Retro Gaming Bubble?

Saipanne

I've recently gotten into collecting, having played all these games originally back in the day. I'm quite surprised by the prices some systems/games command, in particular the SNES.

As far as I am aware, this was the best selling 16bit console, and yet an unboxed Mario Kart (or Mario World) seems to go for 40-50 quid. Now, given success of both the console and this game back then, there must be a relatively large supply of this game.

Since I'm new, I've no sense of how prices were 5-10 years ago. So my question is, is there currently a bubble in the SNES (or retro) market?

o1s1n

It's pretty much the same thing that happens with every classic console.

The generation that grew up with it suddenly get decent jobs and nostalgia hits. Unfortunately the Super Nintendo also happens to be one of the greatest consoles of all time, so that's made everything really skyrocket that bit extra.

I was lucky to have bought all the snes stuff I was looking for about 10-15 years ago at an absolute fraction of what it goes for now. Couldn't imagine starting out these days, you'd need a mortgage to support it!

Retr0gamer

I'd look into buying the Japanese versions of these games on modded hardware. Games like Mario kart, Yoshis island, Castlevania 4 etc, have hugely inflated prices but can be picked up for peanuts from Japan. Most of these games don't require Japanese to play or are even totally in English. There's also cases like ultra rare pal and us games like Draculas kiss going for hundreds but can be gotten for 20-40 in Japan and are basically the exact same game.

Unfortunately a lot of people are picking up on this and prices are beginning to rise on Japanese games as well.

Corholio

Saipanne wrote: »

I've recently gotten into collecting, having played all these games originally back in the day. I'm quite surprised by the prices some systems/games command, in particular the SNES.

As far as I am aware, this was the best selling 16bit console, and yet an unboxed Mario Kart (or Mario World) seems to go for 40-50 quid. Now, given success of both the console and this game back then, there must be a relatively large supply of this game.

Since I'm new, I've no sense of how prices were 5-10 years ago. So my question is, is there currently a bubble in the SNES (or retro) market?

While prices are high you'll get Mario Kart and Mario World for a lot less than 40-50. Mario Kart peaks at around 25-30 and Mario World even less. Popular games do have this climbing price effect sometimes alright, same with Castlevania and Metroid.

Hank Scorpio

Prices have gotten really bad for the snes in the last 18 months, even auctions on ebay seem to contain far less items. Like retrogamer said your best bet is to get a modified snes console that can run at 60hz (no borders/slowdown) and import Japanese games.

Saipanne

Thanks for all the comments and advice so far.

So far I have collected for cheaper systems, mainly Sega. Which is fine by me, as I was a Sega boy as a lad.

I suppose the point I was trying to make is if there is indeed a bubble or fad occuring in Nintendo market, it might be worth waiting it out?

Though the Jap SNES does sound like a good idea.

Retr0gamer

I kind of doubt it will ease off. It happened to the NES a while ago and I don't really see prices dropping to reasonable levels there. Nintendo stuff will always remain collectible.

CiDeRmAn

Even reproductions aren't immune!
Buying fake Megadrive/Genesis games on Aliexpress, from our friends in China, comes in at about €5 each
Buying fake Snes games on the other hand is around €15/18 each!
And that's both unboxed!

Myrddin

The prices for reproductions, especially Snes ones, is nothing short of insanity. You could make them yourself for significantly less. They're reproductions, not something rare, uncommon, valuable, hard to find, or something that has intrinsic value - it's something anyone who can solder can make themselves, in as many quantities as they like. Madness Ted.

Saipanne

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Even reproductions aren't immune!
Buying fake Megadrive/Genesis games on Aliexpress, from our friends in China, comes in at about €5 each
Buying fake Snes games on the other hand is around €15/18 each!
And that's both unboxed!

Yeah, that lends some weight to my bubble theory when repos are going for that price!

That's a crazy price difference for what you're getting.

Myrddin

This crap for example - http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Earthbound-Mother-2-SNES-PAL-en-francais-french-/112011003336?hash=item1a146045c8:g:pXgAAOSwPhdVFKFt

eeguy

Myrddin wrote: »

This crap for example - http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Earthbound-Mother-2-SNES-PAL-en-francais-french-/112011003336?hash=item1a146045c8:g:pXgAAOSwPhdVFKFt

Stuff like this?
http://www.adverts.ie/nintendo/snes-super-nintendo-games/8791217

I've all that and more sitting in a box at home. Must crack it out.
Whats the stance on emulators? I've done a Pi-Cade last year and it works really well.

Myrddin

eeguy wrote: »

Stuff like this?
http://www.adverts.ie/nintendo/snes-super-nintendo-games/8791217

I've all that and more sitting in a box at home. Must crack it out.
Whats the stance on emulators? I've done a Pi-Cade last year and it works really well.

Seems very highly priced alright, which is surprising, considering he let Sunset Riders away for €20

CiDeRmAn

The only retrogaming bubbles I want to see!!

Retr0gamer

What about bubble bath babes on the NES?

CiDeRmAn

Retr0gamer wrote: »

What about bubble bath babes on the NES?

And now to clear my history....