Price check on several sealed NES games (not mine)

[Kitsune Sniper]

So my buddy Gideon Zhi scored several sealed NES games and he's looking to sell them. He asked me for help and I gave him a ballpark estimate, but we're looking for more opinions. He posted this at NintendoAge, but now I'm posting it here.


Okay, I'll be the first to admit that I got *damn* lucky in this haul. I obtained this lot for a reasonable price from a local thrift store, and I'm looking to get some approximate values for 'em. These are all NES titles.

This lot contained:
Super Mario Bros 3 - Tiny scuff/dent in lower front left corner and just below Seal of Quality.
Faxanadu - Tiny scuff/dent on bottom back of box, between Nintendo logo and Seal of Quality
Gauntlet II - Small crease along bottom/back of box.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters - Small hole maybe 1mm in diameter has punctured the lower back right portion of the box. It *has* punctured the seal.
Astyanax - Some buckling on top and sides of box.
Operation Wolf - One corner appears to have been pushed in slightly.
Bandai Golf Pebble Beach Challenge - Some minor buckling on top of box, and a small scuff underneath the barcode.
Firehawk (Camerica/Codemasters Unlicensed) - Appears to have had pressure applied to lower front of box. Bottom has buckled badly, and the bottom left corner has been pushed in. Top has buckled slightly too.
Taito Sky Shark - *I* haven't been able to find any scuff marks on this one...
Double Dribble - Tiny dents on top corner of box.
Snake's Revenge - Almost unnoticable buckling on top of box.

All are still completely sealed in what appear to be the original wrappers, with the exception of the puncture in TMNT.

Pictures of the lot can be found here (and please, pardon the French, I was a little excited as I was taking these photos):
http://agtp.romhack.net/temp/neslotfuckyeah1.jpg
http://agtp.romhack.net/temp/neslotfuckyeah2.jpg
http://agtp.romhack.net/temp/neslotfuckyeah3.jpg
http://agtp.romhack.net/temp/neslotfuckyeah4.jpg

So. What am I looking at here?

Could you help us out with these? Thanks. :)

[Gideon Zhi]

As a note, most of the "damage" I've listed as scuffs and dents are the usual sorts of wear and tear you'll see on stuff as old as this, despite the shrinkwrap. With a few of 'em, I really had to scour the packaging to find any imperfections. Also, I'm probably going to be selling them individually, and I'll probably be keeping Mario and Faxanadu for my own collection such as it is. The rest I have no real attachment to :)

[Cornelius]

I'll leave it to people that know to answer, but dang that SMB3 looks nice! I'm just posting to say I love the filenames he chose.

[Kitsune Sniper]

And he had an account all along. Sheesh. :P

[maxlords]

I'd think Mario 3 and Snake's Revenge are the only really money games in that lot...unless I'm missing some obscure demand for one of the other titles....but I don't know what sealed stuff is worth...the market is so incredibly unpredictable...

[jeffg]

tournament fighters is another good one too though. The NES version isn't as easy to find as the SNES or Genesis version of the game

[Bojay1997]

I'd think Mario 3 and Snake's Revenge are the only really money games in that lot...unless I'm missing some obscure demand for one of the other titles....but I don't know what sealed stuff is worth...the market is so incredibly unpredictable...

Agree if you add TMNT to the list, although that hole is gonna kill much of the factory sealed value. The rest are $20-$25 factory sealed mint. In fact, I just got a factory sealed mint copy of Sky Shark and Operation Wolf for $20 and $25 respectively from a seller on Ninendoage and I think I was the only one who really inquired about buying those particular games after a few weeks of them being posted for sale. In this shape, probably 20-25% less and they can take a while to sell.

[wingzrow]

Turtles should be worth a fortune. It was the last game konami released on the NES, and a sealed copy would be worth tons.

There's a BIN on eBay for$850.00 if that's any indication. I've personally only found a loose copy ONCE.

[mobiusclimber]

But the box has a hole in it, not just the shrink, right? TMNT Tournament is only going to be worth CIB prices in that case. Still that's a small mint.

[portnoyd]

Super Mario Bros 3: Barrel 'O' Cash
Faxanadu: Very Small Barrel 'O' Cash
Gauntlet II: Next To Dick
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters: Big Ole' Barrel 'O' Cash
Astyanax: Penis
Operation Wolf: Less Than Penis
Bandai Golf Pebble Beach Challenge: Even Less Than Penis
Firehawk (Camerica/Codemasters Unlicensed): Slightly More Than Penis
Taito Sky Shark: Significantly Less Than Penis
Double Dribble: 0.0001% Penis
Snake's Revenge: Small Barrel 'O' Cash

[Kitsune Sniper]

Double Dribble: 0.0001% Penis

I sold a sealed copy of this one for $20 two years ago. It's worth at least 0.0005% Penis.

