Check Your Loft: Five Retro Games That Are Now Worth Thousands

Retro gaming is booming, as nostalgia tugs at the heartstrings of a generation of 30 and 40-somethings reliving their childhood.

With that in mind, we've decided to take a gander at five once affordable items you'll now have to shell out mega bucks to secure — unless you've got one sat in your loft, in which case you could be set for a belated Christmas bonus!

July 2021 saw a boxed, sealed copy of Super Mario 64 sell for a world record auction bid of $1.56m (£1.18M).

But with copies of such games rarer than hen's teeth, we're looking at five releases you might get lucky with via an unsuspecting bargain bin somewhere. Bear in mind, the values only apply to unopened editions.

1. Super Mario World (1990, SNES)
Valued at: £272,000

One of the greatest platform games ever created, Super Mario World gave identity to the newly released 16-bit Super Nintendo more than 30 years ago.

A rare but occasionally obtainable cartridge   — only a handful remain in their original packaging and none in circulation — some forward thinking individuals could net more than quarter of a million pounds for the cartridge.

Quite how anyone resisted the temptation to play such an iconic game is beyond me, but their abstaining could see them fund a plush new home by selling an old plastic cartridge!

2. Final Fantasy (1987, NES)
Valued at: £154,000

A fantasy roleplaying game developed and published by Square at the backend of the 1980s, this beloved title is valued at more than £150,000.

The first of 15 releases in the core Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy blazed a trail for 8-bit RPGs.

Difficult to find, there are none listed online at the time of writing.

3. Duck Hunt Hong Kong (1984, NES)
Cost: £53,000

Duck Hunt — which used to come as standard with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) — involved pointing a plastic gun at a screen and shooting birds of intensifying velocity.

Those patient enough to leave the game in its original packaging for the past four or so decades could now be quids in.

Thankfully for astute hagglers, the eBay listing includes a 'best offer' option, meaning there may be a smidge of wiggle room over the eyewatering asking price.
 

4. Super Mario Bros (1985, NES)
Cost: £50,000

Originally released alongside Duck Hunt, the more notorious partner in crime remains among the most sought after video games on the planet.

The pioneering platformer broke new ground with its eight worlds, 32 levels and various hidden cheats — not that it's advisable to play this copy should you win it.

A cool £50,000 could secure you a piece of timeless gaming nostalgia... or a Porsche 911. 

5. Pokemon Crystal (2001, Gameboy Color)
Cost: £29,995

An extremely rare PAL (UK) copy of this legendary game will drain your bank balance almost as swiftly as a trip to the moon with Jeff Bezos.

A game likely to increase in value over time, this could prove a decent investment for someone willing to store it away until 2040 before cashing in.

Another game open to offers, the UK seller has kept it in immaculate condition.

Good luck on your retro hunt, and if you've been lucky enough to get your hands on an iconic vintage release without having to re-mortgage your home, let us know!