Beginner’s Guide

Written By Randy Ho

Here is your Beginner’s Guide to Retro Video Game Collecting
(Collecting and playing retro video games is a rewarding hobby, but it requires a different approach than buying modern games. Here’s a step-by-step guide to successfully (or at least more smoothly) start your collection. Source: Beginner’s Guide.)

Step 1: Define Your Goal and Focus

Before you begin to spend big money, figure out why you’re buying and what you want to focus on.

Popular Goals:

  • Nostalgia: Collecting what you grew up with.

  • Playing: Having fun with old games.

  • Investment: Hoping they’ll rise in value.

  • Preserving: Saving history for the future.

Popular Focus Areas:

  • Single console (e.g., SNES, Sega Genesis).

  • Single genre (e.g., RPGs, platformers).

  • Condition-specific (e.g., mint in box).

  • Physical cartridges/discs vs. digital.

Pro-Tip: Start Small. Choose one system (like the Super Nintendo or PlayStation 1) that you feel most drawn to and build from there. Trying to collect for all retro systems at once is overwhelming and expensive.

Step 2: Choose Your Collection Approach

There are many ways to collect retro games. Pick the one(s) that fit you best:

Full Set: Attempting to collect every game released for a system. Example: All 678 licensed NES games.

Top Titles: Collecting the most popular or iconic games. Example: “Super Mario Bros. 3,” “Zelda,” “Final Fantasy.”

Hidden Gems: Seeking lesser-known but great titles. Example: “EarthBound,” “Chrono Trigger.”

CIB (Complete in Box): Collecting games with original box and manual. Example: SNES RPGs with full packaging.

Loose Carts: Just cartridges, cheaper and easier to store. Example: NES loose cart lot.

Imports: Collecting Japanese/European exclusives. Example: “Mother 3” (Japan only).

Special Editions: Collecting rare variants or limited releases. Example: Collector’s editions with bonus items.

Step 3: Do Your Research on Prices and Authenticity

Retro games are a massive collector’s market, and prices fluctuate daily.

  • Check Price Guides and Market Data: Use websites like PriceCharting.com to get an average sale price for games and consoles. (Don’t always trust eBay “listed” prices—they often don’t reflect what people actually pay.)

  • Compare Prices: Local shops, online listings, and conventions may vary a lot.

  • Box Condition is Huge: Especially for original games, box and manual (CIB) margins can be 5–10x higher than loose cartridges.

  • Learn Spot Fakes: Popular titles (NES, SNES, GBA) are heavily counterfeited, especially on valuable games like Pokémon, EarthBound, Final Fantasy, etc.

  • Authentication Tips: Check label printing, board authenticity, serial numbers, and seller reviews.

Example: “EarthBound” on SNES has been heavily faked; always open the cartridge to check for a legit board if possible.

General Advice: If a price seems too good to be true for a rare game, it probably is a fake.

Step 4: Hunt for Deals (Where to Buy)

Where you shop has a huge influence on the price and condition of your games.

Local Game Stores - Pros: Easier authenticity checks, trade-in options, local support. Cons: Prices are usually higher than online. Selection may be limited.

eBay - Pros: Large selection, wide availability.Prices can be inflated. Risk of fakes. Cons: Shipping costs add up.

Mercari/Facebook/OfferUp - Pros: Local deals, possible bargains.Risky—need to check authenticity. Cons: Meetups required.

Conventions/Flea Markets - Pros: Fun experience, bundle deals. Cons: Prices may be marked up, competition with other collectors.

GameSwap/Reddit/Discord - Pros: Trusted communities, fair pricing. Cons: Slower turnaround, requires trust in other collectors.

Thrift Stores/Garage Sales - Pros: Cheapest option, hidden gems. Cons: Rare finds, inconsistent quality, requires luck.

Step 5: Patience, Preservation, and Play

  • Don’t Buy Everything: Pace your spending. Retro games can be overwhelmingly expensive if you try to buy too much at once.

  • Prioritize: Chase a few core titles or nostalgia picks first, then expand.

  • Preserve: Store cartridges in dust sleeves, discs in proper cases. Keep boxes away from direct sunlight.

  • Play Your Games: Don’t just collect for display. Retro games are about playing and enjoying history.

Pro-Tip: Start with 5–10 solid purchases (mix of nostalgia & collection quality), then expand based on what you find at swaps or local stores.

Randy Ho
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