Xboxist

Are You a Gamer or a Collector?

Ironically, it seems there are no shortages of rare games. In a day and age where a brand new, factory sealed copy of a vintage NES game can fetch $41,300 on eBay, it begs the question -- are you a gamer or a collector?

Now there have been some really rare games -- Grandia II, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence LE, or the gold edition of Nintendo World Championships. Now Stadium Events joins the ranks and topples all opponents for the title of "pricey-est rare game evaarr."

The real question is: Is it worth it? Is any game worth it? Should people place such value on the collectability of games, rather than focus on simply playing and enjoying a good title? Sure there are historical and cultural significance tied to some of these rare games, but usually it all boils down to how many copies exist in the world and how pristine they have been kept. That usually means never playing the game, ensuring there are no rips in the plastic or creases in the box, squirreling them away in lock-safe containers, and cryogenically freezing them for decades.

Kidding aside, the collector mentality has really gotten out of hand if a game such as Stadium Events can command $41,300 on the backbone of pure market speculation and publicity in the mainstream press, especially since Stadium Events is nearly identical to another NES title World Class Track Meet, which can be found easily in dollar bins. The entire history of the two games can be found here, but the main difference between the two is one title screen. That and a $41k payday. God bless, America.

Personally, I am a gamer. Good games belong in my console, not in shrink-wrap. Bad games belong in the trash -- no matter how much they're worth.