Article: Rare N64 Games!

[Flack]

Look out, eBay! RacketBoy lists "the rarest and most valuable N64 games!"

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/nintendo/n64/2008/01/the-rarest-and-most-valuable-n64-games.html

[Streetball 21]

Cool. I have Ogre Battle 64, but its just the cartridge. I found it at a pawn shop for 5 bucks!

I had Conker's Bad Fur Day, complete, but I traded it in. I still have the box and instructions though.

[Vectorman0]

First off, ISS2000 came out in the USA. Second off, half of those "treasured" USA releases aren't the least bit rare.

I would say ISS2000 and Worms are the rarest games. Sculptor's Cut has an equally rare box (as most blockbusters threw them away), but its cart is more common than the box.

No offense racketboy, but I think the list could use a lot of work.

[udisi]

Yeah , he was wrong about ISS, but if you read further , he's pretty much just listing games of value. He mentions the 2.92 million Mario Party 3's and such. Conker's BFD is a great game, I'm surprised that it's actually gained some value. This and Perfect Dark could have been had for $20-$25 a case when the N64 stopped selling.

[Gamingking]

I regret ever selling Harvest Moon 64. I loved that game.

[CreamSoda]

Good read!

I am surprised at the price CBFD is going for these days, I remember in 2001/2002 seeing tons of new copy's for $9.99 or less. Someday I will find a copy of Worms: Armageddon,

[digitalpress]

Totally agree with the Worms: Armageddon call, and I'll even buy into the others (though there are many other games more deserving of this list) but I get Conkers traded in quite a bit, it doesn't belong on any "rare" list, sorry.

[Rev. Link]

Well, remember, he wasn't going just by rarity, but also by value. Games like Conker and Smash Bros. aren't rare at all, but you still pay a decent amount for them because they're popular.

[digitalpress]

Well, remember, he wasn't going just by rarity, but also by value. Games like Conker and Smash Bros. aren't rare at all, but you still pay a decent amount for them because they're popular.

Oh, I see NOW. Let me think about this more.

I wish I had more Smash Bros. I wish I had lots of them.

I wish I had less Conker. I'll sell Conker all day long, if anyone is interested. Please, come buy them.

[roushimsx]

No offense racketboy, but I think the list could use a lot of work.

That's pretty much par for the course, though. At least the blog posts are fairly consistent in that regard.


..and of course Stunt Racer 64 (http://www.videogamepricecharts.com/game/nintendo-64/stunt-racer) gets no love. It's only the best R5 on the system (http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/game.cmf?gameid=11897)... :(

[Policenaut]

By the time I gave up with the N64, the only game I kept was Harvest Moon for the obvious reasons.

[mailman187666]

I found a stunt racer 64 boxed with instructions at a video rental store about a year ago. Wasn't stunt racer also a rental only game? if so wouldn't the box and book be harder to get than the cart?

[Mason P.]

yea I found a factory sealed iss 2000. It has the horizonal seal on the back. I got it from an honest guy iv'e known for years. Wihs I could have gotten his seald worms game though.

[Greg2600]

He took the prices from www.videogamepricecharts.com (http://www.videogamepricecharts.com), which is a somewhat disconcerting website, in that they don't classify the prices as loose, partially, or totally complete. Or whether the prices are listed or sold numbers.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

I recently found a few of these games CIB... bomberman and conker's for 8 each. I think there are other R5's (which I think the are guide current rarest for N64) that he didn't list- but I guess the demand isn't that great. Of course the list didn't say anything most here didn't know. A quick check of ebay could tell you most of this. I have noticed though that some of the games that go for a decent amount, don't really go for that much more CIB (than loose)- like Conker's.

[Daria]

A lot of those "valuable" games aren't very valuable.

[kainemaxwell]

I'm getting a 403 error.

[ice1605]

One of my friends has cart only Worms. I borrowed for a while a few years ago. I should see if he is interested in selling it.

[Snapple]

The link works fine for me. And guys, this isn't a rarity list. If you read the article, he acknowledges that some of the games he's listing aren't rare, just pricier to get at this point.

[Vectorman0]

The link works fine for me. And guys, this isn't a rarity list. If you read the article, he acknowledges that some of the games he's listing aren't rare, just pricier to get at this point.

He shouldn't put "rarest" in the title, in that case.

[m117]

Nice article, not too enlightening though. I think many of those games are indicated as being rare in the Rarity Guide of this site. Still very thoughful of him to put compile a more comprehensive list, especially seeing that the N64 is usually underappreciated collection-wise IMHO. I actually had 2 copies of Goemon two years ago...DOH!...Oh, wait, still have one, good...good.

