most expensive system to collect for

[wrldstrman]

I asked this question over on dp and almost eveyone says the neo geo I know there are several here with mega collections so would it be neo geo or 2600 that is the most expensive to collect for. since this is mainly a atari site I just wonder what the atari collectors think.

[Bruce Tomlin]

I suppose it depends on how far you go. I would think that there are fewer NG games to collect, but overall they are less common and more desirable than your average 2600 game, making average price per game be not cheap. However, the 2600 has some really truly super-rare stuff, some of which has a quantity of 50 or less, mostly in the hands of mega-collectors, and unlikely to come up for sale.

 

With the 2600, you can get a 300 game collection without too much trouble or expense, but with the Neo Geo, there are a lot fewer games to collect (especially if you go US-only), but they are mostly pretty rare and going to be individually expensive. Also, NG owners aren't families with kids, and didn't appear in rental stores, so the boxes and instructions are more likely to be present. A 2600 collection with 95% cartridge + instructions + box (when instructions or box ever existed) is going to be a lot harder than the similar for NG.

[Famicoman]

Neo Geo

[JB]

NeoGeo. Not particularly due to rarity, but because the NeoGeo community is f'ing batshit crazy and drives the price of EVERYTHING up.

[Jess Ragan]

Take it from someone who has both a Neo-Geo and a Neo-Geo CD... it's most expensive to collect for the Neo-Geo. I mean, good grief, what other console has games that cost THOUSANDS of dollars? The European version of Kizuna Encounter costs well over TEN THOUSAND dollars. Needless to say, I'm going to keep my own Neo-Geo collection modest.

 

JR

[+Cobra Kai]

NeoGeo. Not particularly due to rarity, but because the NeoGeo community is f'ing batshit crazy and drives the price of EVERYTHING up.

1028804[/snapback]

 

Good point, it's not like the games were ever expensive to begin with.

[spacecadet]

NeoGeo. Not particularly due to rarity, but because the NeoGeo community is f'ing batshit crazy and drives the price of EVERYTHING up.

1028804[/snapback]

 

The games start out at $300 retail. So you're dealing with a mentality that sees anything below $300 as a deal, and anything above $300 as just the price of rarity.

 

I don't think that makes NG collectors batshit, though (unless you consider them batshit for collecting NG stuff to begin with). It's pretty much the same psychology as collectors for any other system go by; NG stuff is just priced really high to begin with.

[bowser724]

If you don't use eBay, NES games are pretty fracking expensive. I remember when they were between .50 and 1.50 at GameStop, but that was before I got an NES. >

[Ze_ro]

Well, there are people out there who collect arcade machines, but I suppose that's a little different. The TurboDuo is also a pricey system to collect, especially with all the import stuff.

 

But yeah, NeoGeo AES still takes the cake. It doesn't HAVE to be as expensive as that though... There are a number of cheap AES games (mostly the early releases like Baseball Stars and NAM 1975 and such), and MVS games are generally pretty cheap, so pretty much all the NeoGeo games CAN be had for a fair price if you look around. I bought myself a Phantom-1 converter so I could play MVS games on my AES, and it totally saved me money in the long run.

 

Of course, this all assumes that you're willing to live with the (somewhat ugly) MVS carts instead of the nice AES carts in their fancy boxes.....

 

--Zero

[Tempest]

I'd have to say (in order):

 

Neo Geo AES - As was pointed out before, the games are just plain pricey. It was an expensive system to begin with, and the prices (for the most part) have only gone up. There are tiers to the pricing though. For example you can get about 15 different titles for around $30-$50, then the next tier is around $100-$150, then $250, then $500, then you hit the $1000+ tier. Crazy stuff, that's why I collect MVS...

 

PS1 - If you're insane enough to try and collect for the PS1, better have deep pockets. Even if you can find games for $5 or less each, there are hundreds of titles to get (did PS1 ever break the 1000 game mark?). This is another case of quantity of games over price of games.

 

2600 - Yes it may sound odd, but due to the sheer number of games for the 2600, you're going to end up spending a bundle. The 2600 has always been popular among collectors, and competition for those 10's is fierce.

 

Turbo Duo/TG-16 - Another system with expensive games. There aren't all that many to get, but they're usually in the $20+ price range with the rarer US releases going for $200 or more. Oh and of course you also have Magical Chase...

 

Vectrex - Another odd one for this list. This one depends on wether or not you're collecting loose or boxed games. Loose veccy carts are only about $5-$15 depending on the title (with exceptions), but even boxed commons will start around $30 and go up from there. You don't even want to know what the last boxed Polar Rescue went for...

