Retro games as an investment: fact or fiction?
Published on July 9, 2026 by GamerVault · 6 min read
Can you really make money with retro games? The short answer: yes, but not like the headlines claim. Let's separate fact from fiction.
The facts: games have become more valuable
The numbers don't lie. Here are popular games and their value appreciation (CIB, PAL):
| Game | 2016 | 2021 | 2026 | 10-year return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Crystal (GB) | €60 | €200 | €300 | +400% |
| EarthBound (SNES) | €200 | €800 | €1,500 | +650% |
| Paper Mario TTYD (GCN) | €40 | €120 | €250 | +525% |
| Conker's Bad Fur Day (N64) | €80 | €180 | €250 | +213% |
Impressive numbers. €1,000 invested in Pokémon Crystal in 2016 is now €5,000. No savings account matches that.
The fiction: "retro games are the new Bitcoin"
For every EarthBound that rises 650%, there are hundreds of FIFA games that go from €5 to €3.
Hidden costs
| Cost | Average |
|---|---|
| Shipping | €5-15 per purchase |
| Platform fees (eBay) | 10-15% on sale |
| Protective cases | €1-3 per game |
| Insurance | €5-15/month for collections >€5,000 |
| Time | Hours searching, bidding, packaging, shipping |
Buy a game for €100, sell for €150 — after costs you might make €20-30 for hours of work.
What's a good investment?
Games that grow in value: RPGs, limited print runs, Nintendo first-party, cult classics, and horror games.
Games that DON'T: yearly sports games, over-produced titles, Greatest Hits versions.
Realistic expectations
| Scenario | Invest €1,000 | 5-year return |
|---|---|---|
| Only buying classics | €1,000 | €1,500-2,000 (+50-100%) |
| Rare RPGs and horror | €1,000 | €1,500-3,000 (+50-200%) |
| Everything you find | €1,000 | €500-1,000 (-50% to 0%) |
The average collector buying occasional deals gets 50-100% return over 5 years. Better than a savings account, but not a "get rich quick" scheme.
Conclusion
Retro games as an investment works — but only if you know what you're doing. Buy RPGs, horror, and Nintendo classics in complete condition. Avoid sports games and bulk buys. And most importantly: enjoy collecting — the fun of holding a physical game is worth more than the euros in your bank account.