What's wrong with the sales of Sega Genesis games lately?

[MegaDrive20XX]

Is there something wrong with the current state of selling Sega Genesis games either complete or cart only? My best friend is trying to sell his complete copy of MUSHA and it's only going for below the average sale price of $45 judging from completed listings on Ebay. What exactly happened? Is it due to the holiday season that's effecting the market or just Ebay? He's afraid he might not get a solid price on it.

Meanwhile, SNES and NES games have been fetching decent or sometimes higher prices lately. Which baffles me on what could be triggering the demand. Is it primarily due popularity or the consistent re-releases of certain games, like for example Splatterhouse 3 has gone down in price.

For a collector, it's a great time to purchase I will say.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

From reading your comment, it sounds like the Musha auction isn't over yet. If so, I wouldn't worry about it. Most bids happen in the last minute as people try to outsnipe each other. Does he have a lot of "watchers"?

As far as Genesis prices in general, it doesn't surprise me that there's a decline. The Sega name has been in decline since they don't make systems any more. A lot of kids growing up today probably have never played a Sega system. Also, since it's near the holidays, I bet a lot of gamers are moving their gaming dollars to new games as opposed to old and used.

There does seem to be a slight decline in Genesis prices lately, but it's still up compared to a few years ago. Here's a chart:
http://videogames.pricecharting.com/console/sega-genesis?sort-by=name

[norkusa]

It's not just Genesis games. I've been selling off my PS1 collection lately and noticed a huge decline in prices from 1-2 years ago. A lot of the rare/valuable stuff was re-printed or re-released on PSP or PSN, so the prices keep dropping. And the common/uncommon stuff nobody really cares about anymore.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Plus the crappy economy in the US means people won't pay as much as before.

Example: Water World for Virtual Boy. A cart only copy used to be worth $60. Now a CIB copy sold for $45...

[MegaDrive20XX]

@Orion, he won't even post on Ebay until he knows for sure he claims. He saw the completed listings and it sent a bad vibe to him.

As for norkusa and Kitsune, I strongly agree with both.

[Edmond Dantes]

In other words, this would be a good time to grab a complete copy of MUSHA.

Or would be if it weren't Christmas season.

[Dobie]

I don't think the prices on everything are depressed. I recently sold off a huge chunk of my NES collection on ebay, and I did VERY well on the quality rare stuff. Lots of watchers, interest, and bids. I think if its a game that is in demand on a system thats in demand, without any reprints or digital releases, you'll do fine. Bidders WILL show up. Genesis just doesn't have the collector following of Nintendo stuff. Its not "bad," just not as strong.

I concur on the PS1 games. Its hard to justfy selling any of those after fees. I barely broke even on a set of non-GH Final Fantasy games, MINT. Those were HIGH demand games a few years ago. Now you can get them on your PS3 for $10. The disc is just a liability for most people. You can buy those cheap all day long now.

[Melf]

I've noticed that several Genesis titles have gone up in price. Rastan Saga II, Ys III, and a few others are now pretty hard to find complete for less than $20. Most other games are dirt cheap though. Master System games are really cheap now too. I'm building up a nice little collection for peanuts.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Genesis just doesn't have the collector following of Nintendo stuff. Its not "bad," just not as strong.
.

When I first decided to post this, that's the first thought that came to mind.

[VertigoProcess]

i've seen a more recent decline in genesis controller sales... they're not selling well at all for me at the same price they were flying at 3 or so months ago...

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

@Orion, he won't even post on Ebay until he knows for sure he claims. He saw the completed listings and it sent a bad vibe to him.

My bad, but I don't know what he's looking at to think it'll only sell for $45. I'm looking at the recent completed listings, and there have been two complete copies that sold recently. One sold for $150, and the other sold for $262. I see one that sold for $30, but that one didn't include the cartridge, just the manual and box.

[Edmond Dantes]

My bad, but I don't know what he's looking at to think it'll only sell for $45. I'm looking at the recent completed listings, and there have been two complete copies that sold recently. One sold for $150, and the other sold for $262. I see one that sold for $30, but that one didn't include the cartridge, just the manual and box.

Don't tell him! I'm hoping he'll sell it to me after Christmas!

