From Hidden Gems to Big Payouts: Why the UK’s Pre-Owned Gaming Market is Worth Exploring

Whether you’re a collector hunting for rare finds, a gamer looking to relive childhood favourites, or just curious about the value of that old console gathering dust in your attic – the UK’s pre-owned video game market has something for everyone.

From valuable retro games to sought-after special edition consoles, this market is full of surprises – and potential profits.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to uncover hidden treasures, understand what’s worth trading and how to avoid common pitfalls, so you can level up your knowledge of this exciting world of retro gaming.

What’s in this Guide?

• Rare Retro Games and Their Values
• Special Edition Consoles
• Retro Handheld Consoles
• Tips for Finding and Valuing Retro Games
• Maximising Trade-In Value at CEX and Other Retailers
• Collecting and Investing in Retro Gaming: A Growing Trend
• How to Spot Fake or Counterfeit Games
• Final Thoughts

Rare Retro Games and Their Values

Some video games have become valuable collector’s items. Factors like their rarity, nostalgia and condition can all determine their worth.

PlayStation 1 (PS1) Games

Action-adventure titles such as Tombi! became hugely popular thanks to its quirky gameplay and charm, however, the game was only released in limited quantities in various regions. With the ability to swing on branches and a journey to recover a stolen bracelet from evil pigs, the imaginative world of Tombi became a hit – and if you wanted to enjoy the adventure today it’d cost you between £150 and £200 to get your hands on a complete edition!

Other popular titles include The Misadventures of Tron Bonne which is a part of the Mega Man Legends universe, this rare title fetches around £250 due to the limited amount of copies made available for avid gamers to get their hands on. Vagrant Story, a cult classic RPG is another popular retro game with prices ranging from £50-£70. The game was one of the first to focus on weapon creation and modification, which has paved the way for other huge titles to become worldwide hits. 

Another title worth its weight in gold is the iconic horror Silent Hill, with challenging puzzles and simple combat the horror title became a favourite amongst fans and if you wanted to play it today you’d be looking at upwards of £120 depending on the condition.

Original Xbox Games

The Original Xbox was the first to come with a built-in hard disk drive, as well as the very first Xbox controller. With exclusive titles such as Halo becoming fans favourites, other games based on popular TV shows and Films become popular collectables too. Futurama is a great example, selling for £100-£150. Park building simulation, Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis is also a valuable retro game with copies of the game valued between £100-£200 depending on condition.

Metal Wolf Chaos is one of the most popular retro Xbox games which has recently increased in demand due to a re-release. The niche title developed by FromSoftware was never released outside of Japan, making it a rare find. Today original copies of the action-packed political game are valued at £250+! 

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

NES game Stadium Events, which has previously fetched over £10,000 is one of the rarest NES titles in the world, and that’s all due to a limited release before rebranding – crazy! Little Samson is another NES title that has become a fan favourite for retro game fans. Known for its quality gameplay and low production run, complete editions of this game are valued at approximately £1,000. Boxing games in the present day have been hard to come by, which is why Mike Tyson’s Punch Out has become another retro game that has previously been sold for staggering amounts.

Sega Mega Drive

Everyone has heard of Tetris. However, Tetris on the Sega Mega Drive was an unlicensed version with very few copies in existence, making a copy of the iconic game on this console worth its weight in gold. Complete copies of Tetris on the Sega Mega Drive can fetch over £10,000. Mega Man fans around the world were able to play all their favourite titles on one copy thanks to the compilation release Mega Man: The Wily Wars. The title was only released in limited quantities to celebrate Mega Man’s success during the early years of Sega. Complete editions are valued at approximately £500.

Game Boy

Spud’s Adventure is a rare puzzle game with low production numbers. Complete editions are valued at around £1,000. The game follows a potato’s adventure, who fights a number of vegetable enemies during his journey to save Princess Mato (where have we seen this story before!)

Xbox 360

Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition is a rare game as there were only 1,000 copies produced, making it highly sought after. Complete copies can reach up to £800. Another example of a retro game which has become expensive due to the circumstances surrounding the game is NCAA Football 14 which was the last college football game released, ultimately leading to an increased demand. Complete editions are valued around £100 for this title. EA Sports plans to release a new College Football game in 2025, so the price of this particular game may fluctuate in the future.

