doubtful that TMNTIV or many other games that are price jacked into oblivion would ever get brought up. And I agree Genesis is an easier collection. It was going to be my second after I finish N64, but It kills me to think that to collect the games I want, I'll be spending a ton of money BEFORE I even get to the rare games.

[Jmustang1968]

Yay, this aggravating argument is brought up twice in the same day... These games arent 'price jacked' besides a few very rare games. I think many were just used to how cheap retro games were, and probably cheaper than they should have been.

[Damm64]

We need a master list of cheap consoles to collect for, so people will jump on them when they try to find chrono trigger on snes.

Xbox
Genesis
...

[Retrodude]

I think many were just used to how cheap retro games were, and probably cheaper than they should have been.

Say what? You're complaining that games were too cheap? What's wrong with you?

[Jmustang1968]

I think many were just used to how cheap retro games were, and probably cheaper than they should have been.

Say what? You're complaining that games were too cheap? What's wrong with you?

Hmm didn't look like I was complaining at all... Your reading comprehension is off, what's wrong with you?

I am making an observation that several games were probably cheaper than what their value potential is/was. Especially considering their initial price, their longevity, and what they represent. They should've also been anticipated to go up such as old toys and other collectibles have before them. Many just got used to how cheap they were and naturally resist the price increase when their status as a collectible caught up with them.

[TheGregzilla]

Your not understanding the argument at all. Im not saying all retro games should be cheap blah blah blah. But the fact is, most retro games should be on the low end. The fact is there isn't demand for 90% of them. They are price jacked in a lot of cases. A game in crap condition that is 15 years old selling for more than half the price it was brand new? Granted it would be worth much more brand new now, but thats because of time, not the game itself. Its just ridiculous to look even on ebay and see 'lots' of games with like 10 SNES games for hundreds of dollars and some of them not even being very rare. Fact is, if I can find the same game on 30+ websites for sale, it isnt rare and shouldnt be priced as such.

You cant just rule all retro games as being worth tons of money because they are collectable. The point of a RARE game even being RARE is that its worth more. If every game is going to be expensive, collecting is going to become impossible to all but the well-to-do.

EDIT: Also, just checked Turtles in Tme on PriceCharting. How is it not being price jacked, when just a few years back it was 11 bucks, then 14, then steadily just going up up up up over a 2 year period. Its not like anything has happened that would propel the price up by double, so I see no other explanation. Its people taking advantage of collectors willingness to pay.