... I used to own a complete copy of MUSHA that I got at a Flea Market for $20. I should NEVER have sold it. EVER.

[Gameguy]

I've noticed that several Genesis titles have gone up in price.
This. Complete games that used to sell for $5 are now selling online for $20 or more.


No idea where you're getting that MUSHA isn't selling as well, complete copies are still selling for insane prices. Unless $200+ isn't that high to you.

http://item.ebay.com/220909520449
http://item.ebay.com/200679365225

Even if those amounts are a bit higher than usual, most are still at $150.

http://item.ebay.com/300629711738
http://item.ebay.com/170726996450
http://item.ebay.com/280768298027
http://item.ebay.com/260878220529
http://item.ebay.com/330630234114

[turbofan1]

As far as Genesis prices in general, it doesn't surprise me that there's a decline. The Sega name has been in decline since they don't make systems any more. A lot of kids growing up today probably have never played a Sega system. Also, since it's near the holidays, I bet a lot of gamers are moving their gaming dollars to new games as opposed to old and used.

Don`t no were you came up with that.Nec only released one home console the Turbo grafx 16,people seem to go nuts on ebay over it.A sealed copy of Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf the cd version,sold for fifty dollars on ebay a month ago.Last time i checked,sega was still releasing games for the three major consoles.There probably just not much demand for genesis games.Off the top of my head,I cant think of one rare must own game for the genesis.

[jonebone]

Eh, I don't dabble too much in Genesis, but I got some good offers on a few titles a couple of months back.

I was selling Cadash, Master of Monsters and Warsong, all which I paid no more than $15-$20 each. I think I sold all three for $150 shipped? RPGs / rares / populars are up pretty well.

Conversely, I've tried to get Castlevania Bloodlines (hard case) for almost 2 years now for about $15. I've always been outsniped by $1 or $2. Now it goes for more like $25-$30. Not a huge price jump, but it essentially doubled in a year.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Don`t no were you came up with that.Nec only released one home console the Turbo grafx 16,people seem to go nuts on ebay over it.A sealed copy of Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf the cd version,sold for fifty dollars on ebay a month ago.Last time i checked,sega was still releasing games for the three major consoles.There probably just not much demand for genesis games.Off the top of my head,I cant think of one rare must own game for the genesis.

Brand names fluctuate in strength all the time. The name "Sega" doesn't mean as much to a young kid today as it did to a young kid in the 1990s. This has an effect on used game prices. As more young collectors enter the used game market, they are more likely to be buying up older Nintendo games because "Nintendo" is a brand they have been exposed to growing up.

But brand strength isn't the only factor of course. Rarity is another. I doubt people paying the high prices for Turbo Golf are doing it because they are loyal to the brand name NEC or Hudson. They are paying the high price for it because of the low quantities in which it was produced.

[MachineGex]

I just picked up MUSHA complete at the Flea Market about a month or two ago. It had an old price tag on the side of the box that said $9.97. I asked the owner if that was the price and he said it was an old price tag that he didnt see. He puts his tags on the front. He had not yet priced it so he said I could have it for $10. Needless to say, I was very happy. The guy is really a stand up person. He has given me some great deals. Now, I need to play it.

[Gameguy]

Brand names fluctuate in strength all the time. The name "Sega" doesn't mean as much to a young kid today as it did to a young kid in the 1990s.
I don't think it's the young kids who are buying 20 year old games for $50+, I think it's the older folks who are desperate to relive their youth.


I'm still hoping to find some Sega games for cheap prices, while game prices have gone up most people buying and selling games locally still think Sega stuff is cheap because that's what it used to be like. It's fine with me.

[Emperor Megas]

My copy of M.U.S.H.A. set me back maybe 20 bucks, tops. You're telling me that it sells for $100 - $200 now? Pshhh, I'm offing this thing yesterday if that's true. I'm not even that attached to it.

[MrRoboto19XX]

What I've noticed lately about the Genesis is that people have finally made the turn from trying to track down the "big" titles for the most part to trying to locate the harder to find ones. I remember some pretty intense bidding wars for games like Gunstar Heroes a few years ago, but now it seems that the game can be found pretty regularly in BIN options. On the flip side, games that aren't particularly good but have a degree of rarity (Like anything published by Mentrix) are going up in price.

