Prices are rising, will the average gamer be squeezed out?

You know, I've just had a little look at the recent prices for NGPC stuff on Ebay, and its a bit of a worry really.......

I always think its a good indicator to see how many games on a 'retro' system make more money than their original retail price? I know in this case they were originally quite fairly priced, but recently well over half the UK titles have been making around the £25 or more mark. Even some games that traditionally make only about £10!
Some games have absolutely flown up in price (Dark Arms)!

What do you guys think?
Are we seeing the begining of the end for the average gamer in the NGPC market?

Not many people are prepared to pay the price of a new PS2 game for a retro game anyway!
And lets face it, a big proportion of those who are, only want the game so that it can sit on a shelf gathering value!

Now some of you guys have already posted threads on this subject recently, what do you think of the continued price hike?
$300+ for Reversi?
Whats next?
Like we've discussed before, there are a lot of uncommon titles for the Pocket.
Once the real speculators get their wallets into the NGPC, how many copies of the scarse titles will be left for the rest of us?

*Discuss* wink

Just wanted to add, I'm not having a dig at anyone on this site for selling games!
We're SNK fans one and all!

But once the NGPC does become the 'next-big-thing' there will be a lot of people who never played an SNK title before buying for investment only purposes.

<small>[ January 26, 2003, 10:16 AM: Message edited by: Metal Slug ]</small>

Yea, even though I am new to the pocket world, I am notcing prices are rather high myself. It is kind of making me mad, since I want the games to actually play them, and some other schmucks just want to do, like you said, buy them and put them on a shelf. oh_no .

I've seen this before with arcade machines... A bit of press interest has caused a spike in value - I'd expect that to even off fairly quickly (say about 6 months) for the common games.

You're right, there are probably a lot of people out there right now scrabbling to get together a complete NGPC collection. They have been told that Pocket Reversi is the "rarest game in the world, ever!" and are digging deep to get hold of it. I wouldn't spend $300+ for the game, but for all I know they might very well be right to do so - personally I can't see anyone *ever* making a profit at that price.

But I digress - CFC, Sonic, Puzzle Bobble, MS and other, more common, games will soon hit saturation. There are thousands of those games out there, and they should return back to the lower levels before too long. And, since the more common games are, mostly, very classy - hopefully they'll still be an option for new NGPC owners for some years to come

Cheers
Chris

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4315&item=3001435086" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4315&item=3001435086</a>

no more words

i agree completly , i started collecting ngpc about half a year to a year ago and now im basically ready to say fuck it all these newbies, just rasing the prices i mean pocket reversie 302 dollars and make no mistake faselie is a good game but for a hundred dollars fuck it, and i do think some of these guys who have been on here that are decidng to bow out because the rates are good right now,is shitty, i think its a shame that they wouldnt try to sell within the forum or atleast to guys who have been here still trying to make a collection rather then list it here as selling with a link to thier ebay item as if it aint a bitch already with these freakin price jackers ,anyhow heres to a short lived ngpc experience,

Wow, I just finished collecting all the games I'm looking for, I'm glad I didn't wait until now to start doing it.

I figured the value of these games was going to go up in the near future but honestly I didn't think the price would jump THAT much or THIS fast. eek! For example, I was going to bid on 2D's MS:1st Mission auction until I saw it hit about $60. So I basically just said screw it and got a new USA version from Shawn, it's not worth another $30-$40 for that game just to have the UK version.

The only game I'm still looking for is CFC2 for my nephew and since he said he won't pay more than $60 for it I think I may just tell him to forget it... oh_no

and I still think someone is gonna snipe it and not pay for it!

Shito:
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4315&item=3001435086" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4315&item=3001435086</a>

no more words

Click to expand...

holy price gouging batman!

<small>[ January 26, 2003, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: MattMan ]</small>

its about time the market skyrocketed leaving only the stalwart NGPC collectors still around! buttrock

I really, really don't get it...

everyone is going crazy i think...

I think 4 months ago I bought for 70 pounds:
NGPC navy bleu
Metal slug 1
Metal slug 2
Cool boarders
Rockman battle
Sonic
Pocket tennis
Densha de go!
Cotton
Big tournament golf
(Japanese games without boxes and manuals)

I just calculated that it will cost me now something like 300 pounds to get the same games

But the point is: I bought the games to play 'm and if I want t buy a new game i have to pay more as an Xbox will cost me, only because everyone wants all games in their collection

Maybe I will buy an GBA SP... (FF tactics looks great!)

