Should I break up my US SMS collection to sell Sonic 1 (UPC)?

[ifkz]

I was browsing the forum for the first time in many months and I came across the thread about the recent ebay sale of SMS Sonic 1 (UPC code). Now that it is near $1000, I feel the urge to sell. That is very hard to turn down for one title.

I purchased this online through a game reseller and I have an e-mail referencing it still in my Inbox from 2004. This was before the explosion in prices. I also ran a website when I was getting my SMS USA region collection together called the Sega Master System Information Station. I still have an old printout and the files from it somewhere. I think this would solidify this as a legit copy with any buyer.

My complete US SMS collection isn't perfect. One or two of the games are missing manuals. My worst condition one, James "Buster" Douglas Boxing, is just the cart only and has a large ripped up front label. The other two UPC games, Strider and Spider-man were all imports because they do not have this UPC code. My Super Monaco GP is an import from Australia, and I've felt zero need to get a proper one because the game is terrible.

I have no pressing bills to pay, the money would likely sit. I would likely never see another copy of this game again and would have to fill it with an import.

Would selling it ruin the collection?

Is this going to be a tent-pole game that buyers will be looking for in case the very worst happened in my life and I had to sell? This is the system that started gaming for me and is my most treasured of any system I own, huge sentimental value.

Any other considerations?

Please write a book here, I am really torn as to sell or sit. Having a game worth so much money makes me nervous...though this is still only the price of a large TV, laptop, or rebuilt arcade machine.

[Nophix]

You don't need the cash, you enjoy having the collection, and its a jewel in your collecting.

Keep it and spare yourself the regret later. Who cares what its selling for, what's it worth to you?

[Snapple]

For a less politically correct answer: yes, yes I would.

But that's just me. I mean, if you replace your Sonic with a normal import, you're not really breaking up your SMS collection. Because it already has three imports in it, as you say.

[Gameguy]

The value could still go up even more so you might want to keep it for now, like with Stadium Events now going for over $2000 even though it's just an earlier variant of World Class Track Meet. It used to go for under $1000 so just wait for that Sonic version to rise.

[SpaceFlea]

As one of the top bidders on the last one, I obviously say sell. But wait a couple months so I can recoup my recently depleted funds and place an appropriate bid :).

[Parodius Duh!]

honestly, I dont get the hype. Big deal the upc is different. Sell that shit, buy the UK version for a nickel, and maybe consider getting some of the rarer stuff like the Brazilian exclusive titles, etc..

[Garry Silljo]

I'd save it for now and wait for the possible emergency where you need a lot of cash. Since you don't need the cash right now, just sit on the game and wait till you do.

[Parodius Duh!]

or you can wait 5 years and only get like $400 after the market becomes flooded with fakes (because you know as well as I do, theres that one shithead who saw this auction and is now going to fake a few bucks out of you all), the classic gaming market, master system in particular- is always fluctuating. This last one to sell seems like the auction got out of hand, Id sell now while its hot and people want it bad.

[98PaceCar]

The market for a true rarity such as this one is not represented by the membership of a forum like this. As long as you have some proof that it's real, there will always be people willing to buy it for it's real value and I'm sure you won't have a hard time selling it to someone that appreciates what it is.

That said, if you have no pressing reason to sell, why sell it? It doesn't sound like the potential income would change anything for you and if you have sentimental ties to the system, I think you will regret selling it for no real reason.

[Oobgarm]

The value could still go up even more so you might want to keep it for now, like with Stadium Events now going for over $2000 even though it's just an earlier variant of World Class Track Meet. It used to go for under $1000 so just wait for that Sonic version to rise.

This is totally different. Something like this Sonic could easily be forged and drop the value like a rock. Stadium Events much, much less so.

I'd strike while the iron is hot and sell it off and put the money towards something you'd get more use out of on a daily basis, like the TV or laptop you mentioned.

I collected a lot of NES, about 75% of a full set in the late 90's. It was my childhood system, so I was very attached to it. When the opportunity arose, I most of sold it and bought a stereo receiver and DVD player(back when they were like $300). I kinda lamented that later on when some of those games exploded in price, but how was I to know? I certainly got more use out of the 2 items I got instead.

Even if the money's gonna sit, put in an account that draws interest. At least that's a guaranteed thing, whereas the game increasing in value is not.

...and seeing that you are now aware of 2 of the top losing bidders, I'd say you have a great opportunity here to avoid eBay and all the bullshit fees that go along with.

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

I have a very large toy collection valued at over eight hundred thousand dollars, people keep telling me to sell some stuff. The reply I give them is, if you sell a super rare item, you get the cash, once the cash is gone, you dont have the item or the cash and will have nothing to show for it. Its only money, you will get more. Also, in most markets,forged items dont usually harm the value of the real thing, only re-releases. the only people who get hurt are the first few buyers that are tricked into buying fake copies before the word of the fakes get out.

[jonebone]

That said, if you have no pressing reason to sell, why sell it? It doesn't sound like the potential income would change anything for you and if you have sentimental ties to the system, I think you will regret selling it for no real reason.

I agree with this. You can't put a price on sentimental value. If it means a lot to you and you don't need the money, keep it. Don't treat games like a stock market if you are in it for the love of the hobby.

However, if you are motivated by the profit, then listen to these two stock market quotes. "Sell when you can, not because you have to" and "There is nothing wrong with taking a profit".


Also, in most markets,forged items dont usually harm the value of the real thing, only re-releases. the only people who get hurt are the first few buyers that are tricked into buying fake copies before the word of the fakes get out.


