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Effectively, from what I can see are old comic collectors (who also collect games) are selling to new comic collectors (who also collect games). Too simple of a formula?

I’ve had ongoing thoughts on this matter and I think it’s all money and hype-driven. WATA being the new player in the grading market is using all the basic marketing strategies to get the buzz going about their services. And what better way to market themselves than to talk it up with rich collectors who are already into the grading of items (non-game related)? The question is, why specifically targeting comic collectors? I personally think it’s the age group of these collectors are the key. If you look at those in the news articles, they are your typical 25-40 who are in the market of nostalgia mixed with speculation/investing. I don’t think all comic collectors are jumping ship, but more the modern younger collectors with decent cash and just interested in speculating on the next hot ticket item. I’ve never mentioned this before on a forum, but I did dabble in comic collecting for a year or so, and I have the basic understanding of comics and collectibles in general. I’m also sure there are comic collectors who have been into game collecting for many years prior to WATA. I do believe the “comic collectors” pre-WATA are a different subgroup to the ones post-WATA.

I just remind myself “you have a shitload of games already”. Then I think “do I really?” Then I auto-reply with a “yeah, you F’en do!” Also, as you mature as a collector, you tend to realize that most gaming items you can find or buy eventually. “Rare” is never really what it seems.

Although N64 isn't my favorite console of choice in gaming, it ranks right up there in the best set to collect for. Looking forward to see you complete the entire Pal set + US/Jap exclusives! What's the total number altogether?

I think it’s because the 3D Mario games often include 2D gaming levels as well, so effectively you get the best of both worlds with the modern Mario platformers.

I think there are 2 separate angles from this topic: 1. Graphics and realism advancement. If you look at it purely from a graphics/visual perspective, then the leap in improvements with the console generations down the line will inevitably be a decreasing one. Likely to be only limited by the creativity/skills of the artists. If you look at it from a game/character physics perspective, then this is where the advancements will continue to evolve and improve upon. Though it is more a matter of refinement than the era of “2D to 3D” shift (mid to late 90s). 2. Gameplay advancement. If you emphasise your enjoyment on the basis of gameplay, then naturally you will not find as much excitement with the console upgrades as much as those who like games with better graphics and technicalities. I’ve stopped buying consoles after the Wii/X360/PS3 because I feel the gameplay hasn’t shifted enough to warrant further upgrades. Also, I think the other significant factor is our ageing/maturing minds. With less time to game and likely to be less impressed by the graphics/physics, we tend to steer more towards shorter-bursts gaming and games which focus more on quality gameplay than focusing on the best visuals.

Here’s a recent article I bumped into, ranking all the Mario platformers (starring Mario): https://venturebeat.com/2016/03/10/all-17-super-mario-bros-games-ranked/amp/

We’re talking about any Mario game, including spin-offs. Yoshi’s Island definitely qualifies when the title itself says “Super Mario World 2”. Plus it has (annoying crying baby) Mario in the game!

I think the answer to the OP lies in the simple issue of “higher demand”: - most shmups are easy “pick-up-and-play” which is particularly handy the older you become. - a genre that is universally appealing, without language skills required to play (as opposed to RPGs and most modern 3D games). - most have interesting/sexy artwork such as futuristic planes/airships and anime chicks. Relevant as a collectible or display purposes.

Don’t know what I’m impressed more: - the stupidity/laziness of the seller? or - the box managed to survive and looking half decent!

I’m guessing you’re not a 3D kinda guy? Galaxy is more an update to Mario 64. They’re both great in reinventing the platform genre. What makes Galaxy the worst in your opinion?

I think “the greatest” game is somewhat of a myth. You can ask for the most popular game or the most purchased game, which is more easily quantifiable. The reason why I’m saying this is that you simply can’t compare games between genres. How can you compare your favorite shooter to a platformer and to a beat em up? And then there’s the issue of constant sequels to a game that’s popular, do you favor the game that gave you the best first impression or the game with the best graphics/sounds irrespective of what version? TLDR - SF2 (past) - Defense Grid (current) - ? (future)

Yes, I agree on the watchable part also. SF2 and its many updates (and before SF3), would have to be the games I enjoyed watching just as much as I enjoyed playing. And spending just about the same amount of time doing both!