Conclusion: its no fun to buy the games anymore because of all the people who are buying all games and selling it a month later for a even higher price...

Everyone seems to be getting pissed off about the price of NGPC games, There has been a lot of press about the NPGC lately and i was in the EDGE so maybe i am to blame, But i don't feel as if i am pushing up the price, It's more down to new intrest in this GREAT Handheld. I don't sell NPGC games normally and won't sell my collection no mattter the price. In the end if you are new to the NGPC world it is looking more expensive. But for current owners, Your games have gone up in value.

I sell games... And I still cringe - while this means more money for me, it also means fewer games I'll be able to get to play. Kinda a two edged sword....

I guess we'll just have to see if prices level out...

nigeronpa:
Everyone seems to be getting pissed off about the price of NGPC games, There has been a lot of press about the NPGC lately and i was in the EDGE so maybe i am to blame, But i don't feel as if i am pushing up the price, It's more down to new intrest in this GREAT Handheld. I don't sell NPGC games normally and won't sell my collection no mattter the price. In the end if you are new to the NGPC world it is looking more expensive. But for current owners, Your games have gone up in value.

Click to expand...

I dont think you have any responsibility for this Buddy.
There are plenty of games for everyone who's interested in 'playing' the ngpc to go around.
I think the problem arrises when people who are not V-Game collectors/players start buying games for an investment!

Look at it this way.
The collecting target of 39 UK releases should be within a collectors reach.
However, there are at least 10 un-common UK titles.
Problem is there are a lot of 'Ebay speculators', who will do the maths, and think to themselves 'Whoopty doo, I'll sit on as many scarse titles as I can, so that when people start to near the ends of their collections, they cant fill the gaps unless they pay through the nose.'

There are a lot of people who own NGPCs!
A quarter of a million at least sold in the USA.
About the same in Europe.

So, basically the consoles will NEVER be rare.
Unless they become as widely collected as tin-toys of teddy bears! Similarly with games like SONIC (US release) it allegedly sold 210,000 copies!

But with only a few thousand of some of the rarer titles to go around, and most of those already in collections?
If every time a scarse title sells for say less than £50 it gets hoarded by a speculator, it wont be long before they all do a Circus Lido! And you wont be able to fill a gap in your collection for less than £100 or £200 or whatever figure the many desperate collectors trying to complete their collections will pay.

I really liked the feature on the NGPC in Edge!
I just wish that Edge would get their facts straight once in a while! They should have just let you write it, and not tried to 'Edge' it up with their normal "forget the facts, here's what we say" style!
For them to claim that there are only 10 copies of Reversi is plainly bollox.
They are the Video Games Industry's answer to the worst kind of Tabloid sensationalism.

If Reversi is now worth around the £250 mark, then what are the other scarse games current market values?

Its not just rarety either!
If the NGPC does become the 'next big thing' what about the titles that are slightly scarse but really great to play?
The Last Blades, Gals Fighters, MS2's might suddenly be worth a whole lot more.


Hmmm, I'm gonna open a new thread!
Check it and reply please buddy

I don't worry about NGPC game price on ebay.

If you remember correctly that I used to criticize about the Neo AES price guide two years ago. Price guide to me is still a bullshit thing to me but I don't give a fuck about it.

If people are willing to spend $100 - $300 for a NGPC game then go for it.

I start collecting NGPC game again since last December. Fortunately I pay less than average market price for the games I have.

Just be patient and you will win

Let those rich bastard who don't shit about Neo to waste money on those cartridge games.

I just won an auction on ebay for a mint boxed darm arms for £21.00GBP. Pretty damn lucky, i think considering the price this is going for at the moment.

The bubble will burst.

Look at the Virtual Boy market. A few years back games like SD Gundam went for over $1000 every time. Now it maybe gets $500 at the most. Space Squash I think reached over $500 once but never sells for over $100 now.

It's sad but I think alot of people are going to lose money.. For awhile there'll be crazy people prepared to pay $400 for Pocket Reversi, and these high prices will draw out more people with a copy to sell.. and when it's making semi regular appearances on ebay it's not going to seem as rare or expensive anymore. So the price will fall. People will ask "If 'ONLY A FEW OF THESE WERE EVER PRODUCED! THE VALUE IS RAISING EVERY DAY!' is true how come there's 3 on ebay right now, and there was 2 last week?".