[rbudrick]

There's rare N64 games? Wonders never cease.

-Rob

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

He shouldn't put "rarest" in the title, in that case.
Normally, I wouldn't post something like this, but since you're being such a tight ass about things, I'll point out that the word "rarest" is a comparative term, not absolute. Just because something is the among the rarest in a particular group, doesn't necessarily mean that it is actually rare.

It looks to me like the author of this article went out of his way to choose subjective terminology just to avoid people making comments like yours. Apparently for nought, though.


...word is bondage...

[Vectorman0]

Normally, I wouldn't post something like this, but since you're being such a tight ass about things, I'll point out that the word "rarest" is a comparative term, not absolute. Just because something is the among the rarest in a particular group, doesn't necessarily mean that it is actually rare.

It looks to me like the author of this article went out of his way to choose subjective terminology just to avoid people making comments like yours. Apparently for nought, though.


...word is bondage...

I don't mean Stadium Events level rarity, just comparatively within the N64 library as you said. I'm saying within the N64 library, he didn't do the best job of pointing out the rarer games or specifying them, considering the title of the article. It's a good article (with a misleading title) if you are going strictly by popularity and value, but that has little to do with rarity, comparatively or any other way.

[Coldguy]

I traded two of these games a few months back....oh well, if you can't play them why keep them?

[racketboy]

That's pretty much par for the course, though. At least the blog posts are fairly consistent in that regard.


..and of course Stunt Racer 64 (http://www.videogamepricecharts.com/game/nintendo-64/stunt-racer) gets no love. It's only the best R5 on the system (http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/game.cmf?gameid=11897)... :(

Ouch man.... not sure how I'm supposed to take that.

Well, first of all, as it states in the intro, I didn't write this one. I only formated and posted it. As I've stated elsewhere, the list was ranked purely by value. I did a quick check of eBay prices of successful closed auctions, and the numbers are accurate from what I could see.

And yes, I know all of them aren't "rare", but keep in mind the word "valuable" is in the title as well. I can't control what some people are willing to pay for these games. What's weird is I actually had some of the Mario games (Mario Kart, Mario 64, Smash Bros) on the "Cheapest Games" list about a year ago, but for some reason, the value of these games has nearly doubled in a year's time. I wouldn't expect that from the N64...

Anyway, I've never claimed to be an expert at anything and I'm far from being a great writer. I just like compiling information that I think will be useful.

[Leo_A]

What's everyones take on Nuclear Strike? I've seen just about all the N64 games people consider as rare multiple times the last few years at places like Electronics Boutique, but I've yet to ever encounter that in the wild.

Being a fan of the series, I'd love to get it eventually.

[Streetball 21]

Does anyone know if the blockbuster exclusive titles, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Indiana Jones for the N64 are rare? I know Hercules went to retail (I remember seeing it at Wal-Mart) shortly after, but not sure about Indiana Jones. I did find Hercules pre-owned with box and instructions at Blockbuster for $9.99.

[racketboy]

Does anyone know if the blockbuster exclusive titles, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Indiana Jones for the N64 are rare? I know Hercules went to retail (I remember seeing it at Wal-Mart) shortly after, but not sure about Indiana Jones. I did find Hercules pre-owned with box and instructions at Blockbuster for $9.99.


There was the one Indiana Jones game on the end of the list.... not sure if that's the one you are asking about.

But I think the trick with the Blockbuster ones is to actually have the box, instructions and all in good condition. I'm assuming most stores didn't care for them that well.....

[racketboy]

I don't mean Stadium Events level rarity, just comparatively within the N64 library as you said. I'm saying within the N64 library, he didn't do the best job of pointing out the rarer games or specifying them, considering the title of the article. It's a good article (with a misleading title) if you are going strictly by popularity and value, but that has little to do with rarity, comparatively or any other way.


I see what you are saying and I kinda agree with you. I guess the reasoning is that value was the easiest way to rank them as it was the most obvious statistics we had. Unless there are some reliable release/sales numbers out there of every N64 game, it's kinda hard to do otherwise.

And when I was discussing this piece with the author, I did bring up some times that were supposedly rare, but he talking me into not including them as they weren't valued very highly.

What I've learned from doing a series of articles is usually the first one (which this one is) is usually an experiment. You don't really know if you made solid contact with the ball until everyone else reads it.

I'll definitely be taking all the feedback and trying to build on the idea to make the subsequent pieces better.

