When did Sega Master System game prices go up?

[Chaniyth]

I've been out of the loop for several years on Sega Master System collecting, when did the prices go up on Sega Master System games as high as they have gone?

For example, Kenseiden now ranges from $15 - $60, Golden Axe Warrior is hitting close to $100+, Golden Axe as high as $40+, ALF $45 - $95 ... wtf is going on? I never paid those kind of prices just about 4 - 5 years ago for those games [I own about 100+ SMS games including those I just mentioned], retro collecting and gaming is getting rough these days and these prices are not making it fun anymore at all, especially when on a tight budget.

I mean seriously, when will this "retro madness" end and the market across the board for all "retro" systems go back to normal prices?

[JumpingRyle]

I mean seriously, when will this "retro madness" end and the market across the board for all "retro" systems go back to normal prices?

Well, I guess you'll have to do your part and stop collecting as well

[retrospiel]

They were already rather high last year here in Europe.

[Andy]

theres a good video about this topic by sega16s own kenny horowitz on youtube. i watched it last night.

[Spinball]

I think some point they will drop again.. but that we are probably at the age of 80

[FuturePrimitive]

Because people are finally starting to figure out that the Master System is awesome. Also, sellers aren't putting up enough Master System stuff for sale at appropriate prices, so they put massive premiums on their prices to stave off rising demand for only the best, or the most "R@REZIST L@@K! SOOPER R@REZ" games.

[Lan Di]

Because people are finally starting to figure out that the Master System is awesome. Also, sellers aren't putting up enough Master System stuff for sale at appropriate prices, so they put massive premiums on their prices to stave off rising demand for only the best, or the most "R@REZIST L@@K! SOOPER R@REZ" games.

^^^ This! BTW, the classic gaming market has indeed gone up in demand and price across the board. Melinnials are starting to catch the old school fever. 'm glad I have my complete SMS collection.

[Gentlegamer]

Prices went up for the same reason prices for other systems went up: resellers entered the market. Everything that was cheap, reasonable has been scooped up to be flipped on the "collectible market." And the reason they can resell for so high is because there are too many people seeking instant collections.

[MaxWar]

Prices went up for the same reason prices for other systems went up: resellers entered the market. Everything that was cheap, reasonable has been scooped up to be flipped on the "collectible market." And the reason they can resell for so high is because there are too many people seeking instant collections.

Rising demand and ebay has brought a proliferation of resellers. While some point them as greedy party breakers, I think it is a double sided medal. They give the games more value and more public visibility which helps preserve them in a way as people realize they are worth something instead of chucking them without a second thought. At the same time, competition amongst resellers and between ebay keeps the market ''under control''.

Also, when you want a game, chances are you will buy it from a reseller, they make the games more easily available, they do the job of hunting them down for you. It would be longer and more tedious to buy them only from individuals selling on ebay or flea markets or local ads.

When I started collecting I was mostly using ebay but in the last couple years I started getting buddy with local resellers and buying in flea markets too and now this is my main source of buying games.

You wont always get the lowest prices from resellers but you dont have to pay shipping and if you buy regularly they usually offer you fair deals. Today I bought Dynasty warriors Strike force and Gundam, both CIB + breath of fire II cart only ( original cart with repro label) and it cost me 65$ CAD total ( so around 60$ USD ). I would have a hard time paying less than that shipped on ebay. I also prefer to buy disc games local as I can check the condition of the disc before I buy.

[midnightrider]

This may not help :

[Chaniyth]

Yeah, I am subbed to HappyConsoleGamer lol, I love the SMS so I watched it as soon as he posted it.

Also, i'm pretty sure resellers are subscribed to him along with other "big named" retro collectors on Youtube to feed their reseller greedy hearts, "zOMG people seen this on the You of Tubes, I iz post this on t3h eBay as zOMG supah dupah rare and make even moar $$$!"

[ninjainspandex]

Well if you compare the Master System prices to NES and SNES prices they are still relatively low. CIB copies of games going for $75? hah there are NES and SNES carts that go for double and triple that cart only. And considering how poorly the master system sold in the US it is surprising that they are still pretty low in price. Perhaps people are giving up on collecting NES and SNES and moving on to SEGA stuff since it is usually much cheaper (except Saturn stuff haha)

[FuturePrimitive]

Well if you compare the Master System prices to NES and SNES prices they are still relatively low. CIB copies of games going for $75? hah there are NES and SNES carts that go for double and triple that cart only. And considering how poorly the master system sold in the US it is surprising that they are still pretty low in price. Perhaps people are giving up on collecting NES and SNES and moving on to SEGA stuff since it is usually much cheaper (except Saturn stuff haha)

That's because NES and SNES games used to be in those trashy cardboard boxes that are usually thrown away or destroyed. On the other hand, the Master System's games had sturdy, military grade protective cases that can survive a nuclear war. So, more Master System games can be found complete.

[ninjainspandex]

That's because NES and SNES games used to be in those trashy cardboard boxes that are usually thrown away or destroyed. On the other hand, the Master System's games had sturdy, military grade protective cases that can survive a nuclear war. So, more Master System games can be found complete.

Still "rare" NES carts are going for double and triple the price of "rare" master system carts.

[FuturePrimitive]

Still "rare" NES carts are going for double and triple the price of "rare" master system carts.

Probably because of the Nintendo hipster fad started by a younger generation that wasn't old enough or even born to own an NES back when it was new, the popularity of the NES and Famicom (even though it wasn't entirely popular worldwide), Nintendo's stranglehold on desirable 3rd party developers with exclusive games, and pretty pictures on NES carts.