Have the prices for used PS2 games hit rock bottom?

[Technosis]

Except for a few "rarities" I'm surprised at how low the used game sections are pricing the PS2 titles. Even the really good ones can be had for only a few dollars. I don't even remember PS1 games going this low when they were phasing them out.

What gives? Do you expect the prices to stay dirt cheap, and then slowly creep up like many of the PS1 games today? Right now the PS2 games offer awesome gaming value for the money.

[Barracuda]

I don't know about your area but around me PS2 games still cost about $8 used. It's a bit more than I like to pay for a used game.

[NayusDante]

I think that once GameStop stops selling PS2 software entirely, the prices will drop and most of the titles won't be worth anything. Until then, their value is held up a bit. The PS2 was extremely successful, so it has a very large userbase that will be tossing their games when they upgrade, resulting in a deluge of common titles everywhere. Of course, the rare games will start to climb in value, so this is probably a good time to grab those.

[swlovinist]

Right now is an excellent time to pick up some uncommon titles and to beef up a PS2 library. There is that good "window" opportunity to snatch up games for a system when prices are cheap and games are available. Right now is an awsome time to pick up PS2 stuff. I have expanded my collection from about 50 games to 150 games in the last year with the PS2, paying an average of about $5 a game. Gamestop has its issues, but I found the best selection of uncommons with its PS2 stuff recently, and have found some great stuff for cheap.

[heybtbm]

Most JRPG's are holding their value. Not really a surprise I guess.

[Nebagram]

Gamestation in the UK have a 5 for £10 deal on a lot of games. Thing is, very few of them are actually worth buying. Most of those in the 4 for £20 offer are worth it, though- the likes of Vice City and FFX-2, for example.

[boatofcar]

I don't know about your area but around me PS2 games still cost about $8 used. It's a bit more than I like to pay for a used game.

Really? $8 is pretty cheap for a good game, not to mention one only a generation old. How much do you usually pay for used games?

[Aussie2B]

I dunno, the prices don't seem that low to me. I found much better deals on PS1 RPGs and other quality games at GameStop/EB/Software Etc. and the like back at the equivalent point in its lifespan, and back then, nearly everything was complete. I virtually ignore GameStop's used sections now because it's a rarity to find something that isn't loose and priced just a few bucks below what it costs new. For that matter, the sealed games don't get worthwhile markdowns anymore either, so I largely ignore GameStop entirely.

[mnbren05]

You can find everything from $1-$30 used for PS2. I think it'll be another 2 years before PS2 stops releasing games and major companies dump their collections of used games. Right now you can find some good deals but nothing to consider rock bottom.

[The 1 2 P]

You can find everything from $1-$30 used for PS2.

That covers the majority of games but then you have the Marvel Vs Capcom 2's and the Fatal Frame games, just to name a few. Unfortunately those have yet to come down in price and there are quite a few MvC2 available for PS2 in several GS's around here.

[retrogamer96]

I'm not sure what will happen to the PS2 games, but they're a lot cheaper than when I was little!

[Ed Oscuro]

I dunno, the prices don't seem that low to me. I found much better deals on PS1 RPGs and other quality games at GameStop/EB/Software Etc. and the like back at the equivalent point in its lifespan, and back then, nearly everything was complete. I virtually ignore GameStop's used sections now because it's a rarity to find something that isn't loose and priced just a few bucks below what it costs new. For that matter, the sealed games don't get worthwhile markdowns anymore either, so I largely ignore GameStop entirely.
Agreed, plus stuff at GameStop is usually scuffed to heck and generally not very desirable at all.

I've been thinking the same question as the OP lately; I've got a list of wants indeed and hope I can make some headway on it.

[bangtango]

The best PS2 bargains to be had at Gamestop are for someone who wants to grab EA Sports, Sega Sports or 989/Sony Sports games.

It seems like 9/10 of the sports games at Gamestop are $2.99 or less and many of them are 99 cents.

Too many people take this sort of thing for granted. But for about $5, you can pick up all four of the NFL 2K games that VC/Sega released on the PS2.

For 5 bucks, you can get the first 5 Madden games or the first five NCAA Football games on PS2.

Most people here will say so what but a lot of other places that sell those same titles used charge a hell of a lot more than 99 cents for them.

[boatofcar]

Most people here will say so what but a lot of other places that sell those same titles used charge a hell of a lot more than 99 cents for them.

