Support NeoGAF

[IbizaPocholo]

Dentist Acquires Treasure Trove Of Rare Retro Games For $1.02 Million

A dentist named Eric Naierman sunk a cool $1.02 million on some first-edition, sticker-sealed games in September, the Washington Post reported today. It was one of the biggest-money sales in gaming history.

kotaku.com

A dentist named Eric Naierman sunk a cool $1.02 million on some first-edition, sticker-sealed games in September, the Washington Post reported today. It was one of the biggest-money sales in gaming history.

Naierman picked up about 40 factory-sealed Nintendo games in the million-dollar haul, all of which were assembled by three collectors who took 52 combined years to amass them. In addition to the large size of the purchase, many of the games are believed to be the only copies in existence, or one of a few copies. The games included 1986’s Mario Bros. arcade version and the only known copies of 1985’s Golf, 1986’s Balloon Fight and 1986’s Gumshoe. According to the Post, “some experts consider it to be one of the foremost collections in the world, both in terms of overall value and rarity.”

Naierman used to collect baseball cards, writes the Post, which added, “It took far too much money, he said, to buy a single card, and he was looking to form a collection that could rank as one of the best in the world.” Naierman made the purchase with the help of a collector group that, in a creative twist, calls themselves the Video Game Club.

You can read the full Washington Post story here.

 

[Cattlyst]

Remember when collecting retro games was something you did as a hobby just to see what random old games you could discover? Sigh.

 

[Verdanth]

Damn, I should have been a dentist I see.

 

[nkarafo]

I wasn't aware Baloon Fight and the other common NES games had such rare variants.

Always thought the rarest NES game is the US version of Stadium Events and that sells for a few thousand bucks.

 

[manzo]

Why wasn't I suprised to see a soyboy face?

 

[OmegaSupreme]

That's the most punchable face i've seen in a minute. 1.02 million from a dentist? Jesus.

 

[GymWolf]

He looks like an actor but i don't remember who...

 

[Spukc]

I play my retro games.

Fuck me right
I should put em in plastic dipshit coffins.

Just got the 3 castlevania games on gba from an auction for 70.

Not sure if i should play them.

 

[Starlight Lotice]

"Naierman used to collect baseball cards, writes the Post, which added, “It took far too much money, he said, to buy a single card, and he was looking to form a collection that could rank as one of the best in the world.”

Proceeds to pay a million on factory sealed games.

As a gamer this frustrates me to no end. At best this should be in a Museum for people to look at the original packaging.

 

[Spukc]

"Naierman used to collect baseball cards, writes the Post, which added, “It took far too much money, he said, to buy a single card, and he was looking to form a collection that could rank as one of the best in the world.”

Proceeds to pay a million on factory sealed games.

As a gamer this frustrates me to no end. At best this should be in a Museum for people to look at the original packaging.

Gumshoe (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1986) for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Gumshoe (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1986) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Nintendo NES Mario Bros. Arcade Classic Tested/Works~GUARANTEED~Ships Same Day! | eBay

TESTED AND WORKS GREAT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE PICTURES OR I CAN BE OF HELP IN ANY WAY JUST ASK.

www.ebay.com

Here the two games he is holding on ebay.
Worth fucking nothing.
Why should the museum even give a fuck?

 

[nkarafo]

He looks like an actor but i don't remember who...

Is it young Patrick Dempsey?

 

[GymWolf]

Is it young Patrick Dempsey?

Nope.
A comedy actors but i can't put my finger on who is it.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I hate the retro market now. Glad I got my collection before all the "grade certified" b.s. started.

 

[Spukc]

Nope.
A comedy actors but i can't put my finger on who is it.

I know who you think it is hahah.

You may send me money

He was the male nanny is modern family

 

[Virex]

Why wasn't I suprised to see a soyboy face?

 

[Starlight Lotice]

Gumshoe (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1986) for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Gumshoe (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1986) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Nintendo NES Mario Bros. Arcade Classic Tested/Works~GUARANTEED~Ships Same Day! | eBay

TESTED AND WORKS GREAT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE PICTURES OR I CAN BE OF HELP IN ANY WAY JUST ASK.

www.ebay.com

Here the two games he is holding on ebay.
Worth fucking nothing.
Why should the museum even give a fuck?

So he basically paid through the nose for nothing?

The Joke's on him I guess.

I hate the retro market now. Glad I got my collection before all the "grade certified" b.s. started.

How did that grading system came to be? I saw it a few years back but never knew what it was.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

How did that grading system came to be? I saw it a few years back but never knew what it was.