 

Tempest

[rogueleader]

I think it depends on how you look at it. Many of you are assuming that the OP means to collect every game. Therefore the point about something like the PS1 would be valid. Not because of individual price but shear volume. However that would mean that the collector would want every year of Madden Football, ESPN football, EA Sports football etc. On the other hand you have some sytems with very expensive individual cartridges. I may collect Atari, however I could not ever imagine owning a Video Life cartridge. Nor would I pay an enormous sum for one. So my view of collecting cannot be of manifest destiny but rather collecting quality carts at a price I can live with.

[JB]

NeoGeo. Not particularly due to rarity, but because the NeoGeo community is f'ing batshit crazy and drives the price of EVERYTHING up.

1028804[/snapback]

 

The games start out at $300 retail. So you're dealing with a mentality that sees anything below $300 as a deal, and anything above $300 as just the price of rarity.

Whereas other systems are allowed to depreciate.

 

I don't think that makes NG collectors batshit, though (unless you consider them batshit for collecting NG stuff to begin with).  It's pretty much the same psychology as collectors for any other system go by; NG stuff is just priced really high to begin with.

1028884[/snapback]

Except NeoGeo games are pushed far beyond what's reasonable(pick a NeoGeo game at any rarity level and compare the going price to a similarly rare game on any other system), and there's insane attempts to manipulate the value further by spreading bad information.

A simple attempt to figure out which deck models have what AV configuration had enough drama involved to make a minor soap opera.

 

 

Admittedly it's not all of the NG collectors, but it IS a large chunk of 'em.

[n8littlefield]

Another system that I think would be really expensive would actually be the GBA. There are a TON of games for the little bugger, and they hardly depreciate at all, and finding boxes/booklets can be a toughie.

[Chickybaby]

I would also add oddly that N64 games are expensive to "collect" as well. Many newer system games are still expensive and haven't had a chance to go down in value and If you want all the games for almost any system you're gonna pay a bunch.

I have yet to see (in person) any Neo Geo games other then Neo Geo pocket in our area.

[JimmydelaKopin]

What about that old Cinematronic-whatever laserdisc system?

 

Goodness, that was expensive back in the day--and very rare too!

[+Cobra Kai]

NeoGeo. Not particularly due to rarity, but because the NeoGeo community is f'ing batshit crazy and drives the price of EVERYTHING up.

1028804[/snapback]

 

The games start out at $300 retail. So you're dealing with a mentality that sees anything below $300 as a deal, and anything above $300 as just the price of rarity.

Whereas other systems are allowed to depreciate.

 

Unless the games are great. Radiant Silvergun comes to mind. Raiden Project for PSX etc...good games don't have to depreciate, and not all, but ALOT of the +$200 games for NEO are just damn good. There's alot to be said for the condition of games in the AES collectors/gamers market. It's easier to find near mint/mint games in the NEO market than any other console market out there. The price of the games is just one reason to treat the carts like gold and keep them in tip top shape in case you want to resell them without a loss. Who's going to buy a game for $300, then turn around and sell it in mint condition for $50 just because 'it should depreciate'? Show me this guy please, I need to beef up my Neo collection ASAP.

 

I don't think that makes NG collectors batshit, though (unless you consider them batshit for collecting NG stuff to begin with).  It's pretty much the same psychology as collectors for any other system go by; NG stuff is just priced really high to begin with.

1028884[/snapback]

Except NeoGeo games are pushed far beyond what's reasonable(pick a NeoGeo game at any rarity level and compare the going price to a similarly rare game on any other system), and there's insane attempts to manipulate the value further by spreading bad information.

 

Eh...I don't buy that. There really is no comparison. You're talking about rarity levels on the NEO as if they actually are comparable to another system...when they aren't. NEO games, the expensive ones(I consider expensive +$200, especially the US releases were printed in terms of hundreds of carts, I would guess mostly no more than 2,000 I don't really know for sure). There were only 75 copies of Metal Slug 5 US for instance, 500 copies of Sengoku 3 US, and similar print runs for games like SvC:Chaos, KOF 200x, Matrimelee etc... Prices will probably stay high for these US AES games, there just aren't that many cartridges out there.

 

Admittedly it's not all of the NG collectors, but it IS a large chunk of 'em.

1029663[/snapback]

 

Of course, collecting any game console anymore is just craziness is it not? What with MAME and all that. I'm crazy how bout you?

 

edit: I screwed up the quotes on this one, so I bolded my replies, so you have some hope of figuring out what's going on sorry.

