Some old games have gone up alot in price recently why is this ???

for example Mr bones Sega Saturn PAL version i got mine for 96 dollars late last year now try your best to find one that cheap its near impossible as it reaches 125-175 now and even higher brandnew.

 

No clue, but is Mr. Bones extra rare in PAL land or something? Granted, I have no idea what an NTSC version goes for today, but I picked mine up for $30 only a few years ago, and while I don't think the game is bad, I wouldn't pay much more than that for it.

Perhaps it has something to do with various retro game shows or retro magazines, like Screw Attack on gametrailers or Retro Gamer Magazine. They frequently hype up games that, while not bad, aren't really all that remarkable.

 

^ This, it's like valuing your games to those stupid "VGA" auctions...

 

Sorry but how is ebay a poor price indicator? One should probably jusy differ between auctions and BIN-offers, but if you look at actual auctions then it's a pretty accurate representation of the supply/demand situation and the resulting price for item X.

 

VGA is useless to me ! sure it preserves the game but big deal can you play the game ? can you actually hold the game ? i doubt it

 

i agree

 

I think Kev was referring to "Buy it now" prices...

 

Simply since they made that new U.S. law where you can get taxed for online sales there's less people in the U.S. willing to sell online so some sellers take advantage of supply and demand. I can't believe the prices batman and shinobi go for online for pc engine.

 

Not only the prices are going crazy on ebay but also in stores. Most of the thrift stores around where I live now have a huge selection of retro gaming (with ridiculous prices, like 20€ for a loose nes junk cartridge). I asked to a thrift store owner how come there is a retro gaming aisle now and before like two years ago there was nothing, he told me that it is "the new business and that's where you make the money"...

I also noticed that more and more people go game hunting at flea markets and swap meets in my area, but not for their collection because most of them have no clue about videogames, they just want to flip them over and make some quick cash because they know that old games are valuable.

 

For me its simple because the community of "collectors" is becomming bigger every year but the amount of the old games remain the same.

Wanna hear some prices of 2012 German ebay auctions (not buy it now!)

- MCD Snatcher (PAL) 170-200€
- MCD Flux 70€
- MD Alien Soldier 140-160€
- MD Mega Man Wily Wars 300+€
- MD Herzog Zwei 80€

 

eBay usually has better prices than most stores I go to. It's very rare that a game is more expensive on eBay than it is in a physical store, unless maybe you include shipping. Even then it's usually less.

 

I think you are completely right about more collectors every year and whats with the insane prices for VGA games have you seen them ?????? its like a contest on ebay right now to see who can sell the most expensive game

 

Online sites set the thrift shop prices now. I went to Cash Converters got Final fantasy 7 PC for about 15 dollars. Next time I had a look same game but for PSX for $50 I asked if this was correct and not a typo apparantly they research on ebay to get their prices then lowerer them a tad so its more attractive. So I wouldnt be surprised if everyone does that now shame really I liked getting rare (considered rare) cheap games

 

I have noticed this any old cartridges can cost whatever they please i even saw a old gb game with half its label gone for 15 dollars lol

 

I have been living with that sort of situation for the past 2,5 years, believe it or not, ebay prices for me are even cheaper than any other place beeing thrift stores or even local online selling websites.

 

We've started increasing the prices on some items where I work. It used to be you could keep a copy of Pokemon R/B/Y or G/S in the case at $10-12 all the time. Now we can't keep them in stock at $20+. Even the usually expensive games are going up. Earthbound can't be had for under $100 now it seems, and things like Little Samson go for $300+ which used to be a ~$100 game. I hope the sellers upset about the low prices during the recession are happy now. =P

 

This trend of increasing prices pretty much has coincided with the rise of online game sales. Back in 2000 you could go to used game stores or even ebay and get some good deals. I think I paid maybe 35$ for a complete Rockman & Forte for SFC on ebay. Sadly I sold it at some point, even worse before you could get the more insane prices you see now.

And I've noticed too certain games that are fairly uncommon like Wild Guns being sold for alot of money despite the cartridge being in REALLY bad shape. Labels heavily worn or even with considerable sections missing entirely. I wish I'd collected more games before it became the circus it is now.

 

Ebay has been weird though, like there was a complete famicom copy of mike tyson's punchout in good condition that went for $10, while 3 or 4 weeks later someone posted another copy and it went for $40. I also think the ending day has some effect on this. Funny thing is though that I have seen some games go for cheaper on japangamestock.com than ebay.

 

Ebay is an indicator of prices like another one, this hobby will be for richs persons in some years muahahaha