Video Games Flipping Guide: How to Profit from Retro and Modern Gaming

Video game flipping represents one of the most dynamic and potentially lucrative niches in the reselling world. From rare retro cartridges fetching thousands to modern sealed games appreciating rapidly, the gaming market offers diverse opportunities for resellers at every experience level. With the right knowledge and sourcing strategies, you can turn gaming nostalgia into consistent profits.

Quick Stats

Why Video Games Are Profitable

The video game market combines nostalgia, scarcity, and an ever-growing collector base into a perfect storm of profitability. Adults who grew up gaming now have disposable income to recapture their childhood memories. Meanwhile, new collectors enter the market daily, drawn by YouTube retro gaming content and the satisfying aesthetic of physical game collections.

Unlike many collectibles, video games can still be played and enjoyed, adding functional value to their collectibility. This dual nature—entertainment and investment—supports strong demand across casual buyers and serious collectors alike.

The market spans multiple generations of hardware and thousands of titles, creating countless micro-niches where specialized knowledge translates directly into profit. A reseller who masters Nintendo 64 games operates in an entirely different market than one focused on PlayStation 5 titles, yet both can be profitable.

Production runs are finite, and games get lost, damaged, or discarded constantly. This shrinking supply against growing demand creates appreciation over time, particularly for quality titles and complete-in-box examples.

What to Look For

High-Value Categories

Sealed Games: Factory-sealed games command massive premiums over loose copies. Even common games sealed can be worth 5-10x their open counterparts. Rare sealed games can fetch thousands or even hundreds of thousands for graded examples.

Complete-in-Box (CIB): Games with original boxes, manuals, and inserts significantly outvalue loose cartridges or discs. A CIB Nintendo game might sell for $100 while the loose cartridge fetches $20.

Limited Editions: Special editions, collector’s editions, and limited print runs appreciate well. Look for numbered editions, steelbook cases, and included physical extras.

Retro Consoles: Working vintage consoles—especially variants and special editions—sell consistently. Japanese imports often command premiums for their unique colorways.

Rare Titles: Certain games had limited production runs or were pulled from shelves. Research “hidden gems” lists for each platform to identify sleeper titles.

Most Valuable Platforms

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): The foundation of modern gaming collecting. Stadium Events famously sold for over $40,000. Even common games CIB fetch solid prices.

Super Nintendo (SNES): EarthBound, Chrono Trigger, and Harvest Moon lead values. RPGs and action games perform best.

Nintendo 64: GoldenEye 007, Super Smash Bros., and Conker’s Bad Fur Day anchor this market. Complete boxes are particularly rare.

PlayStation 1 & 2: Deep libraries with many valuable RPGs and horror titles. Suikoden II, Rule of Rose, and Kuon command hundreds.

GameCube: Surprisingly valuable platform. Pokemon games, Fire Emblem, and Chibi-Robo drive the market.

Game Boy/GBA: Pokemon games dominate, but many sleeper titles exist. Authentic cartridges over reproductions.

Condition Grading

Understanding condition is crucial for accurate pricing:

• Mint/Near Mint: Perfect or near-perfect. No damage, wear, or defects. Full market value.
• Excellent: Minor wear that doesn’t significantly impact presentation. 80-90% value.
• Good: Visible wear, minor scratches, or label damage. 60-80% value.
• Fair: Significant wear, writing on labels, or damage. 30-50% value.
• Poor: Heavy damage but functional. Mainly for personal use buyers.

For disc-based games, test functionality when possible. Scratched discs might be resurfaceable, creating profit opportunities from “damaged” lots.

Spotting Reproductions and Fakes

The high values of retro games have spawned a reproduction market. Learn to identify fakes:

• Compare cart shells to authentic examples (font, plastic quality, screw types)
• Check PCB boards for proper markings and chip configurations
• Verify label printing quality and placement
• Use authentication apps and comparison photos
• When in doubt, open the cartridge (legitimate buyers will understand)

Where to Source Video Games

Garage and Estate Sales

These remain the best sources for below-market video games. Many sellers don’t know current values and price based on original purchase prices or arbitrary amounts. Arrive early at advertised sales mentioning games or electronics. Ask about gaming items even if not displayed—they might be boxed up somewhere.

Thrift Stores

Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local thrifts receive gaming donations regularly. Competition is fierce, so visit frequently and build relationships with staff. Goodwill Auctions online (shopgoodwill.com) also lists gaming lots, though prices have risen as buyers caught on.

Pawn Shops

Pawn shops often price video games based on outdated information or flat rates regardless of title. Build relationships with local shops and ask to be contacted when gaming inventory arrives. Negotiate bundle deals when buying multiple items.

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist

Local marketplace apps surface excellent deals from casual sellers cleaning out closets. Set up saved searches and alerts for gaming keywords. Respond quickly to new listings—competition is fierce.

Flea Markets

Flea market vendors vary wildly in pricing knowledge. Some are fellow resellers at market prices, while others sell everything at flat rates. Explore regularly to find the latter.

Game Store Buy Prices

Some local game stores sell at or below market value. Clearance sections and trade-in specials can yield flippable inventory. Build relationships with staff who might tip you off to incoming collections.

Online Sourcing

eBay auction lots ending at odd hours, Mercari listings from unknowledgeable sellers, and Facebook buy/sell groups all offer sourcing opportunities. The margins are typically lower than local sourcing but scale more easily.

Pricing Strategies

Research is everything in video game pricing. Markets shift constantly based on YouTube coverage, remaster announcements, and collector trends. Use these resources:

• PriceCharting.com: The definitive database for video game prices. Shows loose, CIB, and sealed values with historical charts.
• eBay Sold Listings: Real-time market data. Always use sold prices, not current listings.
• Video Game Price Charts: Alternative pricing resource for comparison.