[Streetball 21]

There was the one Indiana Jones game on the end of the list.... not sure if that's the one you are asking about.

But I think the trick with the Blockbuster ones is to actually have the box, instructions and all in good condition. I'm assuming most stores didn't care for them that well.....

My bad, now I see it on the list.

My Hercules game I bought from them, has BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO written on the cartridge and on the instruction booklet. I havent bothered to take that off, but I will one day lol.

[Vectorman0]

I see what you are saying and I kinda agree with you. I guess the reasoning is that value was the easiest way to rank them as it was the most obvious statistics we had. Unless there are some reliable release/sales numbers out there of every N64 game, it's kinda hard to do otherwise.

And when I was discussing this piece with the author, I did bring up some times that were supposedly rare, but he talking me into not including them as they weren't valued very highly.

What I've learned from doing a series of articles is usually the first one (which this one is) is usually an experiment. You don't really know if you made solid contact with the ball until everyone else reads it.

I'll definitely be taking all the feedback and trying to build on the idea to make the subsequent pieces better.

Thanks for taking my criticism so well. My suggestion for the next article like this one would be to possibly include a section with rarer titles that aren't nearly as popular, good or often thought of. That way you can focus on the mainstream games, but not leave out some things that may not otherwise be included. You could also do multiple lists, such as one ranked by value, popularity and scarcity.

[racketboy]

That's pretty much par for the course, though. At least the blog posts are fairly consistent in that regard.


..and of course Stunt Racer 64 (http://www.videogamepricecharts.com/game/nintendo-64/stunt-racer) gets no love. It's only the best R5 on the system (http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/game.cmf?gameid=11897)... :(


Thanks for taking my criticism so well. My suggestion for the next article like this one would be to possibly include a section with rarer titles that aren't nearly as popular, good or often thought of. That way you can focus on the mainstream games, but not leave out some things that may not otherwise be included. You could also do multiple lists, such as one ranked by value, popularity and scarcity.

I just had a little chat with the guy that put it together. I also forwarded him a link to this thread. We basically discussed what you just mentioned. We could have a section on the end for the rare ones that aren't necessarily valuable. I could also add a "raritiy rating", I guess kinda like those in the database here.

Any other ideas are welcome.

I'm really looking forward to the others -- I have a feeling the N64 is actually one of the least exciting systems when it comes to rare games. I'm partial to the Saturn, personally :)

[Sanriostar]

Has CIB Worms Armageddon... :D

Plays Dreamcast Worms World Party.

[Greg2600]

Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, I would figure, is not rare at all. I bought it when it came out, and it is a terrific game. I think the author was listed high priced games, often as a result of demand, not rarity. Hercules and Xena are games that are probably rarer, because they didn't sell well, and weren't all that great.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

What's everyones take on Nuclear Strike? I've seen just about all the N64 games people consider as rare multiple times the last few years at places like Electronics Boutique, but I've yet to ever encounter that in the wild.

Being a fan of the series, I'd love to get it eventually.

There's 2 video stores where I moved that actually have a treasure trove of boxed N64 games for sale that I was told- I'm the only one who buys them. Most have their manuals and the boxes are usually in good to great shape... All games are 14.95 regardless of title. So I've been slowly going in and buying the rarer ones over the past few months... so far I've picked up (some I've sold- mostly the mario titles): Mario 64, Mario Party 1,2,3, Mario Tennis, Diddy Kong Racing, Majoras Mask, Conkers, Gauntlet Legends, Bomberman 2nd Attack, Super Bowling, Chavez II (SNES), and Nuclear Strike.

Now I've only played the 1st stage of Nuclear Strike- but it's really a lot like the Jungle, Urban, Desert Strike series on the genesis and SNES. The graphics are better, of course- but gameplay is almost identical- with a lot of the exact same enemies of the previous series. If you don't like those games then you won't really like Nuclear. Now I do plan on playing it more, in the future- but I had played Urban strike a few weeks prior quite a bit- so I kinda wore myself ot on it. I only put in 30 minutes, then quit. Hopefully that gives you an idea.

Between the 2 stores there are still a dozen or more r4s and r5s...and a few more mario titles- that I may buy in the future, when I have the extra money. But unfortunately most of the r5s and r4s they have I either own, or don't have a desire to play. And of course some may or may not have manuals. It's kinda a pain in the ass to buy them just to sell them, considering I'll only make 10 bucks or less off the titles... N64 just doesn't have the library some other games have- so demand isn't super high right now.

[roushimsx]

Ouch man.... not sure how I'm supposed to take that.

