I think downloaded services and better releases of retro compilations have lowered the price on all games that once commanded a high price, UK, USA or Japan.
If you wanted to play Metal Slug, an obscure Mega Drive game, Chrono Trigger or Ikaruga, there was no choice but to buy the host hardware and import or buy the game. Now Publishers are releasing retro compilations that are decent, allowing their back catalogue to put up on any number of download services or re-releasing the game again for another console.
Although I turned into a collector for a few years back in the Dreamcast era, that was only born out of me purchasing games I wanted to play and not having the time or space to play them anymore. Now I only play games and I'm glad the new era of easy availability of games has broken down the old hierarchy of game collectors. Mainly, if you wanted to play the best games of the past 2 decades, you would have to pay through the nose to collectors who would barely play the games themselves, but horde them and pass them on if the price was right. Of course, not every collector was like this, but it was horrible to hold onto these magnificent games, whilst people who wanted to play them had no choice or would be left with little money if they did.
Despite this, some games will continue to hold their perceived value. Although people can play the games easier, the physical product is still desirable for the majority of people.
If you wanted to play Metal Slug, an obscure Mega Drive game, Chrono Trigger or Ikaruga, there was no choice but to buy the host hardware and import or buy the game. Now Publishers are releasing retro compilations that are decent, allowing their back catalogue to put up on any number of download services or re-releasing the game again for another console.
Although I turned into a collector for a few years back in the Dreamcast era, that was only born out of me purchasing games I wanted to play and not having the time or space to play them anymore. Now I only play games and I'm glad the new era of easy availability of games has broken down the old hierarchy of game collectors. Mainly, if you wanted to play the best games of the past 2 decades, you would have to pay through the nose to collectors who would barely play the games themselves, but horde them and pass them on if the price was right. Of course, not every collector was like this, but it was horrible to hold onto these magnificent games, whilst people who wanted to play them had no choice or would be left with little money if they did.
Despite this, some games will continue to hold their perceived value. Although people can play the games easier, the physical product is still desirable for the majority of people.
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