What are your old video games worth?
The honest answer: a used game is worth what copies in the same condition have actually sold for recently — not the asking prices you see on listings. Two things move the number most: the exact title/variant, and whether it's loose, complete-in-box, or sealed.
How to price a game in five minutes
1. Look at sold prices, not asking prices
Search the exact title and platform, then filter to sold listings — eBay's "sold items" filter is the quickest. Asking prices tell you what people hope to get; sold prices are the real market. Price-guide sites like PriceCharting are a handy second reference.
2. Match the condition — it's most of the value
Loose (just the cart or disc) is the floor. Complete-in-box — game, box and manual — is worth meaningfully more. Sealed (factory-wrapped, never opened) is a separate collector tier and can be many times the loose price. Compare like with like: a loose price means nothing for a CIB copy.
3. Nail the exact variant
Reprints, "Player's Choice" / "Greatest Hits" / "Platinum" budget re-releases, special editions, and regional versions (NTSC vs PAL vs Japanese) can be worth wildly different amounts. Match the exact box art and label before you trust a price.
4. Working & complete beats "as-is"
A tested, working copy sells for more than an untested one, and a complete copy (all inserts, manual, map) beats a partial one. Be honest about flaws — it sells faster and avoids disputes.
Questions
Why is my game worth less than the listings I see online?
Because those are asking prices — anyone can list a common game for $80, but that doesn't mean it sells. Check completed/sold listings for the true value.
What's the difference in value between loose, CIB and sealed?
As a rule of thumb, complete-in-box is often 1.5–3× a loose copy, and sealed can be several times more again for desirable titles. Exact multiples vary by game — always compare against sold copies in the same condition.
Are old sports games or shovelware worth anything?
Usually little — yearly sports titles and mass-produced shovelware are common and cheap. Value concentrates in sought-after, rarer, or complete/sealed titles. Selling the common stuff as a lot is often the smart move.
Where can I sell once I know the value?
List free on Vidsmark, price off the sold data, and meet locally for cash in Greater Sudbury or ship with escrow protection anywhere in Canada. See how to sell your collection.