Condition, edition, box, manual and completed sales: discover how to estimate the value of your old video games and prepare a trade-in request.

Have you found some games in a box or are you considering selling a collection? To estimate the value of your retro video games, the title is not enough. The edition, condition, included items, and actual completed sales significantly change the comparison.

The best method is to precisely identify each copy, compare it to equivalent items, and distinguish its retail value from a buyback offer. Here is how to get a useful estimate without being impressed by an exceptionally expensive listing.

1. Identify the game and its edition exactly

Start by noting the full title, console, region, and reference visible on the media or packaging. Specify whether it is a standard edition, a budget reissue, a collector's edition, or a promotional copy.

A PlayStation Platinum edition game should not automatically be compared to its first edition. Similarly, two boxes bearing the same title may correspond to versions intended for different countries. Note separately the language of the game and those of the box and manual.

For collector's editions, inventory each element: sleeve, artbook, figurine, bonus CD, or other content. It is difficult to correctly assess a set without knowing what is missing.

2. Describe the condition of each element

Avoid a general assessment like "good condition" if it hides differences. A very clean box may accompany a heavily scratched disc; a functional cartridge may have a damaged label.

• Media: scratches, cracks, contacts, label, and inscriptions.
• Packaging: corners, tears, hinges, traces of moisture, and discoloration.
• Manual: pages present, folds, annotations, and staples.
• Functionality: startup, reading during gameplay, and saving when available.

An untested game should remain presented as such. The fact that you used it ten years ago does not prove its current condition. Also report repairs, battery changes, or replaced elements of which you are aware.

3. Compare truly comparable copies

A cartridge alone, a game with a box but no manual, and a complete copy constitute three different situations. Cardboard boxes, in particular, can represent a major part of the interest for a collector, without a fixed coefficient applying to all games.

Search for several sales of the same version, in similar condition. If the results are too few, gradually broaden your search and note what changes. An average calculated by mixing different editions or conditions gives a misleading impression of precision.

4. Look at sold prices, not just asking prices

A listing at €300 indicates the seller's wish. It does not prove that a buyer will pay this amount. Sales search tools, such as eBay Product Research, allow you to study transactions and price indicators.

Prioritize several recent observations, checking the shipping costs and the exact content of each sale. Rule out obviously atypical comparisons: a lot of several games, a copy in shrink wrap, or an item appraised under a protective case when yours is not.

Fictional example: if several comparable copies sell between €25 and €35, an isolated listing at €90 is not enough to re-evaluate your game. This range remains indicative, not a promise of sale.

5. Distinguish selling price and buyback price

A professional buyback takes into account the inspection of the items, possible cleaning, photos, storage, marketing costs, and after-sales service. It must also leave a margin for the business. It therefore does not correspond to the sum of the in-store selling prices.

Selling yourself can allow you to get more, but takes time and implies managing exchanges and shipments. The right choice depends on your priorities, the volume of the lot, and the desired timeframe.

Prepare an estimation request at Retromania

To offer us your games, prepare a list with the console, title, version, included items, and known defects. Add clear overall photos, then detailed views of the important items. Photograph the discs and the contents of the boxes, not just the spines.

Our video game estimation and buyback service allows you to submit a lot without commitment. The offer depends notably on its condition, demand, and our inventory; the shipping and verification terms are to be agreed upon before shipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an old game necessarily rare?

No. Age is not enough: the quantity available, the edition, and demand also count. A common title can remain accessible long after its release.

Can an empty box have value?

Yes, when it interests collectors wishing to complete a copy. It must be specified that it is the box alone, its condition, and its original or reproduced nature.

Can an entire collection be estimated from a single photo?

An overall view helps identify the lot, but editions and defects often require details. An estimate based on photos remains subject to the correspondence of the items received.

Request an estimation of your collection at Retromania

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Estimation Retrogaming

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