Are you looking into purchasing a SNES or SNES game, and have been wondering, why are SNES games so expensive? Do you know what factors into the price of SNES games?
Well, I’ve been looking into this topic and have discovered several reasons for the high price tag of SNES games, so read on to learn all about what drives the price of these games!
Why Are SNES Games So Expensive?
SNES games are so expensive because of the nostalgia related to SNES, and people will pay a lot of money to relive their childhoods. Also, fewer SNES games exist now and that drives up the cost as supply is limited but demand is higher. On top of that, SNES games are durable and reliable and it’s that reliability people seek.
Do you want to know what else factors into why SNES games are so expensive? If so, continue reading below to learn even more reasons for the expense!
1. Nostalgia
Super Nintendo is one of the classic consoles that brings back nostalgia for many people, so the SNES games are expensive because people will pay more money for nostalgic items.
For example, if you remember playing the SNES game Zelda or Super Mario Brothers and want to relive those memories, you’re willing to pay extra money to get your hands on a copy.
2. Fewer SNES Games Exist
One reason why SNES games are so expensive is that there are fewer SNES games available these days, which means that the price will increase because of the limited supply.
Additionally, since there is a limited supply, the people selling SNES games know that they can ask for a higher price and someone will pay for it because it’s so rare to find copies of the game.
3. eBay Helps Set Prices
Whether or not it’s a good thing, people use eBay as an indicator of what the value of a game is, so SNES games are expensive because sellers on eBay are listing the games for high prices.
Furthermore, eBay is often used as a tool to gauge interest in a game based on the bids or views of that game page, and that’s how people set their resale price for SNES games.
4. Unopened Or Like New SNES Games Sell For Higher Prices
If the SNES game is in like-new condition or is unopened, it’s going to be more valuable than just a SNES game cartridge, so the prices for those games are going to be much higher.
For example, if there is a game that comes unopened in the original box, people who want to either play the game or just collect it will be willing to pay premium prices to get their hands on it!
5. Popularity Of Retro Games Is Increasing
SNES games are considered retro, and the popularity of retro video games is increasing significantly, which in part is due to YouTube streamers that are focused on retro gaming.
Therefore, as more people get into retro gaming, either to broadcast and stream or to just play with friends, the prices of SNES games will continue to climb.
6. Collectors Drive Up The Price
There are SNES game collectors out there and the collectors are driving up the prices of SNES games because they are willing to pay big money to get specific SNES games they want.
Furthermore, the SNES game collectors also drive up the prices since they often will buy multiple copies of games, leaving fewer games available for other consumers to purchase.
7. SNES Games Are Durable & Reliable
While there have always been jokes about blowing into a SNES cartridge to get it to work, the fact of the matter is that this trick does work, and it’s what has made SNES games reliable.
In contrast, PlayStation games that are on a disc can break easily and be ruined just by one scratch on the CD, but with SNES games, they will still work if you just blow into the game unit.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why Sims is so expensive, why Wii games are so expensive, and why Switch games are so expensive.
Conclusion
SNES games are expensive because they are nostalgic to those that grew up playing them and nostalgia sells which drives up the price of the SNES games.
Additionally, collectors are willing to pay more to get their hands on the games, and the fact that the games are in limited supply also will drive up the value of the SNES games.
Also, the popularity of retro games is increasing which means that people are seeking out the games at a higher rate and will be more likely to pay higher prices for those retro games.