Unveiled: Video Game Packagings and Guides with Potential for Lucrative Gains
Rare Video Game Boxes and Manuals Command High Prices Among Collectors
A recent analysis of thousands of eBay listings has revealed that some empty video game boxes and loose manuals are commanding high prices among collectors. The prices for these rare items are not influenced by the game's quality or reviews, but rather by factors such as scarcity, collector demand, historical significance, condition, and nostalgia.
The PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 5, as well as the Xbox Series X, have average selling prices for empty console boxes and loose manuals that range from $110 to $392. However, some Nintendo 64 games stand out as particularly valuable. For instance, "Bomberman 64: The Second Attack" and "ClayFighter: Sculptor's Cut" have average selling prices of $428 and $1,713 for empty boxes, respectively. The instruction manual for "ClayFighter: Sculptor's Cut" is even more expensive, with an average selling price of $614.
Interestingly, "Stunt Racer 64" and "EarthBound" also have high average selling prices for their loose manuals, with over $200 and $346, respectively. The rarity of these manuals may be due to their limited distribution, as "Stunt Racer 64" was only released through Blockbuster Video stores, and "EarthBound" was not available in many markets until 19 years after its initial release.
When it comes to the rarest video game boxes and manuals, the top three are generally considered to be:
- Atari 7800 Original Game Boxes and Manuals (such as Pac-Man, Galaga, Xevious, Dig Dug) These are rare because they were only available for about a year when the console launched and did not sell well, making boxed versions extremely scarce.
- Nintendo NES Console Manuals and Boxes (especially early revisions) Original NES manuals and boxes from the 1980s and early 1990s, like the Control Deck System Manual (REV-3, REV-7), are rare for collectors.
- Pokémon Silver Game Boy Color Box and Manual (original or high-quality replicas) While original copies are rare and valuable, many collectors seek high-quality replicas with almost original look and feel for display.
These rare items are valuable despite negative reviews or limited distribution due to factors such as scarcity, collector demand, historical significance, condition, and nostalgia. The items that represent unique or transitional moments in gaming history, such as the Atari 7800 and the Nintendo NES, are particularly sought after. Iconic franchises like Pokémon also add emotional and brand-driven value, even if individual editions received mixed reviews.
In the realm of collectibles, some unusual items have started to gain attention – empty casino-themed smart-home devices and vintage tech gadgets. Similar to rare video game boxes and manuals, the value of these items isn't tied to their functionality but rather factors like scarcity, collector demand, historical significance, condition, and nostalgia. For example, an early model of a smart home device themed as a casino slot machine might fetch a price of $200, while a classic blogging gadget from the early 2000s could command up to $400. Remarkably, these lesser-known collectibles often hold as much – and, in some cases, more – value than the games they once accompanied or the technology they represented.
