Will My Old Video Games Be Worth Money? A Detailed Guide for Gamers

If you are wondering whether those dusty old cartridges and CDs in your closet could be worth something, the answer is sometimes yes! Certain retro video games, especially in pristine condition, have become surprisingly valuable collector‘s items.

Why Are Some Old Games Now Worth So Much?

In recent years, vintage video games from the 70s, 80s and 90s have started selling for very high prices at auction and online. What factors have caused this retro gaming gold rush?

• Nostalgia – As generations that grew up playing classic games hit their 30s/40s with disposable income, nostalgia fuels demand for childhood favorites. This nostalgia cycle repeats as each generation ages.

• Rarity – Many older games had relatively small production runs, so mint condition copies are scarce. Sealed copies are the holy grail for collectors.

• Iconic Franchises – Flagship series like Super Mario, Zelda, Sonic and Final Fantasy have always had devoted followings who covet early installments.

• Speculation – Some collectors are acquiring rare games like investments, hoping to sell for profit later during price spikes. This can temporarily inflate prices.

• Physical Media Transition – As games shift toward digital-only, physical media becomes more novel and collectible as artifacts of gaming history.

According to data from heritageauctions.com, over 1,000 vintage video games have sold for over $1,000 in recent years. Here are some examples of extremely valuable retro games that have been auctioned:

As you can see, mint condition sealed games tend to achieve the highest valuations from collectors. Next we‘ll examine exactly why condition is so critical when determining what your old games might be worth.

How Condition Dramatically Affects Resale Value

The relative condition and completeness of a vintage game has an enormous impact on what collectors are willing to pay for it. Here is an overview:

• Sealed (graded 100) – Factory sealed with untorn shrinkwrap and stamps intact. Extremely rare. Worth a huge premium even for common games. The Holy Grail for serious collectors.

• Complete in Box (CIB) – Includes original box, manual and any other inserts in excellent condition (graded 85-95). Significant value boost over loose cartridges. Desired by collectors for display purposes.

• Loose Cartridge Only (graded 60-75) – May still have appeal for rare titles or games with damaged box/manuals. But loose common games are usually worthless except for resellers.

• Damaged (graded <50) – Torn labels, marker writing, yellowing, missing pieces etc. Tanks any collector value except for the rarest games.

I have been collecting retro games for over 20 years. From my experience, even truly rare games like Nintendo World Championships grey cartridges are worth little to collectors if the labels are badly worn or the cart is discolored. While loose carts are fine for enjoying classic gameplay, most collectors want pristine CIB copies for display.

Professional Grading Adds Rarity Value

Specialized services like WATA Games professionally grade the condition and rarity of vintage game specimens on a 100-point scale. This assessment verifies the quality and provides a universal scale for collectors. Graded games authenticated in a hard plastic case with visible rating often sell for multiples more at auction. While grading costs $100+ per game, it dramatically boosts premium collectible value. Near-perfect graded 70+ games are astronomically more prized than "good" ungraded condition cartridges.

Cult Classics Can Become Costly Over Time

While most common games decrease in value, some less successful but well-regarded titles gain new appreciation decades later as innovative design or concepts are recognized. These overlooked games labeled "cult classics" like Snatcher for Sega CD and Little Samson for NES have recently started selling for high prices CIB after being initially ignored. This demonstrates how historical reassessment can give new life to forgotten games as collectibles.

Should You Try to Resell Your Old Games?

Okay, let‘s say you dig those Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis boxes out of your mom‘s basement. Could there be hidden treasures inside worth big money?

Unless you stumble upon an ultra-rare production anomaly like an NES competition gold cartridge, most common vintage games are realistically only worth a few dollars at best, even if in decent used condition. However, truly mint CIB copies of iconic games like Zelda, Mario Kart, Sonic and Final Fantasy may sell for $50+ depending on title and console. If you lack the time and patience for internet auctions, local game shops may pay $5-20 cash for quality popular retro games.

For sealed games, deep pocketed collectors pay absurd prices for Holy Grail factory sealed copies. But realistically, 99% of games were opened and played. If you have a common but 100% mint CIB game, professional grading could exponentially increase auction value. Overall the retro market is white-hot right now. But take seller claims with a grain of salt – only the creme of the crop achieve those astronomical prices.

In conclusion, under the right circumstances, your old video games could potentially help pay some bills or at least get you some nice nostalgia money. But temper your expectations – those yard sale leftovers are likely not your retirement fund! Handle your memories carefully regardless. As a retro gaming enthusiast, I believe we should respect these iconic games as the pioneers of a now-dominant cultural and artistic medium, not just commodities.