How to start collecting retro games: a beginner's guide
Published on July 9, 2026 by GamerVault ยท 6 min read
Want to start collecting retro games? Fantastic! But where do you begin? Which console do you choose? How do you know if you're getting a good deal? And how do you keep track of what everything is worth? In this guide, we take you through step by step.
Choose your first console
The most important decision: which platform to collect? My advice โ choose the console you enjoyed most as a kid. Collecting is about fun, not just money.
Top 5 best starter platforms for beginners:
- Game Boy / GBA โ small, affordable, huge library, easy to find
- Nintendo 64 โ small library (~388 games), iconic titles, reasonably priced
- PlayStation 1 โ largest library, most games under โฌ20
- Nintendo DS โ cheap, available everywhere, massive library
- SNES โ popular with collectors, higher prices, but classics are worth it
What do you need?
| Item | Budget | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Console | โฌ40-80 | Buy tested with minimum 1 controller |
| AV cables | โฌ5-15 | Modern HDMI adapters recommended |
| Memory card | โฌ10-20 | For PS1/PS2 saves |
| First 5 games | โฌ50-100 | Choose affordable classics |
| Storage box | โฌ10-20 | Protect your items |
Total: โฌ150-200 to start. That's less than a new PS5 game!
Where to buy retro games?
| Store | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Marktplaats | Most selection, often cheap | No warranty, bootleg risk |
| Flea markets | Best deals, negotiation | Time-consuming, uncertain supply |
| eBay | International selection, buyer protection | Shipping costs, import fees |
| Retro game stores | Tested, warranty, expert advice | More expensive than private sellers |
| GamerVault Marketplace | No fees, direct from collectors | Smaller selection (growing) |
More about buying & selling โ
How to know if you have a deal?
The biggest problem for beginners: you don't know what a game is worth. Use GamerVault to instantly check market values:
- Search for the game in the app
- Check the current eBay market value
- Compare with the asking price
- Decide within 30 seconds if it's a deal
How to track your collection?
A spreadsheet is nice, but GamerVault does more:
- Automatic price updates โ see daily what your games are worth
- Portfolio insights โ see your total investment and profit/loss
- Photos per game โ remember which games you already own
- Barcode scanner โ add games simply by scanning
Start for free with GamerVault โ
Conclusion
Start with a console you love, buy a few classics, and use GamerVault to check prices and track your collection. For โฌ150-200 you're ready to begin. And most importantly: have fun โ collecting is a hobby, not a job.