On the note of M.U.S.H.A., I've actually not played it, but hear it's excellent. If I find one for a good price, I'll pick it up in a heartbeat.

[Emperor Megas]

On the note of M.U.S.H.A., I've actually not played it, but hear it's excellent. If I find one for a good price, I'll pick it up in a heartbeat.Oh, M.U.S.H.A.'s good...but it's not $250+ good, that's for goddamn sure.

[Edmond Dantes]

I gotta agree with Megas. I liked MUSHA, but its a pretty generic overhead shmup. If you've played Blazing Lazers or Raiden, you've played MUSHA.

As I said, I once got a complete one for $20. I wish I had kept it, but if it'll cost me $200 to get it back, then I can go without.

[Tupin]

I always thought it was funny how I've never seen a Genesis game sell for over $40 unless it was MUSHA. Apparently that is more than it sells for now?

[Gameguy]

I always thought it was funny how I've never seen a Genesis game sell for over $40 unless it was MUSHA. Apparently that is more than it sells for now?
Several games sell for over $40, if they're complete and in excellent condition.

Sparkster;
http://item.ebay.com/140632832477
http://item.ebay.com/360408871739
http://item.ebay.com/280737477439
http://item.ebay.com/170692408489

The Punisher;
http://item.ebay.com/260889746645
http://item.ebay.com/140629285219
http://item.ebay.com/370549799822
http://item.ebay.com/220876920751

Crusader of Centy;
http://item.ebay.com/200664341850
http://item.ebay.com/270828143776
http://item.ebay.com/250902761661
http://item.ebay.com/180740864006

Action 52;
http://item.ebay.com/250864463141
http://item.ebay.com/320758944065
http://item.ebay.com/200647883231
http://item.ebay.com/170689215998
http://item.ebay.com/250947021729


Action 52 used to be a $10 game on the Genesis, now loose ones are going for around $50. There's some more games out there than what I listed, a few more would sell for over $40 if complete and mint condition. So many more games are selling for $20-$30 that used to only sell for $5-$10, the prices are still going up overall. Some prices went down but most are going up. I still wouldn't pay more than $5-$10 for some titles if I was planning to keep them for my collection.

[Emperor Megas]

Yeah, I never see Genesis games go for much either. I've seen Splatterhouse 3 go for about $50-$60, but I can't think of any others I see regularly go for a lot.

Hey, can someone list a few Genesis games here that demand more than 50 bucks on eBay? I can't think of many Genesis games that I have an attachment to that aren't very common and I could use a few bucks for the holidays.


EDIT: Heh, I didn't see that someone just did. :) There have to be some others besides those dogs though. Anything GOOD that someone might actually own?

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I don't think it's the young kids who are buying 20 year old games for $50+, I think it's the older folks who are desperate to relive their youth.

But the young kids grow up and become the older folks. That's the point. As time goes one, those kids who are becoming older will enter the collecting phase, and buy things they saw while growing up. That means less Sega people entering the collecting market, and fewer Sega people entering. Over time, this will have an effect on prices, if it hasn't already.

[mobiusclimber]

There have to be some others besides those dogs though. Anything GOOD that someone might actually own?

Crusader of Centy and Sparkster aren't good?! *boot to the head*

[SegaAges]

Maybe you can, you know, wait for the auction to end.

If you think there is that big of a decline to where it is a problem, then simply don't sell yout sruff

[jonebone]

EDIT: Heh, I didn't see that someone just did. :) There have to be some others besides those dogs though. Anything GOOD that someone might actually own?

Master of Monsters... never played it but there's $50 demand for it.

[portnoyd]

Genesis prices have been flat for a long time; I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that they're finally now pipping up with all the other spikes we're seeing in NES/SNES/N64. Some points to offer to the discussion:

The reason why Punisher has gotten high is because of the tattoo. Note that all of the auctions gameguy linked don't have it. This is what caused the initial spike in price - a short period of knowledgable collectors fighting over truly complete copies. In general, you saw the tattoo 1 out of every 10 complete copies that popped up. However, in a scary precedent, uninformed collectors assumed the price was because the game is rare (it's not, just uncommon) and therefore felt justified in the price which is why the game just on its own will fetch tidy sums.

