Is it worth keeping old PS2 games?

Hey friend, were you one of the over 155 million people worldwide who owned Sony‘s legendary PlayStation 2 console? If so, you may be wondering what to do with your old PS2 game collection. As a gaming historian and collector myself, let me provide my insight into whether holding onto those discs is worthwhile.

Relive Your Childhood and Cash In on Nostalgia

In short – yes, keeping your PS2 games is definitely worth considering. The nostalgia factor for PS2 games is massive right now. Those iconic black discs marked many of our childhoods during the 2000s gaming renaissance. Revisiting classic series like Ratchet & Clank, Jak and Daxter, and Kingdom Hearts takes older millennials like us right back to simpler times.

As data from PriceCharting shows, all of those franchise entries now sell for between $10 to $30 complete. And retro gaming popularity is driving up prices – Persona 3 recently averaged $140! So for the right PS2 games, you could cash in on nostalgia while reclaiming a piece of your childhood.

The Most Valuable PS2 Games Can Net Over $1,000

While common discs sell cheap, rare and limited print games fetch huge sums from diehard collectors. Just look at these recent sale prices for mint, sealed copies:

Those four games alone show the potential of rare PS2 games as collector‘s items. Popular RPGs and horror titles tend to be most sought after and pricey. So thoroughly check your collection for hidden gems.

Grading the Condition is Critical

A game‘s condition drastically affects its value. As the Ultimate PlayStation Collectors Guide notes, collectors grade games on a 10-point scale:

• Complete (CIB) Near Mint (NM) copies with pristine discs can get 70-100% of a title‘s full value.
• Like New (LN) games have minor cover and disc flaws but fetch 50-75% typically.
• Very Good (VG) copies show wear but play fine, earning 25-50%.
• Good (G) games have more damage but work, getting 15-30%.
• Acceptable (AC) copies feature heavy wear or resurfaced discs, worth under 20%.

Properly grading and representing a game‘s condition when reselling is crucial. Be sure to carefully inspect discs for scratches and damage. Our childhood selves weren‘t always gentle with those discs, right?

How to Spot Disc Rot Before It‘s Too Late

As optical media like PS2 discs age, they slowly succumb to disc rot. This oxidation degrades the data layer, eventually making the disc unreadable. According to preservation experts like the Video Game History Foundation, telltale signs of disc rot include:

• Visible pinholes on the underside of the disc
• A cloudy or yellowed look to the underside
• Reddish-brown staining around the edges
• Severe pixelation, freezing, or loading issues
• A pungent smell while playing

Catching disc rot early allows for resurfacing to extend the disc‘s life. But deep damage requires making ISO backups before the game becomes unplayable.

Buy, Sell and Trade to Build Your Library

Instead of selling games straight for cash, trading them in at vintage game stores for credit allows you to gradually build up a more valuable library. Top retailers like DKOldies offer trade credit bonuses up to 30% extra value.

Local game shops and conventions also provide great opportunities to buy, sell and trade PS2 titles in person. Just be sure to thoroughly research current values before any transaction using PriceCharting or GameValueNow‘s databases.

The PS2‘s Peak Years Are Still Ahead

Although only the rarest PS2 games demand big money now, more common cult classics and fan favorites seem poised for growth. As nostalgia continues building among millennials, prices for iconic series like Tony Hawk, TimeSplitters, and SSX will likely jump over the next 5-10 years.

Late released titles often become rare and shoot up in value. So PS2 era gems like God of War II, Okami, and Katamari Damacy make great long term investments. Keep collecting and playing those PS2 classics – their peak years still lie ahead!