Why Collecting Retro Games Is A Worthy Investment

Why Collecting Retro Games Is A Worthy Investment

Introduction

The video game industry is worth an estimated $100 billion dollars, with 2.5 billion gamers worldwide. That’s a lot of people playing a lot of games! But what about the games that started it all – the retro games that laid the foundation for the industry we know today?

These days, retro games are becoming more and more popular, with people of all ages rediscovering the joys of classic gaming. But why? What is it about these old games that is so appealing? And is collecting retro games a worthy investment?

In this article, we’ll explore the history of video games, why collecting retro games is a viable investment opportunity, and what games you should look for when starting your collection. So, whether you’re a seasoned collector or a complete novice, this article is for you!

The History Of Video Games

The first video games appeared in the early 1950s, with early examples including tennis for two and Spacewar!. These games were played on cathode ray tube displays, and were limited in both graphics and gameplay. It wasn’t until 1971 that the first commercial arcade game, Computer Space, was released. This was followed by the release of the iconic Atari Pong in 1972. These early games laid the foundation for the video game industry we know today. The 1970s saw the golden age of arcade gaming, with classics like Space Invaders, Asteroids and Pac-Man being released. These games were simple in design but addictive in nature, and became hugely popular in both arcades and homes. The late 1970s also saw the release of the first home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey. The 1980s was the era of the home video game console, with devices like the Atari 2600, Commodore 64 and Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) becoming wildly popular. This was also the decade that saw the release of some of the most iconic video games of all time, including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong. The 1990s was the era of the personal computer, with games like Doom, Myst and The Sims becoming popular. This was also the decade that saw the rise of console gaming, with Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s Nintendo 64 becoming household names. The 2000s was the era of online gaming, with the release of Microsoft’s Xbox Live service in 2002. This was also the decade that saw the rise of mobile gaming, with games like Angry Birds and Candy Crush becoming global sensations.

Why Collecting Video Games Is A Worthy Investment

While the video game industry is worth billions of dollars today, it wasn’t always this way. In fact, the industry has only been around for around 50 years. This means that there is a limited supply of vintage video games, and the demand for these games is only going to continue to increase. Not only is there a limited supply of vintage video games, but these games are also becoming increasingly rare. Many of the earliest games were never released outside of Japan, and as such, they are extremely hard to find. Even if you do find one of these games, it is likely to be in poor condition. However, there are some people who are willing to pay top dollar for these rare and valuable games. In fact, in February of 2020, a copy of the Super Mario Bros. game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was sold at auction for a record-breaking $114,000. This just goes to show how much people are willing to pay for these vintage games. While the value of vintage video games is certainly on the rise, there are a few factors to consider before investing in these games. Firstly, it is important to consider the condition of the game. A mint condition game is going to be worth more than a game that is in poor condition. Secondly, it is important to consider the rarity of the game. A game that is more common is going to be worth less than a game that is rarer. Finally, it is important to consider the demand for the game. A game that is in high demand is going to be worth more than a game that is in low demand. With all of this in mind, it is clear to see that collecting retro video games is a worthy investment. Not only are these games becoming increasingly rare, but they are also becoming more and more valuable. So, if you’re thinking about starting a collection, now is the time to do it! One thing that is important, is that older games need protection, especially as some of these games are 40+ years old. This is why we created RetroShell – the finest retro video game protectors. Our video game protectors are made from the finest quality 4mm acrylic, making sure that your retro video games have the best protection out there.

What Games To Look For

Now that we’ve established that collecting retro video games is a worthwhile investment, you might be wondering what games you should look for. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Super Mario Bros. (NES) – This classic platformer is one of the most iconic video games of all time. It is also one of the most valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $114,000 in 2020. 2. The Legend of Zelda (NES) – This classic adventure game is another one of the most iconic video games of all time. It is also quite valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $100,000 in 2020. 3. DOOM (PC) – This groundbreaking first-person shooter is one of the most influential video games of all time. It is also quite valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $3,000 in 2020. 4. Myst (PC) – This classic puzzle game is one of the most popular video games of all time. It is also quite valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $2,000 in 2020. 5. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) – This classic platformer is the third entry in the Super Mario Bros. series. It is also quite valuable, with a copy of the game selling for $1,200 in 2020. These are just a few examples of the many classic and valuable games that are out there. So, if you’re looking to start your collection, these are some of the games you should look for!

Where To Start Your Collection

Now that you know what games to look for, you might be wondering where to start your collection. Here are a few suggestions: 1. eBay – eBay is a great place to start your collection, as it is a marketplace where you can find both common and rare games. You can also find games in both good and poor condition, which is great for beginners. 2. Garage sales – Garage sales are a great place to find cheap games, as people are often selling them for well below their value. However, it is important to inspect the games before you buy them, as they may be in poor condition. 3. Flea markets – Flea markets are similar to garage sales, but they are usually larger in scale. 

Conclusion

Retro video games are not going to increase in availability, so I believe that you will look back in a few years time and either be glad that you made the move to start a collection, or maybe regret the fact you did not move sooner. 

Whether you have one or two games, or a massive collection across a number of systems RetroShell is here for you. We are collectors as well and have designed our video game protectors to the highest quality to ensure that your games last for a long long time and do not get damaged.