Edited March 8, 2006 by Gunstarhero

[JB]

Except NeoGeo games are pushed far beyond what's reasonable(pick a NeoGeo game at any rarity level and compare the going price to a similarly rare game on any other system), and there's insane attempts to manipulate the value further by spreading bad information.

 

Eh...I don't buy that. There really is no comparison. You're talking about rarity levels on the NEO as if they actually are comparable to another system...when they aren't. NEO games, the expensive ones(I consider expensive +$200, especially the US releases were printed in terms of hundreds of carts, I would guess mostly no more than 2,000 I don't really know for sure). There were only 75 copies of Metal Slug 5 US for instance, 500 copies of Sengoku 3 US, and similar print runs for games like SvC:Chaos, KOF 200x, Matrimelee etc... Prices will probably stay high for these US AES games, there just aren't that many cartridges out there.

If there were only 75 copies of Metal Slug 5, why's it an R7 at DigitPress? I was under the impression that you didn't get into the double digits around 9.

 

Prices across the board are a joke. R2 games go for like 5$ on most systems. On the NeoGeo? A good 6x that.

 

Admittedly it's not all of the NG collectors, but it IS a large chunk of 'em.

1029663[/snapback]

 

Of course, collecting any game console anymore is just craziness is it not? What with MAME and all that. I'm crazy how bout you?

I'm not much of a collector, really.

I don't buy games I don't intend to play(unless they're dirt cheap), and I tend to have low price caps.

I WILL pay more for box+manual, though.

 

 

edit: I screwed up the quotes on this one, so I bolded my replies, so you have some hope of figuring out what's going on sorry.

No big deal. Happens to everyone.

[shadow460]

I would also add oddly that N64 games are expensive to "collect" as well. Many newer system games are still expensive and haven't had a chance to go down in value and If you want all the games for almost any system you're gonna pay a bunch.

I have yet to see (in person) any Neo Geo games other then Neo Geo pocket in our area.

1029705[/snapback]

 

Some are, but most aren't. Most of the NTSC sports titles go for $7 or less, even the R6 NFL Blitz 2001.

The costliest games for the N64 are probably ones that include rare hardware like the VRU. Anything else doesn't exceed $20 around here.

Really, though, no N64 game pak has appreciated by itself (each one has $35 worth of parts inside)--it needs the box and manual for that.

Assuming that the games average $10 each (lots of sports titles CIB for 50 cents, balanced by StarCraft, Blitz SE, and Ogre Battle 64 and some other titles at $20 each), and there are about 250 US releases for the '64, an entire collection would cost you about $2800. The extra $300 would buy controllers, Paks, and odd stuff like the Wideboy 64 and the Reality Vest.

If you include the 64DD, that number goes up to $3500.

Add a Color Gameboy and the ten gamepaks for that which work with the N64 Transfer Pak, that's probably another $150.

I'd say an entire US N64 collection like the one I'm building would run easily under $4000, more if you have a lot of boxes and original manuals.

Yes, there are a few things that are bat excrement crazy purchases, like the 64DD at $700 and maybe Wideboy (don't know the price of that yet).

 

Still, though, you have a good point. Many newer games have retained 50% or more of their value, even when sold used and without instructions or a box.

And some have appreciated, too, like the Neo Geo ones mentioned above.

[shadow460]

*drops jaws*

I just checked on Wideboy 64.

It sold originally for $1400.00 US.

 

:o

Edited March 8, 2006 by shadow460

[Jess Ragan]

NeoGeo. Not particularly due to rarity, but because the NeoGeo community is f'ing batshit crazy and drives the price of EVERYTHING up.

1028804[/snapback]

 

The games start out at $300 retail. So you're dealing with a mentality that sees anything below $300 as a deal, and anything above $300 as just the price of rarity.

Whereas other systems are allowed to depreciate.

 

I don't think that makes NG collectors batshit, though (unless you consider them batshit for collecting NG stuff to begin with).  It's pretty much the same psychology as collectors for any other system go by; NG stuff is just priced really high to begin with.

1028884[/snapback]

Except NeoGeo games are pushed far beyond what's reasonable(pick a NeoGeo game at any rarity level and compare the going price to a similarly rare game on any other system), and there's insane attempts to manipulate the value further by spreading bad information.

A simple attempt to figure out which deck models have what AV configuration had enough drama involved to make a minor soap opera.

 

 

Admittedly it's not all of the NG collectors, but it IS a large chunk of 'em.

