Earthbound

When it comes to collecting games, is Earthbound the most well known for being mistaken for rare?



I rarely hear of any other games mention a lot to take 2nd place, but thats just me. And I'm sure theres a few collectors who roll their eyes at "rarest games lists" and see Earthbound included. But is it the 'go to' example of "It's not rare, it's just expensive because reasons"? And if so, what are some others?

Comments

  • Rare is such a relative term... people say that Earthbound is "not" rare... when you compare it to Contra... it's Rare, when you compare it to Panic Restaurant, maybe not so rare...



    It's been worth over $100 for about 10 years... call it what ever you want...
  • Try finding a mint condition box and book with everycard. Rare no but uncommon when considering condition.

    The demand for this game is high and has a high level of counterfeits.
  • Its hyped up rare like Conkers and Musha
  • Tengen Tetris was known as the rarest NES game in the 90s. at least around here.
  • Originally posted by: twiztor

    Tengen Tetris was known as the rarest NES game in the 90s. at least around here.



    funny how unlicensed used to be so sought-after, now hardly anyone cares
  • I wouldn't say it is rare. A local shop here always has 2 or 3 copies available. I'd say that the reason it's value stays high is because of what it is. Earthbound is one of those games that doesn't follow the rules. It was part of a series, but it wasn't in the US. It had a huge box so it stood out. It was an RPG in a time of platformers. There was a mystery behind it because it was a "Japanese" game. Also it is a kick ass game to play, and the artwork isn't half bad. But rare, nope not even.
  • Harvest Moon on the N64 has always baffled me. The price just never matched up with the supply imo. Tons and tons of them available on eBay and Amazon, almost like it was Wrestlemania 2000, and yet it's still comparatively expensive for the n64.



    Would also agree on Conker's. It's not rare, just a classic. Thankfully, it's price and discussion have started to drop with the introduction of reproductions and iterations on newer platforms.



    Local stores near me are still trying to sell Earthbound at $200+.
  • Will the fact that Earthbound is going to be included on SNES mini going to reduce the price on physical copies? Just curious.
  • Originally posted by: Mad Martigan



    Will the fact that Earthbound is going to be included on SNES mini going to reduce the price on physical copies? Just curious.





    Doubt it, the NES Classic didn't affect cart prices. Although only 10 people got one of those, so its a bit different.



    The virtual console release of EB had it dip a bit for awhile, but it shot back up.
  • Originally posted by: Mad Martigan



    Will the fact that Earthbound is going to be included on SNES mini going to reduce the price on physical copies? Just curious.






    Earthbounds price has been essentially the same for the past 8 years, maybe more, just that's when I started collecting and paying attention. It will dip or rise a little occasionally, but I remember seeing them at retail when I first started collecting, and recently seeing one that was the same price. I don't think its price will be affected much by this or anything else
  • All a matter of perspective I supose
  • Generally, it seems like snes and n64 heated up a lot in the last couple years or so, and relative to the rest of their sets, I actually think Earthbound and Conker's both cooled off a bit. Maybe that was naturally due to the hype fizzling a bit, or due to the rampant repros that are sold of both games on eBay on a daily basis, but it's kind of interesting.



    Anyway, I see (and agree with) your point, OP. Another example that comes to mind is Ninja Five-0 on GBA...I don't know how it originally got hyped, but the prices on cib/nib sets of that game have surprised me.
  • A lot of "casuals" confuse pricing with rarity or even label games as rare to try and increase selling power?



    Earthbound

    Conker

    Tron Bonne

    Suikoden II

    Chrono Trigger



    All of these games have been labeled as rare many times but aren't nearly as rare as others on the same platform.
  • Pretty much agree. I've heard the most bullshit about earthbound over the years. Even my collection, people will come over and be blown away by EB even though I had games like Aero Fighters and FF Guy right next to it. I think it was one of the first games to see a rise so it holds a reputation.

  • Originally posted by: empire




    Originally posted by: Mad Martigan



    Will the fact that Earthbound is going to be included on SNES mini going to reduce the price on physical copies? Just curious.



    The virtual console release of EB had it dip a bit for awhile, but it shot back up.

    EB was going for over $200 and climbing.  The VC console release saw it drop down to the $150-$200 range.  It never was able to maintain a $200+ price since.



    And that digitial release was just for the Wii U, a console nobody had.  The SNES mini is way more appealing and is putting Earthbound into many more hands.



    We are going to see a lot of people try to unload their Earthbound carts before September.




  • Originally posted by: fox


    Originally posted by: empire




    Originally posted by: Mad Martigan



    Will the fact that Earthbound is going to be included on SNES mini going to reduce the price on physical copies? Just curious.



    The virtual console release of EB had it dip a bit for awhile, but it shot back up.

    EB was going for over $200 and climbing.  The VC console release saw it drop down to the $150-$200 range.  It never was able to maintain a $200+ price since.



    And that digitial release was just for the Wii U, a console nobody had.  The SNES mini is way more appealing and is putting Earthbound into many more hands.



    We are going to see a lot of people try to unload their Earthbound carts before September.







    that's assuming people will be able to get SNES minis. We don't know yet. Also, people are always unloading Earthbounds. There's always a bunch on eBay, even after wading through the fakes
  • Originally posted by: twiztor



    Tengen Tetris was known as the rarest NES game in the 90s. at least around here.



    Chase the Chuck Wagon was also the holy grail way back and now there are 7 copies on Ebay and it sells for $50-100. You can't call it common, but it's certainly in that category of games with overhyped rarity.
  • Originally posted by: fox


    Originally posted by: empire




    Originally posted by: Mad Martigan



    Will the fact that Earthbound is going to be included on SNES mini going to reduce the price on physical copies? Just curious.



    The virtual console release of EB had it dip a bit for awhile, but it shot back up.

    EB was going for over $200 and climbing.  The VC console release saw it drop down to the $150-$200 range.  It never was able to maintain a $200+ price since.



    And that digitial release was just for the Wii U, a console nobody had.  The SNES mini is way more appealing and is putting Earthbound into many more hands.



    We are going to see a lot of people try to unload their Earthbound carts before September.







    The new 3ds has earthbound and that is the easiest way to play legally.
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