Forged items most definitely ruin the value of unauthenticated copies. Look at Michael Jordan's rookie card for example. However, if there is a reputable authentication to match the item, then yes it's value is unaffected.

There is no VGA for Sonic (since it is not sealed), but it sounds like the OP has a good paper trail to prove it is legit. If that's the case, I think his item would actually appreciate pretty quickly if a ton of Sonic fakes popped up on the market.

[Emuaust]

Sell it and replace it with a PAL copy adn use the remaining profit to buy games, like some of the great pal releases. Id get rid of it before fakes get out there because there really is no way to authenticate that its "real".

Simple answer, do you play games or collect them?

[ifkz]

Thanks so much for the reply's. I think I'll hold onto it for now. I now have a lot to mull over, I hope the thoughts from the group keep coming. But I am leaning more towards what the first reply up top said...keep it or I'll regret it. I guess this release makes my system collection for the US region a bit more special than just having a PAL release stuck in there. I never knew it was the very last release until today.

I'll be sure to print out and keep the e-mail I have about the online retailer I purchased it from and the date. It seems it will help make my case if I am ever forced to sell.

While I was into collecting this system, I also traded with a pen pal in the UK to get some of the releases over there, the last game I purchased was Line of Fire (for the hidden 3-D mode).

Per future value, this isn't something that can be re-released...I would hate to see the values of say Radiant Silvergun now...speaking of that I need to pick it up on Live this week, it's on sale :)

Fakes are going to be a problem, but they'll get the sticker size wrong, or the adhesive wrong, or maybe they'll be really dumb and attach it to the interior paper cover :P

[Emperor Megas]

or you can wait 5 years and only get like $400 after the market becomes flooded with fakes (because you know as well as I do, theres that one shithead who saw this auction and is now going to fake a few bucks out of you all), the classic gaming market, master system in particular- is always fluctuating. This last one to sell seems like the auction got out of hand, Id sell now while its hot and people want it bad.^This is my opinion, right here.

[VertigoProcess]

The value could still go up even more so you might want to keep it for now, like with Stadium Events now going for over $2000 even though it's just an earlier variant of World Class Track Meet. It used to go for under $1000 so just wait for that Sonic version to rise.

i agree here, and judging by the rarity i'm willing to beat this will be the case... but you never know people are finding warehouses full of things all the time... :eek 2:

[grolt]

As someone who has the entire US set mint and complete minus the Sonic UPC, I'd say sell it. Is a barcode sticker really worth $1000 to you? If it is, you are crazy. At least with other rarities, like the blue label Rambo cart or the Irwin Hang-on/Safari Hunt, there is something different enough to make it interesting or worthwhile. Even the Spider-man UPC sticker has some cool text on it. But this one is just a barcode sticker. I bought my copy of the SMS Sonic in the US, it doesn't have the sticker, but I'll just assume it did at one point. Problem solved. ;)

[Aussie2B]

If you've been following the other topic, it's probably already clear, but I personally would say that you're not breaking up your US SMS collection at all if you get rid of it. It's a European release that happened to see some distribution in the US, and it never should've been considered a legitimate US release by the game collecting community in the first place, just like other games in its same position which aren't.

[c0ldb33r]

sell it and replace it with a UK version

Only wait if you think the market will increase.

[cheaterdragon1]

sell it and replace it with a UK version

Only wait if you think the market will increase.

This is exactly what I'm thinking. Wait a little while, and than it WILL be a $1000 game.

[Guy Kazama]

just going off of what i've seen from retro games lately, I say wait a little while, maybe a couple months, and then sell that thing and do something nice for your family with some of the money, then put the rest to work, a la investing or doing something you may have been putting off.

[kupomogli]

or you can wait 5 years and only get like $400 after the market becomes flooded with fakes (because you know as well as I do, theres that one shithead who saw this auction and is now going to fake a few bucks out of you all), the classic gaming market, master system in particular- is always fluctuating. This last one to sell seems like the auction got out of hand, Id sell now while its hot and people want it bad.


This is totally different. Something like this Sonic could easily be forged and drop the value like a rock. Stadium Events much, much less so.

I'd strike while the iron is hot and sell it off and put the money towards something you'd get more use out of on a daily basis, like the TV or laptop you mentioned.


^This is my opinion, right here.

I'm also with the idea of selling it off before the price drops due to fakes.

[Kid Fenris]

Do it. Do it right now.

You should also prune your SMS library in general, because the idea of having a "complete" collection for any system is just silly and doomed to disappointment. One day you'll wake up and realize how many of those games are boring twaddle that you'll never touch again.

[ifkz]

I would sell everything else before I even thought of blowing holes through my SMS collection. I can't even make myself sell this variation for a grand. For ONE title.

Perhaps I remember what it took to get a full territory collection together pre e-bay all too well. Dunno, maybe such a thing is super simple now with the right amount of cash.

[play2win]

As the winner of the Sonic auction that spurred this thread, I can tell you that its in an extremely secure place and that I would never sell it for ANY price. For me, this game is the culmination of a 10 year search and acquisition effort. I don't know how much sentimental value it has for you though...

[Edmond Dantes]

I have a problem with questions like this. I always feel like if I give the person advice, and it doesn't work out for them, like I screwed them over somehow.

It depends though: Do you like actually having the game, or do you like playing it? If you want to actually play it, I would suggest selling your collectable version and then replacing it with an import. If the mere fact of ownership gives you pleasure though, then just keep it. Believe me, I know how that is.