Rarity of N64 Blockbuster Exclusives and Rentals

I've done a little research on this but I don't know everything about the Blockbuster Exclusive games and former rentals for Nintendo 64.  Are the exclusive games actually rarer than we think?  Are the rentals in short supply as well as a result? While being rented, I'm sure some people either kept them, lost them, threw them away if they didn't work, or returned them broken which in turn may have eventually been thrown in the trash anyway.  Or is this all just speculation?  I would like to know your opinions.



Also, Micro-64 put together a wonderful article on Blockbuster rentals.  Here is the link:

http://www.micro-64.com/features/blockbusterrentals.shtml
«13

Comments

  • I think its all speculation. I've run into so many copies of Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, its not even funny. Also, I've seen quite a few Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars for sale locally before, overpriced of course. I think its just people hoarding all the copies creating a fake demand. Just look at what happened with Sculptors Cut a few years ago. Someone bought every copy on Ebay and Amazon, and then relissted them all one by one at double the price thus causing a price spike. I wouldn't be surprised if some is doing the same with the other BB rental only games.
  • Originally posted by: kwaza



    I think its all speculation. I've run into so many copies of Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, its not even funny. Also, I've seen quite a few Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars for sale locally before, overpriced of course. I think its just people hoarding all the copies creating a fake demand. Just look at what happened with Sculptors Cut a few years ago. Someone bought every copy on Ebay and Amazon, and then relissted them all one by one at double the price thus causing a price spike. I wouldn't be surprised if some is doing the same with the other BB rental only games.



    Well, Indiana Jones, yes I can understand...I actually picked one up the other day at a small cd game store.  But Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars in the wild?  Theres no way.  Its hard enough finding stores now that even sell a few N64 games...all the stores I've visited are generally sold out.  I can understand maybe 10 years ago when Blockbuster was still around.  But there is no way that you would find those titles in the wild today.  You'd have to be pretty lucky.

     
  • There are only so many rental stores out there and probably not all of the stores got them. The ones that did, probably got multiple copies. Its hard to say how many were made. I guess it just comes down to how many rental stores (that includes mom and pop corner store/rentals, franchises, etc) do you think there are in North America? And how many of these places actually got copies?
  • Compared to the rest of the N64 library, some of the titles perceived as rental exclusives whether correctly or not (especially Sculptor's Cut, Beast Wars, and ISS2000) are indeed more difficult to find. That being said, I've found every one of these numerous times in the wild and I do not consider any of them to be rare. Any one of them can be had at any time on EBay or Amazon.
  • Indiana jones was sold on the Lucas arts website so it wasn't rental exclusive.
  • Originally posted by: Atarian75



    Indiana jones was sold on the Lucas arts website so it wasn't rental exclusive.





    True.  That's why I included Exclusives AND Rentals in the title...
  • Not only did every blockbuster store get them.... all the promotional copies made send to advertisers, people in the industry and for reviewers, etc... all the people who got to work on the game got one or more. Contests, etc. Minimum print runs, etc. I remember one blockbuster that had 5 copies for rental of sculptors cut... Too bad it was the type of blockbuster that would not only put stickers on the front and back label of the cart, manual and the box. They would often write store and inventory # on them.
  • Originally posted by: The Count



    Compared to the rest of the N64 library, some of the titles perceived as rental exclusives whether correctly or not (especially Sculptor's Cut, Beast Wars, and ISS2000) are indeed more difficult to find. That being said, I've found every one of these numerous times in the wild and I do not consider any of them to be rare. Any one of them can be had at any time on EBay or Amazon.



    Well, I would like to know where, because the rarest one (of all the N64 collection) I have found so far in the wild was Super Bowling, and that is in the boons of Indiana.  I haven't seen any of the other rarer N64 games in the wild other than that one.

     
  • Originally posted by: kwaza



    I think its all speculation. I've run into so many copies of Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, its not even funny. Also, I've seen quite a few Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars for sale locally before, overpriced of course. I think its just people hoarding all the copies creating a fake demand. Just look at what happened with Sculptors Cut a few years ago. Someone bought every copy on Ebay and Amazon, and then relissted them all one by one at double the price thus causing a price spike. I wouldn't be surprised if some is doing the same with the other BB rental only games.

    agreed.



    also nothing was ever just a blockbuster rental. my first copy of sculptors cut came from a small time local rental shop that was owned by the father of a buddy of mine. and even if blockbuster exclusives were a thing there were 9000 of those stores and they would definitly keep more than one copy per store so the lowest possible estimate for sculptors cut would be 18000 presuming 2 copies per store. youd be insane to think blockbuster would only have one copy of a game that was supposedly made just for blockbuster.



     
  • Originally posted by: jacob...

