GRcade Retro Gaming Chat

[Green Gecko]

I've always figured the black disks were worse as well because the laser isn't reflected back as well, I might be wrong.

There are a couple of problems with some disk drives reading Audio CDs with the same black layer. It might have contributed to the PS1's terrible disk read issues (I was one of many who had to tilt their console 45 degrees lol).

But hey, it looks cool. I think the only reason Sony did this was to make it easier to discriminate counterfeit disks as they are harder to come by.

[Hypes]

Need to get Gecko to make me some SNES/N64 repro boxes

[Drumstick]

Yeah Gecko do you think you could produce copies as good as the originals?

Also I can't weigh the boxes on eBay.

[Skarjo]

Currently game hunting in Akihabara. Trying to see if I can justify dropping about three hundred quid on a Virtual Boy and a CIB copy of Innsmouth.

I already picked up Sin and Punishment for N64 CIB, also LttP and Super Paper Mario CIB for the SNES.

I was on the fence about getting a GBA Micro, and a Virtual Boy (mainly because the only game I cared about was Innsmouth which I'd never seen in the wild), but now they're both right there!

[Parksey]

Isn't Akihabara ridiculously overpriced? I went to the kuch-vaunted Super Potato there, to pick up maybe the Japanese N64/GC I had my eye on buying since coming here, but the prices they charged were way higher than I expected. This was for run-of-the-mill commonplace titles too.

They were in good condition, granted, (as most second hand stuff is in Japan) but it was going to set me back a decent chunk for a console and games I already owned.

[Corazon de Leon]

Yeah Gecko do you think you could produce copies as good as the originals?

Also I can't weigh the boxes on eBay.

I’m wondering if he could make an N64 cart sticker as a decal - bought a copy of NASCAR 99 without checking it properly and the sticker has a massive tear along the bottom half, which is incredibly annoying.

[Skarjo]

It is for run of the mill stuff, definitely. But it's also where the rarest stuff turns up, and it's still usually cheaper than buying online.

You wouldn't want to buy Mario 64 there, or common consoles, but most of the stuff I've only seen in the wild once or twice were in Akihabara/SP.

[Drumstick]

Yeah Gecko do you think you could produce copies as good as the originals?

I’m wondering if he could make an N64 cart sticker as a decal - bought a copy of NASCAR 99 without checking it properly and the sticker has a massive tear along the bottom half, which is incredibly annoying.

The kuch-vaunted NASCAR 99.

I already picked up Sin and Punishment for N64 CIB, also LttP and Super Paper Mario CIB for the SNES.

Pics?

[Corazon de Leon]

Yeah Gecko do you think you could produce copies as good as the originals?

I’m wondering if he could make an N64 cart sticker as a decal - bought a copy of NASCAR 99 without checking it properly and the sticker has a massive tear along the bottom half, which is incredibly annoying.

The kuch-vaunted NASCAR 99.

I already picked up Sin and Punishment for N64 CIB, also LttP and Super Paper Mario CIB for the SNES.

Pics?

[Drumstick]

I've been toying with idea of trying to build a fledgling N64 collection, probably CIB in very good condition or better only. A browse on eBay to gauge the prices of decent quality version of the game on my want list:

1080° Snowboarding - £15
Banjo-Kazooie - £25
Diddy Kong Racing - £20
Donkey Kong 64 - £40
F-Zero X - £20
GoldenEye 007 - £25
Jet Force Gemini - £20
Lylat Wars - £25
Mario Golf - £30
Mario Tennis - £25
Perfect Dark - £25
Pokémon Stadium - £30
WWF No Mercy - £30

I also have Mario Kart 64, Mario Party 2 and Pokémon Snap on my list but I can just grab their respective Virtual Console releases.

[Corazon de Leon]

Are you going for CIB on the 64, Drum?

[Drumstick]

Are you going for CIB on the 64, Drum?

Yeah, as I said. But not for a while.

[Hypes]

Those are CIB prices??

[Drumstick]

Those are CIB prices??

Yeah, I did some recon yesterday. Not as bad as I thought.

[Mommy Christmas]

Anyone got a Pandora box?

[Cheeky Devlin]

Anyone got a Pandora box?

I've toyed with the idea of getting one before, but never pulled the trigger.

Probably going to get an Arcade 1up cab and stick a Pi and some quality controls in it at some point though.

[jawafour]

Those are CIB prices??

Yeah, I did some recon yesterday. Not as bad as I thought.

I gotta admit, Drum, that I'd wondered if those prices were a little low. I took a look at "sold" prices on eBay and - exactly as you said! - you can find examples at those price points.

I'm always cautious about gaming quality descriptions on eBay. It seems that "good" often equates to - in my opinion! - "ropey" whilst "very good" often means "kinda acceptable". I don't mean to sound like an elitist ass by saying that (although I probably do!)... but, for me, I look at the condition of games with a fairly critical eye. Of course, you can find excellent quality examples at comparatively reasonable prices, but you need to have a keen eye and an element of fortune.

The overarching guidance for most collectors, though, is to buy games you desire and will cherish rather than considering any potential future profit. As with any form of collecting, there will be a peak time to sell and then the market pricing will drop as nostalgia / desire levels change. At present SNES and MD games are popular but, give it a decade or so, people will not have that same degree of familiarity with the games and so prices will drop. If you're a fan of that gaming era, though, rather than a dealer, price changes will be pretty immaterial and you won't be too worried about rise and falls :-) .

[Drumstick]

I gotta admit, Drum, that I'd wondered if those prices were a little low. I took a look at "sold" prices on eBay and - exactly as you said! - you can find examples at those price points.

I'm always cautious about gaming quality descriptions on eBay. It seems that "good" often equates to - in my opinion! - "ropey" whilst "very good" often means "kinda acceptable". I don't mean to sound like an elitist ass by saying that (although I probably do!)... but, for me, I look at the condition of games with a fairly critical eye. Of course, you can find excellent quality examples at comparatively reasonable prices, but you need to have a keen eye and an element of fortune.

Jawa, I don't think that makes you elitist in the slightest. I personally would not invest in game which had a beaten up box/manual/cart because, whilst I am buying it for the game itself, ultimately I also take pride in having my collection in good condition. For some people that's a deal-breaker and some it isn't, both are fine.

[jawafour]

...ultimately I also take pride in having my collection in good condition. For some people that's a deal-breaker and some it isn't, both are fine.

Yeah, absolutely, folk have different desires / expectations and buying whatever - for them - meets that level is cool. I held out on picking up a boxed copy of Resi Evil 2 on N64 for ages because of condition / price... I was lucky enough to get one that, for me, satisfied both criteria in the end :-) .

[Cumberdanes]

When I started collecting for OG XBOX a few months back I wasn’t that bothered about the games being CiB but made the decision a week or two in to only buy CiB.

A few early purchases had no manual such as Halo, Dead or Alive 3 and Blinx. I’ve managed to find replacement copies complete with manuals for all but one game (Mat Hoffman 2).

Frustratingly CeX only have one price for PS2/GC/XBOX and beyond whether there’s a manual or not. Which is why I won’t buy games from them online anymore and always check the box/disc in store now. I mean imagine paying the £70 asking price for XBOX Castlevania only for it to turn up sans manual.