who or what is responsible for the high prices?

[mr obscure]

Ok..all that talking about greed and the $17.500 nwc cart made me go hunting.
Im on the hunt for somebody to blame.
Thats right i got my shotgun loaded and hunting for the sob's that made my fun hobby of nes(or any console) collecting/playing so damn expensive.
Where do i have to point my gun at > my own pc a.k.a.the damn internet.
These so called serieus collectors who drive prices up or somebody/something else.

All jokes aside:above me: i was just wondering what other people think of high prices for retro games are they evolving normal in price or not?

[7th lutz]

I think some of the high prices are just plain stupid.

I remembered seeing an ebay seller selling Homebrew Intellivision games for $2,000 early this year.

Homebrew games shouldn't have that type of value a first place.

Some of the games in price vary in time. For an example I saw a toppling load Nes for $100.00 about 4 years ago. Two years ago, top loading Nes systems were going around $50.00.

Some of the prices for games will change of time for lowering in price like what happened last year.

The Super rare cartridges like nwc cart that are a 9 or a 10 in rarity will always be going for an insane price.

[smork]

I think the prices are nice and low right now, actually. I've pulled in some fantastic deals in the past year or so, much better than the previous few years.

Only a few games are really really expensive (mostly NG Rom carts) but for the most part classic stuff is cheaper than ever. It's a good time to be a retro gamer.

[swlovinist]

Oober rare stuff is going to fetch high values. As for games in general, I have to agree that this year has been a great year to get good deals. People who normally would not sell things are going into their attic and getting rid of some great stuff for cheap. As more people start collecting this stuff, the more attention it will get. Also, as time goes on, there will be more people that grew up with it that have disposable income to spend money on it. It all depends on what you want to collect. If you just want to collect standard video games, then there are deals everywhere. If you want to collect the ultra rare stuff....well you are going to have to pony up I guess.

[BetaWolf47]

It's because when a game is rare enough (for NWC and some other games, there is usually only one copy of the thing on at a time), whoever is selling has the monopoly on that item. They can set however much they want, and if a single person wants it enough, they're rich.

[jb143]

I remembered seeing an ebay seller selling Homebrew Intellivision games for $2,000 early this year.



Were they actually selling them for that price? Or did they just have them for sale at that price? There is a difference...though I doubt that thrift stores or anyone else that uses eBay to set their prices care.

[Sailorneorune]

There's a NES toploader at a local store sitting at $100. It's been there for at least two years, jumping from store to store.

[skaar]

It's called a free market economy. Roll with it.

[VG_Maniac]

Ok..all that talking about greed and the $17.500 nwc cart made me go hunting.
Im on the hunt for somebody to blame.
Thats right i got my shotgun loaded and hunting for the sob's that made my fun hobby of nes(or any console) collecting/playing so damn expensive.

Well, collector's sites like digitalpress are part of the reason. They are kind of like a double edged sword. On the one hand, they bring collectors together to discuss video games and collecting and make more people aware of the hobby...but on the other hand, they make more people aware of the rare and sought after games which adds to the hype and demand for games like Stadium Events and NWC, causing the prices to go up.

[BetaWolf47]

There's a NES toploader at a local store sitting at $100. It's been there for at least two years, jumping from store to store.

We're talking about online dealing, aren't we? From experience, local stores are ignorant when it comes to NES and SNES prices. They either think it's an old, worthless piece of plastic, or something ultra rare and valuable. My dad got my toploader as a gift to me at a pawn shop and he paid somewhere between $50 and $90 for it, and it didn't even have an AC adapter or controllers.

[bb_hood]

Ok..all that talking about greed and the $17.500 nwc cart made me go hunting.
Im on the hunt for somebody to blame.
Thats right i got my shotgun loaded and hunting for the sob's that made my fun hobby of nes(or any console) collecting/playing so damn expensive.
Where do i have to point my gun at > my own pc a.k.a.the damn internet.
These so called serieus collectors who drive prices up or somebody/something else.

All jokes aside:above me: i was just wondering what other people think of high prices for retro games are they evolving normal in price or not?

Fuck that, blaming 'serious' collectors on 'driving up prices' on rare nintendo games and using the NWC cart as an example. It's really expensive because its really really rare and everyone wants it. Besides NWC cart, stadium events, and the 3 adult games no loose game is really worth more than 150$, which is actually pretty cheap when compared to other hobbies. SO arguing that 'serious collectors' are driving up prices on 'stuff I want to collect' just sounds stupid to me.

