Yesterday, one of the rarest games ever made sold for a record-breaking $42,000. Today, we’re going to look at a few other titles worth a fortune.
You’ve probably heard about Nintendo World Championships, Birthday Mania, Air Raid, and other notable retro games that fetch tens of thousands of dollars at auction. While these games are fun to talk about, there are a lot of other games demanding a high price that you might actually own.
Below is a list of seemingly average games that are highly sought after by collectors.
1. Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release Year: 2008
Average Value Sealed: $600
During the early portion of the PlayStation 3 generation there were very few horror games, and virtually none of them were well-received. Dead Space couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
With a production of only 1,000 units, the existence of the Dead Space Limited Edition wasn’t very well-known when it released, but has since become a must-have among horror game collectors.
Inside is a numbered postcard signed by Sledgehammer co-founder Glen Schofield, a hardcover art book, a custom lithograph signed by artist Ben Templesmith, and some other goodies. It’s a neat product that has increased in value tremendously over the years, becoming one of the most desirable limited edition products of its generation.
2. Hyrule Warriors Limited Edition
Platform: Wii U
Release Year: 2014
Average Value Sealed: $1,500
Most of the Wii U’s valuable games are standard editions of the few high-rated titles that released on the platform. And then there’s the Hyrule Warriors Limited Edition.
Sold exclusively at the New York City Nintendo World Store for only a few minutes, this limited production item is by far the most collectible Wii U product in existence. A massive line formed to purchase this special Zelda/Dynasty Warriors crossover product. Yet, only a small portion of the people who showed up were able to walk away with one.
Valued at over $1,500, this product is a prime example of how large of an impact supply has on value. For reference sake, the new regular version of Hyrule Warriors sells for under $19.99.
3. Musha Aleste: Fullmetal Fighter Ellinor
Platform: Genesis
Release Year: 1990
Average Value Sealed: $600
27 years ago very few people cared about MUSHA, leading to sales struggles at launch. To those who had played the game, it was inconceivable.
Recently, MUSHA earned widespread attention when it re-released on the Wii Virtual Console. Many then realized how well its scrolling shooter gameplay held up over the generations, making headlines on several major outlets. Thousands of collectors soon hopped online to find that there were only a few sealed MUSHA copies available for purchase. The hunt began.
MUSHA has since held onto its value, at times jumping to over $1,500.
4. NBA Elite 11
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Release Year: 2010
Average Value Sealed: $2,500
EA made a tragic mistake in 2009 when it decided to ambitiously build an entirely new style of basketball title with a tight 18 month development cycle.
Fast forward 18 months and its free public demo was being scorned by gamers for having a wealth of glitches. A few professional NBA players even posted on social media showcasing the issues. EA management was not happy.
The plug was soon pulled on release as the EA supply chain was stopped dead in the middle of manufacturing and shipment. Surprisingly, a few copies had already shipped to retailers, some of which ended up in the hands of consumers who had no idea they were buying one of only 10 to 20 copies available in the world.
In May 2017 two copies sold for $5,101, confirming its previously set value of over $2,000.
5. Panzer Dragoon Saga
Platform: Saturn
Release Year: 1998
Average Value Sealed: $800
Panzer Dragoon Saga was played by thousands of gamers thanks to a free demo made playable at Best Buy stores across the United States. Although everything seemed fine and dandy, Sega was in dramatic financial turmoil at the time, and was betting that this title would drive hardware.
Within months, thousands of Panzer Dragoon Saga copies laid unsold next to the woeful Saturn. Another few months later the Saturn was declared dead, and Sega would work on its final console ever.
Due to the historical significance of Panzer Dragoon Saga, in addition to it being extremely well-received, it goes for a high price despite tens of thousands of copies having been available at launch.
6. Pokemon Red & Blue
Platform: GameBoy
Release Year: 1996
Average Value Sealed: $600
Don’t get too excited. Used copies of this platform-defining game aren’t worth very much. However, if you’ve held onto a sealed copy, then you’ve made a great investment.
Pokemon Red & Blue is highly sought after by amateur game collectors as it’s highly accessible and a great showpiece that many people find familiar. Bearing attractive art and timeless gameplay, Pokemon Red & Blue regularly sells for worth at least $500 new. Considering it originally had an MSRP of $29.95, that’s a considerable jump in price during the past 19 years.
7. StarCraft 64
Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Year: 2000
Average Value Sealed: $600
For fans of Blizzard games, StarCraft 64 is a special treat.
Blizzard had been a PC exclusive developer since it started making Warcraft in the 90’s. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, it decided to port StarCraft to Nintendo 64. It really didn’t make a whole lot of sense given how poorly classic RTS games play with a controller, let alone the console’s main demographics, but that didn’t stop Blizzard from trying to tap into a new market.
This release didn’t necessarily have limited production, but most copies have been beaten and abused over the years. In addition, there are a lot of Blizzard game collectors, which has created high demand for this particular title.
StarCraft 64 is regularly seen selling for over $600. Signed copies can be spotted from time-to-time going for over $1,500.
8. Suikoden II
Platform: PlayStation
Release Year: 1998
Average Value Sealed: $400
As one of the best RPGs on PlayStation, Suikoden II sure didn’t receive enough print in North America. Very few retailers carried the game, and those that did sold out quickly.
Suikoden II has held onto its reputation for being arguably the best release in the JRPG franchise over the years, which has only helped to retain the game’s value. This particular title is one of the most valuable in the entire PlayStation collection, fetching a price beyond that of the beloved Final Fantasy VII.
9. Super Mario Bros.
Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
Release Year: 1985
Average Value Sealed: $22,000~
Nintendo printed several versions of Super Mario Bros. over the years. The one you and your friends likely played was packaged with Duck Hunt, produced in bulk quantity after the game had already performed well on the market. The one you really want is the limited production Asian Version (seen above).
If you own a copy of the original “Asian Version”, then you’re in luck as it’s worth hundreds of dollars even in poor condition. If you own a copy of the original “Asian Version” sealed, then you’re rich.
Super Mario Bros. is commonly associated with the resurrection of the gaming industry, a world-changing feat performed by an ambitious Nintendo in the early 1980’s. In this sense, the game is a relic and deserves to be in every serious collection.
10. Uncharted 2: Fortune Hunter Edition
Platform: PlayStation 3
Release Year: 2009
Average Value Sealed: $10,000~
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is best known for earning one of the top 10 highest review averages of all-time. But it’s also a game with one of the most valuable special editions in gaming history.
Only 200 copies of Uncharted 2: Fortune Hunter Edition were ever made, and all of them were given to lucky winners of giveaways on the official PlayStation Blog. Winning a free copy of the game alone was worth celebrating, let alone a product that would score five figures within the next decade.
Naughty Dog has crafted some memorable collector’s editions over the years, but this one includes a pretty dagger. $10,000 is probably a bargain.
