There used to be a time when you could buy Little Bilyโs collection of PlayStation 2 games with a few gems for $5, but alas, those days are no more. Thanks to the internet, everyone knows not to sell their old video games and trading cards for pennies on the dollar at their annual summer tag sale. If youโre sitting on a pile of old video games, you might have a diamond in the rough and not even know it. Bonus points if itโs in good condition and you still have the case and manual. Here are some valuable video games you might have lying around the house.
Note: These games arenโt super rare and worth enough for a downpayment on a house. These games are common enough that most people might have a copy lying around, and they are worth more than the average game for that system. This list will also only cover newer generation consoles (Nintendo 64, PlayStation 1 and 2, Xbox, etc.), so donโt expect to see any NES or Atari titles.
Selling Old Video Games
Before we dive into our list of valuable video games, you should know a few things about buying and selling video games. First things first, realize that just because you have a copy of a game that can sell for $300, doesnโt mean that your copy is worth $300 too. Games typically fall into three different categories: loose, Complete-in-box (CIB), and sealed/brand new.
Loose games are where you just have the disc or cartridge and do not have the case/manual that came with the game. CIB means you have the disc, original case, and manual or inserts that came with the game when you first purchased it. Sealed means just that; the game is still factory sealed, as if you had just strolled into GameStop and bought it that day.
Lightly played doesnโt mean brand new. โLike newโ does not mean brand new. If your game has been opened, it is no longer sealed and must be sold as CIB. If your game is missing its manual, it is not CIB either. Itโs worth slightly more than a loose copy, but donโt expect CIB prices.
Video game collectors are sticklers for these things, and the easiest way to make someone angry or ask for a refund on eBay is by not following the rules of the community. It also helps you avoid any headaches because the person on the other end knows exactly what theyโre getting and wonโt be upset when they get their game.
You should also always be on the lookout for scams when buying and selling video games. Never agree to get paid by a check; always take cash for in-person transactions. Likewise, always make transactions in well-lit, public areas to discourage thieves. Police departments often have places specifically for in-person transactions to help people avoid becoming a victim of a robbery. If youโre selling on eBay, follow their guidelines to a T and never communicate with a buyer off-platform.
Any Pokรฉmon Game
Pokรฉmon is one of the largest IPs in existence and quickly took the world by storm when it first came out in 1996. Today, there are tens of titles in the series, and just about every single one of them is worth something. Whether you have a loose copy of Pokรฉmon Red/Yellow/Blue in a drawer or a copy of Pokemon Stadium for the Gamecube, you could be looking at an easy fifty bucks. The older the title, the more money it will be worth, so donโt bother trying to sell that slightly used copy of Pokรฉmon Scarlet for a fortune.
Super Smash Bros. and Melee
Sticking with Nintendo, Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee are two popular titles that most kids had if they owned a Nintendo 64 or Gamecube. A complete copy of Super Smash Bros. Melee can net you a quick $60, while a copy of Super Smash Bros. can easily be double that. Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii wasnโt as popular, so itโs only worth about $15 if itโs complete.
Mario Games
For some reason, Nintendo games hold amazing value over the years compared to other titles, and Mario games are no exception. Titles for the Nintendo 64, Gamecube, and Wii can run a pretty penny. Super Mario 64 or Mario Kart 64 can net you around $30-40 loose, but can be $150 if complete. Double Dash, the popular racing title for the Gamecube, is about $60. Any Mario Party title can range in value from $20 to over $100 if complete. Gamecube and Nintendo Mario Party installments are easily the most valuable.
Zelda Games
If you have a loose copy of a Zelda title for the Nintendo 64 or Gamecube, congratulations, youโre looking at about $30-60. Complete titles can go for even more, with Ocarina of Time going for around $130. Newer titles arenโt going to be worth more than you paid for them, but give it a decade or two, and theyโll probably go up in value, just like the past titles.
Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3
For some reason, this title for the PlayStation 2 is worth about $150 if you have it complete, but even the disc alone is worth about $125. It was also available on the Wii, but that will only run you $50, since itโs not as popular on that console. The first and second games in this series arenโt worth as much, but Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is a quick $50 if you have that one.
Def Jam Fight for NY
There are two Def Jam games you might own for either the Gamecube, PlayStation 2, or Xbox: Def Jam Fight for NY and Def Jam Vendetta. Only one of the two is worth anything, and it’s Fight for NY. A complete copy of this game could bring you $150 if it’s for the Gamecube or PlayStation 2. Xbox versions are worth slightly less at just $90.
Silent Hill Games
A Silent Hill title for the PlayStation 2 is worth around $100. This includes Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill 3, Silent Hill 4: The Room, and Silent Hill Origins. A copy of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is almost $300, so definitely double-check that you donโt happen to have that one lying around somewhere. Silent Hill for the original PlayStation can also be worth anywhere from $100 to $150. These titles were a little rarer in the United States, so if you donโt remember playing it, donโt expect to stumble across them.
Godzilla Games
Godzilla Save the Earth and Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Melee are two of the more common titles within this franchise and, depending on the system you have them for, they can net you anywhere from $30 to $50. Godzilla Unleashed is another title for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS, but itโs only worth about $30 on a good day.
Jurassic Park Operation Genesis
Before we had Jurassic World Evolution, the only way to build your very own dino park and watch the chaos unfold was by playing Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, a title for both the Xbox and PlayStation 2. It seems the price has come down recently, but you can still expect around $40 to $50 for a title of this game on either system.
Predator Concrete Jungle
Predator Concrete Jungle is a classic from the PlayStation 2 and Xbox that is still in-demand today. Especially since almost every game within the Predator or Alien IP has been lackluster (except for you Alien Isolation, you did great). You can expect $40 to $60 for a copy of this game, depending on itโs condition.
The Simpsons Hit and Run
This is a classic title that almost every kid played and was available on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Gamecube. A copy of this game can get you about $40 to $60, depending on its condition and the console. There was also The Simpsons: Road Rage which was like a Crazy Taxi game set in The Simpsons universe. This title isnโt worth as much, but can still get you $10 to $20 on a good day.
Wrap Up
This wasnโt an exhaustive list of every valuable video game you might have. If youโre wondering what your old collection of games is worth, you should check out sites like Pricecharting.com. They use eBay listings and the like to estimate what a loose, CIB, or sealed price is for basically every video game in existence. Just remember, the price you see isnโt always the price youโll be able to getโor even what your specific copy is worth. There are a lot of nuances to selling old video games, so do your research and make sure you know what you have. Happy hunting.