20 Most Valuable Retro Video Game Consoles
We have all probably owned a gaming console at some point in our lives, whether it was a classic Atari or Nintendo console or more recently an Xbox or PlayStation. They can provide hours of joy through playing games alone or with friends.
But what you may not have known is that if you have one of these plastic boxes laying around gathering dust, it could be worth an extraordinary amount of money.
Here are 20 of the most valuable retro video game consoles.
CHECK OUT: Most Popular 90s Video Games
20. Neo Geo CD, $1,000
Neo Geo is a ROM cartridge-based arcade system board and was part of the fourth generation of home video game consoles released in 1990. It was produced by SNK Corporation and was the first system in the SNK’s Neo Geo family. Neo Geo originally launched the coin-operated arcade machines, but the home version was also made called the Advanced Entertainment System, or AES.
While it was first released as a rental system due to high manufacturing costs, it was later reversed and sold to the public due to high demand. Neo Geo CD is the second home video game consoles produced by SNK Corporations, and replaced the catrdiges with CDs. And you can find your own on Ebay for around $1,000 depending on listing.
19. PC Engine SuperGrafx System, $1,000
Also known as SuperGrafx, this system is part of the fourth-generation home video game consoles manufactured by NEC Home Electronics and released 1989. On Ebay, it can be found for only $1,000 all the way to a whopping $2,500 depending on the listing.
This was a popular system in Japan as it was Super Famicon’s main rival, however, it was hard for these systems to break into North America and was considered a failure.
18. Nintendo Game and Watch EG-26, $1,000
Nintendo is an incredibly innovative gaming company that isn’t afraid to take risks.
The Game & Watch was their first foray into the handheld gaming market and while it didn’t quite hit the mainstream like their future handheld systems, it paved the way for one of the biggest gaming markets today. The Game & Watch EG-26 in particular could net you just under $1000 in good condition.
17. Sega Dreamcast Code Veronica, $2,000
Most people have heard of the Resident Evil franchise, but some are not aware of the obscure spin-off title from 2000, Code: Veronica. This game was originally released for the Sega Dreamcast and a limited-edition console was released alongside it, cast in a distinctive translucent red casing.
This system has become quite rare and if you have one in good condition with all the accessories, you could be looking at up to $2000 in exchange for it.
16. Nintendo Entertainment System Deluxe ROB, $2,000
OK, so this next one is not technically a console but an accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), called the Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.).
When playing the only two compatible games Gyromite and Stackup, R.O.B. will react to your controller inputs and even has the capability of playing the game for himself, making this a very interesting console accessory. A R.O.B. in good condition can reach as high as $4,000 and as little as $2,000.
RELATED: Most Expensive Video Games In History
15. Sega Genesis, $2,000
The Sega Genesis (or the Mega Drive outside of North America) was a 16-bit console that housed classic video games like the Sonic the Hedgehog series, Castlevania, and ToeJam & Earl.
This system can sell for over $2000 if everything is complete and in perfect condition (including the box, instructions, joypads, etc.).
14. Atari Jaguar, $3,000
Competing against the 16-bit Sega Genesis and Super NES, the Atari Jaguar was part of the fifth generation of video game consoles and released in 1993. It was the first 64-bit game system and emphasized it.
You can find several for sale on Ebay, with a range of $2,500 all the way to $4,500. Most Atari’s have a similar price, but with so many consoles, it depends on what you’re looking for. These retro video game consoles are worth picking up for your collection but can come at a steep price.
13. Nintendo 64DD, $3,000
Another console accessory here but it is almost a system in its own right, the Nintendo 64DD is an attachment for the Nintendo 64 that is actually a floppy disk drive.
The accessory never took off and faded into obscurity, giving it some value if you have one at home. It will sell for up to $3000.
12. Game Boy Micro Pokemon Center Limited Edition, $3,000
Nintendo produced several amazing consoles and games, so it’s only right that they mesh the two together. One pairing that is incredibly common is Pokemon, like this Game Boy Micro Pokemon Center limited edition. The Game Boy Micro is the second redesign of the Game Boy Advance and was released in 2005. It was a smaller, sleek design while still having all the same features as the Advance.
The Pokemon Center edition featured a red body with a Pikachu silhouette. And of course, with any limited-edition sets, the price is always going to be hefty. Between $2,700 and $3,500 is where you can find this retro video game console.
11. Sega Wondermega CD System, $3,160
The Wondermega was released in 1992 as a joint product of Sega and JVC. Similar to the Multi-Mega, this console has the added function as a karaoke machine. This console shipped with four programs and a compilation CD of four games.
This amazing console sits above $3,000, with some even going as high as $5,000.
