PS2, XBox, and GameCube Rarity List (Minor Update June 20)

[Charlie]

*Joe put me to task on this, can someone stickify this.*

UPDATED March 1st: Updated all previously listed games with big four standings. Next update will add more games to the lists.

This is the work-in-progress modern rarity guide. Unlike other guides, games won't be rated on a scale. Instead, games will be divided into three catagories.

1. Games that are confimred rare. Hard to find, limited production, etc all qualify games for ths catagory. Although fetching a high price on Ebay does not.

2. Games that are unconfirmed to be rare. They MIGHT be, but we have no solid proof on it. A game that seems hard to find but shows up frequently on auction sites, or can still be bought at several online retailers or local chains in large cities is what gets you into this catagory.

3. Not Rare. Games that are often regarded as being rare but really aren't.

This is a work in progress, so all observations and insight are not only welcome but requested. If you can provide info on production runs (specific numbers hopefully), sales figures, release dates, stuff like that to either confirm a game rare or not, then please provide the information. Speculation is ok if you have some form of proof to back it up. If a game rarely appears on Ebay or if many major game distbutors don't carry it.

Please don't get upset if a game is in a different catagory then what you think it should be in. This is a group effort that will be ongoing. I (or a moderator or Joe or whoever is handy) will update the list as needed. Thank you, and enjoy the lists.

*Note, as information for games is provided, discriptions will be added to explain why a game is or isn't rare. Such discriptions will be below each game and bracketed with stars, like this paragraph.*

$Note, since the most common way to debunk whether or not a game is rare or not is to list a varity of stores where the game is for sale, the dollar sign ($) will be used to show which 'big four major online retailers carry each game. The big four stores are as follows: CircuitCity.com, BestBuy.com, EBworld.com, and Gamestop.com.$

Playstation 2

Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows (Confirmed)
*Limited release, instant budget title.*
$EBWorld.com (used), BestBuy.com (14.95... snag it now)$

Grandia 2 (Not Rare)
*Limited quanities upon release. Wide release since*
$EBWorld.com, Gamestop.com (used)$

Guilty Gear X (Confirmed)
*Very low print run, far less then any main stream PS2 game.*
$EBWorld.com (used), Gamestop.com (used)$

Mad Maestro! (Unconfirmed)
*Possible wide release since becoming a budget title*
$EBworld.com$

Metropolismania (Not Rare)
$EBworld.com, BestBuy.com$

Mr. Mosquito (Unconfirmed)
*Possible wide release since becoming a budget title. Uncommon maybe.*
$Ebworld.com (used), Gamestop.com (used)$

Rez (Not Rare)
*Reissued as a "Greatest Hits" title.*
$none$

Ring of Red (unconfirmed)
$Ebworld.com, Gamestop.com (used)$

X Box

Air Force Delta Storm (unconfirmed)
*Possible recall*
$none$

Kakuto Chojin (unconfimred)
*Recall issued on game. Re-Release is possible.*
$none$

Outlaw Golf: 9 Holes of Xmas (unconfirmed)
*Exclusively for sale at Blockbuster Video or at Toys 'R Us during the 2002 holiday season.*
$none$

Sneakers (unconfirmed)
*Exclusive to Toys 'R Us*
$none$

Steel Battalion (confirmed)
*Confirmed to have limited quanities by Capcom, est. between 5,000 to 10,000 copies.*
$Best Buy.com, EBWorld.com, Gamestop.com for 199.99 each$

Nintendo Gamecube
Cubivore (Confirmed)
*Estimated pressing of between 5,000 and 20,000*
$none$

Disney's PK: Out of the Shadows (Confirmed)
*Limited release, instant budget title*
$none$

Evolution Skateboarding (Unconfirmed)
*More like Uncommon... still too soon to call *
$Gamestop.com$