I don't know the full history but some third-party service was like "hey, we'll bag and grade your games with an official collector grade based on our own arbitrary criteria" which then blew up the eBay and Amazon secondhand markets, since everyone saw that $200.00 sealed Super Mario Bros 3 and thought "huh, my loose copy of Super Mario Bros 3 is worth at least.... $50 then, right?"

It has made certain systems pretty much un-collectable now. For instance, I wouldn't suggest starting a collection for Saturn or Dreamcast or any arcade platform on my worst enemy. So many of the good games are now $20 or higher, the sort of games that went for $3 or $4 bucks a few years ago. It doesn't matter how common it is. If it's a "known" game, it'll command a higher price. It's depressing.

 

[Spukc]

you can still get gba games lower then OG retail

 

[Trojita]

Naierman made the purchase with the help of a collector group that, in a creative twist, calls themselves the Video Game Club.

Am I missing something here on why this is a creative twist?

 

[Starlight Lotice]

I don't know the full history but some third-party service was like "hey, we'll bag and grade your games with an official collector grade based on our own arbitrary criteria" which then blew up the eBay and Amazon secondhand markets, since everyone saw that $200.00 sealed Super Mario Bros 3 and thought "huh, my loose copy of Super Mario Bros 3 is worth at least.... $50 then, right?"

It has made certain systems pretty much un-collectable now. For instance, I wouldn't suggest starting a collection for Saturn or Dreamcast or any arcade platform on my worst enemy. So many of the good games are now $20 or higher, the sort of games that went for $3 or $4 bucks a few years ago. It doesn't matter how common it is. If it's a "known" game, it'll command a higher price. It's depressing.

Ah I see. I have been looking into the collectors market for awhile and judging what games to get based on reception of the game, sales, the history behind the developers and the like and even though I hate that prices go up on some desirable games I want, I do like to see why a game had risen in price, even if it sucks all kinds of awful.

That Grading Service has really killed any enthusiasm for the market as it only contributes inflation for no good reason at all.

This will only get more common in the upcoming years, which is pretty sad as people should be able to play any game at an affordable price, but it is nice when you find a great deal on a game that is otherwise expensive.

Today, I sold my Indivisible Collectors Edition to someone in South America, and apparently it's the best deal he found on eBay!!!! I didn't know but I had my fill of the game and decided to price it at £60 (exlcuding shipping), as that was how I valued it. I didn't know it went for more but I don't really care as the buyer seems to be happy!

 

[Xaero Gravity]

Shit, I clearly picked the wrong career path

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Shit, I clearly picked the wrong career path

Greased-up pit wrestler isn't working out as well as you hoped?

 

[diffusionx]

Remember when collecting retro games was something you did as a hobby just to see what random old games you could discover? Sigh.

There were always hardcore collectors, but the generation that grew up with vidya are now working and in some cases very successful so they have the resources to indulge.

Just like, say, guitars or baseball cards for boomers.

 

[Trojita]

I know who you think it is hahah.

You may send me money

He was the male nanny is modern family

 

[Cravis]

He isn’t really a true collector. Just a poser. Like the rich kid who hung out at the skate park with his expensive skate board that his parents got him. The kid who next year would move on to buying an expensive guitar that he would never learn to play. Dude just happened to have a ton of money and bought it all at once. It has no meaning to him. He will resell this stuff in a few years and think nothing of it.

I can look at 90% of my collection and remember where I got it, how old I was. Some are originals from when I was a kid. Memories of Christmas morning and enjoying that brand new game. Some I scoured forever only to find dirt cheap at a flea market. That’s the true meaning of collecting.

Him: “I got the only copy in existence of this!”
Me: “What does it mean to you then?”
Him: “It’s the only copy in existence”

The true collector is one who has numerous stories to tell. Stories of how they acquired it. Stories and history of the actual thing they are collecting. Little known facts, things like that. There are a story to their things. Not just “yeah this is only 4 known copies.” So? Have you played it? Can you tell me why there were only that many copies made? Did the developer go defunct? How did you acquire it?

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Betcha is you asked this schmuck who jump man is he would have no f’ing clue.

 

[Cattlyst]

There were always hardcore collectors, but the generation that grew up with vidya are now working and in some cases very successful so they have the resources to indulge. Just like, say, guitars or baseball cards for boomers. I know - I'm part of that generation. I'm 40 very soon

 

[Lucumo]

*sigh* "Professional" collectors ruining it for all the gamers.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

Way too much text and way too little photos.

 

[Birdo]

The fun of collecting was going around and hunting the games.

Buying them all in one job lot just seems kind of an empty victory.

 

[hunthunt]

Im baffled by the fact that a dentist can make 1 million dollars to waste in that shit.

what a crazy world.