[TonyTheTiger]

My question is this: Why NWC? What makes the NWC cart the holy grail when there are things out there actually rarer in number? Is it because it's an important piece of Nintendo's history and Nintendo is...well...Nintendo? While I can understand the price for the "holy grail" of game collecting, the item that ended up being said grail seems somewhat random. Almost to the point where the price reflects the prestige of the item above and beyond the actual rarity.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Kill that graphic! It's a witch! Burn it before it places a hex on us all!

http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/Economics/14-01Fall-2007/0D219A2E-6E5B-4C2B-9A9A-C88A18C5404E/0/chp_sup_dem.jpg

[ScottK]

My question is this: Why NWC? What makes the NWC cart the holy grail when there are things out there actually rarer in number? Is it because it's an important piece of Nintendo's history and Nintendo is...well...Nintendo? While I can understand the price for the "holy grail" of game collecting, the item that ended up being said grail seems somewhat random. Almost to the point where the price reflects the prestige of the item above and beyond the actual rarity.

I think part of the reason why the NWC is in such demand is because hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people attended the event. I attended the event and would want a cart for the memories the NWC event brought. I'll never afford one, so I'm happy with a repro.

Also people who want the complete NES collection have to add the cart to the list to make it totally complete...even if it wasn't officially released.

I do however think the price is really high. Especially with the repro's being sold. I think the gold ones should be selling for more around $5,000. But unfortunatly the price will probably stay steady or go up.

[ButtonMasher123]

My question is this: Why NWC? What makes the NWC cart the holy grail when there are things out there actually rarer in number? Is it because it's an important piece of Nintendo's history and Nintendo is...well...Nintendo? While I can understand the price for the "holy grail" of game collecting, the item that ended up being said grail seems somewhat random. Almost to the point where the price reflects the prestige of the item above and beyond the actual rarity.

I can understand why the NWC cart is so popular because of the historical significance combined with the rarity. I can't for the life of me understand what the big deal with Stadium Events is though. It just seems like a glorified variation of a not so great game. I guess if you were trying to complete a us set it would be important, but to me that game shouldn't even count as its own separate game when it already exists in the form of World Class Track Meet.

[Cauterize]

Dont forget too, the majority of people who would even remotely be interested in gaming from the 80s onwards are now finding themselves in full time jobs with a bit of spare cash on the side.
Where as a few years back, these collectors didnt have as much to throw towards certain titles...

[Baloo]

I can see the hype over the NWC cart, it was basically a trophy for a famous video game competition, that's playable. Now who wouldn't want that?

Stadium Events however, is just World Class Track Meet with different box art and a different title screen. That's just mindless.

[poloplayr]

http://a2.vox.com/6a00fa969b19e6000200fad6b1bf6a0005-500pi

[backguard]

I can see the hype over the NWC cart, it was basically a trophy for a famous video game competition, that's playable. Now who wouldn't want that?

Stadium Events however, is just World Class Track Meet with different box art and a different title screen. That's just mindless.

Stadium Events is necessary to complete a NES licensed set, so it isn't that bonkers.

The gray NWC on ebay is now at 3500...now that is a bit bonkers...especially given its condition.

[BetaWolf47]

I can see the hype over the NWC cart, it was basically a trophy for a famous video game competition, that's playable. Now who wouldn't want that?

Stadium Events however, is just World Class Track Meet with different box art and a different title screen. That's just mindless.

If we're rationalizing like this, NWC is no different than a timed demo.

[7th lutz]

Were they actually selling them for that price? Or did they just have them for sale at that price? There is a difference...though I doubt that thrift stores or anyone else that uses eBay to set their prices care.

They actually were selling them at that price at ebay. It was one of the buy it now auctions and the seller has an ebay store.

Here is the link with the price reduced:

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-Tris-For-Intellivision_W0QQitemZ390023298980QQihZ026QQcateg oryZ11988QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m 153.l1262

That person is selling other homebrew Intellivision games at insane prices. The fact is the homebrew games that person is selling is no longer being sold outside of ebay.

The author or group of programmers that made homebrew Intellivision games are no longer making copies of the game.

[TonyTheTiger]

Dont forget too, the majority of people who would even remotely be interested in gaming from the 80s onwards are now finding themselves in full time jobs with a bit of spare cash on the side.
Where as a few years back, these collectors didnt have as much to throw towards certain titles...

Nevertheless, I think the fewest of the few would be financially stable enough at any point in their lives to justify throwing 17 grand at a 20 year old video game. I'm happy for all the people who want it and can actually afford to pay the premium, though. That shows some real success.

[megasdkirby]

Well, collector's sites like digitalpress are part of the reason. They are kind of like a double edged sword. On the one hand, they bring collectors together to discuss video games and collecting and make more people aware of the hobby...but on the other hand, they make more people aware of the rare and sought after games which adds to the hype and demand for games like Stadium Events and NWC, causing the prices to go up.

