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Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

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Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Old 01-11-09, 09:58 PM
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Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Do people honestly think that these are collector's items? I've seen copies of Metal Gear Solid 2 go for over $100 new. Seriously, that game had almost 8 million copies printed. Kirby Canvas Curse goes for the same. I've seen copies of games go for hundreds of dollars that I got for $5 at a local store. Is there something wrong with game players nowadays?
Old 01-11-09, 10:02 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Damn. I only got $30 for my copy of MGS 2. Though that was about 2 years ago.
Old 01-11-09, 10:18 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

blame ebay
Old 01-11-09, 10:30 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

It's been like that for awhile. There's always a few titles that become collector's items. It's been boosted by titles that gain Greatest Hits status, where the original packaging becomes sought after for some reason.
Old 01-11-09, 10:35 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

I was thinking the same thing when I was browsing my local Play N Trade a few weeks ago. A copy of Final Fantasy VII was marked $42.99. Yowsers!
Old 01-12-09, 10:01 AM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Superboy, are you talking sealed copies? If that's the case, yes I could see collector's paying that much for them. They hate the "Greatest/Platinum Hits" collection banner for some reason.

I own a sealed copy of Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis for the XBOX that I found for $14.99 at FYE years ago and it sells for $40 used on eBay. I haven't seen a sealed one on there recently.
Old 01-12-09, 10:04 AM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Go look up prices for Marvel vs. Capcom for Xbox, or Resident Evil Code Veronica for the Gamecube. Go ahead, I'll wait...
Old 01-12-09, 10:16 AM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

I've seen those games quite often, and i'm well aware of their prices... I don't know why anyone would pay that much for code veronica. It was a pretty mediocre game.
Old 01-12-09, 10:37 AM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Originally Posted by Superboy
I've seen those games quite often, and i'm well aware of their prices... I don't know why anyone would pay that much for code veronica. It was a pretty mediocre game.
It's actually pretty good, but what amazes me is that you can get the PS2 or Dreamcast version for pennies. Why anyone would pay over $100 for a smaller disc is beyond me. Is there some kind of exclusive Gamecube content?
Old 01-12-09, 11:31 AM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Wait? Canvas Curse goes for $100?
Old 01-12-09, 11:39 AM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Originally Posted by The Bus
Wait? Canvas Curse goes for $100?
really?

Canvas Curse for the DS?

I have this game and the kids barely play it. If it is worth that much, I need to flip it.
Old 01-12-09, 11:55 AM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Originally Posted by Superboy
Do people honestly think that these are collector's items?

Yes, if there is a large group of people that want something, and there is only a small supply of it out there, then price is going to drive up.

What are these games that cost hundreds of dollars, that you can get for 5$?
Old 01-12-09, 12:38 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Originally Posted by Superboy
Do people honestly think that these are collector's items? I've seen copies of Metal Gear Solid 2 go for over $100 new. Seriously, that game had almost 8 million copies printed. Kirby Canvas Curse goes for the same.
I see used Canvas Curse auctions on eBay that ended under $20, and a sealed one that went for under $40.
Old 01-12-09, 01:07 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Somehow I doubt these people are buying the sealed copies of the game to actually play them. Otherwise, why not just buy an open copy?
Old 01-12-09, 01:11 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Originally Posted by chuckd21
Go look up prices for Marvel vs. Capcom for Xbox, or Resident Evil Code Veronica for the Gamecube. Go ahead, I'll wait...
I just bought RECV at slackers a couple weeks ago for $14.99. Hopefully it will go up even more.
Old 01-12-09, 01:13 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Originally Posted by fujishig
Somehow I doubt these people are buying the sealed copies of the game to actually play them. Otherwise, why not just buy an open copy?
I tend to buy sealed copies (to play) because its more likely that the manual and the game is intact.
Old 01-12-09, 01:16 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Originally Posted by Groucho
I tend to buy sealed copies (to play) because its more likely that the manual and the game is intact.
I do that as well.

But to be real here, there are only a handful of games out there that command any kind of premium pricing. Most everything that's been released on last gen consoles won't even net you a buck.
Old 01-12-09, 02:39 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

I think a lot of people are looking for RE:CV on the Gamecube because they want to have all the gamecube RE games, and that one has become harder to find. I found the remake at Sears for 9.99 and the others online for around $15 each as they were in the process of becoming hard to find last year. Veronica is the only game I had to buy on the PS2.

Some games are in demand due to renewed gamer interest such as Silent Hill 1/2. Good luck finding those in a game store.
Old 01-12-09, 02:46 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

The prices for Silent Hill 1 piss me off. I just want to play the thing so I can play the rest of the series. I'd download it from the PSN if they'd just get off their asses and release some PS1 games, but I'm not paying the prices people want for that game online.
Old 01-12-09, 02:50 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

I think several of the out-of-print DS titles from the first year or so are worth a good bit, aren't they? Titles like Advance Wars: DS, Warioware Touched!, etc.? The first Phoenix Wright was quite sought after for a while, I think, but the reprinting brought the values down; same for the first Trauma Center.
Old 01-12-09, 02:50 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Bought Burnout Paradise for PS3 in great shape for $20 used, bought NBA2K8 for $5 and AllStar Football for $5.

Wait a year (or two) the price really drops especially on last years model... Madden 09 v madden 08 etc..
Old 01-12-09, 02:53 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

My friend gave me his Fallout3 bobblehead! What can i get for it?
Old 01-12-09, 03:09 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Some double-sided tape to stick it on your dashboard?
Old 01-12-09, 03:15 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

Originally Posted by chuckd21
The prices for Silent Hill 1 piss me off. I just want to play the thing so I can play the rest of the series. I'd download it from the PSN if they'd just get off their asses and release some PS1 games, but I'm not paying the prices people want for that game online.
I wouldn't blame the people selling it, blame Konami. They released a movie and another two games, Origins & Homecoming, fully knowing that people couldn't find Silent Hill anywhere for a good price. On the flip side, they released a metal gear boxset to tie in with the fourth game.

They'll eventually release them again, I hope.
Old 01-12-09, 03:23 PM
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Re: Why are used videogame prices so inflated nowadays?

It's supply and demand. Since content quality is entirely subjective, there's really no point in wondering why a group of people consider any particular item valuable enough to drive up its going price. I have Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb for the PS2 and it was fetching about $40 over the summer. The reviews aren't terrible, but they're hardly stellar, either. Movie hype had something to do with that one, I'm sure, but still it's an example of how something not widely accepted as great can bring a decent return.

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