Stock up on the things you want now, folks. We are about to play musical chairs with an angry gorilla.
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SNES Game Collecting (Tips, discussion, and info for like minded collectors)
- Thread starter DidntKnowJack
- Start date
Stock up on the things you want now, folks. We are about to play musical chairs with an angry gorilla.
FFS, Im already spending WAAAY too much on my retro games collection. I havent even purchased many of the really heavy hitters like EVO or Hagane yet. And thats just my SNES collection.
And this is why Flashcarts seem to be so popular, I want to have a full collection(of the games I want) but there's just no way to justify it most of the time, it's a real shame and I just don't see any end to this bubble.
At least the hardware to play it on hasn't gotten bad yet(unless you count the nes or stuff like gamecube component cables)
These retro systems and games are going to be online only. I don't think the exposure is as great as you think it will be.
D.Lo
Member
Retro flash carts really are not very popular. It's very much a specialist market, only known by people who frequent forums like this or Sega 16 or Famicom World etc.
And it can't be a bubble (in the real-estate/comics sense), because there is a fixed/diminishing volume of stock, forever. Certain items may go out of fashion (N64 might be reaching its zenith), but I can't see the market overall ever crashing, just pricing people out.
your probably right on the flash carts, since I'm mostly on these boards along with my friends I get a bit of an echo chamber effect.
While I agree that there probably won't be a comic style crash(should have used a better term there) I keep thinking/hoping that the market will have to come down some at some point, even now it feels like alot of people are either starting too or already priced out of alot of games and will move on to something else. I will admit it may very well be wishful thinking on my part.
Wait, how is that different from comics? They stop printing those too, you know. There are current comics, just like there are current games. People new to the hobby learn about the history and want to buy the old stuff just like always, except it's not a popular fad anymore and prices have dropped across the board for most comics because of it.
D.Lo
Member
Not for the actually valuable, actually rare comics.
The thing that crashed were the millions of 'special edition covers' and 'Zero issues' and all that crap (the games equivalent would be the 'limited edition' Halo Helmet editions etc) You'll pay more for early Spider-man or Action comics now then you would at the height of the boom.
Oh, I agree with that. The real rare stuff will always be expensive. There's still a bubble that will burst, though, almost exactly like the comics industry in the '90s.
GameStop has a very limited amount of available space. Their stores are small and they have to have fully stocked walls of games for modern systems, and they have a very, very limited amount of space behind the counter and in the back room. They simply do not have the room to accommodate a massive influx of retro games into their stores. Even now, the tiny stock rooms of GameStops are so overflowing that systems are routinely stored in employee bathrooms.
D.Lo
Member
That would be more like people buying up limited edition PS3 games or whatever though, thinking they will someday be worth as much as a mint Chrono Trigger. Now this does happen (see pick-up threads for people buying inflated price limited editions of new games on eBay, thinking of it as an investment). And that will crash - too many copies, and nobody gives a shit about your GTA4 figurine car edition now, and never will again.
Similarly, people bought 'Death of Superman' thinking it would be as valuable as Action Comics #1 in 50 years. It's worth like maybe cover price + inflation (guessing based on some stuff I've looked up), vs Action Comics #1 being the price of a house.
The important thing is that the fad will move on, 12 year old youtube kids' collections will be back in circulation and less people will be looking for games overall. That all means lower prices.
Look, dont get me wrong. I hope youre are correct but IF retro games sales do well enough, they will find room. Its business. Over the years ive seen everything from movie dvds, action figures, tablets, mp3 players, and whatever else GS deems worthy for space in their store. Its been acouple of years since I was last in one but I can only imagine what random thin they currently have managed to carbe out some space for.
Part of this is their success in the Exclusive Xenoblade and Prime Fusion prints they've been getting direct. I assume they've tasted what people will pay for "rare games" and want more of the pie. Those games are in store, and you'd better believe at some point that they'll have a glass case on the front counter with Super Mario World and Chronotrigger.
Guys, I used to work at a GameStop for years. My very first thought when I saw GameStop was going to sell retro games was "how are they going to do that? they don't have room." That of course was before I heard they were making it online only, and suddenly it made sense.
