You found a box of old Nintendo and PlayStation games in your attic and you're wondering if they're worth real money or just nostalgia. Some vintage and retro video games now sell for hundreds or even tens of thousands of dollars, but most are worth far less than you might hope. This guide explains how to quickly check what your old video games might be worth, the key factors that drive value, and when it makes sense to get a professional appraisal for insurance or legal purposes.
Quick Answer: Most old video games are worth $5-50, but rare titles in excellent condition can be worth hundreds or thousands. The value depends on condition, rarity, completeness, and current market demand.
Whether you have a single rare cartridge or an entire collection, you'll know exactly what to do next by the end of this article.
The video game collecting market has exploded over the past decade, driven by nostalgia and the realization that many childhood favorites are becoming genuinely scarce. Unlike modern games that exist in digital formats forever, physical cartridges and discs from the 1980s through early 2000s represent a finite supply that shrinks over time.
Collectors and investors now treat certain video games like vintage baseball cards or rare books. The key difference between sentimental value and actual market value comes down to what other people are willing to pay right now, not what the game meant to you personally.
The most valuable games typically combine three elements: they're old enough to be nostalgic, rare enough to be hard to find, and popular enough that multiple collectors want them. Think of it like a three-legged stool - remove any leg and the value often collapses.
Before you get excited about potential treasure, you need to identify exactly what you have and research recent sale prices. Here's the systematic approach professional appraisers use:
Step 1: Identify the exact game, edition, and region. Look for the complete title, gaming system, region code (like NTSC-U for North America), and any special edition markings. A "Player's Choice" reprint of a Nintendo game is worth much less than the original black-label version.
Step 2: Evaluate the condition and completeness. Is it just the cartridge or disc (called "loose"), or do you have the original box and manual (called "complete in box" or CIB)? Sealed games in their original shrink wrap command premium prices, while loose cartridges are typically worth the least.
Step 3: Research recent sold prices, not asking prices. Check completed auctions on eBay, recent sales on specialty sites like PriceCharting, and auction house results. What someone is asking for a game tells you nothing - what someone actually paid tells you everything.
Step 4: Adjust for your specific condition. If the comparable sales show a game in excellent condition selling for $100, but yours has label damage or doesn't work properly, expect significantly less.
Step 5: Consider getting a professional appraisal for high-value items. If your research suggests a game might be worth more than $500, or if you need documentation for insurance or legal purposes, a certified appraisal provides the credibility that casual price checking cannot.
Professional appraisers evaluate vintage video games using several specific criteria that casual sellers often overlook. Understanding these factors helps you set realistic expectations and identify which games in your collection deserve the most attention.
Condition affects everything. A game that doesn't work is essentially worthless unless it's extremely rare. Beyond functionality, cosmetic condition matters enormously. Labels that are torn, faded, or missing can cut value by 50% or more. For disc-based games, scratches that affect gameplay are deal-breakers.
Age alone doesn't create value. While older games have more potential to be valuable, millions of common titles from the 1980s and 1990s are still worth very little. What matters is the combination of age and scarcity - how many copies were made and how many survive in good condition today.
Market Reality Check: A common misconception is that all old Nintendo games are valuable. In reality, popular titles like Super Mario Bros. or Pac-Man sold millions of copies and remain relatively affordable unless they're in exceptional condition.
Platform and franchise recognition drive demand. Nintendo games typically hold value better than less popular systems. Iconic franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, and Final Fantasy have dedicated collector bases willing to pay premium prices, much like how collectible toys and action figures from popular franchises maintain their value.
Understanding the video game market requires looking at specific examples of what actually sells for significant money. These cases illustrate why seemingly similar games can have wildly different values.
Record-breaking sales represent the absolute peak of the market. A sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. sold for over $100,000 in 2021, but this was an exceptional case involving perfect condition, professional grading, and auction house marketing. Most copies of the same game sell for $20-100 depending on condition.
Pokémon games consistently perform well because they combine nostalgia, ongoing franchise popularity, and the fact that many original copies were heavily played and damaged. A complete copy of Pokémon Red or Blue in excellent condition typically sells for $100-300, while loose cartridges might bring $30-60.
Limited production runs create genuine rarity. Games like Stadium Events for NES or certain Nintendo World Championship cartridges are valuable because very few were made. However, be extremely cautious of reproduction cartridges that look similar to valuable originals.
The key lesson is that condition and completeness can make the difference between a $20 game and a $200 game, even for the same title.
ConditionTypical Value ImpactExample: Pokémon RedLoose cartridge, good conditionBase value$40-60Complete in box, good condition2-3x loose value$120-180Sealed, gradeable condition3-5x+ loose value$200-400+
Most people checking their old games' value just want to know if they should sell them on eBay or keep them in storage. However, certain situations require a formal, USPAP-compliant appraisal from a certified professional rather than casual price research.
Insurance coverage is the most common reason for professional video game appraisals. If you have a collection worth more than your homeowner's policy covers for collectibles (often just $1,000-2,500), you need documented values to add them to a scheduled personal property rider, similar to how valuable memorabilia and collectibles require proper documentation.
Legal situations always require certified appraisals. Estate settlements, divorce proceedings, charitable donations, and business asset valuations must use appraisers with proper credentials and methodology that courts and the IRS will accept.
The difference between looking up prices online and getting a professional appraisal is like the difference between checking your home's value on Zillow versus getting it appraised for a mortgage. One gives you a rough idea, the other provides legally defensible documentation.
Professional Tip: If your collection's total value exceeds $5,000, consider getting it professionally appraised every 3-5 years. Video game values can change significantly as market conditions shift.
What professional appraisals include that casual valuations don't: detailed condition documentation, authenticity verification, market analysis with comparable sales, and a formal report that insurance companies and legal entities will accept. Understanding the difference between an appraisal and a valuation is crucial when determining which service you need.
Getting your vintage video games properly valued - whether through your own research or professional appraisal - protects you from both overestimating worthless items and undervaluing genuine treasures. The key is matching your approach to your actual needs, whether that's satisfying curiosity, making informed selling decisions, or protecting valuable assets with proper insurance coverage.
Most old games won't make you rich, but understanding their true value helps you make smart decisions about what to keep, sell, or protect. When in doubt, start with your own research and escalate to professional help for items that prove genuinely valuable.
Start by identifying the exact game title, platform, and edition, then check recent sold prices on eBay and price guides like PriceCharting. For high-value items or when you need documentation for insurance or legal purposes, consult a certified appraiser who can provide a USPAP-compliant report that insurance companies and courts will accept.
Consider a professional appraisal when individual games may be worth $500 or more, when your collection exceeds $5,000 in total value, or when you need formal documentation for insurance coverage, estate planning, divorce proceedings, or charitable donations. Professional appraisals provide the credibility that casual price checking cannot offer for legal and financial purposes.
Games become valuable through a combination of rarity, condition, and demand. Factory-sealed games, complete-in-box titles from popular franchises like Mario or Pokémon, limited production runs, and professionally graded items often command premium prices. Even common games can be valuable if they're in exceptional condition or have special provenance.
Online price guides like PriceCharting and eBay sold listings are excellent for general value estimates, but they're not sufficient for insurance claims, estate planning, or legal proceedings. Professional appraisals provide detailed condition documentation, market analysis, and formal reports that meet USPAP standards required by insurance companies, courts, and the IRS.
