Video games are not cheap, and if you’re looking to get into the world of collecting games, then prepare yourself for some price shock as some extremely rare titles can get into the thousands. This list contains some of the most expensive games you can buy right now from post-market sellers.
To be clear, these are only original versions of retail games. That means this won’t include any demo carts or anything like the Nintendo World Championship NES carts. Also, anything that was released as a special edition bundle is inherently more valuable than just the game by itself, so they have been omitted to avoid this list becoming a bunch of collector’s editions.
Poop Slinger (PS4)
A wise man once said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but the current value of this game is pure garbage. Poop Slinger was a title thought to be a joke game that only sold a puny 84 copies.
The April Fool’s Day physical release date did it no favors for those who doubted the legitimacy of the game and its publisher — Limited Rare Games — who ripped off the Limited Run Games Logo.
Right now, you can find the game all over eBay selling for $350 to $850. It’s a shame that the indie developers, Diggidy.net, will likely never see a single cent of that money.
Cubivore (GCN)
Cubivore was introduced to much of the Western gaming world through a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It was so mysterious because it was a character from a game that had yet to be released. Decades passed and a curious Google search returned that character was from Cubivore.
It turns out it’s a rare title that focuses on consuming other cubic creatures in order to become stronger and mutate. Think Spore, but with more focus on how what you consume impacts your mutation path.
If you’re looking to pick up the game, it’ll cost you at least $200 if not a little more based upon the condition.
EarthBound (SNES)
This game stinks! What a genius way to sell a video game. EarthBound is one of the best JRPGs of all time and it was stuck with an idiotic marketing campaign in the English-speaking world. The poor sales led to a high level of rarity and the insane current cost of over $1000 for a complete copy that has the guide, box, and scratch n’ sniff stickers included.
Thank Nintendo Jesus that the game came to Wii U, 3DS, and the SNES Classic so there could be an affordable and legal way to play the classic game. This allowed people around the world to finally play this extremely expensive SNES title.
Pokemon SoulSilver/HeartGold (DS)
I know that tons of Pokemon fans loved the second generation of games, but this is a bit much. I know it brought back following Pokemon and gave Suicune and even greater story than Crystal offered, but what the game is currently valued at feels a bit high.
Just like other DS games at the time, it launched at $40. However, this is the only Pokemon game from the handheld system that has become more expensive since it released.
You can get it used for around $60 now, but sealed copies sell for hundreds, especially if they include the Pokewalker that originally came with the game.
Power Stone 2 (DC)
Welcome to the Power Stone world!
This is one of those underrated franchises that’s often overlooked because of its Dreamcast roots. Power Stone 2 was a platform fighter, but it didn’t try to copy Smash Bros. Like so many other games in the genre attempted to do. The unique 3D view made this fighter play completely differently than any other fighting game on the market.
Even with the backing of an internationally known developer like Capcom, Power Stone 2 failed to reach a wide audience. If you’re looking for a used copy, then get ready to part with $70 to $100. Double that if you want a fresh one.
The Misadventures of Tron Bonne (PS1)
Like many other games, this one busts bank accounts because of its rarity. However, unlike many others on this list, it was a well-reviewed title. As a spinoff of the popular Capcom title, Mega Man Legends, it was almost sure to be a hit with fans of the series.
Even a demo of Mega Man Legends 2 packed in couldn’t keep this game from becoming an expensive rarity.
You’d be lucky to find even the packaging by itself selling for under $90. Complete copies — including the Legends 2 demo — typically push in the $300+ range, and new copies will cost you double that.
Barbie: Groom and Glam Pups (3DS)
Extremely rare video games make people do crazy things, like spending $300 on Barbie: Groom and Glam Pups for the 3DS.
If you’re looking for a game that gives you some of the features of Nintendogs plus hideous outfits that will break the spirit of your four-legged friend, then boy oh boy is this game for you.
I can only see the most dedicated 3DS collectors buying the game at this point. If you want a full physical game collection, then go for it. Otherwise, just print off the cover and slide it into an empty 3DS game case.
Haunting Ground (PS2)
This survival horror title has quite the following online thanks to the often objectified female lead, Fiona Belli. The look and feel of the game scream Silent Hill, and the existence of Fiona’s dog doesn’t do anything to help that case.
If the atrocious box art for this game and gross themes weren’t enough to drive you away, then maybe the price will.
Just the disc by itself typically goes for over $100. If you’re a new-in-box collector, it’s only much more expensive at three times that amount.
Fire Emblem Path of Radiance (GCN)
This was the first Fire Emblem game to come to consoles in North America, and that’s partially why copies under $100 are rarer than the game itself. Built off of the West’s growing interest in this franchise, Path of Radiance was well received by Fire Emblem fans, but it was still a niche title that didn’t sell anywhere near as much as the franchise does now.
The increased popularity of this franchise in recent years has certainly increased Path of Radiance’s value as well. There has been an obvious increase in the value of this game and other Fire Emblem games since the release of Awakening in 2012. It’s not a huge jump, but it’s noticeable enough to see that the increase in demand has raised prices.
Skies of Arcadia (DC)
This is one of the best JRPGs on the Dreamcast and it’s one of the least expensive titles on the list at around $50 to $60. Sealed copies triple that price, but if you’re just looking to play a stellar JRPG, this one is fairly affordable.
Skies of Arcadia also had a GameCube port that’s valued at roughly the same price point as the Dreamcast version. Both versions have been slowly increasing over time.
If you’re a collector that also resells, then this is a good title to keep an eye out for. It’s not too pricey right now, and the overall value of the game has been steadily increasing for nearly 10 years.
Tomba! (PS1)
Tomba! is another value title at an average of $50 if you’re just looking to buy the game itself. This PS1 platformer was extremely well-received by critics, but it’s the rarity of the game that most people remember now. It was an unfortunate situation where the game was good but never got the sales numbers needed to make it a classic platformer like Crash and Spyro.
Sure, the game by itself is not too bad, but if you’re lucky enough to own a new copy, then that shoots the value of the title up to a much more impressive $181. That price has fluctuated considerably over the years, but it seems to have found this pricing sweet spot and has stayed level since late 2017.
Flintstones Surprise at Dinosaur Peak (NES)
You can’t have a list of ridiculously expensive retail video games without mentioning Flintstones Surprise at Dinosaur Peak. This is the apex of overpriced games being over-valued thanks to the sole fact that they’re rare. Nearly all of the hype around this game these days is thanks to how much money people are willing to fork over for it.
Just the cartridge alone averages out at an asinine $771 with new copies averaging out at an absurd $6720. It looks like it’s time to take out a few more loans if you’re looking to get that full NES collection. This hobby of collecting games is not for the faint of heart or those who are tight on money.
Pricing Source: Price Charting
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