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SNES Game Collecting (Tips, discussion, and info for like minded collectors)

The 10-year-olds of 1992 are now 30 and starting to have some disposable income. Instead of collecting comic books or baseball cards like baby boomers, they're collecting videogames.

Yep. I know a couple of people who I only consider as casual gamers who have started getting into SNES stuff specifically in the last year.

Going to show this off one more time on here, because I love to. I have another friend who doesn't give a fuck about SNES (really into N64 though). He was home from the air force back in november and pulled this shit out a box in his mothers garage and gave it to me:

kgAya.jpg


And thus my SNES collection was born. Pretty amazing haul for the price of $0.
 
Dat Super Mario RPG.

Yeah. I couldn't believe it. Replayed that and played FF3 for the first time ever. I pretty much haven't stopped playing SNES since. Between that all and scoring a free Chrono Trigger, I feel like I've had a good last couple months of collecting.
 

GulAtiCa

Member
Btw, does anyone know of any converters or adapters that will allow me to play a PAL SNES game on a NTSC SNES system? Or so I need to actually have a PAL system?
 

Bog

Junior Ace
Earthbound carts have jumped in price a good 15-20% in the last MONTH. It's insane.
 
I need to find a good working mouse and get Mario paint. Always loved it as a kid.

I was lucky enough to find my copy a few months ago. Was in its box with the mouse and pad and other stuff. For some reason it still had all the plastic bags and Nintendo Power subscription leaflets and shit, but not the instruction booklet.
 

Parallacs

Member
I need to find a good working mouse and get Mario paint. Always loved it as a kid.

YES this is the ultimate in relaxation. I just did "Father Abraham" from Exodus for the NES (I have no idea why that song is on there). It is so hilarious. I also do Megaman songs from time to time.

The mice are fairly easy to find, at least in the US. I got mine with the game for a dollar at a swap meet but have seen them tons of times since then. I don't have the mousepad though.
 

Foxix Von

Member
Hahah I had no idea Demon's Crest was so valuable. I was browsing around a used game store a few weeks ago and saw it for $25 bucks and thought that was a little pricey. Anyway I just went back and it was still there. It's in great shape too. Not sure whether I should keep it or flip it =/
 
My collection isn't terrible, but it could be better. Lucked out with MMX 2 & 3, as a decade or so ago my little bro was working at a movie rental joint that was clearing out its SNES stock, and he bagged them for me. A few copies of CT & FFIII....but I remember getting FFIV.

It was my junior year (1995) in high school, and I was on a trip in DC for a youth leadership forum. We toured the Pentagon, and then hit a mall (the name escapes me) for lunch. I hit the game store because that's what I do.

There she was. $60, and I plunked down cash for that bad boy faster than I should have....because I was broke the rest of the trip. It was worth it, and I've still got that cart/box/manual.
 

terrisus

Member
The SNES mouse is interesting in that there are a number of other games that use it aside from Mario Paint which people don't seem to give as much thought to. ACME Animation Factory is another obvious one, but then there's also other stuff like Lord of the Rings: Volume 1 (which has always struck me as a funny name for the game, since, while it matches up with the book, they never made future volumes of it for SNES, so it just kind of stands out strangely for the game name) is one other in particular that I've used it with.
 
Hahah I had no idea Demon's Crest was so valuable. I was browsing around a used game store a few weeks ago and saw it for $25 bucks and thought that was a little pricey. Anyway I just went back and it was still there. It's in great shape too. Not sure whether I should keep it or flip it =/

Fuck, that's awesome. That and Earthbound are the first two games I want to get when I start my new job and have more money to blow.


I need to find a good working mouse and get Mario paint. Always loved it as a kid.

PrePlayed in Madison Wisconsin had one with the game for $10. Looked good, don't know if it really works or not. They aren't that expensive on ebay either.
 

eXistor

Member
So what's the most you guys have spent on a SNES game? For me it would probably be FF3 which I paid around 800 SEK for CIB. Back then that was around €70 or so. I generally don't buy such expensive games but it seems that I have to start doing that soon with how all the prices seem to go up...