I think it's a moot point since no one actually cares about those games. If Gamestop could sell them for any more than that and have people buy them, you can bet they would.

[digitalpress]

For 5 bucks, you can get the first 5 Madden games or the first five NCAA Football games on PS2.

Most people here will say so what but a lot of other places that sell those same titles used charge a hell of a lot more than 99 cents for them.

99 cents, what a rip-off!

DP STORE SALE: Buy one get TWO FREE! Ask at the register - you want Madden or NCAA PS2 games? For every one you buy at 99 cents we'll give you TWO MORE FREE. Mention that you read it on the forum and we'll be happy to add to your sports game collection.

[NayusDante]

99 cents, what a rip-off!

DP STORE SALE: Buy one get TWO FREE! Ask at the register - you want Madden or NCAA PS2 games? For every one you buy at 99 cents we'll give you TWO MORE FREE. Mention that you read it on the forum and we'll be happy to add to your sports game collection.

Just for kicks, I'd really like to hear when somebody actually takes advantage of this offer.

[roushimsx]

Just for kicks, I'd really like to hear when somebody actually takes advantage of this offer.

I totally would if I lived nearby :(

[bangtango]

I think it's a moot point since no one actually cares about those games. If Gamestop could sell them for any more than that and have people buy them, you can bet they would.

It would only be a moot point if those same games were 99 cents across the board. But they aren't.

In my original post, I also mentioned that GS are one of the few places (offline) that sells those same games for 99 cents. A lot of other places won't discount them that low.

There are plenty of places that sell used games which will price something like PS2 Madden 2005 for $3-5, if not more. Pawn shops, for example. Or video/music stores that sell used games.

Give me a solid list of places offline that will sell 60-70% of the PS2 sports games for 99 cents then you can call me a liar. I'm not talking Ebay or Amazon Marketplace. I mean actual stores you can walk into and pick them up at. Don't waste anybody's time by listing regional stores that 90% of us here aren't able to visit either.

By the way, someone could argue that nobody still buys a lot of the PS2 stuff that is $2-3 and that isn't just sports games.

[boatofcar]

There are plenty of places that sell used games which will price something like PS2 Madden 2005 for $3-5, if not more. Pawn shops, for example. Or video/music stores that sell used games.


You can't compare a coporation like Gamestop to pawn shops. These are the same places that sell broken 15 inch CRT TVs for $50.

[bangtango]

You can't compare a coporation like Gamestop to pawn shops. These are the same places that sell broken 15 inch CRT TVs for $50.

My only point is there is no better place to buy that genre of game for a last gen system than at Gamestop. As smart as you make yourself out to be, you couldn't think of a better source to get that type of game.

Your crap moot point response was a moot point itself.

Isn't it a little shortsighted to dismiss a genre of game just because you don't like to play it?

[boatofcar]

My only point is there is no better place to buy that genre of game for a last gen system than at Gamestop. As smart as you make yourself out to be, you couldn't think of a better source to get that type of game.


Sorry. You're right. Madden 04 is awesome. And you should never shop online. Ever. Or go to the DP Store. Or Gamecrazy. My apologies.

[bangtango]

Sorry. You're right. Madden 04 is awesome. And you should never shop online. Ever. Or go to the DP Store. Or Gamecrazy. My apologies.

Yes and passing "fads" like Guitar Hero, Rock Band and 85% of the Wii library are all awesome, too.

You know, I expected that sort of response. You get your rocks off on this forum going after everyone else in replies instead of having your own original ideas. 90% of your posts here simply quote somebody else in a thread in an attempt to pick them apart.

For one, it would take me a solid 8 hours to drive to the DP store, maybe more. Last time I checked, not everybody on this forum lives in NJ.

Then you say I should also shop online for a game such as Madden 04 instead of going to Gamestop? That is a great idea to buy the game on Ebay for 99 cents and then pay $4 for shipping. A $5 investment. Sure beats going into a Gamestop store, paying 99 cents for the same game and walking out.

As for GameCrazy, the majority of them charge anywhere between $2.99 and $4.99 for Madden 04, Madden 06 or something like NBA Live 2003. That is a fact. Then you aren't guaranteed to get a manual or even a game in decent condition any more than you are at Gamestop. So paying $2.99 or $4.99 for an item is "better than" paying 99 cents for the very same thing? Perhaps that is what you are teaching over in Korea but it isn't true.