Big glass cases are bulky and take up valuable floor space. Carts are big bulky things and so storing them behind the counter or in glass cases just takes up a shitton of room. We had enough trouble trying to store all the dumb little discs from the modern games behind the counter, nevermind carts that take up 5 times as much room per game.
They can't just move things around because floor space is at an extreme premium. They need enough floor space to both sell all of their existing product AND enough free space to walk around in to accommodate the big crowds they get at launch events and Christmas-time.
While retro game prices are going up, the market on modern consoles is still infinitely larger and more profitable per unit sold. There's no way that GameStop is going to sacrifice any store space of their modern stuff in order to accommodate a much smaller market.
desk_jockey
Neo Member
Actually, no, I cant really recommend it, unless you get it cheap. Its an average to below average platformer. There are so many better ones to spend time and money on.
desk_jockey
Neo Member
sixteen-bit
Member
Plok? More like Schlock, amirite?
The big question is: what's actually going to be in those collections? If they are in such mass quantity, maybe things like Mario 3 and Zelda will snap back down, but I don't think a lot of that particular type of collector has a ton of the things (Neo-Geo, Saturn, rare PCE / TG16) that can re-saturate the market and drive down prices.
BOOM. TAKE THAT EUROPEAN PLATFORMERS.
Yes, absolutely.
desk_jockey
Neo Member
%100 correct.
Buy it cheap, tolerate the game play for one of the best SNES soundtracks ever.
http://youtu.be/3ODKKILZiYY
http://youtu.be/3ODKKILZiYY
I think Gamestop's re-entry into retro consoles is a bad thing. Since you're buying the games online, you won't get a good look at them before you buy them. I can't imagine them giving photos of the exact item at multiple angles like a good eBay seller would do. They'll probably just have a stock image of the game. This won't be good for any person who wants their games in really nice condition.
And having this option will mean that some games will flow into the Gamestop system instead of local resellers or eBay, where buying high-quality games would be much less of a gamble.
And having this option will mean that some games will flow into the Gamestop system instead of local resellers or eBay, where buying high-quality games would be much less of a gamble.
I'll be willing to bet that they start re-printing labels that are damaged. That might actually be worse.
blast processed
Member
Wonder how or if they'll even clean the contacts or change batteries. Anyway, I see Jimmy, Billy Bob and Peggy Sue walking in together to trade their family christmas gift from 92, a CIB copy of Sonic 2 and getting $3.00. Gamestop will then turn around and sell it for $39.99. I see no good in this.
Is a reprinted label worse than a severely damaged original label? I was wondering that as I've been seeing new labels for SNES games appearing on eBay.
I don't personally have an issue with them, but a lot of collectors would prefer a damaged label to one that isn't original.
Re-reading the original announcement, by the way:
https://games.yahoo.com/news/gamestop-start-buying-selling-retro-134500411.html
It does sound like they will be selling things in-store.
RadarScope1
Member
Indeed. My 12-year-old nephew is starting a SNES collection. Just for reference (and to make you feel old), he was born two years into the PS2 life cycle and more than a decade after the SNES came out in the US. It's not just nostalgia driving this. He's also getting into GameBoy and Genesis stuff.
IrishNinja
Member
i wanna have "HE OWNED A CIB PLOK" written on Mzo's grave
also someone post that crazy Plok review, it's time again
also someone post that crazy Plok review, it's time again
sixteen-bit
Member
theSlacker
Member
This is what I fear. That and tossing out boxes and extras since that is a common thing they do as well.
This is terrible news.
IrishNinja
Member
my take on the current "retro" scene burning down at GS or others' hands
thinly-veiled american propaganda
simply sensational
thinly-veiled american propaganda
simply sensational
I'm cautiously optimistic about the prospect of GS stocking retro games, but not really expecting much. Chances are if GS does end up stocking NES and SNES games in their stores it's just gonna be a bunch of Bases Loaded and NHL 95 and Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt and Top Gun. I'd be very surprised if they stocked games better/more rare than Super Mario World and DKC. If anything the most I hope for is being able to buy some fillers for my collection at decent prices, the thought of buying a Panic Restaurant or something, for any price, is way beyond a pipe dream.
