Earthbound....should I pick it up now, or will the price go down?

[ZombieK]

How can it be one of your favorite games of all time, and you don't own it.

iv been holding off on the chance that I might find it in the wild but it has never happened.
Im just gonna buy it and resell the other when i find it in the wild.

[Shingetter]

Thanks for the link.

Indeed, that is a fun site.

[Cobra Commander]

People keep saying that this isn't the end all be all of RPG's or even Nintendo games. People say it's over-rated. It's only so pricey because of hype and whatnot.
Well, I'd like someone to show me of an example of a truly rare RPG that's not due to hype, that's a truly great game to play.
Personally, I think Earthbound is a textbook example of a valuable game.
I remember I got this game as a Christmas gift back when there was a pile of them at Wal-Mart for $20.
Maybe I just made my own point.

[DonMarco]

The Earthbound strategy guide also holds a fair chunk of value, going for anywhere between $40-80 on eBay. Something to keep in mind if faced with the choice of getting just the game and getting the guide with the guide. So in a way, it might be cheaper for you to buy them both at once, then just flip the guide. I've done the opposite of that a few times- buy them both and then sell the game/box/instructions but not the guide. Currently, I have three copies of the Earthbound guides and only one game cart.

As for the game...

It's a genuinely great game. The "real world" "down to earth" "welcoming" and "comfortable" aesthetics of it are not something you see in RPGs normally. Your parents are still alive, you don't get a sword on your 16th birthday, your home town isn't burned to the ground, and the fate of humanity isn't weighing on your shoulders the whole game. Between the relaxed feeling, music, and nostalgia, a lot of gamers will never let go of their first copy. With the value and rarity a lot of collectors will never part with their own copies.

It's amazing that Nintendo would let this brad wither away, given that Earthbound sold poorly 15 years ago and might do well in the modern gaming climate.

In fact! You might say that releasing such a "casual" RPG would be a good idea. Maybe start introducing a lot of casual gamers on the Wii or DS to video games that are easy to get in to and quite enjoyable. We could call this "casual gaming" and embrace a market that's been ignored up to now! Brilliant!!

[fahlim003]

Would've, should've, could've, didn't...

EarthBound is a game I've liked to buy for years but I've always thought it was too expensive, even at the $30 about 7 years ago. Now it's price is ridiculous and while I'd still like to have an original cartridge, manufacturing my own and or booting it up via a flash cartridge make far, far more sense.

If I ever find a copy for around $50 or less I'll probably get it, but until (if ever) it gets rereleased in English it won't drop in price so stick to flash carts or repros, that's my advice.

[kupomogli]

Sealed and graded for $2000. Who wants to bet that's a reseal with the game and strategy guide not included?

[AWinterFuneral]

Do it! Don't think about it, just DO IT.

[Kyle15]

Sealed and graded for $2000. Who wants to bet that's a reseal with the game and strategy guide not included?

Does the seller say that the game is "factory sealed?" If so, and I'm sure you know this already, Earthbound did not come sealed. At all. :/
With that in mind, anything could be in there.

[kupomogli]

Nevermind. Above he says all the games are new and sealed or in mint new condition. Below that he states that it's never had a seal. My mistake.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Earthbound-Super...eo_Games_Games

Also. This seller is pretty unlucky here, but the person who won the bidding was very lucky. A CIB Earthbound for $90.

http://cgi.ebay.com/EarthBound-Super...ge_Video_Games

[Malon_Forever]

I ended up getting a copy on ebay for $67 shipped. Hurray! Label has a tiny piece ripped on the top label, but I don't care.

[Edmond Dantes]

I used to have a copy of this, but I made the stupid stupid STUPID decision to sell it.

I still kick myself to this day. If I ever get it back I am NOT letting it go.

If anyone has a copy they wouldn't mind getting rid of--I don't care what's wrong with it as long as the game and save battery actually work--lemme know.

Chrono Trigger was another game I had this problem with, but I solved it by intentionally going after copies with worn labels.

[skaar]

This looked like a good thread to bump this with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EarthBound-S...ht_1216wt_1185

[understatement]

There’s GOLD in them there circuit boards!

[Mayhem]

Sheesh... that's the most expensive loose Earthbound I think I've seen...

[treismac]

Damn! That copy of Earthbound is up to $187.50 plus $7 for shipping with less than an hour to go. Note to self: sell super rare games on ebay a week before Christmas.

EDIT: Also, I wouldn't want a big flippin' scratch mark on the front label for that much money.

[Rickstilwell1]

After Christmas is a good time too. All the people that got money as a gift.

[Glitch695]

It could be a seasonal case of throwing money at that thing you always wanted as your own Christmas gift and not feeling guilty, but I think you'll have to wait until maybe a month or two after Christmas, when all the Christmas cash has been spent, to see if this is a temporary flux or the new average price.

[Casati]

Get it "now", meaning within the next year, but wait until the Ebay buying season, May through September, when most everyone is too busy playing outdoors to watch Ebay auctions (and after tax refund season).

[dra600n]

It could be a seasonal case of throwing money at that thing you always wanted as your own Christmas gift and not feeling guilty, but I think you'll have to wait until maybe a month or two after Christmas, when all the Christmas cash has been spent, to see if this is a temporary flux or the new average price.

That's what people said last year, and the price didn't drop at all. I got my copy for $100 in September, when the average price was $120 or so, and now it looks like it's averaging that the $150 mark. Unfortunately, it's just a gamble at this point in time, so you may pay more than you need to now (and less later), or more later if you don't pull the trigger now.

[Gameguy]

I'm just waiting to find it in the wild, it's not that rare and copies will eventually turn up if I keep looking.