# Is it worth keeping old gaming consoles?

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-it-worth-keeping-old-gaming-consoles/
- Published: 2023-10-31
- Author: Nelson Ayers
- Categories: [Business & Worth](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/worth/)

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For most retro gaming fans, the answer is a resounding yes – as long as the classic systems are still functioning properly. The nostalgia, increasing rarity, and potential for future collector value makes holding on to vintage consoles well worth it for many gamers. Read on for an in-depth look at why old systems are worth keeping and how to care for your retro gaming treasures.

As a child of the 80s and a lifelong gaming enthusiast, I have a personal retro game collection spanning every generation from the wood-grain Atari 2600 I begged my parents for up through the 64-bit PlayStations and Nintendos of the late 90s. Each system transports me back to fond memories of beloved games, Christmas mornings, neighborhood rivalries, and rainy afternoons battling pixilated villains. Even now in my 40s with a high-end gaming PC, I still set aside time every week to revisit many of these classic consoles from my youth. Seeing them on the shelf takes me back in time, just like spinning up a vinyl record. For retro enthusiasts like myself, keeping and maintaining aging consoles ensures we can continue revisiting the landmark games that shaped our passion for gaming.

## Why Do Retro Consoles Increase in Value?

Many iconic systems from the 70s, 80s, and 90s that sold for $200 or less when new are now worth five or ten times as much to collectors. What factors drive up prices on the secondary market for vintage consoles, games, and accessories?

**Nostalgia (@NPR, 2021)** – As each generation of gamers becomes adults, nostalgia for the consoles they grew up with intensifies. They remember the games fondly and now have the disposable income to recapture their youth. Nostalgia is a powerful force that drives collectors to pay premiums.

**Scarcity (@DigitalSpy, 2021)** – Even massively popular consoles sold tens of millions of units. But decades later, the finite supply shrinks as items get damaged, lost, or added to personal collections permanently. Rarity pushes up resale value.

**Condition Variance (@Polygon, 2020)** – Unlike new in-box games and consoles, used vintage items have huge variability in condition that impacts price. Items still sealed or immaculate demand big premiums.

**Cultural Significance (@TheVerge, 2020)** – Iconic, genre-defining games on platforms like the NES or Saturn gain historical importance. Museums and academics also boost interest and value around milestone objects.

**Strong Prices (@PriceCharting, 2021)** – According to PriceCharting.com, average prices on retro games increased 42% in 2020 and 10% already in 2021. More signs point to steady future growth in the vibrant collectors’ market.

## Which Gaming Consoles are the Most Valuable?

| Console | Avg Ebay Sale Price | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) | $150 | Mintage: 61M. Complete in box raises value. Mario/Zelda pack-in cartridges can double system value. |
| Super Nintendo (SNES) | $230 | Mintage: 49M. The 1994 Donkey Kong pack-in version and final 1CHIP model command premium pricing. |
| Nintendo 64 (N64) | $125 | Mintage: 33M. Loose systems less desired. Complete in box with controllers/games adds 50%+. |
| Sony PlayStation (PS1) | $90 | Mintage: 102M. Mint condition first model and bundled classics like Final Fantasy VII raise value. |
| Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) | $80 | Mintage: 40M. Cleaned and tested Model 1‘s are ideal. Complete six-button controller bundles in demand. |
| Neo Geo AES | $750 | Very rare commercial-grade home console. Less than 1 million sold due to $650 launch price. |
| TurboGrafx 16 | $200 | Low 10M sales make it sought after. Complete with CD player and rare HuCard games can top $500. |
| Magnavox Odyssey | $650 | Rarity of first home console released in 1972 drives high CIB prices. Even broken units fetch $150+. |

In general, condition, completeness, and bundled games/accessories transform loose vintage consoles worth $50-100 into highly valued boxed sets priced from $200 to over $1000 for some rarities.

## Why Keep Your Retro Consoles?

For gaming history buffs, the appeal of playing vintage games in their original formats remains strong. Collectors cite many reasons to hang on to cherished consoles:

**Relive Classics** – Many iconic 8-bit and 16-bit games have never been remastered or ported to new systems. Firing up your SNES may be the only way to enjoy gems like Chrono Trigger or Super Metroid.

**Nostalgia** – Experiencing retro games on an old CRT television with original controllers simply feels right. The sounds, graphics, tactile buttons, and muscle memory take you back.

**Share History** – Give kids and younger gamers a chance to appreciate the classics that laid the foundations and Constraints that led to modern game design.

**Complete Collections** – Those striving for a full library of games and accessories for each system they loved may spend decades hunting down holy grails.

**Future Value** – Supply/demand trends point to retro gaming remaining a strong investment category. Your collections could continue appreciating.

**Preserve History** – Consoles, games, and peripherals in good working order become increasingly rare and important to archives/museums.

My own motivation is primarily nostalgia. After a long workweek, firing up my Atari 2600, hearing those primitive bloops and bleeps, and gripping that chunky joystick takes me right back to being a kid in the 1980s seeing Pitfall Harry swing on a vine in stunning 8-bit "graphics." Pure magic!

