Since the pandemic, collecting retro games has gotten awful. Prices went crazy when American millennials suddenly found themselves at home with more free time than we knew what to do with. And many of us spent more time with our children than ever before.
If you were born in the 80s, the pandemic most likely coincided with the time when your children were around the same age as you, when video games, especially Nintendo’s NES and SNES (and presumably , also Sega consoles (but I’m not an authority on this) – were staples of almost every kid’s life.
So it should come as no surprise that newly nostalgic millennial dads have taken to eBay in search of their favorite children’s video games and consoles to enjoy, or perhaps share with their own children, or perhaps say to their wives that it is to share with their children but… we all know better ha!
I was already collecting when the pandemic started and watched prices skyrocket in real time. I was one of the last few collectors to get really great classic titles at reasonable prices. If only I had caught Chrono Trigger before the madness. Oh, good.
So yes. Retro games have become expensive due to a significant increase in demand, as well as some pretty blatant market manipulation by Wata Games and Heritage Auctions. i wrote Retro gaming in 2022 is a joke when I realized how far retro prices have come. This makes me angry. I’m a ghetto player because when I started collecting I was broke as hell and living in the hood. I couldn’t afford current generation games and consoles, so going retro was a cost-effective way to get some quality game time.
However, even in 2024, the retro bubble hasn’t affected all games equally there is more tons of great NES games that are still very affordable. I’ve posted a few here. And if you see something you don’t own or want to pick up for yourself, you should check out my eBay store for some of the best prices on the web!
note: I’m going to list them with the typical prices you’ll find in my store (shameless outlet. Again.) Keep in mind that these don’t include shipping (around $5 on average), and vintage video games are a commodity, priced at which fluctuate depending on the market. So don’t quote me in those quotes, okay? Now then…
Trying to challenge me huh? Think you can’t find fun NES games for this price? Well, you are very wrong! I mean… I’ll admit that you won’t find most of the most iconic NES games here, but there are some absolutely solid entries. So…
hold my beer…
Quiet service is $1.45
Just hear me out, okay?
I never played this game until last year. I never tried. It looks pretty damn boring, and with a price like Silent Service, you could bet this game is a big fat dud.
However!
When I was testing a batch of games to put in the store, I stuck this baby in to make sure it worked. Except I couldn’t turn it off. And no, it’s definitely not as exciting as modern strategy games, but the depth of Silent Service really surprised. And honestly… what do you expect for $1.45?
It won’t change your life, but penny for penny, this game offers more entertainment value than most other NES games I can think of. If you’re building a cheap collection, don’t sleep on this one.
StarTropics – $4.50
The fact that StarTropics is still a cheap game keeps blowing my mind. It’s really, really good.
If you haven’t experienced it yet, here’s a tip: You’re Mike Jones, a typical American boy traveling through isolated tropical islands inhabited by peaceful tribes. Your goal is to find and rescue your uncle, Dr. Jones, by befriending villagers, animals, and a robot in sprawling (Zelda 2-esque) overworld maps and underground mazes full of increasingly weird monsters.
By the end of the game you will know why this game is called Star Tropics. Or you can just google it I guess.
There are a few puzzles that probably confused a lot of kids back in the day and may be the reason why this game isn’t in more demand. But just so you know, the organ puzzle reads “do me, yes, fa” and the letter from Uncle Mike (which is usually missing when you buy this game) reveals the secret code “1776”.
You are very welcome. This game is great. Get it!
Solar Jetman – $4.45
Some weirdo, I think Solar Jetman is sleeping. It’s a bit like asteroids, but with gravity. Gravity (and scenery) changes with each planet (each level) you reach. Some are massive planets with high gravity and some are small planets with very low gravity. You will need to learn how to fly the ship in order to collect all the necessary parts on each planet to eventually build a golden warship.
NGL, this game is quite difficult. You’ll feel like you’re constantly trying to recover muscle memory and calibrate your reflexes. But Solar Jetman is a really original game with lots of levels, charm and challenges that I personally really like.
Spirit of the Dragon – $4.95
NES has a tons decent shooting. (Or, as I sometimes more accurately call them, “shoot ’em all.”) But most of the best ones exist well above the $5 mark. The Gun-Nac comes to mind, currently over $300. Oh.
In my opinion, Dragon Spirit is the best and cheapest beauty you will find on the NES. My next choice would be the Legendary Wings, which cost a dollar or two more.
