To Sell Or Not To Sell? A Story Of A Gamer's Regrets

We've all been there. Wanting for that new console or new game. Thinking seriously about selling some of our collection to stores like Gamestop just to get something new. I can't tell you offhand how many games or consoles I've sold over the years just to gain access to the latest releases, but I promise you it's more than I care to admit out of shame. 

Every time I've done it I have always regretted it in hindsight. To be to the point, and completely honest, I don't think there's one single plausible reason as to why you should part ways with any of your collections. Time has shown gaming products hold value, and that that value often times increases when the next line of consoles and games come and go.

As the evolution of gaming continues, supposing it does, older consoles from the more modern era will become harder to find as will their library of games. Same as they did decades ago with the consoles and games we now refer to as "retro". Given the type of console it is this may or may not effect overall value potential, but almost always it will hold some sort of nostalgic value for gamers who were around when that console or game was produced. 

Retro consoles, when their time passed in the past, had greater value because the releases were functional without online components, for the most part. Not only that, but they had things like physical cartridges, and premium packaging that we don't see today outside of collector's editions and steelbooks.

Retro hardware and software, as it were, set a precedent for gaming collectors to this day. Not only did their offerings appeal to the gamer side of gaming, but also to those who liked to collect hobby related items. In a similar fashion some more modern consoles, and games have also proven their worth through scarcity, and rarity. 

In the way of rarer game releases often times you'll find that the more niche gaming genres have the most sought after titles well after launch. With them being niche, and hardly ever replicated past that console generation due to studio shortcomings it makes them the perfect collector's item. The JRPG genre is a prime example of this as is the fighting game genre. I should also mention that versions of certain games come into play in regards to future sales potential.

Versions and variants, as with comic books, are one selling point appeal among collector's, and if you know what to buy you can hold onto sealed copies or boxed consoles ensuring a lucrative proposition later on throughout the years. Not only is this a good investment for the playing and collecting gamers, but it's the type of thing that can be passed down, and enjoyed by newer generations of gamers who might not have been around for those experiences. It is more reason to hang onto what you purchase or pass it along when it comes to gaming than it is to trade or sell your way to something more modern. 

Anyways, that's my two cents worth on the topic. What do you think? Are you sold on selling out for the new or are you a collector willing to play the long game for preservation or profit sake? Be sure to let me know your thoughts!