Edge's 'facts' are always laced with little claims that are plainly incorrect!
The fact that Edge are prepared to claim that any NGPC game could exist in quantities as low as 10 shows how little they know, or that they are trying to be as sensationalist as possible (Which would be my estimation).

Of course its not just that is it?
You need only flick through the magasine to spot the obvious mistakes and bull-shit sensationalism.

Turn a couple of pages on, and you'll see the 'Wish List' page? Observe the Nintendo Game and Watch "Super Mario Bros YM-901 Special"
This they describe as a "Holy Grail" item.
But they cant even get the facts right!
They call it the '58th Game and Watch', but of course it IS the Legendary 60th.
It recieved this epitaph because of its almost mythical status, for years collectors argued over its credibility as a release in its own right!
There are 59 official G&W releases.
There is a rumour of a Tetris Prototype, which was hotly debated for some time (Before common sense prevailed)
Game and Watches are NEVER refered to in chronological order, by numbers.
No collector would ever say 'I've got a 13th game and watch'.
That is why the 'YM-901 Special' is the only exception. Because it was so hotly debated for so long.
The question was, 'Is the YM-901S going to end up being the 60th Game and Watch'? Remember, some really thought the Tetris proto would get that title. Others argued that Nintendo Game/Watches should be included!

Edge cant even count to sixty! They think that there are only 58 Game and Watches!
There are 60! 59 released at retail, 1 'special' given as a prize. (Game/Watches are NOT included)

Any enthusiast knows this.

As for the price!
Well, Edge have done it again!
A couple of the '60th's' sell on Ebay a month.
Prices range from around £350 (Near mint but loose) to £550 Mint and complete.
NOT £1,500-£2,000!
But of course, everyone who sells one now is quoting Edge as the bible price!
This is why they do so much harm!
If these facts are 'carefully researched' I suggest they hire some real researchers.

FYI, I have all 39 UK NGPC releases, and I bought my GF a '60th' G&W for xmas last year. Its serial number is 21797652, you can find it listed on some of the G&W 60th sites.

I was going to continue through the mag' picking up more of there errors, but I really cant be bothered. I only bought it because it has a friends NGPC collection in it, I should know better it annoys me too much!

On a lighter note!
That new magasine 'Games TM' is it?
That seems much better! I actuallly enjoyed that.

Prices range from around £350 (Near mint but loose) to £550 Mint and complete.
NOT £1,500-£2,000!

Click to expand...

Maybe they employ Raven Games & Telegames as their "researchers"?

Anyone remember the retro (collectors cabin?) page in CV&G (back when it was good)? They quoted realistic prices for things.

A zx81 would be "£5 with a box full of games from your local car boot sale".

I'm sure edge would say "as only a few exist now expect to pay £300".


I'm sure prices will go back to normal as soon as the NGPC "fad" is over. A couple of years ago the Vectrex was a "holy grail", selling for >£500, now you can get one for £50 (unboxed no games)!

I just have a problem with *anyone* quoting prices. They become carved in stone - "Oh, but UltimateGamesMachine.Com said this was worth $1324.84 so that's how much I'm selling it for!"

The old maxim is what I stick with; It's worth what I'm prepared to pay for it.

In the case of Pocket Reversi, that would be about £15. I don't care how rare it is, that's not why I buy games.

I like the Edge Retro special. There were some good articles in there - although that Eugene Jarvis interview read like a cut-and-paste job from past interviews. Maybe he's described the gestation of Defender & Robotron so many times he's got a press release or something wink .

But I digress. While I liked the mag, I don't like the price quoting. Yes. I can see why they've done it, but I do feel that it has an adverse effect on collecting. You end up with a lot of people over-paying for L@@K R@R3 items which then end up being hoarded. Prices will settle down, but we'll never see any of the PR's that have been sold recently in public again and that's got to be a bad thing

Cheers
Chris

im actually believing believing what we saw last weekend was just 2 or three guys who now jst wanted to jump on and get a collection as quick as possible, the guy who payed 70 or 80 bucks for capcom card fighters out bidded me on that auction and the only reason he payed that mutch is because i was so pissed at how high they were going i figured if somone out bids me for it there gonna pay a good amount so i put my max up at 71.50 i think, but anyhow i got the same game last night off ebay for 27 bucks , in an auction and im noticing not nearly as mutch price jumping as there was,

Metal Slug:

Turn a couple of pages on, and you'll see the 'Wish List' page? Observe the Nintendo Game and Watch "Super Mario Bros YM-901 Special"
This they describe as a "Holy Grail" item.
But they cant even get the facts right!
They call it the '58th Game and Watch', but of course it IS the Legendary 60th.

