Video Game Value & Price Guide

The world of video game collectibles spans from vintage arcade cabinets and early home consoles to modern limited editions. Whether you are hunting for rare cartridges or factory-sealed discs, this category offers a diverse range of nostalgia and investment potential.

Price Range: $50 - $55 based on recent sales

History of Video Game

Video game collecting began as a niche hobby in the late 1980s but exploded into a multi-billion dollar market as the first generation of gamers reached adulthood. The industry evolved from the simple mechanical logic of 1970s units like Atari Ultra Pong Doubles to the complex, narrative-driven experiences of the 2000s, such as Grand Theft Auto and Star Wars Battlefront II. Over the decades, specific titles have transitioned from disposable entertainment into significant cultural artifacts. The market saw a massive shift with the inclusion of 'buried' history, such as the infamous E.T. landfill excavation, which turned failed commercial products into some of the most expensive museum-grade collectibles in existence.

Value Factors for Video Game

The typical price range for Video Game is $50 - $55 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition and Grading: Professional grading by companies like WATA or VGA can exponentially increase the market value of sealed games.
• Rarity and Limited Releases: Collector's Editions, such as the Infamous 2 Hero Edition, often maintain value due to their limited production runs and physical pack-ins.
• Platform Popularity: Games for iconic systems like the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 2 often see higher demand due to widespread nostalgia and large fanbases.
• Historical Significance: First appearances of major characters or titles that pioneered new genres tend to appreciate more reliably over time.

Tips for Buying Video Game

• Verify the authenticity of high-value cartridges like E.T. for Atari 2600 to ensure they are not modern reproductions.
• Check for the presence of original manuals and box art, as 'Complete in Box' (CIB) items command significantly higher prices than loose media.
• Inspect arcade cabinets for original hardware components and screen burn-in, which can greatly impact the cost of restoration.
• Look for regional variants, such as Japanese imports like Dairantou Smash Brothers, which may have different artwork or exclusive content.

Items in This Collection

• Doom 64 (Nintendo 64)
• Metroid (NES)
• Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines
• Gauntlet Legends Arcade Cabinet
• Midway Space Invaders
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for PlayStation 2
• Infamous 2 Hero Edition
• Star Wars Battlefront II for PlayStation 2
• Atari 2600 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
• Atari Ultra Pong Doubles
• Act of War: Direct Action PC Game
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Microsoft Xbox Video Game
• Transformers Prime The Game (Nintendo Wii)
• Star Trek Online Collector's Edition
• Nintendo All-Star! Dairantou Smash Brothers
• LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy for PlayStation 2
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64)