Fwiw, Crusader of Centy was the last box I needed to have a fully boxed Genesis set. I wouldn't say it was hard to find; it was more that it just happened to be the last one but it's worth noting.

Fucking Action 52. As mentioned earlier, people on DP couldn't give copies of that damn game away. A loose copy was akin to a copy of Combat at times. Now it's actually selling, loose or not, for cash? What the fuck? This really can't be the AVGN effect, can it?

In recent years, there was a reshuffling of Genesis prices. Shining Force 2 and Pirates! Gold, long the most valuable Genesis titles, dropped like a freaking stone; Tom Jam & Earl took a hit too. MUSHA spiked way the hell up and then Michael Jackson died and well, that was that for a year or so.

Bottom line: it's still the time to collect Genesis if you ever wanted to.

[kainemaxwell]

never got why MUSHA is so damn high now either.

[wingzrow]

Looking at my collection for some reason I own 20 complete sega genesis games, but a third as many complete SNES games.

In my experience there are just more complete SEGA genesis games out there because the boxes were so well made, well, most of them anyway.

On thr subject of the punisher, I had a cart only copy on eBay for half a year that I sold recently for $30.00. I lowered it one dollar every week from the $50.00 i was asking and it JUST sold recently. A complete copy I would imagine would command much much more with the tatoo.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160638832730#ht_2496wt_1038

[goatdan]

I don't think the prices on everything are depressed. I recently sold off a huge chunk of my NES collection on ebay, and I did VERY well on the quality rare stuff. Lots of watchers, interest, and bids. I think if its a game that is in demand on a system thats in demand, without any reprints or digital releases, you'll do fine. Bidders WILL show up. Genesis just doesn't have the collector following of Nintendo stuff. Its not "bad," just not as strong.

Here's my not-so-expert opinion on why the Genesis has *never* been half as collectible as the SNES, even though they both sold about the same number of units...

The Genesis made it's name mostly on Sonic and it's sports titles. Those were the main things that people bought it to play. When you look back at games, I don't know too many people that go back to sports titles. I *LOVED* NBA2K1. I played a full season in it with full length quarters and everything. I don't think I'll ever touch it again.

When that is your main strength, it makes it hard to have a huge demand to collect for it, and to discover the other hidden gems. The SNES made a huge deal out of RPGs, and there are a number of them that were quite popular like the Final Fantasy series, Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG. Those games all hold up way better than Madden 95 does, so it drives up the price of other good SNES titles.

I think the Genesis is really an underappreciated gem of a console to collect for, as there are a significant amount of games for it that are really good and can be had really cheaply.


I concur on the PS1 games. Its hard to justfy selling any of those after fees. I barely broke even on a set of non-GH Final Fantasy games, MINT. Those were HIGH demand games a few years ago. Now you can get them on your PS3 for $10. The disc is just a liability for most people. You can buy those cheap all day long now.

I think this is for a different reason than they are available on the PS3. I remember in 2006 or 2007, a guy walking around the Midwest Gaming Classic filming it and I overheard him say, "Here's all the sad-sack vendors who are hoping to sell everything they have, because once the Wii comes out no one is going to want any of this stuff again." I remember thinking to myself that I had no worries about the games dropping in prices with the Virtual Console, and while in some cases there have been minor price drops, in other cases we have seen price increases after a game comes out. Oh, hey -- I *loved* this game as a kid, I want the real thing again too!

The reason that PS1 games went through the floor is the normal post-mortem price drop didn't happen when the PS2 came along because the PS2 was backward compatible with the PS1. People simply hung onto their old games, and demand went up as people tried to obtain those games and couldn't find them.

Now, with the PS3 having finally taken hold over the last two years and without it being backward compatible*, people are dumping their collections. Without having GameStop there to suck up and help drive some demand for the old titles, the market is being glutted right now by the seven million copies of FF7 (or whatever that number was) and instead of the games selling for crazy money, their prices have come down to meet this new reality.

* I know it is with PS1 games, but the fact it doesn't have PS2 backward compatibility makes you forget that it does - I *never remember* that I can play my PS1 collection which sits right next to my PS3 in my PS3. I take it to the PS1 instead.

