Key takeaways
- Retro games (NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, early PlayStation) are often worth far more than garage sale prices.
- Complete in box (CIB) can be worth multiples of a loose cartridge or disc.
- Check sold prices on PriceCharting or eBay before pricing anything.
- Test consoles and include controllers and cables.
Know the terms
- Loose: just the cartridge or disc.
- CIB (complete in box): game, case or box, and manual.
- New/sealed: factory sealed; for valuable titles, grading can matter.
What's often worth a lookup
- Nintendo titles from NES through GameCube, especially Pokémon, Zelda, Mario, and RPGs.
- Lesser-known late-release games, which were printed in small numbers.
- Consoles with original controllers, plus limited-edition hardware.
- Modern games and sports titles usually sell for a few dollars; bundle them.
Sell for the right price
Look up each title on PriceCharting, which tracks recent sales by condition, or eBay sold listings. Collections are often worth more sold individually online, but a whole-lot sale to a local game store is faster. Expect stores to offer roughly half of market value or less.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out what my old video games are worth?
Look up each title by platform and condition (loose, complete, or new) on PriceCharting or in eBay sold listings.
Prices and tips in this guide are general guidance for U.S. sellers based on typical resale markets. They are not a certified appraisal or a guarantee of what an item will sell for. For insurance, legal, tax, or high-value items, consult a qualified appraiser.