1029663[/snapback]

 

Yeah, there's some nutty shit going on in the Neo-Geo collecting community. I'd heard that one guy was intentionally defacing cartridges, boxes, and manuals with stamps, to increase the value of his remaining stock. There's also a homebrew shooter for the AES that will not only retail for seven HUNDRED dollars (cough... cough), but is being manufactured by tearing apart old King of Fighters 2001 cartridges. That, of course, will drive the cost of both games through the roof in a couple of years.

 

JR

[shadow460]

That's why I kind of detest the idea of making new games out of old cartridges.

At least Pac Man and Combat are somewhat more common the KoF 2001.

[+Cobra Kai]

If there were only 75 copies of Metal Slug 5, why's it an R7 at DigitPress? I was under the impression that you didn't get into the double digits around 9.

 

Prices across the board are a joke. R2 games go for like 5$ on most systems. On the NeoGeo? A good 6x that.

 

Look, the DP guide isn't the be-all end-all especially when it deals with systems that aren't in the actual physical book, meaning anything after NES is probably going to change alot. To answer the question, I would guess he didn't rate it r-9 because it's a fairly new game that even though there are only 75 US copies(probably alot more Japanese copies mind you) of the AES version, the Neo market is still fairly active currently and this game is not impossible to find for sale. Demand for the game is good, and the resale is high, so the game is still moving. If someone finds an Atari 2600 r-9, you plan on keeping it for life. There's a big difference.

 

To address your second question, I think that's like asking why can't I buy an old Corvette for the same price as an old Ford Escort? Personally, I think for the Neo games that have depreciated, and there are alot of them, I think the scale you'd find is actually about the same. Take a look at Nam 1975, the first Neo Geo game made. The home cart for that will probably run you around $20-30, and it's a very common cartridge, I would say an R2. The game was $200 brand new in 1989(90?), so it sells for %10 original value....right on par with your example for an R2 for game system X, I'll say Nintendo NES, I'd buy a complete copy of Time Lord for $5...I know that game was $50 brand new...again %10 of original value.

 

Collectivitis has assuredly pushed the prices on some of the best games way beyond what a normal person is willing to pay, like Metal Slug 1. But that's the way it is...I can't explain why people pay 14 gazillion dollars on a painting either, or why beanie babies drive soccer moms nutzo. If 2 or 3 people buy a game for $2000, then sorry but that game is now worth $2000 because the internet and ebay make it so.

[Tempest]

What about that old Cinematronic-whatever laserdisc system?

 

Goodness, that  was expensive back in the day--and very rare too!

1029804[/snapback]

 

I think you mean the RDI Halcyon system. I suppose it would be expensive to collect for. The last system sold on Ebay (years ago) for around $2000 and there are only two games for it. I do see the game discs up on ebay from time to time for only $50 or so, so it's really the system that's the expensive part.

 

 

Take a look at Nam 1975, the first Neo Geo game made. The home cart for that will probably run you around $20-30, and it's a very common cartridge,

 

That's only because they found a huge stash of them NOS. Magician Lord and several other early titles fall into this category.

 

Tempest

[+Cobra Kai]

JR wrote:

There's also a homebrew shooter for the AES that will not only retail for seven HUNDRED dollars (cough... cough), but is being manufactured by tearing apart old King of Fighters 2001 cartridges. That, of course, will drive the cost of both games through the roof in a couple of years.

 

That's been going on for years though with conversion carts. You can convert an MVS game to play on the AES, but you need a sacrifical lamb cartridge to gut and get the encryption chip off of. Usually people(convertors) buy less successful releases at a lower price, like Sengoku 3, I've been told that a huge chunk of those were used as sac carts, but it hasn't really affected the price. KOF 2001 carts probably won't be missed to much, considering SSV and a million other fighters are available on the system.

 

$700 is alot of money, but I'm sure the parts, chips and memory blocks for those carts are fucking expensive. It's like if I wanted to buy a new exhaust system for a '37 Ford, I'd have to pay out the ass to make someone fabricate parts that aren't made anymore.

[+Cobra Kai]

That's why I kind of detest the idea of making new games out of old cartridges.

At least Pac Man and Combat are somewhat more common the KoF 2001.

1029859[/snapback]

 

Consider this, that homebrew game is going to be $700. I don't expect too many KoF 2001's are going to be used up. I'm a Neo owner, and I have my limits. I won't be buying one, and I have Metal Slug 5. I think it's great though, I hope they sell some.

 

Ha...I just checked the neostore and there are still 39 copies of KoF 2001 English version for sale. So even with a limited quantity, after 5 years it still isn't sold out. This is a good cart to use for a sacrifice.