Selling Guide – Is It Worth Selling Old Video Games? What to Keep & Cash In

For the purposes of this question, only certain games or consoles are going to be worth lots of money in 20 years. But most of those games, you’ve never heard of.

If you refer to my 10 most sought after Nintendo NES games – most of those games the average kid didn’t have in their basement growing up.

Value of Selling Old Video Games – Decide What to Keep or Sell

For most of us that had the Mario games, if you're hesitant — don’t be. You can get good value for them now and they won’t be priceless gems in 20 years anyhow. If you’re a collector, obviously keep the rare stuff. But if you’re not, that average run-of-the-mill library from your childhood is a great way to make some extra cash.

What Makes Old Video Games Worth Selling?

• Supply and demand: Just remember Super Mario Bros had huge demand — so it was mass-produced for everyone. Rarity often trumps popularity.

• Condition and completeness: Anything that's complete in box (CIB) might be worth holding on to. These are highly sought after and could fetch a nice value in 10 years.

• Retro gaming trends: Nintendo stuff is always the rage. People enjoy buying what they had as kids — and Nintendo is a well-recognized brand in the retro market.

• Rising platforms: NES, SNES, GBA, PS1, and Sega Saturn are gaining traction among collectors.

💡 How Much Can I Sell My Video Games For

When You Should Consider Holding Onto Your Games

• Sentimental value or childhood favorites

• Future value speculation (rare or underappreciated titles)

• Games tied to memories, family, or achievements

• You’re building a personal collection or retro library

Signs It’s Time to Sell

• You haven’t played the game or system in 2+ years

• You’re decluttering or downsizing

• The market value is peaking

• The disc/cart is degrading or battery is failing

Top-Selling Genres and Franchises Right Now

• RPGs: Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, Suikoden – these titles always hold their value. They're evergreen in the used gaming market and will still be desirable in 10 years. Here are some Best SNES RPGs of All Time that will fetch top dollar!

• Horror: Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Fatal Frame – these games set the standard for survival horror. Many gamers want to play what started it all. They hold value and can net a nice profit.

• First-party Nintendo: Zelda, Mario, Metroid

• Hidden gems and cult classics

Should You Sell to GameStop, eBay, or a Specialist?

You're better off selling your video games to a smaller specialist company that offers better trade-in prices. Smaller companies don’t have a store in every strip mall across the country — so they need to offer more competitive payouts to attract customers.

GameStop trade-in pitfalls

• I think if I mention the name GameStop, you know what you're getting into.

• You're going to sell your games for pennies on the dollar — and GameStop will make a huge profit.

• Check out another article which discusses getting paid in cash or store credit, you'll be shocked by what we discovered from gamestrop

eBay pros and cons

• Don’t get me wrong, eBay is a great place to sell stuff. But you need to know what you’re doing to truly maximize profit.

• Sure, it's easy to list — but to attract the buyers who'll pay top dollar, you need sharp photos and a perfect description. And remember, eBay caters to buyers. If you make a small mistake, a buyer can dispute a transaction over almost nothing.

• It’s also expensive. Between fees and shipping (expect $5+ for a single game disc), your margins shrink fast.

Specialist buyers like The Old School Game Vault

• This is why selling video games online to The Old School Game Vault makes the most sense.

• We offer higher trade-in prices than many other sites because we know the real value of what you’re selling. Plus, we make it easy.

💡 How to Sell Old Video Games with The Old School Game Vault

How to Decide — Keep vs. Sell Checklist

• ✔️ Do I have nostalgic attachment to this?
• ✔️ Is this game currently valuable?
• ✔️ Will I realistically play it again?
• ✔️ Am I ready to part with it?
• ✔️ Is the condition still good?

Things to Keep in Mind

• The thing to remember — condition, cleanliness, and functionality are key. Your collection should be well taken care of.

• Nobody wants to buy dirty games or items that haven’t been loved over the years. If the disc surfaces are all scratched up, buyers will pass. Period.

• People also don’t want games covered in stickers or generic replacements. If you bought from places like GameStop, Blockbuster, or Hollywood Video — many of their games were covered in stickers or missing original material. That stuff doesn’t fly today.

• Just because you bought it that way doesn’t mean someone else wants to buy it now in that condition.

💡 Quality Requirements – What We Accept When You Sell Games

FAQ

• Are old video games worth anything in 2025?
  Yes, especially retro, rare, and in-demand titles in good condition.
• Should I keep my childhood video games or sell them?
  Keep the ones you're emotionally attached to. Sell the rest if you want cash or need space.
• What’s the best time to sell old games?
  When market demand is high or before disc/cartridge condition worsens — holidays are great.
• Can I sell games without the box or manual?
  Yes, but complete games sell for more. Loose items are still accepted but valued lower.

The Retro Wrap Up & Final Thoughts

Ready to turn your shelf clutter into cash? Get an instant quote from The Old School Game Vault and sell your old video games the smart way.