 

[MrRogers]

Ah that glory hole smile.. every damn time

 

[DrJohnGalt]

So for you other collectors out there, how much extra would you pay for a sealed game? My NES collection (and the entirety of my cart collection) is 90% loose, and none are factory sealed. I can't justify the extra cost for a complete game (even tho it does look a lot nicer on the shelf, and it's more satisfying to own). And I would never pay the extra cost for factory sealed games.

Also, these are graded first run/black label games, that also adds some value to collectors. But $1M+? No way.

Those kind of people frustrate me. For them it's about the collecting, not about the gaming, but very few will admit it. And I've said the same thing about Limited Run Games - their stuff nowadays is targeted toward people who want collectibles, not games.

I'm a collector, but I tend to buy games I want to play. Sure, I also tend to buy way more games than I ever could play, but that's not the point.

 

[Gp1]

In tomorrow news...

"Dentist caught using rare collectible video games for money laundering scheme."

 

[VertigoOA]

*wrong thread sorry*

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

So for you other collectors out there, how much extra would you pay for a sealed game? My NES collection (and the entirety of my cart collection) is 90% loose, and none are factory sealed. I can't justify the extra cost for a complete game (even tho it does look a lot nicer on the shelf, and it's more satisfying to own). And I would never pay the extra cost for factory sealed games.

Also, these are graded first run/black label games, that also adds some value to collectors. But $1M+? No way.

Those kind of people frustrate me. For them it's about the collecting, not about the gaming, but very few will admit it. And I've said the same thing about Limited Run Games - their stuff nowadays is targeted toward people who want collectibles, not games.

I'm a collector, but I tend to buy games I want to play. Sure, I also tend to buy way more games than I ever could play, but that's not the point.

Quite a bit, honestly. Most people don't take good care of their shit.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

I hate the retro market now. Glad I got my collection before all the "grade certified" b.s. started.

I too hate Metal Jesus like channels for the same reason.

 

[Reon]

Yeah retro game collecting is a scam these days with the VGA certified bullshit, I miss the early 2000s when I could just buy old games at a fair market value. There wasn't this cult around pricing, you'd go to a yard sale and people were selling NES games for a few bucks a pop. Now everything is eBay priced and competitive.

Also the title of this thread made me think he bought classic Rareware games and I got excited

 

[Videospel]

In tomorrow news...

"Dentist caught using rare collectible video games for money laundering scheme."

Omg, that emoji, it's him...

 

[Panaphonics]

The healthcare system in the US us so damn fucked up. Wtf

 

[Collz69]

What a fucking waste of money, think of all the good that could be done in the world with that kind of money!
I hope it makes them feel happy, (I’m sure it won’t)

 

[Panaphonics]

Im baffled by the fact that a dentist can make 1 million dollars to waste in that shit.

what a crazy world.

World? USA Baby

 

[johntown]

For 40 games that is $25,000 a game! Someone need to introduce this guy to ROMS.

 

[Collz69]

My dentist:
Spent two weeks in Rwanda providing free dentistry services to poor people as well as training nurses there. A 93 year old lady walked 60 miles to have teeth removed, after arriving when the clinic was closed, she slept on the floor outside until it reopened the following day, that’s real desperation and poverty.

This dentist:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/resizer/nj029MT18Hsh3PEgzY_izWpWHBU=/1440x0/smart/arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/UG7HCS2RZZF6VJZSAEBLPCG6EM.jpg

 

[JordanN]

Shit, I clearly picked the wrong career path

Google "Dentist suicide rate".

 

[CJY]

I no longer collect. Don't like the clutter at all. I love digital and will prune and maintain my rom collection till the end of days.

 

[Azzurri]

Dentist don't make that much money do they?

 

[brap]

I too hate Metal Jesus like channels for the same reason.

I fucking hate that ugly motherfucker and his hidden gems videos. Those videos should be titled 'LOOK AT ALL THE GOOD OBSCURE GAMES I BOUGHT FOR CHEAP THAT WILL NOW SKYROCKET IN PRICE BECAUSE OF ALL THE RESELLERS'

 

[TLZ]

1 million dollars for 40 games. That's $25,000 a piece.

Fook.

 

[Zog]

People buying factory sealed graded games have no effect on people buying retro games to play them. Hype is what hurts people who want to buy Earthbound, EVO, Chrono Trigger, etc.... to play them.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

I fucking hate that ugly motherfucker and his hidden gems videos. Those videos should be titled 'LOOK AT ALL THE GOOD OBSCURE GAMES I BOUGHT FOR CHEAP THAT WILL NOW SKYROCKET IN PRICE BECAUSE OF ALL THE RESELLERS'

He was in some other gaming forum I frequented before and he is a nice dude though. But I still hate the fact he and other similar youtube channels fucking made every single older game expensive.