Gamecube Preview Disc (Not Rare)
*Well over 100,000 copies were made. Despite Nintendo's stance that the game isn't supposed to be for sale, it is being sold at most major retailers. The disc was also given out at E-3 in 2003. Of note, the game was originally sold for $9.99, but now most places are selling it for $39.99.*
$COMING SOON$

NCAA Basketball 2K3 (confirmed)
*Limited quanities, possible recall though unconfirmed*
$none$

Phantasy Star Online 1 & 2 (not rare)
*Some larger chains like Best Buy or Target didn't stock the game initally.*
$EBWorld.com$

Sega Soccer Slam (unconfirmed)
$Gamestop.com (used)$

Ultimate Muscle (unconfirmed)
*Many larger chains are not carrying this game at this time, although that will likely change given the popularity of the cartoon series*
$COMING SOON$

Zoocube (Confirmed)
*Limited print run*
$EBworld.com (used)$

[CrazyImpmon]

Add Zelda OoT/MQ game to the list. Unless Nintendo pulls a fast one, is already planned for a limited print and it will be out of print soon. Some stores don't have them anymore.

[maxlords]

I'd add Suikoden 3 to that PS2 list. Ring of Red is pretty common and was on shelves new and used EVERYWHERE for a long time. I still see it fairly regularly. Some of the other bargain PS2 games like Road Trip may end up on that list too.

As for XBox, two things. First..Air Force Delta Storm isn't even REMOTELY rare. It's still on shelves in some places, and it's used all over the place. It's not hard to get, just going for a premium on eBay due to a bunch of gamefaqs rumors. Second, I've seen Sneakers for sale new at Zellers (Canadian chain dept. store) AND EB in the last month or two, so I don't think it was a TRU exclusive.

[MankeyMan]

I don't know about the US, but over here I have only ever seen one copy of Mystic Heroes, it doesn't appear too much on eBay either.

[Sylentwulf]

Grandia 2?

EB has 5-6 of them for like $15, and they sell a LOT on ebay brand new for like $10-$20, usually WITH the guide. In fact, I've seen it so often, so cheap, that I didn't get it figuring it must suck :)

[Griking]

I see a copy of Suikoden III at every Gamestop or Funcoland I go into.

[mikeetler]

Mr Mosquito and Mad Maestro were cut to $24.99 retail before X-Mas and are readily available through distributors. I have only seen Metropolismania in Wal Mart and through a few distributors, so that might be a good one.

Evolution Skateboarding didn't hit major distribution channels until two to three weeks ago, so it's a little premature to be worried about 90 day search results on eBay.

I also think the GC Zelda disc is far from rare. Some 50K-100K were pressed for the US. Even if there isn't another shipment, they'll all be out there at some point.

@maxlords Sneakers is indeed a TRU exclusive in the US. That won't stop pre-owneds from showing up in EB. As for Zellers, it would have to be in different packaging since the US ones have TRU exclusive printed on the cover. And Air Force Delta Storm has been out of print since about a month after release. There have been none to be had in the distribution channels for over nine months. I would think the reason for the used ines is because the game wasn't that good.

-Mike

[Achika]

Charlie, don't forget that TRU also had their own Outlaw Golf: 9 Holes of XMas with a different packaging & coupon than BBV version.

[bluecollarninja]

i'd put contra shattered soilder on the list on unconfirms. i haven't seen that game since the day it came out.

[Chunky]

I been keeping notes on these and whats available at stores on my pda.

Playstation 2
Mad Meistro
Metropolismania
Mr. Mosquito /these 3 games are at my circuit city, best buy, comp usa, TRU. all of them are 19.99 of the 4 stores i can prolly count up to 50 of each.
Rez - still 49.99 as of yesterday, tru had 3 vertical rows of these at least 30+ there, half as many at CC.

Nintendo Gamecube
Cubivore - i have seen this in the wild once, didn't pick it up, never seen it again.
Phantasy Star Online 1 & 2, this is at almost every store i see but only 1 or 2 copies left all the time, GS, TRU, CC, target, kmart, tons at hollywood video, none in BB
Zoocube - couple at CC and gamestop, always.

