PlayStation 1 Blockbuster Variants: A Treasure Trove for Collectors?

Among your PlayStation 1 titles, there lies a potential goldmine that has yet to be fully explored: the Blockbuster variants. These unique editions, born out of a partnership between game developers and the rental giant Blockbuster, might just be the next big thing in the retro gaming market.

Blockbuster variants are special editions of PlayStation 1 games that were exclusively distributed through Blockbuster Video stores. These variants can be identified by the unique Blockbuster SLU code found on both the game case and the disc itself. The exact purpose and rarity of these variants remain a mystery, adding to their allure among collectors. I have ripped the CD, and noticed the data inside the disc itself also references this Blockbuster identifier, oddly enough.

The Rarity of Blockbuster Variants

If we speculate based on the number of Blockbuster stores in their heyday – around 10,000 in 1997 – and assume each store stocked a conservative five copies, we’re looking at potentially 50,000 copies out there. This is my assumption. But with rentals, loss, and damage, the surviving number is likely far lower. This scarcity is what collectors live for.

Have you seen a variant blow up in price for no good reason one day just because the market dictates it? I have. So I want to hold on to these.

The Market’s Sleeping Giant

The gaming community has yet to shine a spotlight on these Blockbuster variants. They sit quietly, biding their time until someone, somewhere, ignites the spark of interest that sets their values ablaze. As word gets out, and more collectors become aware of their existence and rarity, we can almost certainly expect to see their prices soar. It is how the market works.

Consider this: a Reddit user by the handle -gemini- mentioned a “forgotten variant of Silent Hill” that was part of some “weird Konami-Blockbuster partnership thing that’s mostly uninteresting.” But, as history has shown us, today’s uninteresting footnote can be tomorrow’s headline news in the collectibles world. I have heard there may have been a few other titles to get the Blockbuster treatment, but I can not confirm or deny that.

Now is the time to act. Check your games for that Blockbuster SLU code. If you’re holding onto one of these variants, you’re not just a gamer; you’re a custodian of a piece of history that could be on the cusp of recognition and value appreciation. These variants are rare, and once the community catches on, their worth could climb faster than a speedrunner’s completion time. These variants may be hiding in plain sight, waiting to be discovered by eagle-eyed collectors. If you do come across a Blockbuster variant, consider holding onto it, as its value may increase significantly in the future.

What does this mean for the future? It’s a waiting game and a bet on potential. Today’s mundane item may be tomorrow’s must-have, and that’s part of the thrill of collecting. As the Playststion Blockbuster variants become known to collectors, we may see a ripple effect, with collectors scouring their shelves and flea markets for these elusive editions.

Whether you’re a serious collector or someone who simply appreciates the nostalgia of the PlayStation era, the Blockbuster variants are a fascinating subplot in retro gaming history. They represent a unique moment in time when rental stores reigned and exclusive deals were struck behind the scenes to attract gamers. Hold on to these rarities, for their moment in the sun may be just over the horizon. And when that time comes, we’ll look back on posts like these and say, “We knew it all along.” Keep your eyes peeled, your collections close.