## Reasons Some Choose to Sell Their Retro Consoles

On the other hand, practical or financial considerations lead many collectors to cash out:

**Cash In** – Take advantage of surging secondary market prices driven by millennial and Gen X nostalgia and dispose of items sitting around unused.

**Avoid Deterioration** – Sell disc-based systems and cartridge games before age degrades them past the point of playability.

**Free Up Space** – Downsize clutter of aging electronics, controllers, media that require proper storage.

**Lack of Use** – Sell systems you and your family no longer play but are still desirable to other collectors.

**Upgrade Experience** – Use sale funds to upgrade worn controllers and purchase modern high-definition consoles and games.

**Uncertain Future Value** – If the retro gaming bubble bursts, pricing and demand could fall. Some prefer to take profits now.

I‘ve selectively culled items from my collection over the years that went unused, but my core favorites remain safely tucked away until I get that next nostalgia craving!

## Evaluating Your Console Collections

Follow these tips if you plan to sell parts of your retro gaming stash:

- Test systems and games thoroughly, inspecting connections, controllers, disks, etc. Fix or disclose any damage or defects.
- Research fair market values using tool like [PriceCharting](https://www.pricecharting.com/) based on actual previous sales.
- Catalog your available bundles, boxes, manuals, accessories to assess complete packages.
- Consult local retro stores and experts on local demand trends for items you are considering selling.
- Factor in selling costs when choosing forums and platforms – eBay and sale forums charge fees and shipping really adds up.

As an alternative to selling, also consider making gift bundles for family members and friends looking to enjoy some retro gaming. Pass on the joy!

## Best Places to Sell Your Games and Consoles

Once you decide to sell, use venues focused on knowledgeable collectors, not thrift stores with lowball offers:

- **eBay Auctions** – Open bidding allows sellers to earn top dollar, but success fees average 10%.
- **eBay Buy It Now** – Balances quick sale against slightly lower fixed prices. Still around 10% fees.
- **Local Pickup Forums** – Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, offer local pickup from serious collectors.
- **Established Retro Stores** – Experts offer fair pricing, but typically less than top eBay bids. Avoid pawn shops.
- **Retro Gaming Conventions** – Events like Portland Retro Game Expo and the Midwest Gaming Classic attract enthusiasts willing to pay premiums for coveted items in-person. Limited supply at these events also helps drive up pricing.

No matter what venue, be sure to offer insured shipping for online sales. Accepting an online payment provider like PayPal also helps secure transactions with some buyer protection.

## Keeping Systems and Games in Collector Condition

To maximize the value of items you decide to keep, properly care for them:

- Store cartridges and discs in protective cases out of direct sunlight to avoid label fading.
- Clean cartridge connectors regularly with isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs to prevent glitching and improve connectivity.
- Test and replace dead CR2032 and similar button cell internal batteries in cartridges that preserve save games and settings.
- Open console cases annually for cleaning dust and debris from vents, chipsets, power supplies, and controller ports with compressed air.
- Routinely clean exterior plastic and controller rubber pads/buttons with appropriate plastic and electronic cleaners to refresh appearance and responsiveness.
- When possible, retain original components like styrofoam inserts, plastic bags, controllers, and paperwork. Boxes and manuals at minimum.
- Maintain proper temperature and humidity levels in storage areas. Avoid pollution, smoke, pests, sun exposure, and temperature extremes that accelerate deterioration.

My prized possessions like my Atari 2600, NES, SNES, N64, and Genesis get opened up, cleaned, tested, and played at least 2-3 times per year. Keeping all the original packaging and paperwork really adds to long-term collector appeal.

## Responsible Disposal of Non-working Systems

When you decide a broken console or obsolete accessory should be discarded, avoid tossing in landfills. Follow electronics recycling best practices:

- Many retailers like Best Buy offer free drop-off recycling programs for household electronics, cables, and media.
- If systems have any salvageable working parts, sell cheap on eBay or forums for repair enthusiasts before recycling the rest.
- Seek out certified green electronics recycling centers that properly dismantle systems and recover hazardous components like lead and cadmium.
- When possible, repair rather than replace rechargeable battery packs used in controllers and cartridges to maximize reuse lifespan.
- If you lack local recycling options, many sellers on eBay offer reasonably priced electronics recycling mail-in options.

## Conclusion

For gaming history enthusiasts, keeping and maintaining aging consoles ensures the ability to revisit the iconic games that shaped their passion. Watching collection value also steadily increase brings a thrill. However, those with large stashes of unused consoles and games may want to selectively sell through trusted channels while demand is hot to make space or cash in. With proper care, many 70s, 80s, and 90s systems should continue functioning for decades, unlike the planned obsolescence of today‘s internet-connected consoles reliant on digital purchases and subscriptions. Just be sure to eventually recycle non-working electronics responsibly. But for favorite vintage systems fired up regularly for a nostalgia fix, keeping them around is absolutely worth it!

What retro consoles do you still treasure decades later? Which titles bring back the fondest gaming memories? I‘d love to hear your stories and compare retro collecting goals. This trip down gaming memory lane has re-sparked my ambition to finally achieve my complete North American Sega Saturn collection – if you have any leads on reasonably priced Case and manuals for classics like Panzer Dragoon Saga and Shining Force III, please let me know! Let‘s connect.

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