How to Sell Video Games for Their Real Value

That old stack of games under the telly may be worth more than a quick clear-out price - but only if you identify what you have before it leaves the house. Knowing how to sell video games properly means separating common loose discs from complete collector copies, testing ageing hardware, and putting the right game in front of the right buyer.

For retro games in particular, condition is not a minor detail. A boxed PAL Mega Drive title, a clean Pokémon cartridge with its original label, or a complete Nintendo 64 game with inserts can command a very different price from the same game sold loose. A little preparation protects both your return and the next collector’s purchase.

Start by sorting your games properly

Do not price a mixed box as one job lot until you have checked it. Sort games by platform first: NES, SNES, Game Boy, N64, GameCube, Wii, DS, Mega Drive, Saturn, Dreamcast, PlayStation, Xbox and newer systems should all be kept separate. Buyers search by console, and platform-specific lots are easier to value and sell.

Then divide each group by completeness. “Loose” means the cartridge or disc only. “Boxed” usually means game and original case or box. “Complete” or CIB - complete in box - normally means the game, original packaging, manual and relevant inserts are present. Be precise rather than optimistic. A replacement case is not an original case, and a reprinted cover is not a complete copy.

Keep an eye out for editions that deserve their own listing. Steelbooks, collector’s editions, limited print releases, big-box PC games, promotional discs, Pokémon distribution cartridges and games bundled with unusual accessories can have a following well beyond their standard edition. The same applies to regional versions. UK collectors often want PAL copies, but Japanese NTSC-J titles, North American releases and imports can be desirable when clearly identified.

How to sell video games after checking condition

Condition determines buyer confidence, especially with games from the cartridge and early disc eras. Take time to inspect every item under good light and record faults honestly. You do not need to make a thirty-year-old game look new. You do need to describe it accurately.

For cartridges, check the front and back labels for lifting, tears, fading, marker pen and residue. Look at the shell for cracks, sun fading and damaged screw posts. If you can safely open a cartridge with the correct security bit, inspect for corrosion or obvious previous repair work, but do not dismantle items merely out of curiosity.

For discs, inspect the playing side for scratches, pinholes, cracks around the centre ring and disc rot. Light surface marks may be fine, while deep circular scratches or a cracked hub should be disclosed. Test discs where possible, particularly multi-disc PlayStation titles, Dreamcast games and original Xbox games. A game that loads a menu but fails during play is not fully tested.

Original boxes and manuals matter. Cardboard Nintendo and Sega packaging is especially vulnerable to crushed corners, creases, sticker damage, tears, moisture staining and sun fade. Photograph all sides. For plastic cases, note broken hinges, missing clips, non-original cases and damaged sleeve artwork. If a manual has writing in it, say so. Collector buyers would rather see a clear flaw than discover it after delivery.

Clean gently. A microfibre cloth is usually enough for cartridge shells and cases. Avoid harsh solvents, abrasive pads and aggressive label cleaning, which can turn a small cosmetic issue into permanent damage. Never claim a game has been professionally refurbished unless that is genuinely the case.

Price from evidence, not nostalgia

The game you remember playing every weekend may have enormous personal value, but resale value depends on supply, demand, edition, condition and completeness. A popular title can still be common. Conversely, an obscure release with a small print run may attract serious interest.

Look at recent completed sales for the exact version you hold, not asking prices that may never be paid. Match the platform, region, condition and contents as closely as possible. A loose copy of Pokémon Emerald is not comparable with a boxed copy containing the manual and wireless adapter. A Platinum Hits Xbox release may not match the original first print. Even small differences in cover art, catalogue number or bundle contents can matter.

Set a price range rather than chasing a single perfect number. If speed matters, price towards the lower end of realistic recent sales. If you have a scarce, clean or complete item, give it the time and presentation it deserves. Bundling common sports games or annualised titles can make practical sense, while separating a desirable RPG, first-party Nintendo title or niche Sega Saturn release usually does not.

Be wary of treating every older game as an investment. The market can move quickly around remasters, anniversaries, social-media trends and sudden collector interest. Condition remains the more dependable factor. A clean, authentic and well-described copy will always be easier to sell than a vague listing with poor photographs.

Choose the selling route that suits the collection

There is no single best place to sell video games. The right option depends on how much time you have, how specialist the items are and whether you want cash quickly or the highest possible individual return.

Selling directly to collectors can bring stronger prices for sought-after items, but it also means creating listings, answering questions, packaging parcels, handling payment fees and dealing with the occasional return. It is a good route for valuable games where detailed photographs and knowledge genuinely add value.

A specialist retro retailer or trade-in service is often the better choice for a sizeable collection, a mix of formats, or anyone who prefers a straightforward sale. You may receive less than the top individual selling price because the buyer needs room to test, prepare and resell stock. In return, you avoid the time, risk and storage involved in dozens of separate transactions. For UK sellers, this can be particularly useful with heavy console bundles and fragile boxed games.

Local collection can work for bulky hardware, CRT-era accessories and lower-value job lots, but meet safely and test equipment before handing it over. Avoid posting consoles loosely in a reused box. A cracked shell or snapped controller port can wipe out the value of a sale.

Photograph and describe like a collector

Your listing should answer the questions an experienced buyer would ask before they need to message you. Use natural, even lighting and a plain background. Photograph the front, back, spine, disc surface or cartridge label, box corners, manual, inserts and any defects. For higher-value games, include close-ups of identifying marks, serial labels and seals where relevant.

Use a direct title that includes platform, game name, edition and condition. “Nintendo Game Boy Advance Pokémon FireRed loose, tested, genuine” tells a buyer far more than “Rare old Pokémon game”. Do not use “rare” as filler. If an item is genuinely uncommon, the edition details and photographs will make the case better than the word itself.

In the description, state exactly what is included and what has been tested. Mention whether batteries save correctly in older cartridge games, whether DLC codes are used or untested, and whether downloadable content is included at all. Never guarantee authenticity if you are unsure. Counterfeit Game Boy Advance, DS and Pokémon titles are common enough that uncertainty should be addressed before sale, not after it.

Pack games to arrive in the same condition

Good packing is part of selling, not an afterthought. Place discs securely on their hubs and protect cases so they cannot crack in transit. Wrap boxed games individually, especially cardboard boxes, and use a firm outer carton with enough padding to prevent movement. Thin cardboard mailers are risky for valuable retro titles.

For cartridges, protect labels from rubbing against other items. For consoles, remove loose batteries where appropriate, wrap controllers separately and fill empty space inside the box. Photograph the packed item and retain proof of posting, particularly for valuable parcels. Choose a tracked, insured service that reflects the item’s real value rather than the cheapest available option.

A clean inventory, truthful condition notes and careful packing will do more for your reputation than inflated claims ever will. Whether you sell one childhood favourite or make room for the next shelf of your collection, treat each game as a piece of gaming history - because to the buyer who has been searching for it, it is.