Earthbound. I bought one CiB and mint condition about 7 years ago for about $220,-. It was a lot of money, but the game turned into my favorite game of all time (alongside Super Metroid), so it was worth it. Seeing how much it goes for now further softens the blow :)
 

inner-G

Banned
The SNES mouse is interesting in that there are a number of other games that use it aside from Mario Paint which people don't seem to give as much thought to. ACME Animation Factory is another obvious one, but then there's also other stuff like Lord of the Rings: Volume 1 (which has always struck me as a funny name for the game, since, while it matches up with the book, they never made future volumes of it for SNES, so it just kind of stands out strangely for the game name) is one other in particular that I've used it with.
I believe it works for Vegas Stakes too. (Awesome cheezy casino game, BTW)
 
Hahah I had no idea Demon's Crest was so valuable. I was browsing around a used game store a few weeks ago and saw it for $25 bucks and thought that was a little pricey. Anyway I just went back and it was still there. It's in great shape too. Not sure whether I should keep it or flip it =/
Sell it to me for $50 :p
I've wanted that game since before it was released (thanks Nintendo power ads) but never picked it up. Now I'm afraid it's too late. Blah.
 

Tex117

Banned
Yep. I know a couple of people who I only consider as casual gamers who have started getting into SNES stuff specifically in the last year.

Going to show this off one more time on here, because I love to. I have another friend who doesn't give a fuck about SNES (really into N64 though). He was home from the air force back in november and pulled this shit out a box in his mothers garage and gave it to me:

kgAya.jpg


And thus my SNES collection was born. Pretty amazing haul for the price of $0.

How the eff did you get all my games? Seriously, this is almost identical to my collection.
 
I'm going to have to go for it at some point, despite the cost.

Same here. Just played the NES one for the first time and really liked it. I found a copy for $135, but the sticker was a littler torn up. It's the same place I talked about earlier that doesn't change prices based on condition, so hoping some day they get another copy in better condition, since that is sadly a good price these days.
 

Linkhero1

Member
Hahah I had no idea Demon's Crest was so valuable. I was browsing around a used game store a few weeks ago and saw it for $25 bucks and thought that was a little pricey. Anyway I just went back and it was still there. It's in great shape too. Not sure whether I should keep it or flip it =/

Send it to me for $60 :)
 

Tex117

Banned
The 10-year-olds of 1992 are now 30 and starting to have some disposable income. Instead of collecting comic books or baseball cards like baby boomers, they're collecting videogames.

Your damn right!

But I still have every game I ever bought.

I may have some goodies in there.
 

Rhapsody

Banned
Been going to stores recently to see if there are any rare games I haven't gotten yet. Latest one I got was Earthbound which makes me happy. The only problem is something's rattling inside of I turn the cart upside down. :/
Game and everything works fine though at least.

Some games I'm still looking for are Secret of Mana and the two Lufia games. I'll find them someday.
 

Quackula

Member
Been going to stores recently to see if there are any rare games I haven't gotten yet. Latest one I got was Earthbound which makes me happy. The only problem is something's rattling inside of I turn the cart upside down. :/
Game and everything works fine though at least.

Probably just a piece of the cart shell that broke off inside, I wouldn't worry about it.
 

Parallacs

Member
Ebay/Amazon a safe bet for buying a used SNES? Wondering how long these things last... The SNES is my favorite console of all time and I really want to buy one again.

or should I buy something like this: it's less nostalgic, but probably more practical.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VDZN3O/?tag=neogaf0e-20

You should be fine getting an SNES from eBay. Only get one if the person has good pictures of it and it isn't yellowed.

I think if you got one from Amazon, you would just end up with a yellow one.

The system is cheap though. You can get a bundle with two controllers and games for around $40. I have never heard of an SNES that didn't work.

Eww don't get that Retro...
 