Dr. Mario – $4.95
Quite possibly the best puzzle game other than Tetris on the NES. Dr. Mario has great graphics and an eerie soundtrack that penetrates your brain.
Now we’re introduced to the real meat and potatoes of any good NES collection. There are many classics in this price range, but keep in mind that you will have to pay shipping if you order online. It kind of sucks. But like any other product, buyers pay shipping costs throughout the supply chain. Otherwise, there would be no profit and even the shops would not exist, bastar. Just saying.
If you do the same as the sellers and buy in bulk, you’ll usually save on shipping and get a much better deal. Anyway, that’s it for your economics lesson today. Now let’s see what shipping over $10 can get you.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 – $5.95
A few weeks ago this one would have been in the under $5 category. Give it a few more weeks and it will probably be there again. But as of this writing, unlocking this essential childhood memory will set you back about $6 plus shipping.
This title finds its way into many of my works. I love it. And I promise it’s not as difficult as you remember.
…until about level 4. Then you’re basically toast. Still, it’s a good game that often boasts a small price tag.
Blaster Master – $9.25
Great game. This was Metroidivania before the genre was fully defined. This is Sunsoft at its best. But like TMNT, it’s also very difficult after the first few levels. In the end I won, but I used the switch’s rewind function. I am not proud of it. But it was nice to finally finish this great game.
RC Pro-Am – $6.45
Here’s another one I never played as a kid. But RC Pro-Am is a game I see time and time again in my shop. It is extremely common in the collections I buy and very often it flies off the shelf as soon as it is in stock. Perhaps due in part to the low price tag.
This is a radio control racing game in an isometric style. Before go-kart racing became the standard style of alternative racing, this style of top-down racing was quite common. And RC Pro-Am handles this genre very well. Especially for such a price.
Air Fortress – 6.95
Air Fortress is another game that ends with a a lot my posts. I fucking love this game. It’s so easy to play with bright colors and big sprites. It alternates with horizontal shooting where you destroy enemies and collect power-ups to use in side-scrolling platforming segments. Except in a platformer, your character flies with a jet pack instead of jumping. It’s a satisfying way to get around.
Once you enter each air fortress and destroy its core, you’ll need to make a quick escape! The time between destroying the core and the inevitable destruction of the entire fortress is a frantic search for an exit where one wrong turn can cost you the game. Destroy the core and all the lights will go out. You must fight your way through the darkness to find your way out. The tension is already high due to the dark rooms and soft eerie music. But as you continue to search for a way out, a dull, distant rumble turns into a devastating roar so loud that the entire screen shakes.
It always amazes me how such a simple little game can create so much excitement and fun. You could say I’m a fan. heh
Shadowgate – $9.95
The quintessential adventure game. There are so many ways to die, it’s worth it just for those.
This game, Deja Vu and The Uninvited were all Mac ports of the same Macventure series. They’re all good, and Deja Vu is cheaper, so you might want to give it a try if you like noir adventures. But I love Shadowgate’s dark fantasy and one of the best low-key soundtracks on the NES.
These are cheap games so I’m not going to go much higher. But there are a few quintessential titles that offer such a rich gaming experience that they’re just a steal for just a few dollars more.
Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest – $10.95
This one got a bad rap from some evil video game nerd on YouTube. But ignore him. Simon’s Quest is great. Of course, it is more difficult to find your way around different mansions. And some bosses are completely broken. Some puzzles are impossible without viewing. But in the internet age, you can feel free to search for things you can’t understand. I give you permission not to feel bad about it. Because the music and atmosphere of Simon’s Quest is pure gold.
Vitality – $12.95
This is probably Konami’s best take on the NES. It is very hard, but very quick and satisfying. If you want to save a few bucks but still get a brighter look, you can also try Milton Bradley’s Abadox.
Knock it out!! – $12.95
note: It is not so Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!! This is a later version that appeared after Tyson’s licensing deal ended. The final boss has been replaced by Mr. Dream, but it’s otherwise the same game for about a third of the price.
Super C – $13.45
We all wish Contra was on this list, but Contra costs around $30 right now. It fluctuates a lot, but its sequel, Super C, never changes too much. It’s not as iconic as its predecessor, but the gameplay and graphics are similar enough that you and your friend will have a ton of moralizing fun.
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game – $11.45
I couldn’t end this list without including at least one beat-em-up brawler. This one is extremely popular and fun with 2 player co-op. And…well…I don’t need to say anything more about it. Kawabunga, guys.
Here is the link to my shop again. I hope you’ll come check it out!