Mega Man X3 (Hard to find?)

[metalichris]

The rarity guide says its worth $30, but ebay has them going for around $60. Also, not many auctions of this game either. I need this game to complete my Snes Mega Man collection, but this game is going to cost me. Is it really that hard to find?

[Anthony1]

The rarity guide says its worth $30, but ebay has them going for around $60. Also, not many auctions of this game either. I need this game to complete my Snes Mega Man collection, but this game is going to cost me. Is it really that hard to find?


The game actually isn't that rare in terms of it having a low production run, but it's one of the more valuable SNES games out there, so you have to pay a real pretty penny to find one. Anybody that has any idea of Ebay values is going to charge you alot for that game, and anybody with an idea of Ebay values is going to snap that game up the second it shows itself at a flea market or thrift store or whatever.

[Neo Rasa]

Yeah the demand on the game is ridiculous (it's one of my least favorite X games though, so I can't say I'm sure why).

I figured the price would go way down now that the Mega Man X Collection is out on the PS2/GC and the PSP is getting releases of all the X games.

I mean, I like the SNES soundtrack more than the PSX/Saturn/Collection remix but not THAT much more.

[metalichris]

I haven't played the game, but I still need it to round out my collection. I haven't played X2 or 7 either, but those are on the way. I only payed $45 shipped for X2 and 7 the other day, but X3 is going to cost more than I payed for X, X2, and 7....LOL!

[fishsandwich]

I remember this one. I PAID $10 for a sealed X1 but PAID more than $40 for a loose X3. Damn.

I've also got X3 for the Saturn (released in Europe and Japan) but it wasn't optimized for the platform and it has BORDERS on each side of the screen. Stupid. The SNES one is still the one to get.

Isn't it on a compilation disk somewhere, too?

[Neo Rasa]

Yeah like I said, the US PS2 and GC both got the Mega Man X Collection. MMX 1 through 6 plus Mega Man Battle and Chase for $29.99. Almost no extras though as they were pulled to favor the PSP re-releases with.

X3 is so...average. I never understood why people want that game so much. I don't mean it from a collector's standpoint either, I mean lots of people seem to love it and I've heard many say it's their favorite X game. There's just nothing there for me besides some of the music.

[Abman]

I think all most any Mega Man game will cost you alot if it is a classic one. You might want to wait though maybe one day you will see a copy of the game for 30 that is what happened to me with Super Mario RPG. But if you can't find a cheaper one I still would go for it because Mega Man games are awesome and this is to finish your collection.

[Abman]

I think all most any Mega Man game will cost you alot if it is a classic one. You might want to wait though maybe one day you will see a copy of the game for 30 that is what happened to me with Super Mario RPG. But if you can't find a cheaper one I still would go for it because Mega Man games are awesome and this is to finish your collection.

[JSN]

A few years ago, Mega Man X3 was one of the few SNES games that emulators wouldn’t run. I dunno why, some specialized process chip inside the cart, or something similar. Anyone else remember that, or have I got it wrong? I assumed that’s where high demand for this title originated.

Anyway I found a used one in a GameStop about 6 years ago priced as a regular Mega Man X, so I was able to get it for like $5!

[§ Gideon §]

There needs to be a term for this phenomenon. We've seen it before, and if the past is any indication, it seems to be a generational thing. Right now, the SNES collector's market is a little stirred up. It's kind of like a baby boom, where the kids from the SNES days who had to beg rentals from mom now have vast disposable incomes. On top of that, they're at a transitional phase in their lives, and that leads to nostalgia. Anyway, back to X3: It's a game that tends to stay in people's hands. Therefore, these baby boomers perceive rarity and end up paying more than it's worth.

The more a market matures, the more things settle into their true prices. One by one, the hot commodity ends up in the hands of gamers; the demand lowers; and, when there are still copies leftover, the price follows suit. Just sit back and enjoy.

[§ Gideon §]

Of course, it's just my theory. Take it with a grain of salt.

[Kitsune Sniper]

A few years ago, Mega Man X3 was one of the few SNES games that emulators wouldn’t run. I dunno why, some specialized process chip inside the cart, or something similar. Anyone else remember that, or have I got it wrong? I assumed that’s where high demand for this title originated.

Anyway I found a used one in a GameStop about 6 years ago priced as a regular Mega Man X, so I was able to get it for like $5!

The game had a special chip called C3 - I believe its full name was 'Capcom Consumer Chip'. That's what helped the game do the polygonal wire-frame graphics used by the Sigma Head boss.

[Mr. Smashy]

The game had a special chip called C3
C4

[Kitsune Sniper]

The game had a special chip called C3
C4

Whoops, my bad!

[Red Hedgehog]

Gamecrazy tormented me one day with game. I walk in, start looking at the NES, SNES, Genesis games there and the employee let me know that he had just updated their inventory and all the games they had were in the binder on the counter. I start flipping through it and Mega Man X3 for $8. I nearly flipped, kept looking, and then inquired about it. We both checked all the SNES games on display and couldn't find it. He checked in the back and in the hold/damage drawer. It was nowhere to be found. I was crestfallen.