READ MORE: Best Arcade Games Of The 80s: From Centipede To Galaga
10. Pikachu Limited Edition Nintendo 64, $4,000
We’ve already seen from this list that Nintendo loves its limited-edition video game consoles and this is certainly one of the best designs.
The Pikachu edition features the famed yellow Pokémon embedded on the top of the system, wonderfully contrasting with the classic Nintendo purple coloring. This video game console can sell for up to $4000.
9. Nintendo 64, $4,000
Arguably one of the most important video game consoles of all time, the Nintendo 64 delivered us some of the most iconic titles of all time such as Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Smash Brothers, and many more.
Nintendo’s first foray into three dimensions can sell for up to $4000 if the box, booklets, and console are in perfect (unopened) condition.
8. Odyssey, $4,000
Released in 1972, the Odyssey was the first home video game console. This is where a lot of fans can identify the iconic Table Tennis game. Because of it being the first video game console, there’s no doubt that it’s marked at a hefty price. Collectors everywhere will want to get their hands on this iconic, retro console.
Ebay has sold several above $1,000, and many have exceeded $4,000, making it a worthwhile investment for those looking to finish their collections.
7. Haitai Supercom X-1600, $4,000
Created by Haitai Electronics, which was a South Korean general electronics manufacturer, in 1989, the Haitai Supercom was their first product in the gaming industry. Due to a failure of a PC-engine, they put an end to their gaming division in 1993.
The Haitai Supercom was rebranded as Aaronix AX-9900, and Supercom X-1600 was just a smaller version of it with wired and infrared controllers with 42 built-in games. This retro video game console is very valuable, making it a pricey purchase. Several of the consoles sit at $4,000, with some going as far as $4,700. Their games even sit at a hefty price of almost $300.
6. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), $4,500
Another incredibly iconic video game console from the Japanese giant Nintendo, the NES found its way into many living rooms across the globe.
We’ve already mentioned some accessories for this system but the console itself can go for around $4500 if untouched and in perfect condition.
CHECK OUT: Best VR Games and How to Play Them
5. Sony PlayStation, $5,000
With Sony’s PlayStation release in 1994, we saw the shift from game cartridges to discs, which is still the standard today.
This makes the PlayStation an absolute classic system even if it didn’t have an absolutely incredible line-up of exclusive games (but it did) such as Silent Hill, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Metal Gear Solid. An untouched, unopened, complete, and in perfect condition PS1 could sell for up to $5000.
4. Sega Genesis CDX, $6,000
Another retro video game console is the Sega Genesis CDX, also known as the Multi-Mega, which combined the Sega Genesis and the add-on Sega Mega-CD. This retro console plays CD games and adds hardware functionality such as faster CPU and graphic enhancements. It can also play audio CDs and CD+G discs. At the tie it had greater storage since it could use CD technology, giving players ample more space than the basic Sega Genesis.
There have been several sales over Ebay that have surpassed $2,000, with some going as high as $6,500 or even $10,000.
3. Pokemon Limited Edition Game Boy Color, $6,000
The Nintendo Game Boy is the console that popularized the handheld gaming experience, conveniently enabling amazing portable video game experiences across the world. While their original form is not particularly valuable, there are a number of limited-edition Game Boys that can be extremely valuable in good condition.
One such console is the Pokemon limited edition Game Boy, which can sell for over $6000 if the condition is right!
2. Sega Dreamcast Moziora Color Limited Edition, $10,000
Released in 1999, this special edition Dreamcast is painted in a pearlescent coating that changes color depending on lighting and angle. 500 unites were created in total, and 200 were sighed by Tadahiko Taira, a driver from Taira Racing, with 300 left unsigned. To obtain this, fans had to order it online, or by winning a racing event, making it a valuable and rare retro video game console.
You can find a selling for this currently on Ebay for a hefty price of $10,000, showing off the beautiful painted Dreamcast and controller as well as the various items that come with it such as a keychain and Dream Passport CD.
1. Nintendo Virtual Boy Console, $14,000
Released in 1995, the Nintendo Virtual Boy Console is a 32-bit tabletop portable console developed by Nintendo. It was marketed as the first console capable of displaying stereoscopic “3D” graphics. Using a parallax effect, the head-mounted display would trick the eyes with the illusion of depth. While the invention had great potential, sales failed to meet expectations, making Nintendo stop distribution and development in 1996. With only 22 games for the system and only a year around, there’s no wonder that these retro video game consoles are worth a hefty price.
Ebay has sold several recently, with one reaching all the way to $18,000. There is one currently available for purchase at $14,580, however you can find them for as cheap as $2,000 if you’re lucky. There is definitely a market for collecting this exclusive retro console.
RELATED: Best Selling Video Games Of All Time