Why are Super Nintendo and regular Nintendo game still more expensive than Playstation One games?
When I look to buy/sell games, it always seems that I can get or get basically nothing for the Playstation One games. But the 8-bit and 16-bit games are still mostly over a game.
5 Responses to “Why are Super Nintendo and regular Nintendo game still more expensive than Playstation One games?”
By TStodden on Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
It pretty much depends on what games you’re looking at. I know some PS1 games (like Final Fantasy series) can cost upwards to $80 ($20 per disc, 4 disc for the game). On the flipside, some very common NES/SNES games can go for as little as $1.
The NES & SNES game cartridges are usually a bit more durable than the CD’s. NES & SNES games can be dropped, tossed, exposed to fairly extreme temperatures (above 100 or below 32), scratched up & still work.
For PS1 games (as well as other discs), one bad scratch (or a group of scratches) can KO’ed the game & some games require multiple discs, so losing one disc can make the game unplayable as well. Finally, PS1 discs CAN be copied with the right equipment / software… so it can be difficult to know if the game / disc you’re buying is legit or not (ask for photographs).
NES & SNES systems usually have fairly high quality for games as well as the retro quality. The PS1 tends have a good number of low-quality games for it as well as having an extended market life (as it was still alive during the life of the PS2) that tended to hurt the resale value of those games.
Again, there are some exceptions both ways….
Sports games, regardless of system, always lose value as they age. Nobody wants to play Madden ’93 (SNES) when you have Madden ’08 (MultiPlatform) to play with.
RPG’s usually carry high values regardless of age. RPG’s are usually harder to find & those who have them tend to hold onto them. The only exception to this is Dragon Warrior I (NES) as 3 million copies were given away as a promotion, which flooded the market for this game.
"Cult games" (like Earthbound) tend to bounce back up once the cult status is established in the gaming community (usually with the creation of a strong fan site).
That’s about it… I hope that gives you an insight to the retro gaming marketplace!
By titin266 on Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
cartridges cost more to make then discs, so they hold there value longer.
By James on Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
The 8 bit and 16 bit games are from a previous era of 2d gaming (vs. ps1 which is less powerful version of current 3d erea), which makes them more collectible in the eyes of many people. There is a nostalgia factor so to speak.
By AleSmith on Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
It really depends on the game aside from the greater cost of cartridges. SNES games like Chrono Trigger, Ogre Battle, and Final Fantasy 6 can easily net you $60 with box and instructions while on the Playstation Suikoden 2 was going for well over $100 last time I checked. Most generic games for either system should be pretty cheap though, especially sports games, but if the game was a limited run or highly sought after title then it’s price will get driven up by collectors and overall demand.
By Kamran S on Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
There much more famous than the ps1 i think