View Full Version : Game Store "OPENS" NEW SEALED NES GAMES!
DreamTR
04-13-2006, 07:21 PM
You heard right. Just last week, someone brought in around 25 factory sealed NES games to a local game store, who can not accept "new" merchandise off the street for sale unless it is from a reputable distributor. They would not accept the games, and they had the guy OPEN all the sealed NES games which consisted of Ninja Gaiden, Zelda, Castlevania, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Nobunaga's Ambition II, Castlevania II, and others...I picked up Nobunaga II and had pick on these others, but they were just complete NES games at this point. I figured you guys would appreciate a horror story like that. Ugh.
Jibbajaba
04-13-2006, 07:24 PM
That sounds pretty bad, but with resealers like Vidiots running around, you have to protect yourself.
Chris
Slate
04-13-2006, 07:27 PM
:puppydogeyes:
Don't tell me any more, i've heard too much already - I thought this topic would be of a store that had sealed NES games for sale!
cyberfluxor
04-13-2006, 07:31 PM
Don't tell me any more, i've heard too much already - I thought this topic would be of a store that had sealed NES games for sale!
Same here. I was thinking it was a newly opened store that had brand new unopened NES games. Man, what a horror! I just never understand why people do this kind of crap. If they run a freaking game store shouldn't they know it's more valuable SEALED!
Daria
04-13-2006, 07:40 PM
Even if that is the store policy... why didn't the clerk just offer the seller a lowball price, slightly higher then store trade in and resell the games independantly of the store? I mean shit. I certainly would have.
OR take the games in anway, then buy them immediately after. Whichever fits your ethically view point.
What is the obsession with sealed games? I mean, you Americans CHUCKED out VCS game boxes and instructions, and only kept the cart!!!!! Now that is a horror story.
Ditto for NES actually, many 'cart only', as witnessed on eBay.
ProgrammingAce
04-13-2006, 08:05 PM
You heard right. Just last week, someone brought in around 25 factory sealed NES games to a local game store, who can not accept "new" merchandise off the street for sale unless it is from a reputable distributor. They would not accept the games, and they had the guy OPEN all the sealed NES games which consisted of Ninja Gaiden, Zelda, Castlevania, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Nobunaga's Ambition II, Castlevania II, and others...I picked up Nobunaga II and had pick on these others, but they were just complete NES games at this point. I figured you guys would appreciate a horror story like that. Ugh.
I assume you imediately burned the place to the ground, correct?
meh, if its not mine, not worth the stress I guess
Rev. Link
04-13-2006, 09:09 PM
Really, settle down. Not everyone goes nutty over sealed games.
Sealed doesn't equal more valuable to everyone. It doesn't mean anything to me. If I found some sealed NES games (or games for any system, for that matter) at a store, I would buy them, take them home, open them, and play them.
crazyjackcsa
04-13-2006, 09:27 PM
ummm, why did you trade them in in the first place? I'm sure you would've gotten more on dp
Jumpman Jr.
04-13-2006, 09:37 PM
Stuff like that makes me cringe
jcheatle
04-13-2006, 09:43 PM
ummm, why did you trade them in in the first place? I'm sure you would've gotten more on dp
It wasn't *him* trading them in. From what I gather, DreamTR had an in at the store who told him the story (as evidenced by his pick of the games). Anyway, just clarifying. And yes, whoever traded them would have made a nice amount on DP or the 'Bay.
And yeah, that sucks that they were opened if only because there's only so many out there still sealed. That said, I don't really care either way. I don't have the money to pay sealed prices, nor do I cream myself over them. Heck, most of my collection is loose, save for PS1 and current-gen stuff. So, meh.
Videogamerdaryll
04-13-2006, 09:45 PM
:puppydogeyes:
Don't tell me any more, i've heard too much already - I thought this topic would be of a store that had sealed NES games for sale!
Ditto,...
FantasiaWHT
04-13-2006, 09:55 PM
I would've done the same thing at that store. I would be more worried about a customer coming back with SMB/DH inside the box because it was a reseal, OR coming back with SMB/DH because the customer is a shithead who is only claiming that was what was in there than worried about possibly losing value. I doubt a store like that has many of the kind of customers who would actually care enough to pay more for a sealed NES game.
Poofta!