Similar major price drops have happened with every console since I started running the GOAT Store, but the backwards compatibility issue makes this one relatively unique. With other consoles, it gets discontinued, the market is flooded with copies of the games as stores clearance their stock out and people dump their systems and games cheap to pay for the next big thing, and then after a year or so when supply once again dries up, demand starts to rise. About 5 years after a console dies, prices stabilize, and then you *generally* get a small rise in prices every year for about 20 years, followed by the market stabilizing and then eroding a bit. It isn't perfect, but it seems to be how it works.

[Blitzwing256]

I've had a magazine review "prototype" of Musha with a few subtle differences, I wonder what that is valued at?

[old_skoolin_jim]

Several games sell for over $40, if they're complete and in excellent condition.

Sparkster;
http://item.ebay.com/140632832477
http://item.ebay.com/360408871739
http://item.ebay.com/280737477439
http://item.ebay.com/170692408489



$70 for a complete copy of Sparkster? Which I have a duplicate cart of?
WOO-HOO! SELL SELL SELL!
*runs to eBay*

[Emperor Megas]

Crusader of Centy and Sparkster aren't good?! *boot to the head*Yeah, I probably deserved a virtual kick to the head. Admittedly, I've never played or heard of Crusader of Centy, and even though the post clearly said Sparkster, I was thinking of another game when I read it (and now I don't remember what). :|

[fahlim003]

I gotta agree with Megas. I liked MUSHA, but its a pretty generic overhead shmup. If you've played Blazing Lazers or Raiden, you've played MUSHA.Sorry, but this is a horribly ignorant thing to say. Either that or you just don't care for shooters. I'm not holding up the flag for MUSHA/Musha Aleste in this case, rather for Raiden which apart from the basic principle is not even close to being the same game. Musha Aleste is by Compile and by in large their games run along a similar formula - more of an endurance test than anything. That's not to say it's not challenging or tough but in a different approach to games of it's era, for example Raiden of which I'd only speak to the arcade, FM Towns Marty, and PS1 versions and nothing else. I'm not going to run the gamut on the exactness which is Raiden but it's game heavily inspired by Fire Shark and Twin Cobra by Toaplan who has a much different design method against Compile.

Maybe what you're trying to say is "if you don't care about shooting games, once you've played one you've played them all".


As I said, I once got a complete one for $20. I wish I had kept it, but if it'll cost me $200 to get it back, then I can go without.
I agree with you there - it's an alright game but not worth 200 clams. I have no sentimental attachment to it myself so it's a logical outcome. I also am not too crazy about the game itself either, as there are more interesting and cheaper shooters on the Genesis anyway.

[Emperor Megas]

I also am not too crazy about the game itself either, as there are more interesting and cheaper shooters on the Genesis anyway. Yeah, like Gaiares, Elemental Master, and Thunder Force III. M.U.S.H.A.'s cool, but I'd honestly rather play those games if it came down to it.

I have to say though, Robo Aleste on the SEGA CD (which I always assumed was a part of the same series as M.U.S.H.A.) is pretty goddamn awesome. Better than M.U.S.H.A., IMO, as those type of shooters go.

[cheaterdragon1]

Let's all go the ebay right now and bid on complete MUSHA copiies!!!!!

[Edmond Dantes]

Sorry, but this is a horribly ignorant thing to say. Either that or you just don't care for shooters. I'm not holding up the flag for MUSHA/Musha Aleste in this case, rather for Raiden which apart from the basic principle is not even close to being the same game. Musha Aleste is by Compile and by in large their games run along a similar formula - more of an endurance test than anything. That's not to say it's not challenging or tough but in a different approach to games of it's era, for example Raiden of which I'd only speak to the arcade, FM Towns Marty, and PS1 versions and nothing else. I'm not going to run the gamut on the exactness which is Raiden but it's game heavily inspired by Fire Shark and Twin Cobra by Toaplan who has a much different design method against Compile.

Maybe what you're trying to say is "if you don't care about shooting games, once you've played one you've played them all".

If I hate shooters, why was I trying to score a Thunder Force I and II off of a dude in the Splatterhouse thread?

Don't assume shit about my tastes just because I don't have a photographic memory or the same mental store of fanboy minutinae you apparently do.