Xbox One

Devil’s Third, a game with a limited physical release in Europe has increased in value over the years with complete copies fetching up to £150. One of the most popular Xbox One games is The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Due to Sony acquiring the Spider-Man licensing and releasing Spider-Man games themselves on the Playstation, physical copies of the game became rare. Complete editions are valued around £100 and still to this day is the latest Spider-Man game which can be played on an Xbox console.

Note: Prices vary based on condition and completeness. Original packaging and manuals increase value.

Special Edition Consoles

Limited production runs and unique designs make special edition consoles highly collectable. From consoles which celebrate the release of a game’s title to limited editions which mark landmark occasions, a special edition console can be worth its weight in gold over time.

PlayStation Special Editions

The Playstation 1 revolutionised gaming thanks to its ability to use CD-ROMs instead of cartridges, allowing players to enjoy more complex games with full-motion video. The PS1 10 Million Model was released to commemorate 10 million units sold. This blue console is rare and can be worth over £1,000 depending on the condition and whether the original packaging is still available. 

Styled to commemorate the original PS1, Sony released the PS4 20th Anniversary Edition limited to 12,300 units. Due to the rarity of this console, the anniversary PS4 can fetch up to £1,500. Other Playstation consoles which have risen in value over the years are the PS2 Slim Ceramic White Edition (exclusive to Japan) and the PS3 Metal Gear Solid 4 Bundle.

Xbox Special Editions

Gamers love to celebrate special occasions, and the Xbox Crystal Console which played homage to 20 years of Xbox is a fan favourite due to its unique design – in a mint condition these consoles can fetch up to £200. Other consoles which have captured the hearts of the gaming community over the years are the rare and striking Xbox 360 Resident Evil 5 Red Console and the Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360, which were both released in limited numbers. Xbox have been well known for its collaborations throughout the years, however, none is quite as big as the collab with Mountain Dew which saw a green console enter the market – these consoles today are valued between £500 and £1000!

Other Rare Consoles

Rare consoles become rare because of the nostalgia surrounding them, and that’s certainly the case with the Nintendo 64 Pikachu Edition which has been valued for as much as £250. However, newer console releases such as the Nintendo Switch Mario Red & Blue Edition have also become rare consoles due to their limited release worldwide – this console can be worth as much as £400 on resale.

Note: Condition, original packaging and included accessories significantly impact value.

Retro Handheld Consoles: The Appeal of Devices Like the RG350

Retro handheld consoles, like the RG350, have gained significant popularity in recent years. These devices emulate classic systems, allowing you to play games from consoles such as the NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Game Boy and more. They offer nostalgia in a portable format and are a budget-friendly way to explore retro gaming.

Why the RG350 and Similar Devices Are Popular

The RG350 supports emulators for a wide range of consoles, from 8-bit classics to 32-bit systems like the PlayStation 1. Therefore the RG350 has a versatile game library, allowing you to play thousands of games on one device, provided you legally own the ROMs.

Designed to be compact and lightweight, the RG350 is ideal for gaming on the go or relaxing at home and compared to original retro consoles, the RG350 is relatively budget-friendly. The device has widely been available between £80 and £100, offering gamers on a budget an accessible entry point into retro gaming. What’s more, the RG350 allows for a customisable experience thanks to its open-source software!

Tips for Finding and Valuing Retro Games

Knowing where and how to look for retro games is key to building or selling a collection. One man’s trash can be a gamers treasure, therefore it’s important to know where to look for and how to assess the value of pre-loved games.

Where to Buy

The first step towards getting your hands on valuable second-hand games is knowing where to shop. Car Boot Sales have often been a goldmine for retro games at low prices, mainly due to the fact that people who own the games are unaware of their value. Specialist retailer sites like DKOldies or local retro gaming shops specialise in rare items, making them a great choice to find old gamers rather than opting for the likes of Game, HMV and Very. Occasionally, charity shops can be a way to source high-value games at bargain prices however these types of finds can be very rare.

How to Assess Value

1. Condition: Games with original cases, manuals and minimal wear are worth significantly more, especially if they are in the original packaging and haven’t been opened.
2. Edition: Limited-run or collector’s editions command higher prices, always make sure you do your research so that you know how rare an item is before you buy it.
3. Demand: Titles tied to popular franchises or iconic developers are generally more valuable.

