Time To Dust Off Your Collection
If you’ve ever regretted throwing out all of those old video games you used to have, this list will only make things worse! With the advent of online stores and downloadable games, physical games (particularly of the sealed variety) have become quite the hot commodity these days. These highly coveted collectibles could easily net you thousands if not millions of dollars, so let's take a look at some of the most valuable old games that are now worth a fortune.
Marcin Wichary from San Francisco, Calif. on Wikimedia
1. Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985)
Along with being one of the most beloved and iconic video games of all time, this unabashed titan in the industry is liable to net you some serious cash. As one of the most prized rarities amongst collectors, a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. on the NES could easily get over $2 million.
2. Pokémon Red and Blue (Game Boy, 1996/1998)
The game that started it all. Pokémon Red and Blue, along with being beloved and acclaimed in their own right, are most notable for launching the multi-billion-dollar global phenomenon that is Pokémon. Sealed copies of the game’s first run on Gameboy could easily fetch you thousands of dollars at auction.
3. The Legend of Zelda (NES, 1987)
This highly sought-after NES classic put Zelda on the map and established a series that is still going strong to this day. Not only do collectors love the game itself for its vital innovations and contributions to the action-adventure genre, but sealed copies of the game could easily net you hundreds of thousands of dollars, with one sealed copy being sold for a whopping $870,000 at auction.
4. Stadium Events (NES, 1987)
This little-known NES title probably doesn’t ring a bell for most gaming enthusiasts, and that’s because it was quickly recalled after release. The game’s abrupt removal from store shelves created a scarcity that resellers capitalized on, with sealed copies of the game selling for as much as $41,000.
5. Final Fantasy VII (PlayStation, 1997)
As one of gaming’s most beloved classics, and the game that helped establish the PlayStation as the go-to platform for more mature narrative-based experiences, a sealed copy of Final Fantasy VII can easily fetch you thousands of dollars. “Black Label” versions of the game (i.e. original prints) are the most sought-after versions.
6. Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64, 1996)
This highly impactful and revolutionary platformer put the N64 on the map and remains a beloved classic to this day. But its legendary status extends well beyond its influence in the mid-90s, as the game recently broke records when a sealed copy was sold at auction for a whopping $1.5 million.
7. EarthBound (SNES, 1995)
This cult classic SNES title was not met with much fanfare upon its initial release in 1995. Although the game was highly acclaimed, sales were lukewarm. Naturally, this scarcity of copies on the market has resulted in a staggering increase in resale value for the game, with unboxed cartridges easily going for hundreds of dollars and sealed copies selling for thousands.
8. Mega Man X3 (SNES, 1995)
This exceptionally rare Mega Man title was released at the tail end of the SNES’s lifecycle, meaning that sales were lukewarm. With so few copies to go around, resellers could easily earn upwards of a thousand dollars on a good-condition copy of the game, with sealed copies going for a lot more.
9. Chrono Trigger (SNES, 1995)
No doubt one of the most beloved RPGs of all time, Chrono Trigger for the SNES is a highly coveted title among collectors and resellers alike. Sealed and complete copies of the game have garnered thousands of dollars on auction, with loose versions of the game easily selling for a few hundred dollars.
Andrew Evans from San Mateo, CA, USA on Wikimedia
10. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PlayStation, 1997)
Easily ranked among the most beloved entries in the tenured Castlevania series, Symphony of the Night continues to see enduring popularity due to its innovative and revolutionary game design. This valuable gaming collectible is highly sought after, with sealed copies of the game regularly fetching hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Bastian Stein (farbfilm) on Wikimedia
11. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998)
Regularly cited as one of the greatest video games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is among the most popular and coveted games on the N64. Dedicated collectors and completionists are ready to dole out hundreds of dollars for a copy, with one sealed copy of the game selling for as much as $228,000 at auction.
12. Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge (SNES, 1994)
With only a handful of copies distributed, this insanely rare version of the classic SNES title was originally intended for a Blockbuster Video competition. Due to its scarcity, the game has regularly sold for thousands of dollars, even though none of these copies are sealed.
13. Little Samson (NES, 1992)
Despite its positive reception (especially in recent years), this acclaimed action platformer was a victim to underwhelming sales due to poor marketing. As such, the game’s relative scarcity especially in North America has made it quite the prize among collectors, with complete copies of the game readily selling for upwards of $1000.
14. Panzer Dragoon Saga (c, 1998)
Sega’s shortlived follow-up to its monumental Sega Genesis console was met with very little fanfare. However, it certainly did see its fair share of acclaimed and innovative titles, with Panzer Dragoon being one of them. A complete copy of the cult classic RPG/rail shooter can easily fetch over $1000 at auction.
15. Shantae (Game Boy Color, 2002)
Releasing at the tail end of the Game Boy Color’s lifecycle in June 2002, this acclaimed cult classic platformer is a rarity. Due to the game’s meagre production run, complete copies of Shantae can easily go for thousands of dollars.
16. DuckTales 2 (NES, 1993)
This sequel to the beloved DuckTales game released in 1989 suffered from a limited print run and a release that coincided with the end of the NES’ lifecycle. This scarcity has made DuckTales 2 one of the rarest and most highly sought-after games on the NES, with complete copies of the game regularly selling for $1000.
17. Contra (NES, 1988)
This run-and-gun classic introduced a generation of gamers to the legendary Konami code and took the NES by storm. Despite its infamous difficulty, Contra is always in high demand with collectors regularly dishing out thousands of dollars for sealed copies in good condition.
18. ClayFighter Sculptor's Cut (Nintendo 64, 1998)
This Blockbuster-exclusive title was not met with great reception upon release, and that hasn’t changed in subsequent years. That being said, the game’s status as one of the N64’s rarest titles has ensured that complete copies are extremely sought after by collectors and completionists alike, with complete versions of the game regularly fetching thousands of dollars online.
19. Rule of Rose (PlayStation 2, 2006)
A game as rare as it is controversial, Rule of Rose on the PlayStation 2 was released at the tail end of the console’s lifecycle in 2006. The moral panic surrounding the game, combined with its limited-release run has caused a steep increase in the game’s resale value, with complete copies selling for well over $1000.
20. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (Dreamcast, 2000)
This beloved fighter mash-up was released on the Dreamcast as a sequel to the widely successful Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. The game’s limited print run and abundant popularity among fighting game enthusiasts have resulted in the title's high price point on the resale market, with complete copies generally going for hundreds of dollars.