[-hellvin-]

Gamecrazy tormented me one day with game. I walk in, start looking at the NES, SNES, Genesis games there and the employee let me know that he had just updated their inventory and all the games they had were in the binder on the counter. I start flipping through it and Mega Man X3 for $8. I nearly flipped, kept looking, and then inquired about it. We both checked all the SNES games on display and couldn't find it. He checked in the back and in the hold/damage drawer. It was nowhere to be found. I was crestfallen.

This has happened to me several times. They print the stupid list out and just leave it there, so it's so !@#$ing out of date. I recently rehit all my gamecrazys recently to try to finish up the last few genesis carts I need, and at several stores, their binder didn't have half the shit it said it did.

As for MMX3, I've only seen it once at a thrift. I got mine for 1.98 loose at a nearby thrift and it wasn't in the best condition, but it works perfectly. I've never seen it in any game store at all. I recently got a box for it, so I'm probably going to sell it. The box is a bit messed up, so maybe one day I'll rebuy a mint boxed one.

[Anthony1]

There needs to be a term for this phenomenon. We've seen it before, and if the past is any indication, it seems to be a generational thing. Right now, the SNES collector's market is a little stirred up. It's kind of like a baby boom, where the kids from the SNES days who had to beg rentals from mom now have vast disposable incomes. On top of that, they're at a transitional phase in their lives, and that leads to nostalgia. Anyway, back to X3: It's a game that tends to stay in people's hands. Therefore, these baby boomers perceive rarity and end up paying more than it's worth.

The more a market matures, the more things settle into their true prices. One by one, the hot commodity ends up in the hands of gamers; the demand lowers; and, when there are still copies leftover, the price follows suit. Just sit back and enjoy.



Wow, great post. You really hit the nail on the head.

[InsaneDavid]

Gamecrazy tormented me one day with game. I walk in, start looking at the NES, SNES, Genesis games there and the employee let me know that he had just updated their inventory and all the games they had were in the binder on the counter. I start flipping through it and Mega Man X3 for $8. I nearly flipped, kept looking, and then inquired about it. We both checked all the SNES games on display and couldn't find it. He checked in the back and in the hold/damage drawer. It was nowhere to be found. I was crestfallen.

This has happened to me several times. They print the stupid list out and just leave it there, so it's so !@#$ing out of date. I recently rehit all my gamecrazys recently to try to finish up the last few genesis carts I need, and at several stores, their binder didn't have half the shit it said it did.

If the store's not busy you CAN request that they reprint the list if you seem to be going through it and pulling up blanks and their system shows the same.

[neo-zen]

after countless years of collecting, i have seen one copy of it, a guy brought it into my old game store and sold it to me for 10 bucks. it has a mint box but is missing the manual.
i have found about every other rare game on earth, but i have only seen one copy of this and 7.
and i have never seen mega man soccer in the wild.

[Steven]

There needs to be a term for this phenomenon. We've seen it before, and if the past is any indication, it seems to be a generational thing. Right now, the SNES collector's market is a little stirred up. It's kind of like a baby boom, where the kids from the SNES days who had to beg rentals from mom now have vast disposable incomes. On top of that, they're at a transitional phase in their lives, and that leads to nostalgia. Anyway, back to X3: It's a game that tends to stay in people's hands. Therefore, these baby boomers perceive rarity and end up paying more than it's worth.

The more a market matures, the more things settle into their true prices. One by one, the hot commodity ends up in the hands of gamers; the demand lowers; and, when there are still copies leftover, the price follows suit. Just sit back and enjoy.

Excellent post. You get a thumbs up soldier! 8-)

Hmmm, do you (guys) really think the "SNES scene" is in RIGHT NOW? Like, moreso than opposed to say, 2005, 2004, 2003, and all the way down to say, 1998?

All I know is... the Saturn market/scene went downhill in 2004/2005-ish. Prices seemed to drop and such. I'm not sure how it is NOW, but I think it's picked up a lot since. I just remember in 2005 how the Saturn boom from 2001-ish finally started to wilt away. It was a sad and at the same time great day (more deals, but sad in the sense that the 'craze' was over, so to speak)

[goatdan]

There needs to be a term for this phenomenon. We've seen it before, and if the past is any indication, it seems to be a generational thing. Right now, the SNES collector's market is a little stirred up. It's kind of like a baby boom, where the kids from the SNES days who had to beg rentals from mom now have vast disposable incomes. On top of that, they're at a transitional phase in their lives, and that leads to nostalgia. Anyway, back to X3: It's a game that tends to stay in people's hands. Therefore, these baby boomers perceive rarity and end up paying more than it's worth.

The more a market matures, the more things settle into their true prices. One by one, the hot commodity ends up in the hands of gamers; the demand lowers; and, when there are still copies leftover, the price follows suit. Just sit back and enjoy.

