jbs726 (8/5/2009)

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Starting Lineups, the sports figures, are the biggest flop to me. They were big time collectibles for more than ten years and then...crash 95% of them are worthless. I know collectors who had thousands invested in these things and they'd be lucky to get 10 cents on the dollar now.

hadokenchild (5/4/2009)

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As long as the games were produced in decent numbers then yes. They, like movies and music, slowly decrease in value till the sequel shows up then it drops quickly about a year later. The rare times a game goes up in value, or becomes highly sought after is either:

1- When the game is a cult hit and picks up steam at the end of the console's life cycle thus making it more popular then when it was still on store shelves.

2- Controversy controversy controversy. Some content in a few titles can get the game pulled or even banned. Thus triggering a mad rush to find the "naughty" version before the cleaned up copy makes it to store shelves. Pornographic titles (in cartridge format) can get a bit pricey due to shock value and rarity.

3- Sometimes when a console is on its last legs, publishers dial down production and only make smaller numbers of copies in anticipation of the next generation or they're folding up shop for good. This event, when coupled with reason #1, can singlehandedly destroy your wallet. Those of us looking to obtain the US release of Panzer Dragoon Saga for the Sega Saturn ($125- to $160-) know this very well.

4- Something that has been happening with high profile titles in recent years is premature release. Some store have put a game on their shelves up to 3 days earlier or more. This always gets some people to sell off their advanced copy and sucker some impatient sap to pay through the nose.

5- Back in the 70's and a few times in the 80's, some developers sent out beta or pre-release copies to publishers. These on occasion get released out into the wild via trade or garage sale. These titles due to their rarity, can get expensive to try to acquire, even being worth more than their street legal counterparts were brand new.

Any one of these will happen during a console's lifespan but it would be less then a handful. Collectors and addicts. like me, amass our catalog mostly due to the nostalgia and fun factor of games. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking to profit from it tho. For me the most useless of collecting hobbies are ones where you but into it, but then store it somewhere and never touch it hoping it goes up in value, only to find years later everything you have is worthless.

Construx: better then legos. [w00t]

NDPsycho (9/11/2009)

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I'm also a video game collector and have bought/sold more games than I can remember. I'd have to add a few other items to your list which have been pretty profitable for me.

6- RPG's hold their value and often increase in value. This is more true if it is part of a long standing franchise, but even niche titles do well.

7- Limited editions, not collector or special editions, but limited editions. Bioshock LE comes to mind.

8- Sealed/New games from older generations. I have made 3-4x the original MSRP on sealed RPG's from older generations.

9- Shmup's (vertical/horizontal scrolling shooters) have considerable value. Imports lead the pack if they haven't been released domestically.

That being said, it's like any other collection. Don't expect to get rich, just buy what you like. It's tough to say what will or won't increase in value.

Robbie (9/11/2009)

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I bought the SNES version of Might & Magic a few weeks ago. Lots of people bidding on RPGs. Maybe it's laid off people who finally have time to finish the game?

I think games being unloadable from Wii, xbox, etc will make people want the original carts, but not to play, and the premium for sealed will increase.