Here’s why you can’t buy physical versions of old video games anymore

Collecting old video games can be a fun hobby, but with so many people just looking to make a profit by “investing” in old games and other items, it has become quite expensive. You’ll be hard-pressed to find cheap deals at your local store with older titles now commanding premium prices.

Old games are skyrocketing in price

Many older games have seen huge price increases in recent years, largely due to people buying up all the copies and selling them at inflated prices. While some are priced based on rarity, more often than not it’s a matter of demand, as even games that are easy to find can be expensive because they are so popular.

The unfortunate side effect of this is that for those looking to grow their collection of games for older consoles, acquiring some of the more important titles can be unfairly expensive. Games that would normally sell for a reasonable price at places like GameStop or retro game stores are now selling for practically full price and sometimes more.

Many people just want to make a quick profit. Sellers love to take advantage of the demand for old games, especially games that are not available on newer consoles, and create artificial scarcity that drives up prices.

Rating companies turn old games into investments

Over the past decade or so, rating companies like Wata have entered the gaming market as well, assigning “grades” to older games based on their condition. This is similar to how comic books and baseball cards are graded, and depending on the outcome, this can severely inflate the price.

Score metrics at these companies are usually based on visible damage, whether the original packaging is still intact, and how complete the game is.

While this may seem like a good way to measure the value of old toys, it also turns toy collecting into more of an investment opportunity than just a hobby. It encourages people to buy older games to grade and resell rather than collect or play them, making them less accessible to many fans.

Finding used games is less common

Going to thrift stores or retro game stores used to be a great way to find cheap old video games, but since “investors” have started to take over the market, it’s become much less likely.

Although you can still find some games on shelves in places like thrift stores, they tend to be titles like old sports annuals or shovel games rather than games that people actually want to play. Since toy collecting has become more profit-oriented, it has become harder to find worthwhile toys at thrift stores or at garage sales as people sell them for a profit rather than donate or move them quickly.

Good luck with limited editions

Resellers and scalpers can already make it difficult to find new consoles like the PS5 Pro, but with limited editions, like the PS5 Pro Anniversary Collection, it’s even harder.

Limited edition or collector’s edition games are a prime resource for distributors, since the items are usually one-of-a-kind and therefore likely to sell for a much larger amount. Although they are classified as collectors’ items, scarcity often means that scalpers buy them up and make it difficult for intended crowds to obtain them.

Lack of access doesn’t help

Perhaps one of the biggest issues surrounding collecting games as an investment is that it makes a lot of games more difficult for new fans to play through legal means. Many games never got modern ports and are stuck on outdated hardware, leaving physical copies on the original systems as the only way to play them legitimately.

Unfortunately, many dealers realize this as well, and it ends up making it more difficult for casual players to get their hands on them. In some cases, they are sold at higher prices than when they were first released especially if they are not available in any other form.

Sometimes, this issue can be reduced if the game is available on digital marketplaces like the PlayStation Store, but that’s never a guarantee, especially with deleted titles.

Bringing back old versions can really help

Re-releasing old games, whether digital, limited physical run, or another format, can help make collections easier to complete and even lower prices.

Retro groups like Everkid Small consoles like the Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo Classic systems are a fun alternative if you can’t get your hands on the originals. Some companies, like Limited Run Games, help bring old games to modern consoles with physical releases and even release remakes for older consoles.

On the digital side of things, Gog A great source for vintage video games, they sell a ton of classic games that aren’t available anywhere else, and are often incredibly cheap. This could help make games more accessible to modern audiences on PC and even on Steam Deck, giving fans a much simpler way to experience these titles.

In some cases, re-releasing a game can also disrupt the distributor market as it often thrives on lack of accessibility. When games are no longer difficult to obtain for modern players, this can sometimes reduce demand for the originals by a lot, which can lead to a deflation in prices.

You can get lucky if you know where to look

Fortunately, for those looking to pad out their game collections, there are ways to find old copies that don’t break the bank. While thrift stores are sometimes out of reach, if you can find the right ones, especially locally owned places, you might get lucky and strike gold.

Additionally, flea markets and yard or garage sales are popular places for people looking to get rid of their old items at affordable prices. You can often find local sellers on places like Facebook Marketplace or regional community groups.

As a last resort, you might get lucky at your local GameStop, as the company has seen a recent rebound in the legacy market. However, their games may follow the same pricing trends as online sellers, so it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the convenience.

Looking for people who sell games in bulk or bulk sets is also a good idea, as you can often get a lot of games for one price and then choose which ones you want to keep. This also allows you to resell products you don’t want and put the extra money into growing your collection further.

Retro games have become a huge commodity in recent years, but hope is not lost for those looking to grow their libraries. Maybe you’re on a tight budget or simply don’t want to spend a lot of money on things that should be a lot cheaper, and with a little patience and determination, you may not have to.