     
    Originally posted by: kwaza



    I think its all speculation. I've run into so many copies of Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, its not even funny. Also, I've seen quite a few Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars for sale locally before, overpriced of course. I think its just people hoarding all the copies creating a fake demand. Just look at what happened with Sculptors Cut a few years ago. Someone bought every copy on Ebay and Amazon, and then relissted them all one by one at double the price thus causing a price spike. I wouldn't be surprised if some is doing the same with the other BB rental only games.

    agreed.



    also nothing was ever just a blockbuster rental. my first copy of sculptors cut came from a small time local rental shop that was owned by the father of a buddy of mine. and even if blockbuster exclusives were a thing there were 9000 of those stores and they would definitly keep more than one copy per store so the lowest possible estimate for sculptors cut would be 18000 presuming 2 copies per store. youd be insane to think blockbuster would only have one copy of a game that was supposedly made just for blockbuster.



     



    Who ever said there was just one copy per store? 

     
  • Nvm I see what youre saying. I'm not questioning the rarity of Sculptors Cut. That game is sort of in its own world because of its history with Blockbuster.
  • Originally posted by: theonering84

     
    Originally posted by: kwaza



    I think its all speculation. I've run into so many copies of Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, its not even funny. Also, I've seen quite a few Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars for sale locally before, overpriced of course. I think its just people hoarding all the copies creating a fake demand. Just look at what happened with Sculptors Cut a few years ago. Someone bought every copy on Ebay and Amazon, and then relissted them all one by one at double the price thus causing a price spike. I wouldn't be surprised if some is doing the same with the other BB rental only games.



    Well, Indiana Jones, yes I can understand...I actually picked one up the other day at a small cd game store.  But Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars in the wild?  Theres no way.  Its hard enough finding stores now that even sell a few N64 games...all the stores I've visited are generally sold out.  I can understand maybe 10 years ago when Blockbuster was still around.  But there is no way that you would find those titles in the wild today.  You'd have to be pretty lucky.

     





    You have to have faith man I pick all kinds of odd stuff locally. Recently a sharp nes game tv a lot rarer then any bb exclusive 
  • Originally posted by: theonering84

     
    Originally posted by: jacob...

     
    Originally posted by: kwaza



    I think its all speculation. I've run into so many copies of Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, its not even funny. Also, I've seen quite a few Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars for sale locally before, overpriced of course. I think its just people hoarding all the copies creating a fake demand. Just look at what happened with Sculptors Cut a few years ago. Someone bought every copy on Ebay and Amazon, and then relissted them all one by one at double the price thus causing a price spike. I wouldn't be surprised if some is doing the same with the other BB rental only games.

    agreed.



    also nothing was ever just a blockbuster rental. my first copy of sculptors cut came from a small time local rental shop that was owned by the father of a buddy of mine. and even if blockbuster exclusives were a thing there were 9000 of those stores and they would definitly keep more than one copy per store so the lowest possible estimate for sculptors cut would be 18000 presuming 2 copies per store. youd be insane to think blockbuster would only have one copy of a game that was supposedly made just for blockbuster.



     



    Who ever said there was just one copy per store? 

     





    nobody, its a way of exargurating the point that 18000 is a low estimate for sculptors cut. its like when a tv comercial comes on and they say "youd be crazy to pass on these deals." its a figure of speach.  
  • I don't think any of them are too rare, coming from someone with 2 CIB sculptor cuts, 5 CIB Super Bowlings (1 Sealed), 3 CIB Stunt Racers 1 CB, 3 CIB Beast Wars, 2 CIB second attacks + 1 manual, 2 CIB ISSS 2000, 2 CIB Jones + 1 IB
  • A couple questions:

    1)Is rarity evaluated by (a) how few copies are in the print run (b) the ratio between a smaller print run and the average print run or (c) a variable that i have not mentioned

    2) Are there any know print runs to games, exclusive or otherwise?
  • If there are 5+ copies available at any time on eBay or amazon, its not rare.



    Expensive/overpriced =\= rare



    MACS rifle? Thats rare.
  • Originally posted by: jkenned5

    I don't think any of them are too rare, coming from someone with 2 CIB sculptor cuts, 5 CIB Super Bowlings (1 Sealed), 3 CIB Stunt Racers 1 CB, 3 CIB Beast Wars, 2 CIB second attacks + 1 manual, 2 CIB ISSS 2000, 2 CIB Jones + 1 IB





    How many years ago did you buy these?

    In the grand scheme, you are likely one of a few who have this many, and even you only have 2 copies of some of these titles..
  • Originally posted by: theonering84

     
    Originally posted by: kwaza



    I think its all speculation. I've run into so many copies of Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, its not even funny. Also, I've seen quite a few Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars for sale locally before, overpriced of course. I think its just people hoarding all the copies creating a fake demand. Just look at what happened with Sculptors Cut a few years ago. Someone bought every copy on Ebay and Amazon, and then relissted them all one by one at double the price thus causing a price spike. I wouldn't be surprised if some is doing the same with the other BB rental only games.



    Well, Indiana Jones, yes I can understand...I actually picked one up the other day at a small cd game store.  But Sculptors Cut and Beast Wars in the wild?  Theres no way.  Its hard enough finding stores now that even sell a few N64 games...all the stores I've visited are generally sold out.  I can understand maybe 10 years ago when Blockbuster was still around.  But there is no way that you would find those titles in the wild today.  You'd have to be pretty lucky.