Although to be honest I don't think I'll buy anything from them at all, simply because I don't really like supporting them as a business. Certainly will never trade in any retro games or systems there, duplicates or not(I often trade in duplicates to local shops).
Although to be honest I don't think I'll buy anything from them at all, simply because I don't really like supporting them as a business. Certainly will never trade in any retro games or systems there, duplicates or not(I often trade in duplicates to local shops).
One of the local chain retro stores here prices their Gamecube/PS2 stuff based on gamestop's database that still lists games at prices from 5 years ago or so. IE: you get games like super smash melee for $19.99, or Rule of Rose for $16.99.
I sure hope this doesn't mean that gamestop is gonna update their online database.
SeventhSon
Member
my take on the current "retro" scene burning down at GS or others' hands
We'll send in secret agent Chris-Chan to disrupt their plans.
IrishNinja
Member
i understand that reference.gif
Jonneh3003
Banned
For anyone interested in playing NES games on their Super Nintendo i just reviewed the RetroPort by Retro-Bit and it's surprisingly great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Mn50DA2Hs
Define "surprisingly great" for me though. I see a NES on a chip that can only output composite.
I saw a video of someone using the Retro Port in one of the RetroDuo Portables. Even the RetroGen, Retro Advance, and Super GameBoy worked in that handheld. Seemed most convenient. One handheld that can play all of the retro formats. One handheld to rule them all.
Jonneh3003
Banned
It is extremely affordable for what it is and is close to being on par with an actual NES
PumpkinSpice
Banned
Considering getting better than composite on an actual NES means buying and installing NESRGB only having composite isn't so bad. Having a separate video output kinda sucks but I understand why.
So I'm sure this has been beaten to death by people in this thread already, but I'm going to mention it. I did my major rush for SNES collecting about six or so years ago now. A lot of the key Nintendo stuff I already had, but there were other various releases like Turtles In Time, Captain Commando, Yoshi's Island, Super Punch-Out, Actraiser, etc that I didn't have and still wanted.
At that time paying $20+ for a cartridge only copy of a SNES game was madness to me, and I live in Canada. That being said I stocked up on almost everything I wanted (still don't have Aladdin, Batman Returns, Contra 3, or Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers) and called it a day.
I'd been hearing that prices on SNES had started to skyrocket so I figured I'd do some searching and see what's up. HOLY CRAP the prices have taken a MAJOR jump. I could grab Turtles In Time for like $20 online back when I was doing my collecting. Now I see it going for $60 cartridge only. The Mega Man games, which were pricey at the best of times have gone to levels of insanity I cannot fathom.
My point is...it's rough for those of you who are just getting started, or still have some key pieces you want to pick up. I'm glad I got it out of the way when I did...yikes.
Not so glad I let a complete, mint copy of Earthbound for $125 slip through my grasp back then. Still kicking myself in the ass over that.
At that time paying $20+ for a cartridge only copy of a SNES game was madness to me, and I live in Canada. That being said I stocked up on almost everything I wanted (still don't have Aladdin, Batman Returns, Contra 3, or Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers) and called it a day.
I'd been hearing that prices on SNES had started to skyrocket so I figured I'd do some searching and see what's up. HOLY CRAP the prices have taken a MAJOR jump. I could grab Turtles In Time for like $20 online back when I was doing my collecting. Now I see it going for $60 cartridge only. The Mega Man games, which were pricey at the best of times have gone to levels of insanity I cannot fathom.
My point is...it's rough for those of you who are just getting started, or still have some key pieces you want to pick up. I'm glad I got it out of the way when I did...yikes.
Not so glad I let a complete, mint copy of Earthbound for $125 slip through my grasp back then. Still kicking myself in the ass over that.
NormalFish
Banned
isn't there something similar for GBA games?
sixteen-bit
Member
blast processed
Member
lol
$2,200
$2,200