04-14-2006, 02:47 AM
you know... i just dont care... id get them anyway, how much he want for them? i want Ninja Gaiden, Zelda, Castlevania, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Castlevania II etc
i like my games fresh. mint. and playable.
dojosky
04-14-2006, 03:02 AM
yeah same thing happens here at some stores :( one store wouldn't even allow you to open the games in their store it has to be done outside then u can come back inside and sell them weird !!!! DUMB ! but i know some people are afraid of resealed games that is why i dont go crazy after sealed games on internet !!!!!!!!!! unless its a trusted seller or a friend of mine then i will buy it but in the wild if its cheap i take chances !!!! :D ...
ismokeblunts
04-14-2006, 03:08 AM
i routinely open sealed games, honestly what good is a sealed game to anybody. for real? games are to be played, not looked at.
jajaja
04-14-2006, 03:46 AM
i routinely open sealed games, honestly what good is a sealed game to anybody. for real? games are to be played, not looked at.
You wouldnt say that in some years when the game is worth 10 - 20 times more.
Really sux when ppl open old sealed games, when its usualy so easy to get another used copy. But they do what they want of course. Too bad many dont know what they are really worth.
cyberfluxor
04-14-2006, 10:49 AM
I would've done the same thing at that store. I would be more worried about a customer coming back with SMB/DH inside the box because it was a reseal, OR coming back with SMB/DH because the customer is a shithead who is only claiming that was what was in there than worried about possibly losing value. I doubt a store like that has many of the kind of customers who would actually care enough to pay more for a sealed NES game.
This was something that I expected someone to counter with. That's what the only problem is, what the hell is really inside the box. There are people out there doing dirty crap like this and it's the security risk of any collecting industry and resale stores. Personally, I would buy it used, complete, and near mint the same as if it were sealed brand new. I don't mind the used part if it's flawless like most of the stuff I buy. I own games for the PC and other systems that are near perfect, might have a spec of dust or 2 on it but hell.
I say you have no choice than to open & sell it as used complete when it comes to the game stores.
As for conventions and for real collectors, they need to keep it sealed and have the buyer physically inspect it to be sure it's authentic and not some Duckhunt/Mario game inside hiding.
Leo_A
04-14-2006, 10:56 AM
Games are for playing, not keeping in the shrinkwrap, so fine with me.
Jumpman Jr.
04-14-2006, 11:03 AM
Games are for playing, not keeping in the shrinkwrap, so fine with me.
See, that IS fine, but when it comes to owning a sealed game that would be worth significantly more if it wasn't opened, are you telling me you'd open it?
Say you find a sealed copy of Zelda for the NES, a game that could be found fairly easilly (and pretty cheap too) anywhere locally. Would you open your sealed copy? To me, thats ludicrous. Just go out and buy a loose one, and play that.
c0ldb33r
04-14-2006, 11:08 AM
Just go out and buy a loose one, and play that.
I'd just sell the shrinkwrap one, buy a loose one and pocket the extra :D
blissfulnoise
04-14-2006, 11:09 AM
There's just something about a sealed NES game. It's like your childhood enveloped in shrink-rap.
I'm certainly not a sealed game collector, but I have sealed copies of some of the first games we got on the NES.
I know the knee-jerk response is to say, "Collecting sealed games is stupid." but for some collectors it's not just about playing the games but owning a critical piece of 1987 frozen in time.
Unless you were playing Zelda and Castlevania when they first hit the stores it might be harder to understand. That's why there should be UN Sanctions against stores like that popping open sealed "retro" games.
Additionally, what kind of game store (assuming they're not EB/Gamestop) would be so stupid as to open sealed NES games anyway? It amazes me that places like that can stay in business when they have no idea how to price anything older than Halo.
le geek
04-14-2006, 11:17 AM
Glad I'm not into sealed games and too old for NES to equal my childhood...
Cheers,
Ben
donkeykong1
04-14-2006, 05:42 PM
Yeah I was at the same store while another guy bought all of the games that dream left. I was so fucken pissed off that they were holding them for the other guy. I would have gotten them if I had looked at that section of the store just a few minutes sooner. :angry:
Bronty-2
04-14-2006, 06:31 PM
pure comedy. So they force the guy to open $1000+ worth of games to give him probably fifty bucks for the lot. Poor sap..
It's not the first time I've heard of this though. I forget why but some of these stores aren't 'allowed' to sell older games sealed..
Buyatari
04-15-2006, 12:32 AM
That sounds pretty bad, but with resealers like Vidiots running around, you have to protect yourself.
Whats to protect. What could they possible pay out for those games? $10.00? My employees pay between 10 and 25 cents a title for NES.
Still as a collector I'd pay a premium for mint complete games that were new up till 10 seconds ago if I found them in another store. Esp ones like Final Fantasy and Zelda with mint unused maps.
Adam
wrldstrman
04-16-2006, 01:17 AM
im guilty to, i ve opened several sealed games ..i still have 5 i havent gotton around to playing that are still sealed.
drewbrim
04-16-2006, 01:31 AM
I've seen this happen locally at the stores I frequent as well. Stupid, silly, etc....I have more to say but I'd rather not have this turn into another "collecting sealed games is stupid" thread.
