I’ve often been asked how best to start building up a retro game collection. The truth is, there is no secret formula. Just like any hobby, the best thing for you to do is just start. Do you want to collect retro video games? Then go out and buy some stuff and start retro game collecting! It’s really that simple. However, I have some advice for those who want to go down this rabbit hole. So let’s go over some of the best ways to find those games you’ve been really looking for and some of the gotchas that you should be aware of while navigating the used games market.
What Do Retro Games Even Cost?
Pricing out used games is tricky, especially for games that aren’t being produced anymore. The fact is, any single item is worth whatever people are willing to pay for it. I know that’s not the best answer, but it’s the truth. Generally, games that were produced in higher volume when they were new and sold more are worth less, and games that were less popular but have since gained notoriety or a cult following are worth more.
But the real question you should ask before making any purchase is this: How much is this item worth to me? Just because someone else is willing to pay over $100 for one game, does not mean that you should. At the end of the day, it’s your money and you should ensure that you are not being motivated too much by emotion. To get an idea of how much money games are selling for, Price Charting is your best friend. You’ll be able to search for any item that you have your eye on and educate yourself about what people generally pay for it. It is far from perfect, but it’s a decent starting point.
Where Do I Find Retro Games?
There are tons of places, both physical and online, where you can find retro games, consoles, and accessories. There are pros and cons to all of them. Here are some of the places I look:
eBay
Obviously, eBay is the first place you’d think of to find anything used. Video games are no exception. As always though, when it comes to eBay, buyer beware! There are tons of misleading listings, such as empty boxes, or items that might not be functional. When using eBay, always check the seller’s ratings and comments, and read every listing carefully. Additionally, sometimes, you might end up paying more for the item than you’d like to due to shipping fees. I’ve personally sourced tons of items from eBay, but I have been burned before. I’d say it is my go-to, but it takes patience to find exactly what you want, in the condition you want it in.
International Auction Sites
Specifically, I’ll call out Buyee here. If you are looking for items from other regions, namely Japan, sites like Buyee can be a great resource. Japan notoriously has better prices on retro games, so if you’re able to play games region free, and don’t mind games in Japanese, finding ways to import them efficiently is clutch! Buyee is a proxy site for Japanese auctions and allows you to buy items similarly to eBay. While shipping can be expensive, Buyee allows you to bundle your purchases into one shipment, and they’ll store your items in their warehouse temporarily until you’re ready to ship. I’ve used them to build up my Famicom collection and I highly recommend them.
Garage & Yard Sales
You’d be surprised what you can find when someone in your neighborhood is trying to offload their junk. When people are downsizing or looking to offload their extra possessions, they might be less concerned about price. It does take some dedication and patience, but scouring these kinds of sales can absolutely be worth your time. Of course, though, you should assume nothing has been tested and everything could just be junk. That being said, a Yard Sale is sometimes the best way to find an expensive item for dirt cheap. Happy salvaging!
Facebook Marketplace
Believe it or not, Facebook Marketplace has become a great source for second-hand games. People might even be willing to negotiate more than a site like eBay as well. On the downside, sellers on Marketplace seem to be more aware of what items generally sell for, so be prepared to pay closer to eBay-like prices. That being said, Facebook presents listings close to your location, so you can avoid shipping fees with local pickups. I have to admit though, I have not had too much success myself on Facebook Marketplace. I do know of others though that swear by it. It’s definitely worth a try if you’re willing to negotiate!
Online Retailers
There are tons of stores that specialize in retro games online. If you’ve been interested in retro game collecting in any sense, I’m sure you’ve heard of them. DK Oldies and Lukie Games are a few examples. DK Oldies in particular has earned a bit of an online following due to their stellar social media marketing strategy. As such, you might have also seen some of the criticism surrounding them, mostly their pricing strategy. It really is no secret that these retailers have higher-than-average prices.
The important thing to remember though, is that because they are not individual sellers, they need to remain viable as a business. As such, they generally will buy low and sell high. While prices can be high though, there are some positives to shopping at one of these stores. For example, DK Oldies offers a generous warranty. Meaning if you buy something that is broken, they’ll refund or replace it without any fuss. Additionally, it is much easier to find the items you’re looking for with a well-organized online business. DK Oldies has also been taking great steps to improve its internal quality, such as a better refurbishment process. While far from perfect, they certainly do not deserve all the hate they receive online. If you’re looking for cheaper, more common games, they can certainly be a great choice.
Local Game Stores
My personal favorite way to shop! There is nothing, in my opinion, like going to a small retailer, local to your town, and digging through their inventory to find that hidden gem from your childhood. The quality of the store obviously varies, depending on management, location, and inventory. Also, if you live in a smaller town, it might be a bit harder to find a good shop. But in my experience, the people who run these places care deeply about what they do. And you never know what you might find pursuing the shelves. I try and pop into my local game store once or twice a month and I almost always come away with something I wasn’t explicitly looking for. Even GameStop is getting in on the action now! Check out what stores are nearest you. You might be surprised by what you come across.
What Else Should I Be Aware Of?
Shopping for retro game collecting is definitely not like shopping for brand-new games. Oftentimes, it can be difficult to navigate the inventory to find things that are working properly, in good shape, and most importantly, legitimate. Reputable businesses will usually ensure things are at least in functional order, but the rest is on the buyer. Counterfeit and reproduction items are definitely a problem in this community. Some people don’t necessarily mind a repro, but I would caution against them. Sometimes they won’t work properly, or can even fall victim to anti-piracy measures implemented in certain games. Stores like DK Oldies will refuse to stock and sell repros, but not every retailer has the same policy. And when you buy from eBay or Facebook Marketplace, there is always a risk. It’s important to learn to identify real items from counterfeits. I’ll be covering that in a future post.
Retro Game Collecting Is Really This Easy?
Yes, it really is this easy to be part of the retro game collecting community. Fair warning, however, it can be addicting. I’ve been pursuing this hobby for a very long time. I still have most of my games from my childhood, and I’ve since grown my collection to games and consoles spanning almost 40 years. If anybody should ever have any questions or comments for me, please drop a comment!