[Bojay1997]

Turtles should be worth a fortune. It was the last game konami released on the NES, and a sealed copy would be worth tons.

There's a BIN on eBay for$850.00 if that's any indication. I've personally only found a loose copy ONCE.

Unfortunately, inflated BIN prices have little to do with the actual value of sealed games. The last minty sealed copy I saw change hands on Nintendoage went for about $200. That's probably what it would be worth if it was in nice shape. In this condition, maybe $50 or so as sealed collectors will pass and it will likely go to someone who collects CIB or even nice loose stuff.

[mobiusclimber]

Unfortunately, inflated BIN prices have little to do with the actual value of sealed games. The last minty sealed copy I saw change hands on Nintendoage went for about $200. That's probably what it would be worth if it was in nice shape. In this condition, maybe $50 or so as sealed collectors will pass and it will likely go to someone who collects CIB or even nice loose stuff.

I'm sorry but $50 is only slightly more than cart only. I find it hard to believe a CIB even would go for only $20 more than cart only.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I'm sorry but $50 is only slightly more than cart only. I find it hard to believe a CIB even would go for only $20 more than cart only.

I agree. Even if the box is dented, the fact it includes the manual and the box will raise the price quite a bit.

[Bojay1997]

I agree. Even if the box is dented, the fact it includes the manual and the box will raise the price quite a bit.

But the reality is that sealed collectors are looking for perfect or near perfect copies of sealed games. Ebay is littered with literally thousands of copies of sealed games that have been listed for years and which will never sell unless the BIN is brought close to the CIB value. Unless a defect is tiny, what would be the point of buying a sealed copy? I know you may see the defect as small, but I don't know any sealed collectors who would buy a game with a fairly substantial hole that penetrated the wrap and went through the box. Who knows if there is damage to the cart, sleeve, instructions, etc...Even without the hole in the back, having Sharpie on the wrap and dents in the corners, bends in the box and generally cloudy wrap would make this fairly unattractive to a sealed collector. A CIB buyer might pick it up, but I am guessing they would be doing so just for the game and instructions since they would likely want to upgrade the box. Is it possible you could get $75 for this? Sure, if you find the right buyer. But, there have been a lot of CIB and loose copies of TMNT Tournament showing up recently on Nintendoago and other collector's sites, so those markets may not yield the best results.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I don't know any sealed collectors who would buy a game with a fairly substantial hole that penetrated the wrap and went through the box.

Didn't someone sell a copy of Stadium Events in similar shape?

Just saying... just because you don't know anyone who'll buy this doesn't mean everyone else will pass this up.

[Bojay1997]

I don't know any sealed collectors who would buy a game with a fairly substantial hole that penetrated the wrap and went through the box.

Didn't someone sell a copy of Stadium Events in similar shape?

Just saying... just because you don't know anyone who'll buy this doesn't mean everyone else will pass this up.

Sure, but there is an ocean of difference between something that literally only exists in a handful of sealed copies, most of which aren't perfect and something like this where there are a number of really nice sealed examples out there and plenty of CIB and loose copies. I also don't recall there actually being a hole in the box in any of the recent sealed Stadium Events that have sold. I appreciate that people get sensitive when they think they have a piece of gold and someone tells them it's worth less than they think it is, but I am actually a sealed collector and have been for a long time, so I have a pretty good sense of what things go for day in and day out with that crowd. Certainly, on any given day with the right buyer, you could make a lot more than any of us think the game is worth. You could also end up doing a lot worse.

[portnoyd]

I sold a sealed copy of this one for $20 two years ago. It's worth at least 0.0005% Penis.

Dude, whoever you sold that to got hosed big time. Double Dribble borders on the least valuable NES game.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Dude, whoever you sold that to got hosed big time. Double Dribble borders on the least valuable NES game.

Ha ha ha.

Glad to hear that. >:)

[mobiusclimber]

I never said Tournament Fighters in that condition would be of any interest to a sealed collector. But to a CIB collector, getting this would be a goldmine because you're basically get a mint cart, a mint manual AND everything that originally came w/ the game. Most NES games we don't even know what paperwork originally came with it (isn't someone working on a project of recording what people who open sealed games find inside them?), so that alone is a boon and makes it actually worth more than a CIB copy of this game would if it's just box, manual and cart (and I find it hard to believe there are a ton of CIBs out there of this game in mint condition). Yes, the collector is going to want to upgrade the box, but if you're a collector you know that's par for the course. How often do you get a CIB (or sealed) game in the condition you absolutely want it at, and how often do you settle b/c it's a rare title and you got it for a decent price, knowing somewhere down the line you'd upgrade it and sell the worse one?

