DUST off those old boxes gathering dust in the loft, as the retro gaming market is thriving - and some long-forgotten treasures could fetch a tidy sum.
Games once dismissed as outdated are now highly sought-after collectables, fetching eye-watering prices at auction.
A sealed, first-print Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) achieved a £1.5million sale in 2021, setting a record as the most expensive video game ever sold.
While a gold Nintendo World Championships 1990 cartridge sold for over £160,000 last year as fewer than 20 confirmed copies exist.
However, some of the rarest and most valuable games out there aren't necessarily the ones you'd expect.
Karlo Čičko, tech expert and software developer at GameBoost, said: "One thing I've learned from working at GameBoost and spending time around serious collectors is that it's not always about Mario or Zelda.
"Some of the real unicorns are tied to obscure competitions, tiny production runs, or even developer mistakes."
With this in mind, we delve into some of the most valuable retro games you might unknowingly have tucked away in storage on consoles you once played on.
To give you a clearer picture, we've compared the prices of games recently sold directly by owners on eBay against the record-breaking figures achieved through formal auctions at Heritage Auctions, the world’s largest auctioneer of collectables.
Games at auction tend to sell for far more overall as these items are typically sealed and in pristine condition.
If you find you have an unopened retro game, it's worth getting advice on how much it could be worth through a specialist auctioneer group.
Copies not in tip top condition are still in high demand, however, and fetch thousands of pounds through eBay.
You never know, that forgotten box in your loft could be hiding a small fortune.
Max Wilson, storage expert and co-founder of Pocket Storage, said: "NES consoles and games are some of the most valuable gaming items you can find in storage.
"A 1988 NES console, for instance, can sell for over £5,000 on eBay—a staggering increase of more than 3,000% from its original price of around £157."
When it comes to retro console games, Super Mario Bros. reigns supreme in terms of value.
A sealed, first-print copy of the game for the NES, identifiable by its rare horizontal sticker seal, sold for an eye-watering £1.5 million in 2021.
Karlo says that if you're lucky enough to own one, be sure to inspect the sticker seal carefully - any ripples or lifts, no matter how minor, can significantly affect its value.
Even outside of formal auctions, private sellers on eBay have recently achieved up to £7,395.74 for their copies, proving the enduring appeal of this gaming classic.
And it's not just Super Mario Bros. commanding top prices.
A sealed, first-production run copy of The Legend of Zelda smashed records in 2024, selling for over £220,000 - further evidence that retro gaming remains a lucrative market.
Private sellers can also expect to fetch up to £2,154.50 when selling the same game on eBay.
Karlo added: "Focus on the box code NES-ZL-USA without any Rev-A mark and check that the inner flap carries a printed five digit lot code rather than handwriting.
"Foil front boxes oxidise faster than paper stock, so store them in a climate vault at 18°C and monitor temperature swings with a data logger."
Max said: "SNES was the newer version of the NES console, featuring a 16-bit console and as a result better graphics and sound capabilities.
"When it was released, the SNES cost just £157 and was a huge breakthrough for gaming.
"As a result, the console and its compatible games are worth a pretty penny on the resale market — SNES consoles can go for nearly £2,000 on eBay."
When it comes to retro games for this console, The Legend of Zelda stands out as a true heavyweight in terms of value.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past has fetched as much as £72,141.94 at auction.
However, more common titles like Super Mario Kart typically sell for a few thousand pounds, with recent eBay sales averaging around £5,588.06.
Max said: "The Atari 2600 was released in 1977 at around £157.
"Today, it's one of the most nostalgia-igniting consoles ever made, and can resale on eBay for nearly £20,000.
"If you have any of its games lying around in storage, you'll be in for a happy surprise, because they can be just as lucrative as their compatible console."
While prices for Atari 2600 games vary significantly, some titles command surprisingly high prices.
For instance, Pac-Man has sold for an impressive £23,448.60, while Mario Bros. has commanded as much as £14,869.67 at auction.
That said, the majority of Atari 2600 games tend to sell for considerably less.
Recent eBay sales often average a few hundred pounds or less—still a significant increase compared to their original retail price.
IF you are keeping hold of old consoles and video games hoping they could one day be worth a small fortune, following these five tips can make sure they stay in top condition to maximise their value...
Clean everything thoroughly before storing it. Use appropriate, non-abrasive cleaning solutions and tools tailored to the specific materials (plastic, metal, labels, etc.). Dust, grime, and even fingerprints can degrade surfaces over time — proactive cleaning minimises long-term damage.
Keep an eye on the temperature and humidity in your storage space. Avoid storing them in attics, basements, and garages where these variables are often extreme. The ideal conditions should mimic a living space — stable temperatures and moderate humidity. This prevents warping, corrosion, and label damage.
Use proper packaging to protect your items from bumps and scratches. The original packaging is ideal (and also adds value to the game), but sturdy boxes with ample will also work.
Organise and label everything so you can easily find what you’re looking for. A spreadsheet or database can be helpful for cataloguing your collection.
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