Click to expand...

In fact YM901 released on 19.08.87 is the 58th machine to appear on the market chronologically.

Number 59 is the multiscreen Safebuster released on 06.01.88

Number 60 is the new wide screen version of super mario bros released on 08.03.88

You need to check your facts.

A mint condition version complete with box and certificate sold for $2000 on ebay a couple of months before edge retro came out.

On a lighter note!
That new magasine 'Games TM' is it?
That seems much better! I actuallly enjoyed that.

Click to expand...

ah now I understand...

Metal Slug:

There are 59 official G&W releases.
There is a rumour of a Tetris Prototype, which was hotly debated for some time (Before common sense prevailed)
Game and Watches are NEVER refered to in chronological order, by numbers.
No collector would ever say 'I've got a 13th game and watch'.
That is why the 'YM-901 Special' is the only exception. Because it was so hotly debated for so long.
The question was, 'Is the YM-901S going to end up being the 60th Game and Watch'? Remember, some really thought the Tetris proto would get that title. Others argued that Nintendo Game/Watches should be included!

Edge cant even count to sixty! They think that there are only 58 Game and Watches!
There are 60! 59 released at retail, 1 'special' given as a prize. (Game/Watches are NOT included)

Click to expand...

Not including the wristwatches there are actually 66. the last was Mario the juggler released on 14.10.91

There were then 8 wristwatches released on top of that.

Whichever poor fansite you are reading for your "researched" information I suggest you find another.

And if you'd care to enlighten me as to the "facts" about pocket reversi numbers I'm sure the world would love to hear...The whole thing gives me such deja vu re: the kizuna encounter thing in the aes scene.

quote: By Gozaimas

In fact YM901 released on 19.08.87 is the 58th machine to appear on the market chronologically.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I said, collectors NEVER refer to GWs by chronological numbering.
And besides, it never ‘appeared on the market’ as it was only available as a prize.

Quote: By Gozaimas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number 59 is the multiscreen Safebuster released on 06.01.88

Number 60 is the new wide screen version of super mario bros released on 08.03.88

You need to check your facts.

A mint condition version complete with box and certificate sold for $2000 on ebay a couple of months before edge retro came out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh where to begin!
The 59th G&W released to retail, was actually ‘Mario the Juggler’ (MJ-108) which can be considered to be based on the first GW ‘Ball’ (Ac-01) from 1980. ‘Mario The Juggler’ was released in October of 91. This was the last G&W.

I have already explained that chronological numbering of GW’s is meaningless, as the only GW ever referred to by a number IS the YM-901S, because until its acceptance by the collecting community as a legitimate GW there were only 59. Which is why it is known as the fabled ‘60th’ Game and Watch, not the ‘58th’.

As for one selling for $2000! shame
In fact, YOU should check your facts.
They haven’t made that sort of money for nearly 2 years, not 2 months!
Your comment is about as relevant as claiming Circus Lido is worth $2000! And besides, it was only the first couple to enter the western market that made that sort of money. The many dozens sold on Ebay over the last two years have made substantially less!
Even if you were right (Which of course you are not) $2000 is not £2000 is it?
Edge claimed £2000 (UK pounds) for a complete boxed one, that would be nearer $3000.

The last complete one to sell on Ebay sold for around £530 Which is, and has been the ‘going rate’ for a very long time now.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote: By Gozaimas
Not including the wristwatches there are actually 66. the last was Mario the juggler released on 14.10.91

There were then 8 wristwatches released on top of that.

Whichever poor fansite you are reading for your "researched" information I suggest you find another.

And if you'd care to enlighten me as to the "facts" about pocket reversi numbers I'm sure the world would love to hear...The whole thing gives me such deja vu re: the kizuna encounter thing in the aes scene.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are not 66, there ARE 59+1 Special.
Even the ‘poorest’ of fansite’s knows that! wink

You could look here: <a href="http://www.algonet.se/~zybernic/G&W/index2.htm" target="_blank">http://www.algonet.se/~zybernic/G&W/index2.htm</a>

Fredrick is hugely respected within the GW collecting world.