[Gideon Zhi]

I should note that if you search for Tournament Fighters on eBay's completed auctions, the only CIB one up there went for $100, and the box was pretty damn worn. In fact, lemme dig out the link...
http://cgi.ebay.com/TMNT-Turtles-Tournament-Fighters-NES-Nintendo-Complete-/220712883172?pt=US_Vintage_Video_Games&hash=item33638353e4

Despite the (quite small) hole (on the back), I'd still argue that my copy is in much better shape. It doesn't have any of the ugly white wear lines or creases that copy does; the black marks you see on Leo's nose is marker directly on the shrinkwrap, and could probably be cleaned off by someone with enough know-how. (I am NOT that someone, and will not even attempt to perform such surgery.) Edit: Whoops. Turns out it comes off if you just rub your thumb over it lightly. I found this out accidentally by doing the same thing to the Snake's Revenge cart. Hee.

[Bojay1997]

I should note that if you search for Tournament Fighters on eBay's completed auctions, the only CIB one up there went for $100, and the box was pretty damn worn. In fact, lemme dig out the link...
http://cgi.ebay.com/TMNT-Turtles-Tournament-Fighters-NES-Nintendo-Complete-/220712883172?pt=US_Vintage_Video_Games&hash=item33638353e4

Despite the (quite small) hole (on the back), I'd still argue that my copy is in much better shape. It doesn't have any of the ugly white wear lines or creases that copy does; the black marks you see on Leo's nose is marker directly on the shrinkwrap, and could probably be cleaned off by someone with enough know-how. (I am NOT that someone, and will not even attempt to perform such surgery.) Edit: Whoops. Turns out it comes off if you just rub your thumb over it lightly. I found this out accidentally by doing the same thing to the Snake's Revenge cart. Hee.

Well, the only way to find out for sure is to post it on Ebay with a BIN/Best Offer setting and see what you can get, keeping in mind that Ebay and Paypal take 13% of your sale price which means that seller only got around $87. Unfortunately, the guy that paid $100 for that beat mess is probably no longer in the mix so you'll just have to hope there is another collector out there who thinks it's worth at least $100. It may or may not happen.

[eskobar]

If you got those games for cheap why not try a NR auction on eBay ?

I don't see any problem to get a few hundred for your TMNT Tournament Fighters game, you should list those games now, you will not lose money :D

[Bojay1997]

If you got those games for cheap why not try a NR auction on eBay ?

I don't see any problem to get a few hundred for your TMNT Tournament Fighters game, you should list those games now, you will not lose money :D

A few hundred is way high for this item in this condition. I've seen a couple of minty sealed copies go for around $200 or so on Nintendoage not too long ago. This is the kind of item I would not recommend a NR auction for. The damage to the box is going to dampen the enthusiasm which can drive higher NR auction prices and it might end up going far lower than any of us would expect. You're better off posting it with a high BIN and accepting offers in the hopes of attracting those specific collectors who collect CIB stuff, but prefer factory sealed that they can then open.

[eskobar]

A few hundred is way high for this item in this condition. I've seen a couple of minty sealed copies go for around $200 or so on Nintendoage not too long ago. This is the kind of item I would not recommend a NR auction for. The damage to the box is going to dampen the enthusiasm which can drive higher NR auction prices and it might end up going far lower than any of us would expect. You're better off posting it with a high BIN and accepting offers in the hopes of attracting those specific collectors who collect CIB stuff, but prefer factory sealed that they can then open.

There is always risk with open auctions but this game has pretty good chances to get 200 usd. The damage on the box y very noticeable, but even sealed collectors can pay that money and later upgrade it.


I suggested an open auction given that he got the games for cheap. Usually when you score an amazing lot like this, people want to get much more money than items are worth, so don't be greedy and try an auction, items like this are always desired

[mobiusclimber]

If these were my games most of them would be sold already and I'd be on here gloating. =p

I would also suggest an open auction with no reserve, since you're not likely to find out exactly what this game is going to sell for. But it all depends on how long you want to hold onto it for. I would be very surprised if you don't get at least $100 for Tournament Fighters.

[eskobar]

If these were my games most of them would be sold already and I'd be on here gloating. =p

I would also suggest an open auction with no reserve, since you're not likely to find out exactly what this game is going to sell for. But it all depends on how long you want to hold onto it for. I would be very surprised if you don't get at least $100 for Tournament Fighters.

Same here :popcorn:


You can make a good profit if you list it as an auction or make an excellent profit overpricing the game and waiting for the correct buyer.

I understand that you want to maximize profit as Kitsune does ... who doesn't want more money ?; but squeezing every penny of something is just not my way :roll:

[Kitsune Sniper]

I have infected him with my greedy ways. :p

[rpepper9]

Get them graded and they will be worth 2K monies!








Ha, can't believe no one has said that yet!