Linkhero1

Member
Ebay/Amazon a safe bet for buying a used SNES? Wondering how long these things last... The SNES is my favorite console of all time and I really want to buy one again.

or should I buy something like this: it's less nostalgic, but probably more practical.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VDZN3O/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Go with eBay and avoid any of those clone consoles. Like Parallacs said you should be able to get one for a decent price and stick to listings with images of the actual product.
 
Got most of the stuff I want:

Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy VI
Earthbound
Mega Man X
Mega Man X2
All the DKCs
Contra III
Super Mario World
Yoshi's Island
Mario Kart
Super Mario All Stars
Separation Anxiety
Civilization
Star Fox
Secret of Mana
Mystical Ninja
Castlevania IV
Knights of the Round
Pilotwings
UMK 3
Turtles in Time
A Link to the Past

And a bunch of unnotables

Play on a Retroduo because my SNES died awhile back

There are only a couple of games I want

Mega Man X3
Mega Man Soccer
Maximum Carnage
A Link to the Past (save battery on mine is done for)


Is Dracula X Japan only? I really want Dracula X
 

Jswanko

Member
I got mine for $60 off a starving gaffer. I almost feel bad.

I got mine several years ago on ebay for that amount. Cant believe how much the price has shot up in just a few years. SNES game prices in general seem to have jumped dramatically too. All the games I bought 2 years ago for 10-15 are now going for 30-40
 

Parallacs

Member
Is Dracula X Japan only? I really want Dracula X

No, but it is among the top 10 in rarety. Expect to pay ~$120 nowdays for a NTSC cart.

It is however, freaking amazing. The fire backgrounds, the colors, the horror. I actually prefer the music over the boring CD quality Rondo of Blood. Look up the tracks on youtube. They are so funky.

Super Castlevania IV > Dracula X (but just slightly).
 
Hahah I had no idea Demon's Crest was so valuable. I was browsing around a used game store a few weeks ago and saw it for $25 bucks and thought that was a little pricey. Anyway I just went back and it was still there. It's in great shape too. Not sure whether I should keep it or flip it =/

Any interest in selling it me at a little profit? I only need that, Lufia and breath of fire to have every decent SNES game!
 

Seik

Banned
Yep. I know a couple of people who I only consider as casual gamers who have started getting into SNES stuff specifically in the last year.

Going to show this off one more time on here, because I love to. I have another friend who doesn't give a fuck about SNES (really into N64 though). He was home from the air force back in november and pulled this shit out a box in his mothers garage and gave it to me:

kgAya.jpg


And thus my SNES collection was born. Pretty amazing haul for the price of $0.

That's a good friend you have. :p

There isn't a single bad game.
 
So I posted earlier in this thread that I bought an SNES for the first time ever this past summer. Only came with Super Mario World. I haven't picked up any other games for it yet but would like to start to sometime this month, mainly through eBay.

I was wondering if I could get some help.

Here's what's on my wishlist:

  • Chrono Trigger
  • Donkey Kong Country
  • Donkey Kong Country 2
  • Earthbound
  • Final Fantasy II
  • Final Fantasy III
  • Kirby Superstar
  • LoZ: A Link to the Past
  • Secret of Mana
  • Starfox
  • Super Mario All-Stars
  • Super Mario Kart
  • Super Mario RPG
  • SMW 2: Yoshi's Island
  • Super Metroid

Now, I'd like to go from least expensive to most expensive when purchasing. As collectors, what do you guys think would be the best games to start with, knowing I won't pay a ridiculous amount for right off the bat? I know big ones like Chrono Trigger and Earthbound (maybe others, I don't know) are going to be very pricey so I'd like to leave those for last. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Get it fixed. No reason to buy a new copy because the battery is dead.

Yep. It's easy and far cheaper than buying a whole new cart. And if you go all out and replace it with a whole new battery clip like someone else posted, so if it ever goes dead again it's easy to replace.

There are a few youtube videos out there, everyone kind of has their own way. So I'd check them all out and see what you feel like doing.
 

hank_tree

Member
So I posted earlier in this thread that I bought an SNES for the first time ever this past summer. Only came with Super Mario World. I haven't picked up any other games for it yet but would like to start to sometime this month, mainly through eBay.