Or perhaps here: <a href="http://www.gameandwatchhq.tk/" target="_blank">http://www.gameandwatchhq.tk/</a>

Here IS a list of ALL 59 Game and Watches actually released. (Thanks to Fredrick’s site)

The Nintendo - Game & Watch™ MasterlistLast

Modified: Silver Series
Game Name Model no. Released
Ball AC-01 1980.04.28
Flagman FL-02 1980.06.05
Vermin MT-03 1980.07.10
Fire RC-04 1980.07.31
Judge IP-05 1980.10.04

Gold Series
Game Name Model no. Released
Manhole MH-06 1981.01.29
Helmet CN-07 1981.02.21
Lion LN-08 1981.04.29

Wide Screen
Game Name Model no. Released
Parachute PR-21 1981.06.19
Octopus OC-22 1981.07.16
Popeye PP-23 1981.08.05
Chef FP-24 1981.09.08
Mickey Mouse MC-25 1981.10.09
Egg EG-26 1981.10
Fire FR-27 1981.12.04
Turtle Bridge TL-28 1982.02.01
Fire Attack ID-29 1982.03.26
Snoppy Tennis SP-30 1982.04.28

Multi Screen
Game Name Model no. Released
Oil Panic OP-51 1982.05.28
Donkey Kong DK-52 1982.06.03
Mickey & Donald DM-53 1982.11.12
Greenhouse GH-54 1982.06.12
Donkey Kong 2 JR-55 1983.03.07
Mario Bros. MW-56 1983.03.14
Rainshower LP-57 1983.08
Lifeboat TC-58 1983.10
Pinball PB-59 1983.12.05
Black Jack BJ-60 1985.02.15
Squish MG-61 1986.04
Bomb Sweeper BD-62 1987.06
Safebuster JB-63 1988.01
Goldcliff MV-64 1988.10
Zelda ZL-65 1989.08

Color Screen Tabletop
Game Name Model no. Released
Donkey Kong Jr. CJ-71 1983.04.28
Mario's Cement Factory CM-72 1983.04.28
Snoopy SM-73 1983.07.05
Popeye PG-74 1983.08

Panorama Screen
Game Name Model no. Released
Snoopy SM-91 1983.08.30
Popeye PG-92 1983.08.30
Donkey Kong Jr. CJ-93 1983.10.07
Mario's Bombs Away TB-94 1983.11.10
Mickey Mouse DC-95 1984.02
Donkey Kong Circus MK-96 1984.09

New Wide Screen
Game Name Model no. Released
Donkey Kong Jr. DJ-101 1982.10.26
Mario's Cement Factory ML-102 1983.06.16
Manhole NH-103 1983.08.24
Tropical Fish TF-104 1985.07
Super Mario Bros. YM-105 1988.03
Climber DR-106 1988.03
Balloon Fight BF-107 1988.03
Mario the Juggler MJ-108 1991.10

Super Color
Game Name Model no. Released
Spitball Sparky BU-201 1984.02.07
CrabGrab UD-202 1984.02.21

Micro Vs.
Game Name Model no. Released
Boxning / Punch-Out!! BX-301 1984.07.31
Donkey Kong 3 AK-302 1984.08.20
Donkey Kong Hockey HK-303 1984.11.12

Crystal Screen
Game Name Model no. Released
Super Mario Bros. YM-801 1986.06
Climber DR-802 1986.07
Balloon Fight BF-803 1986.11


If you want to include the different colour of Judge as a separate GW then whoopty doo! The fact is, it is not. If you have six more that you cant see above, please provide me with their model numbers?
Oh, and I will pay you good money for them wink
BTW. Game/Watches, and the recent ‘Mini Classics’ (Based in part on the original Game and Watch range) are NOT part of the genuine Game & Watch Range.

As for Reversi! LOL!!!!!!
Edge claim that there ‘may’ be as few as 10 in existence!
Well, the only way that could be true would be if NG.com members own every one in existence.
So, I’d call that a ‘sensationalist claim’ wouldn’t you?

<small>[ January 28, 2003, 03:35 PM: Message edited by: Metal Slug ]</small>