On the shelves of a narrow shop in Riverton’s old town, rows of second-hand consoles sit next to boxes of controllers, cables and cartridges. Five years ago, many of these machines were sold for little more than the price of a new game. Today, some cost more than they did when they were new.
According to figures collected by an online marketplace for used electronics, average prices for consoles from two generations ago have risen by up to 40 percent in two years. Handheld devices and machines in their original boxes have seen the steepest increases.
Collectors and a new generation
Shop owners say the buyers fall into two groups. The first are adults in their thirties and forties who want the machines they grew up with. The second, more surprising group are teenagers who discovered older games through online videos and want to play them on the original hardware.
Ten years ago people brought me boxes of old consoles because they were clearing out the attic. Now people come in asking if I have anything from the attic.
Felix Marant, owner of a retro game shop in Riverton
Many older games are no longer sold digitally, which means the only legal way to play them is to buy a working console and the original discs or cartridges.
Repairs become a business
The rising prices have also created work for repair specialists. Old machines often need new capacitors, fans or disc drives, and a growing number of small workshops now offer refurbishment with a warranty.
A console that has been cleaned, repaired and tested sells for almost twice as much as one straight out of a garage.
Alina Petrescu, electronics technician in Elmbridge
Consumer advocates warn that the market also attracts fake accessories and copied games, and advise buyers to test devices before paying and to keep receipts.
Will the bubble burst?
Not everyone believes the trend will last. Some collectors expect prices to fall as more people sell their own machines while values are high. Others point out that the supply of working hardware only shrinks with time.
For players simply looking for a cheap way into gaming, shop owners have a tip: consoles from the most recent previous generation are currently at their lowest prices, as many owners trade them in for new models.
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