Maximising Trade-In Value at CEX and Other Retailers

CEX is a popular UK retailer for buying and selling used games and consoles.

Trading in games and consoles at CEX or similar retailers is a popular option, but preparation is crucial to getting the best value.

Understand Market Trends

Checking the current resale prices online for your games and consoles can help you understand the value of games in the market..

Timing Matters

Trading in games shortly after release is a great way to maximise your trade-in value, as the games are hot on everyone’s list. If you play single-player story modes and complete the campaigns quickly, you can recoup a lot of your money back when you trade in shortly after. Games can also become popular due to remakes or sequels, and with many more TV shows and Films releasing in video game universes such as Fallout, Super Mario, and Uncharted, there is plenty of opportunity to cash in on the hype.

Present Items Well

Always make sure you clean your console and games and include accessories or manuals as this can increase the value of your games. Always ask yourself, would you pay money for the game in its current condition? If the answer is no, it’s time to get cleaning!

Ask for Store Credit

If you plan to shop at CEX regularly, store credit offers more value than cash. CEX offers incentives to keep their customers, and by trading in old games for credit you’ll be able to play more of the classics and latest releases for cheaper prices.

Tips for Trading In at CEX:

To get the most value from your trade-ins, follow these tips:

Research Trade-In Prices

Visit the CEX website to check their current trade-in and cash prices for your items. Remember, prices can fluctuate based on demand and stock levels, especially during busy periods like the run-up to Christmas and around the time of a new release in a franchise – making these periods the perfect time to sell. Always make sure you compare with other resale platforms, such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace, to see if you could earn more elsewhere.

Present Items in Good Condition

Clean consoles, controllers and discs are always valued more. If you can ensure that what you plan to sell is cleaned, without spending money on cleaning products, you’ll put yourself in a position to benefit from a higher valuation. You can also include original boxes, manuals and any extra accessories as CEX often pays more for complete sets! 

Bundle Items

Trading in games alongside a console can sometimes increase the offer, as CEX packages these for resale. Should you decide to bundle your games with a console, controller or even extra accessories, make sure you have all the manuals and packaging at hand to maximise your valuation.

Collecting and Investing in Retro Gaming: A Growing Trend

Retro gaming isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s also a growing investment opportunity. Limited supply, cultural significance and increasing demand among collectors make retro games and consoles a valuable market.

Games That Hold Value

Games with consistent popularity that have been proven over time rarely lose their value, some examples of this are Nintendo Titles Zelda and Mario Kart which show no sign of slowing down as the next generation of gamers still enjoy the games to this day. It’s also worth noting that franchises with a loyal fan base maintain a demand, for example, the Final Fantasy Series has a huge pool of fans who will do anything to make sure their collections are complete. Here are some tips to help you collect and invest in video games.

Trends to Watch:

• Franchise Popularity: Games tied to enduring franchises like Mario, Zelda, or Final Fantasy often hold or increase their value.
• Cultural Moments: Anniversaries or remakes (e.g., Final Fantasy VII Remake) often spark interest in older versions of games or related merchandise.
• Digital Decline: As digital gaming rises, physical copies of classic titles may become even rarer and more desirable.

How to Start Collecting:

1. Focus on specific eras, consoles, or genres that interest you.
2. Buy games and consoles in bulk from local markets or online auctions to get better deals.
3. Join gaming forums or collector groups to connect with others and learn about hidden opportunities.

How to Spot Fake or Counterfeit Games

Counterfeit retro games are common in the second-hand market, especially for highly valuable titles. Here’s some tips on how to avoid being scammed:

1. Inspect Labels: Authentic labels are sharp, vibrant and properly aligned. Fakes often have blurry text or misaligned printing.
2. Check Packaging: Look for errors in spelling, logos, or overall quality. Original packaging is typically sturdy and well-designed.
3. Test Cartridges or Discs: Counterfeits may fail to load properly or display glitches during gameplay.
4. Use Online Tools: Consult online resources or collector forums to compare your copy with verified originals.

Final Thoughts

The pre-owned video game market in the UK offers a unique mix of nostalgia, hobby and investment potential. Whether you’re buying, selling, or collecting, knowing the value of rare games and consoles, how to maximise trade-in offers and how to care for your collection can make all the difference.

Start small with a few favourite titles or consoles and take time to explore the market. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying and profiting from the fascinating world of retro gaming.