If you want to get in some sort of petty argument here, a quick review of the posts above prove you started this whole thing with a trolling reply to my post that wasn't the least bit relevant. Everything I said in my first post of this thread is 100% correct.

But then again, I'm guessing you are a regular at the store and on the "invite only" forums here so you can get a free pass on this sort of thing.

[boatofcar]

Yes and passing "fads" like Guitar Hero, Rock Band and 85% of the Wii library are all awesome, too.

You know, I expected that sort of response. You get your rocks off on this forum going after everyone else in replies instead of having your own original ideas. 90% of your posts here simply quote somebody else in a thread in an attempt to pick them apart.

For one, it would take me a solid 8 hours to drive to the DP store, maybe more. Last time I checked, not everybody on this forum lives in NJ.

Then you say I should also shop online for a game such as Madden 04 instead of going to Gamestop? That is a great idea to buy the game on Ebay for 99 cents and then pay $4 for shipping. A $5 investment. Sure beats going into a Gamestop store, paying 99 cents for the same game and walking out.

As for GameCrazy, the majority of them charge anywhere between $2.99 and $4.99 for Madden 04, Madden 06 or something like NBA Live 2003. That is a fact. Then you aren't guaranteed to get a manual or even a game in decent condition any more than you are at Gamestop. So paying $2.99 or $4.99 for an item is "better than" paying 99 cents for the very same thing? Perhaps that is what you are teaching over in Korea but it isn't true.

If you want to get in some sort of petty argument here, a quick review of the posts above prove you started this whole thing with a trolling reply to my post that wasn't the least bit relevant. Everything I said in my first post of this thread is 100% correct.

But then again, I'm guessing you are a regular at the store and on the "invite only" forums here so you can get a free pass on this sort of thing.

I don't know what kind of point you're trying to make, but all that hate can't be good for you. Try and keep the personal attacks down and people will tend to respect your opinions more.

[bangtango]

I don't know what kind of point you're trying to make, but all that hate can't be good for you. Try and keep the personal attacks down and people will tend to respect your opinions more.

I make a post stating there is no better place to buy last gen sports games than at Gamestop, which is entirely true. Then you proceed to give me one smart assed reply after another, none of which proved me to be incorrect.

Using a "moot point" argument makes it pretty clear you didn't respect my opinion to begin with.

You are blowing the hate thing out of proportion. I consider you a very knowledgeable and bright person who is capable of discussing darn near every topic that comes across the board here.

But frankly, I think you would have been better off leaving well enough alone, instead of labelling my perfectly harmless post as a moot point. I just don't see what you were trying to accomplish there.

I hope we can leave it at that and move on. I haven't got a grudge against you or anyone here.

Besides I don't want to check an otherwise dead thread every 2-3 days to see how you reply or to make a reply :)

[Damaniel]

To get back to the topic at hand, I think that we're still a year or two away from the bottoming out of PS2 game prices. Since the PS2 is still actively sold and recently received a price cut, that may lead to continued interest for a while yet. The fact that new games are still being made well after the PS3 and Xbox 360 launches shows remaining interest for the system, and by extension, for many of the older games. When new software for the PS2 stops being produced and system production finally starts decreasing, then the prices will drop to their lows. That will be the best time to buy -- before the system is considered 'retro' and people start bidding up the prices on the better games again.

Even though I don't think this is the bottom, I've still been buying up used PS2 stuff regularly. I've already got a couple hundred games, and I keep adding to my collection because the prices are already pretty good.

[boogiecat]

Most PS2 sports games tend to be more cheaper than those JRPG's...

[The 1 2 P]

To get back to the topic at hand, I think that we're still a year or two away from the bottoming out of PS2 game prices. Since the PS2 is still actively sold and recently received a price cut, that may lead to continued interest for a while yet.

Agreed. There no rock-bottom pricing going on while the system is still actively selling. If's rare games are still holding their price points too. But like you said, they will all start to drop in a few years.

[TonyTheTiger]

Don't prices tend to creep back up a bit once the games can't be found so easily in stores? So I figure the sweet spot would be when the chains stop taking in PS2 games (probably still a ways off) and try to liquidate their stock (an even longer ways off). Though before that happens I can't imagine too many more drops happening for the games already in the $10 or less category. And the "money" games like MvC2 probably won't drop much either. If anything they'll go up unless there's a reprint. I'd venture a guess that the only games currently "in play" for significant drops are the $15-$30 games before the inevitable fire sales, whenever they should happen.