I was wondering if I could get some help.

Here's what's on my wishlist:

  • Chrono Trigger
  • Donkey Kong Country
  • Donkey Kong Country 2
  • Earthbound
  • Final Fantasy II
  • Final Fantasy III
  • Kirby Superstar
  • LoZ: A Link to the Past
  • Secret of Mana
  • Starfox
  • Super Mario All-Stars
  • Super Mario Kart
  • Super Mario RPG
  • SMW 2: Yoshi's Island
  • Super Metroid

Now, I'd like to go from least expensive to most expensive when purchasing. As collectors, what do you guys think would be the best games to start with, knowing I won't pay a ridiculous amount for right off the bat? I know big ones like Chrono Trigger and Earthbound (maybe others, I don't know) are going to be very pricey so I'd like to leave those for last. Any help would be appreciated.

Zelda, Starfox, Mario Kart, Mario All-Stars are all still pretty cheap. Prices depend on whether you are ok with cart only or you want the box/ manual aswell. I got Zelda in near mint condition for about $25 a few weeks ago on ebay.
 
My prides and joys are:
Chrono Trigger, CIB (though the box isn't in great condition)
Final Fantasy 3, CIB, and it looks like it was just picked up off a store shelf back in '96
Earthbound, With Box & Strategy Guide. The box is in shambles with some idiot's name written dead-center on the front, the label on the cart is a little faded, but the Strategy Guide is mint. Someday I'll replace the box and cart.

Two days ago a friend of mine got all three of those and a handful of others off a guy at a garage sale for $4 a pop and I considered murdering him for just telling me that.
 

Teknoman

Member
My prides and joys are:
Chrono Trigger, CIB (though the box isn't in great condition)
Final Fantasy 3, CIB, and it looks like it was just picked up off a store shelf back in '96
Earthbound, With Box & Strategy Guide. The box is in shambles with some idiot's name written dead-center on the front, the label on the cart is a little faded, but the Strategy Guide is mint. Someday I'll replace the box and cart.

Two days ago a friend of mine got all three of those and a handful of others off a guy at a garage sale for $4 a pop and I considered murdering him for just telling me that.

4 bucks? Good lord.


Texas garage sales suck for games...or maybe its just Houston.
 
Subbed. Thanks, OP. Here's to a long and fruitful thread!

I'm much more of an NES collector just because I feel it has more cache and retro love, but SNES is my all-time fave console. It was in those years that I went from a kid who plays games once in a while to a GAMER. I ended up renting nearly every game on the system, so I feel really familiar with the library. I think that's why the boxes feel more nostalgic than any other system - all those weekends perusing the rental shelves. :)

That said, I don't feel the need to collect SNES boxes. It's just too much coin. Most NES boxed games are far cheaper overall. Of course there are crazy expensive games for every system, though.

I only have about 20 games but most were ones I originally owned at the time. I regretted selling my NES a couple years before that - and I've barely sold a game or console since. Luckily I had good taste and so I've got copies of stuff like Super Metroid, FF2, FF3, Mario Kart, and DKC. I picked up stuff like Zelda 3 and Starfax cheap in the early 2000s. I got a few of the big RPGs like CT and EB for reasonable prices about 4-5 years ago. Lots to more get but I'm not really in a collecting kick at the moment. Seeing talk of these prices sure makes me wanna jump back in now....

Two quick things:

-Been into retro stuff for a long time and I've never heard of that 1CHIP version console. Cool.

-I'm eyeing a Framemeister myself because I have a limited amount of space and want the best picture on my Panny plasma (S-vid is pretty damn good but not quite right.) So if you're in the US keep on eye on the USD-Yen exchange rate. It's heading up rapidly, meaning the Framemeister is getting cheaper...
 
4 bucks? Good lord.


Texas garage sales suck for games...or maybe its just Houston.

I'm originally from Texas, and the pickings were usually good. Gotta hit Craigslist, Goodwill, and Flea Markets.

