Retro video game collecting has exploded since the pandemic, with sealed and graded games reaching auction prices that rival fine art.
The Big Three Consoles
NES/SNES: Nintendo titles dominate. Sealed copies of Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Mega Man command five-figure prices. Even loose cartridges of rare titles like Little Samson or Flintstones: Surprise at Dinosaur Peak sell for $1,000+.
Nintendo 64: Sealed N64 games are increasingly scarce. Conker's Bad Fur Day, Harvest Moon 64, and Snowboard Kids 2 are among the most valuable.
PlayStation/PS2: The sleeping giant. Rare PS1 titles like Suikoden II, Valkyrie Profile, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night are steadily climbing.
Grading Video Games
WATA and VGA are the two main grading companies. WATA grades sealed games on a 100-point scale, while VGA uses a similar system. Grading adds significant value but is only worthwhile for sealed copies.