You know, I always feared mentioning it, but now that you mention it, I will give my two cents.

I blame it on several factors, three being the following:

1)Ebay. Yes, I blame Ebay, because even though it's a godsend for diverse items, it's also a curse. Prices go sky high because of bidders desperate to win said item, and once the damage has been done, sometimes it's hard to go back. Sure, there have been cases in which a price lowers with time, but in most scenarios, once a game goes for $50, many expect to sell it at that price...or higher. And thus, the price increases.

2)Price guides. While having a price guide is excellent for reference, it's also a curse. Before, prior to any existence of price guides, there was "the thrill of the hunt" and "the thrill of the trade". It was great offering a game for another, and everything was just dandy. I feel there was more love back then than now. The problem with price guides is just that...the pricing. One thing is to have a rarity list and base yourself on the rarity value (say an R8 for an R8), but why add prices? Sure, it's an average of what others have paid in the past, but that does not mean EVERYONE would be willing to spend said amount.

3)Desperation. People get desperate, plain and simple. If a person is determined to get something, they WILL get it, no matter what. This means paying an incredibly high price for something that does not merit it. We have seen this on Ebay several times in the past: pay $100 for a $5 game, and because of this, the price for the item sky rockets. Or someone offering $3,000 for a CIB copy of "Cute Kitty" for X system. As long as this mentality continues, prices will just continue to raise in the future.

Part of me hopes that gaming goes back to how it was in the late 80's, early 90's. When fanzines like 2600 Connection and DP were the norm. Without the advent of price guides and Ebay. Sure, things would be much harder than it is now, but there would be more love...instead of just everything having monetary value. One thing I would change, though: no more price guides, but rarity guides. Give a game a proper rarity value ONLY instead of giving it a monetary value.

Those were good times. :)

[The 1 2 P]

Prices on PS1/N64/Saturn era stuff has actually come down, especially imports. But theres still a few things that refuse to lower in price. As to who to blame, collectors like us, places like ebay and ignorant mom+pop shop owners who fail to do their own pricing research.

[Chemdawg]

there's a lot that makes prices what they are, but for me i've noticed collectors for sure have an effect. there are some games out there that arnt really that 'rare' but have high price because of fans, (ex. final fantasy 7, dracula x, ect.)

[jcalder8]

Ok..all that talking about greed and the $17.500 nwc cart made me go hunting.
Im on the hunt for somebody to blame.
Thats right i got my shotgun loaded and hunting for the sob's that made my fun hobby of nes(or any console) collecting/playing so damn expensive.
Where do i have to point my gun at > my own pc a.k.a.the damn internet.
These so called serieus collectors who drive prices up or somebody/something else.

All jokes aside:above me: i was just wondering what other people think of high prices for retro games are they evolving normal in price or not?
You, for touching yourself at night

[Zap!]

Ok..all that talking about greed and the $17.500 nwc cart made me go hunting.
Im on the hunt for somebody to blame.
Thats right i got my shotgun loaded and hunting for the sob's that made my fun hobby of nes(or any console) collecting/playing so damn expensive.
Where do i have to point my gun at > my own pc a.k.a.the damn internet.
These so called serieus collectors who drive prices up or somebody/something else.

All jokes aside:above me: i was just wondering what other people think of high prices for retro games are they evolving normal in price or not?

Oh stop it, I'd offer $150,000 for a CIB 2600 Air Raid if I was a billionaire. In fact, if I had the dough, I'd spend insane amounts to get every game ever made.

[Cauterize]

Nevertheless, I think the fewest of the few would be financially stable enough at any point in their lives to justify throwing 17 grand at a 20 year old video game. I'm happy for all the people who want it and can actually afford to pay the premium, though. That shows some real success.

I wasnt refering to the NWC as only a select few could really go for it. I meant games in general.

[nate1749]

Pretty much everybody has a hobby and within that hobby there are always high prices - generally to people outside that realm it's an insane thing.

Comic books are a great example (there are plenty of titles worth more than $20,000 if the condition is right), musical instruments, records, coins, and let's not forget art.

Hobbies and collecting in general I'm sure can be attributed to just something to kill time, feel self-fulfilled, or even just to impress others or be part of that club or group. I remember the president of my old company had purchased a piece of art that looked like junk (I was friends w/the secretary). It was $30,000 and I know I could have changed it out for a quick pencil scribble that I did (or anyone who can scribble) and he would not have known.

So everyone has to have something to blow their money on I guess. I collect a few things like video games & comics, but going to fancy restaurants is a bigger waste of money I suppose since there's not even a potential asset involved.

Nate