[Charlesaway]

Future Shop has advertised a few times now that there are only 3000 units chain-wide for the Zelda:OOT/MQ disc. That works out to about 30 per store for future shop anyway.

[digitalpress]

It's really tricky calling rares out for recent systems. Just a few months ago it seemed like Mister Mosquito and Mad Maestro were going to be scarce but they keep turning up. I think EBworld.com even has them for $10 online now!

How about Gallop Racer 2001 for PS2? I don't see that one around anymore... though there are quite a few of 'em on eBay.

[kainemaxwell]

What about Document of Metal Gear Solid 2?

[Charlie]

In the long run I don't think Contra for the PS2 is going to be rare. It's almost certainly going to be re-released at some point as a greatest hits game.

[mikeetler]

How about Gallop Racer 2001 for PS2? I don't see that one around anymore... though there are quite a few of 'em on eBay.

That's definitely a good one. With the new GR coming out next month I don't expect 2001 to see a re-issue either.

[kevincure]

Rugby PS2 is not that common, as one could imagine.

[Goodwill Hunter]

The TRU by me had at least 30-40 X-box Sneakers for $19.99.

Rich

[Charlie]

Just to let everyone know, these lists are for US games, not for overseas markets. I will try to include imports as information comes in but don't expect too much as most of the people who will be key contributors to these lists are from the US.

[geelw]

grandia 2 isn't remotely "rare", as it was re-released late last year as a budget title (non-greatest hits overstock). a few distributors had it in volume, and it's one of those games that will probably pop up from time to time.

stuff like steel battallion, gallop racer 2001, klonoa 2, and maybe city crisis are games that got limited pressings. i'm thinking yanya cabillista and guitaroo man may be on this list of "rares" as well...

[Tritoch]

What about Pulse Racer for Xbox? GameStop.com doesn't have it in stock, and there are only two of them on eBay right now. I haven't seen it anywhere around here. It's gotten horrible reviews too, so perhaps they limited it's production run?

[Bighab]

How about the 3 PS2 Mobile Suit Gundam games? I very rarely see any of them used around my area.

[scooterb23]

If that's true about Pulse Racer, I'll have to run back and get the copy at EB Games for $10 new!!!

I'm not the most observant shopper in these cases...but I'll put in my 2 cents (no matter how wrong they might be) in a few of these cases, and add a few thoughts of my own...

Sega Soccer Slam - I see this one everywhere, usually $20-25

Suidoken III - everyone's saying this is the next big rare...I saw 8 in one EB today!!! 6 used...

Road Trip - saw 2 copies for $20 used, that's it...I think this one may have some rarity to it...the other two budget titles released at the same time: Seek and Destroy and HSX seem to be a little easier to find, but not much...

I'll agree with Cubivore being hard to find...I've noted one copy in the last couple of weeks.

Sneakers for the XBox may end up being rare just because nobody is buying it at TRU...I saw at least 40 copies at one earlier this week...

Rez has slipped to an expensive uncommon I believe. The second shipment did in it's chances of maintaining real rarity...I generally see 2-3 in each EB, but still going for $40 used.

Gallop Racer 2001 is a lock to be rare. Saw it once, still kicking myself for not buying it.

All of a sudden SHOX vanished from the 3 Best Buys I've been frequenting lately, and neither EB I went to had it new or used either...whazzup wit' 'dat??

I also have a feeling that the recently released double disc of Outlaw Golf and Seablade for the XBox may end up being rare, just for the fact that OG has already sold a lot of copies...and Seablade looks like a dud...


Hope that helps a bit...

[mikeetler]

All of a sudden SHOX vanished from the 3 Best Buys I've been frequenting lately, and neither EB I went to had it new or used either...whazzup wit' 'dat??

SHOX was dropped to budget status a week or two ago and ran in a number of ads for $19.99. Expect additional pieces to turn up over the next couple of weeks.