[nothingisttrue]

http://www.amazon.com/Shinobi-III-Sega-Genesis/dp/B00002ST7D/ref=pd_cp_vg_2

[Icarus Moonsight]

Yeah, like Gaiares, Elemental Master, and Thunder Force III. M.U.S.H.A.'s cool, but I'd honestly rather play those games if it came down to it.

I have to say though, Robo Aleste on the SEGA CD (which I always assumed was a part of the same series as M.U.S.H.A.) is pretty goddamn awesome. Better than M.U.S.H.A., IMO, as those type of shooters go.

MUSHA's big draw on the gameplay side is the balance of the total package. It's damn fine at what it does, though it doesn't reinvent the wheel or anything. Thunderforce 3/4 and Grenada ranks higher for me overall, TBH. Also, the A in MUSHA is for Aleste. Shmup fanatics love their Compile stuff. *shrugs* What ya gonna do?

[Emperor Megas]

Also, the A in MUSHA is for Aleste.Isn't it for Armor (at least in the US version)?

[SpaceFlea]

Isn't it for Armor (at least in the US version)?

Correct

M.U.S.H.A. - Metallic Uniframe Super Hybrid Armor

[MrSmiley381]

Those MUSHA prices are all inflated. Two months ago it was $45 complete on the Shmups Forum, and before that it was $60 at most. I'm keeping my shredded cart-only copy (with reprinted case insert and cart sticker to be used later), but MUSHA is no way in HELL a $250 game. This has to be Christmas-time desperation. If it stays at this price for long I would be incredibly surprised.

[ifkz]

MUSHA has always been expensive and very difficult to find. I place blame squarely at the distributer Seismic, who also made the hard to find R.C. Gran Prix for the SMS. I never saw MUSHA in the wild when it would have been available at places like Funcoland or any of the mom & pop used game stores. I was one of the many that had to resort to ebay.

I can see this fetching $150 or more given the rarity of a complete copy.

I am not sure of the value of other Compile shooters now, like the CD sequel Robo Aleste (mentioned already), SNES Space Megaforce, or SMS Power Strike...all pretty rare games in themselves.

[MrSmiley381]

MUSHA has always been expensive and very difficult to find. I place blame squarely at the distributer Seismic, who also made the hard to find R.C. Gran Prix for the SMS. I never saw MUSHA in the wild when it would have been available at places like Funcoland or any of the mom & pop used game stores. I was one of the many that had to resort to ebay.

I can see this fetching $150 or more given the rarity of a complete copy.

I am not sure of the value of other Compile shooters now, like the CD sequel Robo Aleste (mentioned already), SNES Space Megaforce, or SMS Power Strike...all pretty rare games in themselves.

Robo Aleste, Space Megaforce, and Power Strike are all $30 games, as is Gun-Nac. Space Megaforce and Gun-Nac will go for more complete, but I saw a copy of Power Strike sit on eBay complete for at least a month before someone bought it for $30. If I had my Power Base Converter at the time I probably would have bought it. But really, if the reason for the price spike of any of these games is anything other than Christmas time craziness I'd be incredibly puzzled. Everyone has known about Compile forever. Is Zanac X Zanac going to jump to $400 or something now?

[portnoyd]

MUSHA was not always this bad, not even close and no, it's not hard to find. Uncommon, yes, hard? No way.

[fahlim003]

If I hate shooters, why was I trying to score a Thunder Force I and II off of a dude in the Splatterhouse thread?

Don't assume shit about my tastes just because I don't have a photographic memory or the same mental store of fanboy minutinae you apparently do.
Actions speak louder than words. I didn't assume anything, you just ran your mouth off about lumping in MUSHA as ho-hum generic fare such as Raiden which couldn't be further from the truth had you spent any reasonable time in Raiden. Nor did I say hate I said "dislike" so another thing is to consider where I'm coming from before you come off sounding like a whinner in response. If you don't like Raiden that's not my business so go nuts but don't trash games unless you can back it up.

MUSHA was not always this bad, not even close and no, it's not hard to find. Uncommon, yes, hard? No way.
I used to see it occassionally, and it was never too expensive. I've had several opportunities to buy it as well but I've passed pretty much every time. Most recently within the past year I had a chance to get it CIB for $50, which is about what I recalled the earlier market value being at.