The big problem is that it always seems like every post is thrown up there before its really ready and winds up undergoing a number of edits. Sometimes it's from a lack of familiarity with the subject matter (like when a "best games worth your time" post is based off of aggregate review scores instead of hands on experience) and sometimes it's because of lack of focus (the Final Fantasy post was a complete mess).

This post seemed to hover more around the "lack of focus" side of the house and probably would have worked a lot better as being either split into two separate posts (one for rarity, one for value) or expanded with information covering both sides of the topic with a better defined structure. (but Vectorman pretty much covered all that mojo in his previous posts)

[murdoc rose]

I was looking at this the other day and was surprised to see that there are two R6s and a hand full of fives if you include imports. Kind of crazy considering most of us were thinking something was rare. Good luck finding a copy of monster truck madness in the wild even though it is a R4. For that matter I actually don't see that many N64 titles around here. Last find was Quest, dual heros(i think), and like the good hockey game for a buck each. Is anyone else seeing stacks of N64 games at flea markets? By the way looking for Cruis'n Exotica and like paper boy and maybe Road Rash 64 if anyone wants to sell or trade pm me.

[PsychoCandy]

The only game I've failed to see in the wild is Ogre Battle 64...I can't say I've bought many N-64 Games in recent years.

[racketboy]

The big problem is that it always seems like every post is thrown up there before its really ready and winds up undergoing a number of edits. Sometimes it's from a lack of familiarity with the subject matter (like when a "best games worth your time" post is based off of aggregate review scores instead of hands on experience) and sometimes it's because of lack of focus (the Final Fantasy post was a complete mess).

This post seemed to hover more around the "lack of focus" side of the house and probably would have worked a lot better as being either split into two separate posts (one for rarity, one for value) or expanded with information covering both sides of the topic with a better defined structure. (but Vectorman pretty much covered all that mojo in his previous posts)

Well, I'll admit to most of those accusations. But to be completely honest, I personally don't have a huge problem with that. I guess somebody that wants to view my stuff as an authoritative view or whatever is going to have a problem with that.

Most of my site is essentially a research project. Unless you are absolutely obsessed with every inch of gaming history, there is no way that one person can cover all the topics that I want to cover with authority. The topics I don't know much about, I try to research, play around with briefly, and also pull knowledge from the community on the site.

And maybe this is just my view, but I don't see anything wrong about having revisions in a blog post. What's wonderful about the online medium is that you can change it so easily. If this was all print, we'd have a problem.

I admit the Final Fantasy piece was probably one of the messiest in a while, but that was a guest post (I didn't write it) that was started out as too ambitious of a project and then rushed to meet an anniversary date. Quite a few lessons were learned there.

Anyway, my whole goal for anything I post is for it to be either an informative guide, show off something new or unique, or just something entertaining or nostalgic. (Not so much as a textbook or authoritative reference) I like to think I meet those goals on most occasions.

[Trevelyan]

I purchased a good condition, complete pal copy of ISS 2000 for £11.99 off ebay. The NTSC version seems to be the more expensive, but i'm no authority on such things

[kainemaxwell]

Very cool list. From the list I have:

Clayfighter 63 1/3
Conker's - complete
Super Smash Bros. - Complete

[Bort]

A few expensive and interesting imports that are missing.

JPN - Perfect Dark S.E. (big box that contains the game and 4mb ram pak) ~110$ - rare
JPN - Mario Kart S.E. (Big box with two tone controller) 45-60$
JPN - Neon Genesis Evangelion - 55-65$
JPN - Mario no Photopi - 40-50$ (price has fallen over the past year from 60$

[Famidrive-16]

I've never seen Clayfighters: Sculptor's Cut anywhere in the wild. Every other 64 game ever, sure, but not that damn thing. I'll have a seizure once I lay my eyes on a copy.

Isn't Razor Freestyle Scooter also one of the rarer games for the system?

[DefaultGen]

.....

[Ed Oscuro]

Look out, eBay! RacketBoy lists "the rarest and most valuable N64 games!"
Looks like I haven't made any headway getting people to stop substituting "rare for "expensive and hyped," heh :)

Edit: I do appreciate that racketboy addressed some of these points (except import != rare), and I certainly shouldn't criticize anybody who has to release things on a schedule.

But it seems to me that posts like this are fated to be filler.

What the world NEEDS are well-researched articles that tell us something that's not obvious trolling a forum (best vs. worst lists) or digging out a price guide.

Still haven't seen anybody post about Sony's 1970s tape-based video game machine, for instance ;)