Top 10 most valuable retro video games

Action-platform titles have been identified as the most valuable retro games genre – and just before Christmas is the best time to sell according to expert dealers in the industry.

Rainbow Riches Casino teamed up with Console Passion to find out the most surprisingly valuable retro games that players may have stashed away in the loft. And for gamers who are looking to make a future investment, there are certain genres to keep an eye out for.

The most collectable retro games include action-platformers such as Gargoyle’s Quest II (£200+, $286.50), a rare entry from the beloved Mega Man series (£800+) and a limited edition of PlayStation classic Castlevania Symphony of the Night (£350+).

Racers such as San Francisco Rush 2049 (£400+), fighters like Masters of Combat (£300+) and Japanese role-playing games including Suikoden 2 (£250+) and Panzer Dragoon Saga (£300+) are also among the most collectable genres.

Gamers may be surprised to discover they could cash in with the right genre of retro game this Christmas:

10. Gargoyle's Quest II – Nintendo Entertainment System (Estimated Value £200+), released 17 July 1992

Casting you as the plucky, gliding, gargoyle of the title, this early ‘90s fantasy adventure has somewhat vanished from most people’s memories - despite its colourful graphics and dungeon-crawling action. That might explain its rare, collectable value.

9. Suikoden 2 – Sony PlayStation (Estimated Value £250+), released 17 December 1998

Arriving at a similar time to JRPG juggernauts like Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX, Konami’s visually outdated experience was widely overlooked in its day – but is now considered something of a forgotten classic.

8. Clock Tower – Sony PlayStation (Estimated Value £300+), released 14 September 1995

Very much the cult, surreal chiller to Resident Evil’s console-conquering survival horror, the PlayStation release of Clock Tower did not set the sales charts alight. But those who braved its tense encounters with “Scissorman” have many a spooky tale to tell.

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7. Panzer Dragoon Saga – Sega Saturn (Estimated Value £300+), released 29 January 1998

Hailed as one of the greatest JRPGs of its generation, and a highlight of SEGA’s Saturn console, Panzer Dragoon Saga was beloved by critics – but did not sell well in Europe. Its high regard and relative scarcity make it a prized possession for collectors.

6. Masters of Combat – Sega Master System (Estimated Value £300+), released in 1993

While the name ‘Street Fighter’ has endured long and proudly through the annals of gaming history, fate has not been as kind to SEGA’s own early ‘90s beat ‘em up Masters of Combat. It remains a true curiosity.

5. Donkey Kong Jr Math – Nintendo Entertainment System (Estimated Value £300+), released 12 December 1983

Combine the iconic image of an arcade legend with an 8-Bit oddity that asks gamers to solve maths problems, and you end up with quite the collectible.

4. Castlevania Symphony of the Night (Limited Edition) – Sony PlayStation (Estimated Value £350+), released 2 October 1997

Highly sought after due to the inclusion of rare artwork and the game’s soundtrack. The value of this PlayStation title is also enhanced by the sheer adoration in which the side scrolling Metroidvania classic is held.

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3. San Francisco Rush 2049 – N64 (Estimated Value £400+), released October 1999

This futuristic racer featuring rocket boosters, stunts and more could be seen as an answer to the likes of Wipeout – especially given its cool dance soundtrack. Often forgotten among the mainstream today, it maintains true cult appeal.

2. The Death and Return of Superman – Sega Megadrive (Estimated Value £500+), released 27 November 1994

Comic book properties definitely aren’t a modern invention, and back in the ‘90s Superman spent his time rampaging around, punching bad guys, in this Streets of Rage style outing.

1. Mega Man X3 – Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Estimated Value £800+), released 1 December 1995

The final SNES entry in the hugely popular Mega Man X series likely suffered commercially at the time, as attention turned to the new 32-Bit consoles. With original cartridges in short supply, but the character more popular than ever among fans, it is now a highly desired collectible.

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