You wouldnt say that in some years when the game is worth 10 - 20 times more.
Do people actually buy sealed games thinking about how much they'll be worth in 5-10 years? Not knocking, just asking. Seems a bit weird to me to buy something and then sock it away for years on the hope that it'll be worth more. What if it isn't? What if you need the space? Why not just buy something you can play?
Buyatari
04-16-2006, 09:52 AM
Do people actually buy sealed games thinking about how much they'll be worth in 5-10 years? Not knocking, just asking. Seems a bit weird to me to buy something and then sock it away for years on the hope that it'll be worth more. What if it isn't?
I certainly have.
What if you need the space?
Sealed games take up just as much space as open complete.
Why not just buy something you can play?
I really don't need any more games to play. I have more than I'll ever be able to.
Bojay1997
04-16-2006, 12:46 PM
I will never fully understand how that store operates. I remember about five years ago going in there and seeing several dozen NIB Sega Master Systems on the shelf. They had obviously gotten some NOS units, but had put stickers on them and called them used. I guess they don't want people complaining if the systems fail within the warranty period? I don't really get it.
As for buying sealed games, most of my collection is sealed. It's not that I expect to sell it for massive amounts someday, in fact I would never sell it. Like Buyatari said, I have more games than I could ever play in a lifetime if I opened them all. Buying sealed games is like buying any other collectible. I like knowing I'm the first one to own them and that I have the option of opening them if I choose to someday.
leonk
04-16-2006, 12:53 PM
Opening common sealed games is not that bad.
EB has done much worst things in the past (like keep the carts and thow out the boxes and manuals!)
blissfulnoise
04-16-2006, 02:37 PM
Do people actually buy sealed games thinking about how much they'll be worth in 5-10 years? Not knocking, just asking. Seems a bit weird to me to buy something and then sock it away for years on the hope that it'll be worth more. What if it isn't? What if you need the space? Why not just buy something you can play?
Why would you ask that question? A collector of pretty much anything faces the same scenerio. Something factory sealed/factory new will always be worth more than something opened and used.
The thing to wrap your head around is what qualifies as a collectable. Most people would never put a video game in that category (well, minus the dozens of "collectors" editions of games that come out yearly now), but I'd wager that everyone here would.
I've got about 600 sealed games in my collection. But only a dozen or so were purchased expressly to leave the sealed. The others I haven't, and probably will never, get around to playing.
The thing in this particular case was that several NES games, that are commonly available loose for small sums of money, were needlessly opened. If you don't like sealed games, than that's perfectly fine, but it would take someone pretty obtuse to say that all games must be opened just because they want them to be played.
I doubt there is a soul on this forum that, today, would open a sealed copy of The Legend of Zelda just to play it.
I've got about 600 sealed games in my collection. But only a dozen or so were purchased expressly to leave the sealed. The others I haven't, and probably will never, get around to playing.
This is exactly why I ask this question. Only a dozen out of your 600 sealed games are meant to be kept sealed, but you don't plan on playing the others. My question is: why have them then? I guess it's a matter of taste and all, but I just think the space could be used for something much more productive. Even if you have all the games you'll ever need to play, it still seems like needless hoarding or pack rating to me. I don't know, I'd put a couch there or sometthing, I guess.
blissfulnoise
04-16-2006, 07:28 PM
I spent a lot of money on custom shelving for my collection so space isn't an issue for me. And as far as ambiance goes, I find my collection of games to be more aesthetically pleasing than I would something else there.
Why would a couch be more productive? Or a painting? Or an arcade? Or a blank wall?
Again, it's a matter of preference.
As a collector, I enjoy having all of these games in my "collection". I also enjoy having them at my disposal in case I do decide, at some point, that I will play Robin Hood on the PS2.
Also, I don't think hoarding is an applicable response here. That infers that I'm only interested in keeping the games for selfish reasons. Would you rather I left them on the shelf in case someone else wanted to play My Street and subsequently trade it in at a Gamestop?
I like that fact I have all of these games at my disposal, sealed or not, and enjoy the process of collecting them. That's obviously not applicable to you, at least in a general sense (assuming you collect, and collect specific games you fully intend to play).
But to answer your question, most of my sealed games were purchased when I was able to acquire them during very good deals or conditions. Thus their immediate status in my library. I may play them, but it's far more likely that I will not.
I just find it entertaining that on a forum about collecting, you'd be so narrow in your definition of the term.