Consider market trends when pricing. Games featured on popular YouTube channels often spike temporarily. Remaster announcements can raise or tank original values unpredictably. New entries in franchises boost interest in older titles.

Price based on condition accurately. Overgrading loses buyer trust and generates returns. Undergrading leaves money on the table.

Best Platforms for Selling

eBay

eBay dominates video game reselling with the largest buyer pool and best prices for rare items. Benefits include:

• Massive collector audience
• Global reach for rare titles
• Best offer feature for negotiation
• Auction format maximizes rare item values

Mercari

Excellent secondary platform with lower fees than eBay. Good for testing markets and faster sales at slightly lower prices. Simple listing process appeals to new sellers.

Facebook Marketplace

Perfect for local sales eliminating shipping costs and risks. Particularly good for console bundles that are expensive to ship. Negotiate firmly but fairly.

GameStop Trade-In

While often offering below market value, GameStop trade promotions occasionally make sense for common games or when you need immediate cash. Never trade rare games here.

Local Game Stores

Many local shops buy used games at reasonable prices. Convenient for bulk liquidation of lower-value inventory. Build relationships for better deals.

Specialized Auction Houses

For extremely valuable items (sealed games worth $1,000+), specialized auction houses like Heritage Auctions reach serious collectors and can maximize returns through competitive bidding.

Shipping Tips

Video games are relatively easy to ship but require attention to prevent damage and maintain buyer satisfaction.

Packaging Games

• Ship cartridges in small padded mailers or boxes with bubble wrap
• Disc-based games require rigid mailers or boxes to prevent cracking
• CIB games need extra protection for boxes and manuals—corners damage easily
• Use cardboard stiffeners for any paper items

Protecting Value

• Never tape anything to game cases or boxes
• Remove price stickers carefully with Goo Gone (not on labels!)
• Photograph condition thoroughly before shipping
• Ship valuable items signature required

Cost Optimization

Games are relatively lightweight, making USPS First Class Package economical for most shipments. Media Mail rates DON’T apply to video games—they must be shipped regular rates.

Calculate shipping costs before listing. Consider free shipping with costs built in, as buyers prefer the simplicity. Regional rate boxes work well for console bundles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a game is authentic?

Authenticating video games requires experience and attention to detail. Start by comparing your game to known authentic examples using high-quality reference photos. Examine label quality, cart shell plastic, and screw types. For valuable purchases, open cartridges to inspect PCB boards—authentic Nintendo boards show specific markings and chip configurations. Resources like game-specific collector forums document authentication details. When spending significant money, buy from reputable sellers or get games professionally graded by companies like WATA or VGA.

Are reproduction games legal to sell?

Selling reproduction games exists in a legal gray area and is generally frowned upon in the collecting community. While selling reproductions clearly labeled as such isn’t necessarily illegal, marketing them as authentic constitutes fraud. Most selling platforms prohibit unauthorized reproductions due to copyright concerns. Ethically, stick to authentic games only. Reproductions hurt the market and can damage your reputation as a seller.

Should I get valuable games graded?

Professional grading from services like WATA Games or VGA makes sense for sealed games or exceptionally pristine CIB examples worth significant money. Grading verifies authenticity, permanently encases games for protection, and provides standardized condition assessment that can increase buyer confidence and sale prices. However, grading costs money ($50-150+) and removes the ability to play games. Only grade items where the value justifies the cost and where grading will meaningfully increase salability.

What’s the best way to test if games work?

Testing game functionality prevents returns and builds buyer confidence. For cartridge games, clean contacts with isopropyl alcohol and test on appropriate hardware. Play past initial screens to verify the game saves properly. For disc-based games, visual inspection reveals surface damage, but actual testing on console is ideal. Disc resurfacing machines can restore scratched discs to functionality—many local game stores offer this service for a few dollars. Document testing with photos or video for valuable items.

How do I price a game I can’t find comparable sales for?

Rarely traded games challenge pricing. Start with PriceCharting for baseline data, even if limited. Search completed eBay sales using various search terms and spellings. Check collector forums for historical sale posts. Look at international markets (Japanese versions might provide reference points). For truly rare items, consider auction format to let the market determine value. Price slightly high initially and reduce if no interest develops. Posting on collector communities can generate price guidance from knowledgeable collectors.

Conclusion

Video game flipping rewards knowledge, persistence, and strategic sourcing. The market’s depth means there’s always something new to learn—another platform to master, another category to explore, another hidden gem to discover. Start by focusing on platforms you personally know and enjoy, then expand as your expertise grows.

Success comes from understanding both the collector mindset and market mechanics. Collectors want nostalgia, completion, and quality. Meeting those needs while sourcing at discounts creates reliable profit margins. Build your reputation through accurate grading, careful packaging, and honest descriptions.

The gaming market continues to mature, with increased collector interest pushing values upward over time. By developing expertise now, you position yourself to profit from this growing market for years to come.

Helpful Tools and Resources

• Underpriced - Instantly analyze any game’s resale value with AI-powered pricing
• PriceCharting - Comprehensive video game price database
• eBay Sold Listings - Real-time market pricing research
• r/GameCollecting - Active collector community
• Video Game Sage - Authentication resources and forums

Ready to flip video games profitably? Use Underpriced to quickly analyze games you find while sourcing. Our AI-powered valuation tool helps you make smart buying decisions in seconds, so you never miss a profitable opportunity or overpay for inventory.