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For seasoned collectors and speculators alike, limited run video games hold the potential for incredible future value. As digital increasingly dominates the landscape, physical copies in short supply become prime targets for major price inflation. This guide will explore the most coveted low print titles across history and what makes them so valuable.
The Scarcity Principle
At its core, the value of rare games comes down to basic supply and demand economics. When a game’s print run caps out at just a few thousand copies or less, demand dramatically outweighs availability. Hardcore collectors and nostalgic fans end up bidding prices into the stratosphere trying to secure one of few sealed copies in existence.
As digital distribution expands, physical media becomes far more limited in production. That means identifying low print physical games before they disappear is key to locking in big returns on investment.
Hot New Contenders
Even contemporary hit games have special editions that qualify as rare. Fortnite, for example, had limited quantity bundles like the Minty Pickaxe Code Pack. Despite a retail price of $30, these sealed packs now auction for $500+ due to very short supply.
Minecraft is another modern phenomenon with expensive low print versions. A factory sealed Xbox 360 copy went for a whopping $1,800 at auction. And extremely limited releases like the 4-disc Xbox One collector’s edition have sold for $4,000!
The Final Physical Minecraft?
Speaking of Minecraft, the recently released physical disc for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One is poised to become the lowest print run ever. With Microsoft shifting focus to digital games, physical disc production dropped dramatically.
These could be the last widely available physical copies of Minecraft. Prices are already high on eBay from early adopters. Astute collectors who secure the Series X/S or Xbox One editions while they remain obtainable stand to profit hugely on resale to desperate fans.
As Microsoft winds down physical game manufacturing, grabbing this final retail version of the best-selling game of all time seems a smart play. In the future, it should command immense premiums as the ultimate limited edition.
Out of Print Classics
Beyond new titles, there are scores of out of print games from past generations that hold tremendous value due to tiny production batches.
NCAA Football 14 for Xbox 360 is a prime example. As the last game in the series, and with EA Sports ceasing college football games in 2014, existing copies became instant rarities. Sealed copies now auction for $300 or more routinely. Even used can go over $100.
Other sports titles follow suit if made in smaller numbers. The PS3 version of NCAA Basketball 10 had a print run under 25,000, leading to $100+ prices today. GameCube football games like Madden 07 and NFL 2K3 are approaching the $100 mark as well based on scarcity.
On retro consoles like NES and SNES, limited run RPGs and action-platformers draw big money from collectors. Little Samson on NES had an ultra-limited release, causing valuations to soar. Mint copies now sell for $5,000 to $10,000.
The side-scrolling action RPG Magical Chase for TurboGrafx-16 also flies under the radar. It’s now valued at $1,000+ due to only 5,000 copies existing. And SNES RPG titles like Aero Fighters and Hagane sell for $600+ apiece in complete condition.
Alternate Covers
Even mass market sports games can become collectible if certain cover variations are exceptionally rare. NCAA Football 12 came with a reversible lenticular 3D cover that now garners $50+ more than the standard edition.
NCAA Football 13 had a special holographic cover produced in tiny quantities, making it a $200+ item. These alternate covers prove proper research identifies overlooked gems.
Cult Classics
Beyond the mainstream, cult classics for all genres carry big price tags when originally released in small batches. The PS1 RPG Suikoden II was relatively unknown at launch, but print runs under 50,000 make it a $1,000+ marvel today.
On PS2, horror curiosities like Echo Night Beyond and Rule of Rose were not huge sellers, but scarcity now pushes their value over $300. And obscure titles for N64 and Dreamcast can explode when word spreads among dedicated collectors.
The Import Market
Import games released overseas but not localized for certain regions also provide hidden opportunities. Japanese RPGs tend to have very limited print runs, making sealed English copies extremely hard to find.
Cult hits like Dragon Force and Mystaria: The Realms of Lore on Sega Saturn go for upward of $300 due to lack of western availability. And English copies of action-RPG Ys IV: Mask of the Sun for Super Famicom easily clear $1,000.
The Bottom Line
In summary, print runs under 50,000 units often foreshadow spiking valuations down the road. Teaming with knowledgeable collectors helps spot these rarities early. But acting quickly is key, as prices rise exponentially once low supply becomes widely known.
For investors and collectors with patience, securing select new limited edition games can bring huge returns if held sealed for future sale. As gaming continues going digital, few copies of beloved physical games will drive massive demand.
Now is the time to start accumulating likely gems before production ceases and copies disappear. Building a portfolio of low print titles handpicked for scarcity and popularity is a strategy that could deliver big dividends later for the savvy speculator.
Attached below are some games you would think are worth nothing, that have held value quite well.