     



    Actually back in the day I found multiple copies of Beast Wars (10-15) at a local chain throughout Texas, Arkansas, & Louisiana. The same goes for Indiana Jones. Again this is around 2010 to 2013, but I still don't think its up there with SC. Maybe found 1 or 2 of those. Might be a regional thing though.

     
  • Originally posted by: jkenned5

    I don't think any of them are too rare, coming from someone with 2 CIB sculptor cuts, 5 CIB Super Bowlings (1 Sealed), 3 CIB Stunt Racers 1 CB, 3 CIB Beast Wars, 2 CIB second attacks + 1 manual, 2 CIB ISSS 2000, 2 CIB Jones + 1 IB


    I totally forgot i left my copies of all those at your place. What a dumny! Ill be up Saturday to pick them up.

    Thanks!
  • Originally posted by: acidjaguar

     
    Originally posted by: jkenned5



    I don't think any of them are too rare, coming from someone with 2 CIB sculptor cuts, 5 CIB Super Bowlings (1 Sealed), 3 CIB Stunt Racers 1 CB, 3 CIB Beast Wars, 2 CIB second attacks + 1 manual, 2 CIB ISSS 2000, 2 CIB Jones + 1 IB





    I totally forgot i left my copies of all those at your place. What a dumny! Ill be up Saturday to pick them up.



    Thanks!





    Bring the beer, I got the BBQ  
  • Originally posted by: rdools

     
    Originally posted by: jkenned5



    I don't think any of them are too rare, coming from someone with 2 CIB sculptor cuts, 5 CIB Super Bowlings (1 Sealed), 3 CIB Stunt Racers 1 CB, 3 CIB Beast Wars, 2 CIB second attacks + 1 manual, 2 CIB ISSS 2000, 2 CIB Jones + 1 IB







    How many years ago did you buy these? In the grand scheme, you are likely one of a few who have this many, and even you only have 2 copies of some of these titles..



    Over 8 years? Got most in bundles or found locally except for a select few. I've seen at least one collection with tons of beast wars and jones, can't remember if there were others.

     
  • Yes SC is also popular and in high demand. but why has no one mentioned Stunt Racer!!! game is fun and box is rare and manual my opinion harder to find that sculpters cut manual and see that price now!!!!



    I'm down to 2 manuals for a cib n64 collection.

    Sculpters cut

    chameleon twist
  • 3 cib stunt racers on ebay right now not quite sc prices but getting there
  • Somebody just made a run on stunt racer carts. Wasn't me I promise, but I'd think it's funny if this thread specifically is the reason.
  • Since 01/01/15, 5 random 8's for SNES and NES and 5 Blockbuster exclusives chosen by me

     
    Title State Console # Active Listings # of Sales
    Clay Fighter: Sculptor's Cut LOOSE Nintendo 64 5 (View Listings) 265
    Rat Attack! LOOSE Nintendo 64 7 (View Listings) 114
    Razor Freestyle Scooter LOOSE Nintendo 64 3 (View Listings) 79
    Stunt Racer 64 LOOSE Nintendo 64 4 (View Listings) 185
    NFL Blitz Special Edition LOOSE Nintendo 64 6 (View Listings) 173
     
    Title State Console # Active Listings # of Sales
    3 Ninjas Kick Back LOOSE Super Nintendo 6 (View Listings) 106
    Kawasaki Superbike Challenge LOOSE Super Nintendo 0 (View Listings) 15
    Oscar LOOSE Super Nintendo 9 (View Listings) 59
    Shien's Revenge LOOSE Super Nintendo 1 (View Listings) 30
    Super Turrican 2 LOOSE Super Nintendo 13 (View Listings) 116
    Title State Console # Active Listings # of Sales
    Castle of Deceit LOOSE Nintendo NES 8 (View Listings) 39
    Challenge of the Dragon LOOSE Nintendo NES 4 (View Listings) 37
    Flintstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak LOOSE Nintendo NES 3 (View Listings) 109
    Hot Slots LOOSE Nintendo NES 0 (View Listings) 5
    Menace Beach LOOSE Nintendo NES 2 (View Listings) 31
  • Originally posted by: cosmicjim

    Somebody just made a run on stunt racer carts. Wasn't me I promise, but I'd think it's funny if this thread specifically is the reason.





    I don't think so. There was a 160 SR cart sale recently and that's what caused the run I'm sure.
  • About hoarding, I know someone that bought a LOT of those Razor Scooter games years ago hoping to inflate the price of it. Didnt work.
  • Originally posted by: guitarzombie



    About hoarding, I know someone that bought a LOT of those Razor Scooter games years ago hoping to inflate the price of it. Didnt work.

    Gotta go big or go home





    As in, buy ALL of the carts.  If I was worth 8 figures I'd probably do something like that.  Buy up 2,000 carts of Cutthroat Island and Stargate just to see.



     
  • Well razor did get a pop actually. They were available sealed by the boatload at around 10 a pop. They then spiked on hype in 2013 maybe? I sold 3 or 4 at 65 to 80 a piece sealed, wish I had more at the time. It'll never get that hot again, massive overstock out there.
This discussion has been closed.