Fla. — Old video games collecting dust in attics, closets and basements may be worth another look, especially if their original boxes and manuals are still intact
An analysis by playcasino.com examined recent North American sales prices for dozens of well-known games and consoles from the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, GameCube, original PlayStation and Sega Genesis eras.
EarthBound for the Super Nintendo topped the list. A complete copy with the game, original box and manual was valued at approximately $2,562. The cartridge by itself was valued at about $394.
A boxed Pikachu Nintendo 64 console ranked second at approximately $1,225, followed by the Pokémon Special Edition Game Boy Color at about $1,063.
The 10 most valuable retro games and consoles with their original packaging were:
- EarthBound for Super Nintendo: $2,562
- Pikachu Nintendo 64 console: $1,225
- Pokémon Special Edition Game Boy Color: $1,063
- Chrono Trigger for Super Nintendo: $986
- Pokémon Emerald for Game Boy Advance: $771
- Pokémon Crystal for Game Boy Color: $738
- Super Mario World for Super Nintendo: $677
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time gold cartridge for Nintendo 64: $509
- Pokémon Red for Game Boy: $430
- Pokémon Stadium 2 for Nintendo 64: $389
One of the more surprising entries is Super Mario World. The game was included with the Super Nintendo when the console launched in North America in 1991, putting copies in millions of homes.
That widespread availability means a loose cartridge sells for about $17. A complete copy with its original box and manual, however, was valued at approximately $677, about 39 times the cartridge-only price.
Pokémon products account for six of the top 10 entries. Even without their packaging, the analysis valued a Pokémon Emerald cartridge at approximately $240 and Pokémon Crystal at about $160.
Original consoles may also retain some value. The analysis put a boxed Super Nintendo at approximately $334, a boxed Nintendo 64 at $287, an original Nintendo Entertainment System at $260 and an original Game Boy at $201. Without the packaging, those consoles were valued between $66 and $103.
The estimates were calculated using PriceCharting data for completed sales of North American versions retrieved Sept. 24. Boxed values refer to complete copies containing the game or console, original packaging and manual.
Actual selling prices can vary considerably based on condition, authenticity, completeness and current demand. Owners should compare their items with recently completed sales in similar condition before listing them and inspect the attic carefully before sending an old box to a yard sale.
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