Then again, I know a lot of collectors in Houston. May just be that you're too slow on the uptake.
 

Teknoman

Member
I'm originally from Texas, and the pickings were usually good. Gotta hit Craigslist, Goodwill, and Flea Markets.

Then again, I know a lot of collectors in Houston. May just be that you're too slow on the uptake.

Possibility...so far i've had good luck at thrift stores for small things/ NES stuff. Goodwill is here and there since they seem to be going by Ebay prices these days unless you get lucky.
Flea markets though, I probably just need to get up earlier or find better places.
 
Zelda, Starfox, Mario Kart, Mario All-Stars are all still pretty cheap. Prices depend on whether you are ok with cart only or you want the box/ manual aswell. I got Zelda in near mint condition for about $25 a few weeks ago on ebay.

Thanks for the tip. I'll try and pick those up first.
 
I dunno - I think we are in a bubble. It happens in collectibles markets sometimes. There are buying frenzies and speculation, and it suddenly dies down and prices drop. I think where we really see it is with the common, mediocre game prices. Earthbound and the like may stay high, but the mid-level games selling for $30-$50 won't stay that high forever. At the very least the growth will taper when this trend dies down a bit.

I am keeping an eye out for SNES game deals, but seeing them less and less. I did just grab a mint CIB copy of Body Harvest (N64) for $16. Interesting game, and a DMA (Rockstar North) predecessor to GTA. Probably not a ton of mint copies left out there so I'm really happy with that.
 

Linkhero1

Member
I dunno - I think we are in a bubble. It happens in collectibles markets sometimes. There are buying frenzies and speculation, and it suddenly dies down and prices drop. I think where we really see it is with the common, mediocre game prices. Earthbound and the like may stay high, but the mid-level games selling for $30-$50 won't stay that high forever. At the very least the growth will taper when this trend dies down a bit.

I am keeping an eye out for SNES game deals, but seeing them less and less. I did just grab a mint CIB copy of Body Harvest (N64) for $16. Interesting game, and a DMA (Rockstar North) predecessor to GTA. Probably not a ton of mint copies left out there so I'm really happy with that.

I'm sure the pricing of some games will eventually drop a bit. I don't expect titles like Earthbound to drop for a while and by much at all. I guess for games like Wild Guns and Demon's Crest I gotta just keep hitting garage sales.
 

Lambtron

Unconfirmed Member
Hahah I had no idea Demon's Crest was so valuable. I was browsing around a used game store a few weeks ago and saw it for $25 bucks and thought that was a little pricey. Anyway I just went back and it was still there. It's in great shape too. Not sure whether I should keep it or flip it =/
What the hell. I bought this for $35 on eBay less than a year ago, and I felt like I maybe overpaid a bit. Now it's selling for $90? What in the hell.

Wow, I didn't realize how much EVO had shot up in price either. I got that for $75, which was on the high end of what I wanted to pay when I got it. I got FF3 & Chrono Trigger for $50 together, I traded my copy of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment for Earthbound, and I got Harvest Moon from a video store that was closing for $2 like 13 years ago. Now, looking at these prices, and the holes that are still on my want list, I wish I'd gotten around to them sooner.
 
One reason I spread the gospel of emulation is to get more nostalgic gamers to scratch their itch without driving up the market for retro games. :D
 

Teknoman

Member
What the hell. I bought this for $35 on eBay less than a year ago, and I felt like I maybe overpaid a bit. Now it's selling for $90? What in the hell.

Wow, I didn't realize how much EVO had shot up in price either. I got that for $75, which was on the high end of what I wanted to pay when I got it. I got FF3 & Chrono Trigger for $50 together, I traded my copy of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment for Earthbound, and I got Harvest Moon from a video store that was closing for $2 like 13 years ago. Now, looking at these prices, and the holes that are still on my want list, I wish I'd gotten around to them sooner.

Heh i've never thought about trading rare game for rare game...
 
I think I might have to get a new SNES. Plugged mine in and I get a buzzing sound along with horizontal black and white lines on the TV. :/
 
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