I'm not necessarily being "narrow'' about it. I simply share a different opinion. To not understand that would be narrow in itself.
Hey, they're your games, do with them as you will. I'm simply stating that not everyone shares the collector's attitude (I thought this was a forum about gaming in general and not necessarily collecting). It shouldn't sound weird that some people don't share the same outlook.
Skyone
04-16-2006, 07:43 PM
That BASTARD. Who in their right minds would rather sell an open game then a new sealed one?!
blissfulnoise
04-16-2006, 07:49 PM
Hey, they're your games, do with them as you will. I'm simply stating that not everyone shares the collector's attitude (I thought this was a forum about gaming in general and not necessarily collecting). It shouldn't sound weird that some people don't share the same outlook.
You might have misunderstood me and I might have misunderstood you.
Your previous post seems to take the view that I was being a "pack-rat" and a "hoarder" for having sealed games. And you weren't inferring that as a complement, or even an observation; it came across as a slight. As a result, I felt the need to offer a different perspective for you.
I'm perfectly fine with however people collect games or don't collect games, and haven't stated anything otherwise. I have no stake in how you enjoy the hobby. I would expect the same response from anyone else on the board.
And you're probably right; this is a "gamer" board at its heart. I'll stand corrected there.
Don't think I'm calling you a hoarder or anything, far from it. I'm not out to label anyone or anything, just wondering about the topic is all. It doesn't concern or bother me whether people like their games sealed, complete, loose, whatever. I was just sincerely asking about the mind set behind owning sealed games. If it came off as something else than I apologize, as that was not my intent.
Like I said, they're your games. I just think that people shouldn't expect everyone to get excited when sealed games are opened. Some people don't give them that much importance.
Different strokes I guess...
Bronty-2
04-16-2006, 11:28 PM
I don't think the mindset is any different than the mindset of many of those on here that will buy, say, a loose home alone 2 for the nes with no intention of ever playing simply because it's part of their set so they "need" it. Or someone that buys a cheetahmen 2 - is that really to play? please.. it's to collect. Same with sealed stuff, it surprises me that some people don't understand that (not referring to you).
Ed Oscuro
04-17-2006, 06:20 PM
Jibba's got the right angle. Unfortunately, that's always a worry. Personally, I don't see the value in resealing a $19 sealed NES game so you can get possibly $30 on it, so for all but the Final Fantasies, Castlevanias, and select other games, it's not much of a money maker, even on eBay (not to say that the big titles aren't worth it).
I can easily see why it could be considered a tragedy - for a game to have survived nearly 20 years without being opened is a feat, but it's also worth mentioning that this represents a game that some kid didn't get to play. Personally, whenever I get a game that's sealed for anything past the current gen (and even some from this one - I never did open Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, despite playing the heck out of it on an emulator), I tend not to be able to open it. It just don't feel right.
It really shouldn't be a big deal, but the guy totally got burned by that store. Crissakes, the manager shoulda just been like "dude, turn right aroud and leave this store...sell that shit on eBay and get rich."
But hey...a bunch of NES collectors' kids are gonna eat this month.
It's all good.
Edit: Silly me, bumping an old topic.
I own some sealed games......some of which I've already opened, and some of which are destined to possibly be opened, if I ever feel like playing them. Ironically....our local shop had a sealed NON-PLAYERS CHOICE copy of Super Mario 64 in over the last few weeks....and it SAT on the shelf. No one wanted it or even cared. I had plenty of opportunity to buy it myself, but didn't need it. It's gone now, bought by someone for their kids to play.
The ONLY sealed game that I own that will absolutely never be opened is my copy of Ultima for the NES, simply because I think that it's cool that this one "survived". I also own a sealed Genesis Model 2 NFL '94 Gift Set that will not be opened because I don't have the need to. I wouldn't play NFL '94...and Gennys are so common that it would be a crime to unseal and fire up a brand new one just for the sake of doing so.
The Shawn
04-18-2006, 08:45 AM
I have personally gone into EB while they were taking N64 games out of their boxes and throwing them out, I went kinda' nutso about it and they said it was because they had limited space.So I boycotted the place.
Frikken Idiots.
SeiruKoji
04-18-2006, 09:10 AM
It is just part of the store policy to open the games. We can not change that. Sealed games aren't everyone's bowl of pudding anyway.
Sealed doesn't equal more valuable to everyone. It doesn't mean anything to me. If I found some sealed NES games (or games for any system, for that matter) at a store, I would buy them, take them home, open them, and play them.