-Mike

[scooterb23]

Thanks for the info Mike. I was wanting to pick it up, and all of a sudden it was gone! I hope to see it back very soon...

I'm kind of upset I missed out on the $10 Road Trips at Best Buy, $20 isn't too bad...I'll have to get that one next weekend...

[Charlie]

PK: Out of the Shadows for both the PS2 and Gamecube seems to be rare. Only one copy of the Gamecube version has shown up on Ebay and 2 of the PS2 version... and neither of the 'Big Four" have copies for either platform. Released Decemeber, 3rd, 2003 and already gone from shelves. Anyone know the story on this one?

[scooterb23]

Other than the fact that the game has been getting poor reviews. No real idea on this one Charlie. I know I saw three Gamecube copies at an EB yesterday, and I know there was at least 2, maybe three PS2 copies there as well...

Best Buy had it in stock (can't remember for which system, I think PS2) as well.

[Tritoch]

I know I mentioned Pulse Racer before, but how about another Xbox racing game...MotoGP? Neither EBgames.com, Amazon.com, Best Buy.com, nor GameStop has it in stock. In fact, the only online retailer to have it listed in their database at all is Gamestop's "preowned - back ordered". There are only 17 listed on eBay right now, and all of the previous ones have held their value with a $35-$40 average ending price. That could just be because of Xbox Live support though...

I'm not thinking that it's ultra rare or anything like that, but it could be a semi.

[Charlie]

I'm going to do the next update this weekend...

lol, hey Joe, how about a mention of our little list in Tips & Tricks sometime soon?

[Sothy]

I too have made a list and hope the collector community finds it usefull in its uselessness.


Large oversized Cheeto I found: Unconfirmed:
$$> Frito lay


Lunar III for PS3 : Not out yet:
$$$$>Future

Green Eggs and Ham :Delicious:
$$> Tasty treats

Monkey riding a tricycle :Unconfirmed:
$> Hilarious

[udisi]

Don't think it's nessassarily rare, but I've had trouble finding boulder's gate for GC and xbox....PS2 is all over....maybe uncommon for GC and Xbox?

[Oobgarm]

I remember the PK game-about $40 when it released, but the price divebombed to $15 after like 2 days at Gamestop. I don't shop for games in many other places, but I haven't seen it around now that you mention it.

And I think our GS sold a few copies and was restocked. I believe it's "delisted" now in our computer.

[Brisco]

PK: Out of the Shadows has sat on my Gamestop's wall since it came out. It could be rare because it involves a character, even a Disney one, that no one in this country knows, or even gives a damn about. It's only $15, so it's possible I might grab it to add to the collection, along with the copy of Cubivore that we've got. It is so strange that I feel wrong not owning it.

The Grandia game that could become rare in the future is most likely
Grandia Xtreme. It had some known talent doing the voices in the game, but it is not as good as Grandia II, and I believe it was released in limited quantities, as well. This game came out, sold both copies at our store, and was never to be seen again, in new form anyway.

Koei has a knack for releasing games in small amounts, so P.T.O. IV on PS2 could also be a good bet for future rarity, and if you're a fan of them, it's not a bad game either.

[Charlie]

I'm really, really going to update this soon. I appologize for dragging ass. I do have some quicky updates...

Cubivore is getting a second pressing as a budget title do to word of mouth praise.

PK: Out of the Shadows is a confirmed rare across the platforms... Gamecube version recieved the smallest printing of course. Less then 50,000 to be certain.

A couple PS2 titles will be moved to "Not Rare" because they are getting PS2 Hits treatment.

[ManekiNeko]

Is PK any good? This wasn't the first time Donald Duck was turned into a superhero for a video game... anyone remember the Maui Mallard?

JR

POST 35!

[Charlie]

Holy shit! I updated it! Someone re-stickify it.

[ianoid]

First off, moron over here just realized what TRU is. I thought it was some kind of east coast chain or something.

Second, the most consistent way to get what will be rare is through production numbers. Rarity practically doesn't apply until the system is dead or dying. Stuff just circulates constantly until the stores stop rebuying it.

