Hunting for Value 10/26/22
Hunting for Value (10/26/2022)
Staff writer Lauren Sisselman digs through the Standard Gaming inventory and highlights a handful of retro graded games that may be worth a deeper look.
Whether you're new to the hobby of graded video games or a seasoned veteran, everyone likes to get a good deal. Prices on games can vary widely depending on where you look and games on marketplaces like eBay are often listed without context. At Standard Gaming, we have games for every type of collector, all available for immediate purchase. Below are a few titles that stand out, and may help you as you Hunt for Value in the graded video game market.
The Simpsons: Bart vs. The World
Simpsons mania dominated American pop culture in the early 1990s – but no character compared to the popularity of the oldest son, Bart Simpson. Bart was the subject of countless merchandise drops, music videos, and a handful of video games, including Bart vs. The Space Mutants, and the sequel, Bart vs. The World. Bart vs. The World is a single-player side-scrolling platform game that takes the character on a worldwide scavenger hunt, with Mr. Burns on his trail. The game starts out like a normal Simpsons episode but quickly dives into the gameplay. Characters from Springfield can be found throughout the game. The game was also released for the Sega Game Gear, the Sega Master System, the Atari ST, and the Amiga.
This WATA sealed 8.0 features a dynamic box art with Bart full center. His famous family can be found throughout the cover, as well as the various family members of the Burns family – including Smithers. Comparatively, the one-year average for a 9.8 sealed copy is $6,720, making this copy an extremely affordable and very presentable item. This box is colorful and bold and will display nicely in any collection. This game is perfect for collectors of The Simpsons, or people who collect games from a number of consoles.
Since Tetris made its debut in 1984 the puzzle game has become a staple in the video game world. Tetris has been adapted in some way for almost every console and handheld device and has inspired countless other puzzle games as well. While Tetris Attacks is not a traditional Tetris title – but rather, a rebranded Japanese game. Tetris Attacks was popular with players, yet not with Tetris co-founder Henk Rogers who opposed the use of the name for the game. As a result, subsequent follow-ups were released under the Puzzle League name. This is still a popular game to this day and has become a collector's piece.
This WATA for display only 9.4 is an interesting item. For display-only boxes are just that – created for a display only. They have no content inside of them, they are simply used to advertise the game – the box even says “For Display Only” as to not confuse consumers. A handful of SNES games have For Display Only copies, making this a rare find. Display and marketing pieces are highly collectible, and this is a great way to get an affordable, graded piece for under $100. It may seem like a niche collectible, but this is a unique find for all kinds of collectors. This is a great item for any SNES collector or anyone who collects unusual game items.
Mega Man – or Rockman in Japan – is one of the most popular game series of all time. Since his introduction in 1983, generations of fans have grown up with the action-based franchise. Spawning sequels, television shows, popular soundtracks, and comics, Mega Man is one of the pillar franchises in video game history. Mega Man X3 was the last Mega Man game for the Super Nintendo and is hard to find in almost any condition. The X series is a sub-series of the Mega Man games, and include 7 installments, two collections, and one mobile game. The collections can be played across several platforms, making it easy for new and returning gamers to still enjoy the Mega Man X series. Wii owners can also play X3 on the Wii U Virtual console. Overall, Mega Man has sold over 30 million units worldwide, an impressive feat for any franchise.
This WATA 6.5 cartridge is a great way to collect the game. Graded and sealed copies have sold for over $50,000, making this an affordable option for collectors. Collecting cartridges is a hobby in itself, with some cartridges going for lots of money. These are a great alternative for collectors, as finding complete copies of games (especially sealed copies) can be harder for older games. This cartridge presents well, with the label still in tact, and still as eye-catching as ever. This piece is perfect for people who collect cartridges, Mega Man, or SNES collectors.
Golf video games have a solid footing in video game history, and new golf games come out for almost every single console. This game allows players to go up against other golfers in tournaments, with Tiger Woods being the hardest opponent in the game. Reviews for CyberTiger were mostly positive. The game featured realistic graphics, and was easy to play across all platforms. CyberTiger was also released for the PlayStation and the Nintendo 64.
This WATA CIB 9.2 is an excellent example of this game. Similarly graded sealed copies have sold in the past, but can be harder to find. Graded copies of this game do not become available often! This copy displays well, has wonderfully bright and cartoony box art, and would fit in well with GameBoy Color collectors, golf video game collectors, Nintendo fans, and more.
Looking For More General Information on Graded Games?
· If any of the terminology used in this guide was confusing or new to you, please refer to our convenient glossary of terms here.
· Need more information about graded games in general? Check out this intro to the different types of certified video games here.