I agree with what is said here. I also open sealed games to play them. sometimes, you can get sealed or complete games for less than you could a used copy of the games somewhere else. My cousins buy sealed games(Atari, NES, SNES,etc...) for cheap ($2-3). They take them home open them and play them. Usually, they dont want the boxes or manuals, so they just give them to me. I would prefer to buy an older game sealed or at least complete with the manual and then play them. Besides, If you have a sealed game for an extended period of time, and you look at it every day on a shelf, it becomes tempting to open the game and see what is inside after a while. Finally, you just snap and open them. I save myself the trouble by opening them right away and playing them.
i routinely open sealed games, honestly what good is a sealed game to anybody. for real? games are to be played, not looked at.
Games were meant (like toys) to be played(with) not looked at, but collectors will warp your minds into thinking that you need to keep the games (or toys) sealed. There can be collecor's value on anything nowadays. This so called "Collector's Value" concept makes me sick.
If sealed games are your thing, that's fine. If you want to opne the package, go ahead. You bought the thing(s). After you buy them, they are yours to do with as you please. Whatever floats your boat, and don't let anyone change your mind.
The Shawn
04-18-2006, 09:19 AM
Well considering that the instructions to the friggin games are in the boxes or on them what to hell is the purpose of throwing them out.
And I'm not trying to warp anyones mind because I am a collector!
If your going to sell them for the same price anyway you may want to CHANGE YOUR POLICY! And let the customer decide weather they want to throw the box out. You don't sell New Releases without the sleeve and jacket so you can SAVE SPACE do you?
Slate
04-18-2006, 06:45 PM
Well considering that the instructions to the friggin games are in the boxes or on them what to hell is the purpose of throwing them out.
And I'm not trying to warp anyones mind because I am a collector!
If your going to sell them for the same price anyway you may want to CHANGE YOUR POLICY! And let the customer decide weather they want to throw the box out. You don't sell New Releases without the sleeve and jacket so you can SAVE SPACE do you?
WHOA, Hold your horses, SeiruKoji was saying that SOME collectors will do that, but not all collectors do that. SeiruKoji wasn't particularly talking about you.
And yes, if i find a sealed pre-playstation game, if i buy it i tend to keep it sealed. But i'm not forcing anyone to.
Moo Cow
04-19-2006, 04:13 AM
What is the obsession with sealed games? I mean, you Americans CHUCKED out VCS game boxes and instructions, and only kept the cart!!!!! Now that is a horror story.
Ditto for NES actually, many 'cart only', as witnessed on eBay.
I kept everything! I still have boxes and manuals for carts I lost (although, unfortunately, my mom packed a lot of the boxes into a box and they got crushed).
Also, I thought that you had uncovered some sort of scandel here where the company resealed games.
Gemini-Phoenix
04-20-2006, 10:42 AM
You heard right. Just last week, someone brought in around 25 factory sealed NES games to a local game store, who can not accept "new" merchandise off the street for sale unless it is from a reputable distributor. They would not accept the games, and they had the guy OPEN all the sealed NES games which consisted of Ninja Gaiden, Zelda, Castlevania, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Nobunaga's Ambition II, Castlevania II, and others...I picked up Nobunaga II and had pick on these others, but they were just complete NES games at this point. I figured you guys would appreciate a horror story like that. Ugh.
As a collector of sealed games, this post disheartens and offends me deeply. I hate stores that do this. I even had trouble trading ina few sealed games at GameStation a while ago ~ As it turned out, the guy who was dealing with me was a newbie. As I was well known to the rest of teh staff, they allowed me to trade in a handful of sealed games, as they knew I was reputable, but I am sure I was the exception to the rule where trade-ins are concerned. Usually they don't take sealed games. Period.
kedawa
04-22-2006, 06:44 PM
I just think it's odd that someone who had something as rare as sealed NES games would be so clueless to there value.
Why the hell did they have them in the first place.
All your sealed games are nothing but a sealed box of cardstock, anyway.
Don't believe me?
Open them up and see for yourself.
ManciGames
04-23-2006, 03:28 PM
And you're probably right; this is a "gamer" board at its heart. I'll stand corrected there.
On the other hand, this is what the first line says on the splash page:
"Digital Press Online is dedicated to the "Pac-rats" among video gamers..."
ManciGames
04-23-2006, 03:32 PM
Like I said, they're your games. I just think that people shouldn't expect everyone to get excited when sealed games are opened. Some people don't give them that much importance.
Now, I know the comment I'm about to make has probably been made a billion times over (in some form or another) on message boards across the world, but I'm gonna say it anyway:
Why would you hop into a conversation about something you have no interest in, just to say, "I have no interest in this"? Not slamming you, but it does kinda hijack the thread, no?
On the other hand, maybe you weren't sure where the thread was headed, so you just needed some clarification. No biggie there...