I think I’ve played through roughly a dozen Mario games. Majority would be the platformers on various platforms and Super Mario Kart. I’ve completed most of the platformers except not yet played Mario 2/3 or Mario Odyssey. Looking back, the only Mario game I’ve completed twice is Mario 64 - once on N64 and again on the DS. So overall I would have to say Mario 64 would be my fave Mario game of all time (for now).

The most iconic gaming character that’s lived for over 30 years and still going strong! He revolutionized the platform genre with creativity and complexity in equal measure. Evolving into other genres and spin-offs such as kart racing, party games, sports games and fighting games! Yes, I’m talking about Mario! (Give yourself half a point if you were thinking Sonic). Questions: How many Mario games have you played and/or completed? What is your fairest of them all?

They could be shelves filled with anime porn for all we know! Brings back some nostalgia for me looking through small HK shops in shonky back streets. This would have been around 20 years ago, I remember buying a fair few pirated PS1 games back then.

I believe WATA have done a good job of promoting their services, just hoping they can focus more on the grading of games instead of being involved in every new article relating to new increased prices. Things need to be done in moderation, I suppose is what I’m getting at. Particularly more so when the initial relations between WATA, HA and parties involved with purchasing of the price hikes, are unclear from the general consumer end.

There are 2 types of factory seals: - entire wrap - seal at the opening end

I can see the vantage point in the above. Though it’s not wrong to think a bit more about the ethics involved in the buying and selling of games. Trust is a valid point of entry for any future potential consumers. Btw Bronty, I always appreciate perspective from your end. It always makes me think a little deeper on the issue than I perhaps otherwise wouldn’t have.

1. Granny's Garden (Amstrad) - game played the most in primary school. 2. Sonic the Hedgehog (Megadrive) - everything about it seemed perfection back in the early 90s. 3. Streets of Rage (Megadrive) - favorite beat'em up on a console. 4. Street Fighter 2 (SNES) - favorite 2D fighter, likely the game I had played the most in the 90s. 5. Super Mario World (SNES) - played this after Sonic, and loved it probably more than Sonic due to the explorative nature and variety. 6. Mario 64 (N64) - favorite 3D platformer from the 90s. 7. Einhander (PS1) - favorite shooter of all time, graphics, music, gameplay, weapon mechanics - perfect! 8. Zelda Wind Waker (Gamecube) - I was never really an RPG fan back in the 90s, having played only bits and pieces of previous Zelda games. Wind Waker was the first Zelda game I had completed. 9. Wii Play (Wii) - made gaming simple, but brought more laughs and interactions with friends than any other games before. 10. Mario Galaxy (Wii) - Incredible sequel to an incredible game that was Mario 64. 11. Defense Grid (Xbox Live) - addictive tower defense game that has ruined many hours of my spare time. 12. Geometry Wars 2 (Xbox Live) - addictive shooter that has ruined many hours of my spare time.

I don't think anyone on this thread is saying the market isn't shifting. We all appear to understand that things have changed. Now the big question really is this: Is the hype genuinely derived from a change in market shift? Or is the market shift due to the hype? Further to the above, where do you draw the line between "hype" versus "market manipulation"?

This gives me a better indication of the markets. I still have strong reservations of 250-300K offers though. It just seems way out of proportion and too much of a risk as an investment at that price.

Street Fighter 2 and its upgrades. I can’t remember how many coins I’ve slotted into those machines, but damn, the amount of money spent, I probably could have bought the arcade machine itself! The premise was simple but the mechanics and the addictiveness was amazing. Bashing Bison to a pulp never gets old! Currently, I’ve been playing Defense Grid repeatedly, mainly to get the high scores and trying different weapons to maximise the efficiency of kills/points. Like Streetfighter, every time you play it, it always feels a bit different each time. I guess that’s the secret to these “replayable games” - addictiveness and variety with each encounter.

I simply don’t believe everything I read/hear until I get facts. And I mean “buyer”, not people who “makes offers”. And as far as I know, no one (single person) has spent more than 100K on a game.

Supposedly. There is no proof that I can see/read of a higher offer. My thinking is that as of present, I doubt if anyone will throw $100,000 on it. I might be wrong, but there won’t be many serious/rich collectors willing to throw this much money on a video game despite all recent hype. Regarding the “300K offer”, it does not seem right to spike so much in such a short time. If I actually had the money, why wouldn’t I offer 125-150K? Anyway, I’m just sharing my thoughts out loud, I could be completely wrong and would be happy to call myself an idiot if evidence tells me I’m wrong.