If someone has an inside link to a major distributor or the companies, production runs would be the best thing to rank.

[digitalpress]

Any plans on updating this? I think the status of Air Force Delta has changed since the last update.

[scooterb23]

Is PK any good?

*2 months later*

No, it is a lousy game...I finally had a chance to try it, graphics are ok, but controls are completely messed up. No fun to be had here IMO.

[Gamereviewgod]

Don't think it's nessassarily rare, but I've had trouble finding boulder's gate for GC and xbox....PS2 is all over....maybe uncommon for GC and Xbox?


Best Buy just had it on sale for the 'Box for $10 just a few weeks ago. I snatched a copy up right away. Although I don't remember seeing a Gamecube version at any time....

[Duncan]

According to a Nintendo sales rep: The GameCube Preview Disc is strictly not for sale, regardless of the fact that its UPC scans for $9.99. I'm waiting to see if my store sends the few remainders back for credit at the end of this promotion, or if we're simply going to keep them around like usual. We only received 10 anyway...

Also, I'd expect that the Zelda: Ocarina of Time bonus disc (which was distributed in about the same quantities, and with the same "don't sell it separately" stipulation) would be kinda uncommon.

Which brings me to another issue -- how common are the PS2 Jampacks and Xbox Exhibition discs? I don't normally buy these (because of the monthly PS Underground releases), but I'm wondering if they're particularly limited. (My first guess is "no"... :) )

Duncan :D

[AB Positive]

I know I made a thread about it but I guess it should be mentioned here.

It seems that Ultimate Muscle is hard to find nowadays, however it was recently released. It could be that the first print run sold well and they're trying to hurry up for a second printing. But it's info I thought whoever does this rarity list should know.

-AG

[Duncan]

Don't think it's nessassarily rare, but I've had trouble finding boulder's gate for GC and xbox....PS2 is all over....maybe uncommon for GC and Xbox?


Best Buy just had it on sale for the 'Box for $10 just a few weeks ago. I snatched a copy up right away. Although I don't remember seeing a Gamecube version at any time....

I don't think I've ever seen Baldur's Gate for the GC...but then, I wasn't really looking for it either. Not my kind of game, generally.

Which for some reason reminds me...I grabbed the last copies I could find of 18-Wheeler and Wave Race (both for GC), and haven't seen either since. :/

Duncan :D

[Trellisaze]

Rez (Not Rare)
*Reissued as a "Greatest Hits" title.*
$none$


For real? When did this happen?

[digitpress Jim]

Hi Charlie,here is one PS2 game that I think is getting harder and harder to come by "Mtv Music Generator 2"I know the first one on PSX is. :D

[Scoots]

I saw one copy of Rez for $50 and a couple of Suikoden 3's for the same price at Circuit City in Mass this weekend.

[Starcade]

May wanna check out Shadow Hearts for PS2, I bought it at release, I havent seen it ANYWHERE since though, kinda slipped under the radar I reckon. :(

Edit: May wanna toss Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland on there also, god this game sucks, i bought it, sold it, and now I feel like an idiot as I cant find it anywhere :(

[nellwyn5]

I've heard a rumor that Konami will be doing another pressing of Suikoden III since they realized that demand for it is pretty strong. I know that right now the distribution was pretty small, but it will probably only wind up an uncommon in the future.

[Starcade]

They did do another press run :(

[Scoots]

Is Rez really going to be a Greatest Hits release? I haven't seen any mention of it anywhere, but I still see the regular version going for $50 or so pretty frequently.

[Queen Of The Felines]

Edit: May wanna toss Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland on there also, god this game sucks, i bought it, sold it, and now I feel like an idiot as I cant find it anywhere :(

There's still a ton at the Toys R Us out by me. It was even part of the "buy-one-get-one" deal a few weeks ago.

Kristine

[Starcade]

Darn, I can't find any around here, do you mind telling me how much they are asking for a copy?