I think you're partially right. From what I've observed, when a system "dies," there is an immediate drop off of interest and prices for nearly everything involved with it for about three to five years. During this time, stores are blowing out their inventories, and no one really wants the system because it isn't being actively carried, but it isn't old enough to "fondly remember" yet.

Once the system gets a little older, people start thinking about certain games that they could play for it that they weren't able to play for other systems, and the prices move back up.

After that point, the prices stabilize. However, based on how popular the game is and what the perceived demand is, the game's prices stay higher. The Jaguar is the perfect example for me. I started collecting for it in 97, shortly after it was officially discontinued. I ended up getting all of the games, usually new for an average of $10.00 apeice tops. Then, people started looking for the stuff. Suddenly, the average price of a Jaguar game is probably hovering closer to the $20.00 range, and they are getting harder to find. People are looking for them.

For the Jaguar, Alien Vs. Predator earns a pretty penny on eBay. You can expect to pay between $35-$50 for a complete copy of it. It doesn't matter that it was one of, if not the best selling game for the system. It demands a high price because it is the game that people want to play, and once they get it they tend to hold onto it instead of sell it. A game like Checkered Flag on the other hand which most definitely had a lower print run is priced at between $5 and $10 because the game sucks and no one except the most hardcore collectors who have it really feels the need to hold onto it.

By the same token, Super Mario Brothers 3 still commands prices upwards of $10+ in retail stores. Not because it is at all rare, but because it is one of the games that people want to play when they purchase their Nintendo.

I think that the price that we see Mega Man X3 at right now is a little higher than normal, but I don't think it will drastically lower over the next few years. Mega Man is a HUGE property for people who are wanting to pick up some old school stuff, and Mega Man X3 is one of the more hard-to-find Mega Man titles. Therefore, that alone will keep demand high, and this is probably a relatively stable price.

[metalichris]

So you guys are pretty much saying, get it now before the price spikes again.

[§ Gideon §]

Thanks for backing that up, guys. I feel better about going out on that limb, now. Hehe.

Hmmm, do you (guys) really think the "SNES scene" is in RIGHT NOW? Like, moreso than opposed to say, 2005, 2004, 2003, and all the way down to say, 1998?
Actually, I think it's a little tough to call... Going by gut feeling, it seems like the SNES's cycle is over the hill but still pretty strong. And, while I hate to uphold stereotypes, perhaps Nintendo's young demographic will stretch things out a bit longer. On top of that, their steady stream of re-releases keeps the Nintendo library fresh in the minds of the public.

Anyway, 2003 definitely seemed like a crowded year to me. Things are more relaxed now, so I agree with goatdan's synopsis about X3.

[Steven]

Anyway, 2003 definitely seemed like a crowded year to me. Things are more relaxed now, so I agree with goatdan's synopsis about X3.

funny how time flies. 2003 feels so long ago, yet at the same time it feels kinda just like the other week. Odd, that. IMO games in general are down from 3, 4 years ago. Maybe that's just me. I'm talking in terms of people being interested in games period, NOT the quality of games. This is NOT a knock on current gen games. In the past couple years I seen a lot of good long time video game posters say their farewell, or altogether disappear without so much a goodbye.

Reminds me of what my old Saturn buddy Pat said... he runs an import sega board that was a pretty hotbed in 2003, but over time just faded into obscurity with barely anyone posting.

He said,

"Just the nature of the beast, people come, get their fill, and leave. They move on with their lives."

Makes me wonder if one day I'll ever leave...

[Ruudos]

The PAL game is pretty rare. I still wonder why they released X2 and X3 only in Germany in Europe.

[§ Gideon §]

Anyway, 2003 definitely seemed like a crowded year to me. Things are more relaxed now, so I agree with goatdan's synopsis about X3.

funny how time flies. 2003 feels so long ago, yet at the same time it feels kinda just like the other week. Odd, that. IMO games in general are down from 3, 4 years ago. Maybe that's just me. I'm talking in terms of people being interested in games period, NOT the quality of games. This is NOT a knock on current gen games. In the past couple years I seen a lot of good long time video game posters say their farewell, or altogether disappear without so much a goodbye.

Reminds me of what my old Saturn buddy Pat said... he runs an import sega board that was a pretty hotbed in 2003, but over time just faded into obscurity with barely anyone posting.

He said,

"Just the nature of the beast, people come, get their fill, and leave. They move on with their lives."

Makes me wonder if one day I'll ever leave...
So true. It's almost sad, how one day something can be so important and the next--it's nothing more than a part of your past. But, it's not sad. Like your buddy says, that's just the way it is.

If you've ever played Majora's Mask, on the third day there's a guy in the town square who's not afraid to die. He looks up at the moon crashing into the earth and says bring it on; if it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen. Meanwhile, everyone else is in a mass panic. Sometimes, that's how I feel.