Video games, we like to get the most of them. Nowadays, games cost $60-$70 on the regular, in the 16-bit, game prices were all over the place. $40, $60, $30, it was the wild west. But acquiring retro games now really depends on if you want CIB or just the cartridge or disk itself. And honestly, there is no shame on just buying the game itself. I mean, that is all that one needs, although it’s nice to have the box at least to protect your collection, as long as you have the physical game, and you feel like you didn’t spend too much than it’s a win win.. This is a list of games that are a great deal for those budget retro gamers like myself.
5. Kirby Superstar Ultra (Nintendo DS)
I’ll start off with a classic Kirby game for the DS, Kirby Super Star Ultra. But it isn’t just one game that’s included here, it’s eleven. That’s right, eleven Kirby games on a single tiny DS cart. This is basically Kirby Super Star for the SNES on steroids, and it’s cheaper. Whereas that game had eight game modes, Ultra adds four more. And compared to the original, it just looks better and has cutscenes for extra measure. If you’re a fan of platformers and have a DS, then pick this one now for about $20 loose or around $35 complete on eBay.
4. 6-Pak (Genesis)
Next is a collection of six games for the Sega Genesis. Unlike Kirby, this one is six great games but in different series. The six games in question here are Sonic the Hedgehog, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Columns, Revenge of Shinobi and Super Hang On. If you’re just starting a Genesis collection and are looking to save money, then my friend, this is the ticket. You get six very playable and for the most part very fun full games that should keep you busy for a little while. All this for the affordable price of $10 loose and $20 complete.
3. Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World (SNES)
If you have or are planning to buy a Super Nintendo, then it’s safe to assume that you’ll be picking up at least one Mario game. But which one? Well, get one when you can get five. Super Mario All-Stars +Super Mario World has remakes of the first three Super Mario Bros. NES games, including Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels AKA Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan, AKA the hardest Mario game ever. This collection also includes Super Mario World, arguably the best 2D Mario game ever made with some graphical enchantments. So, you get five of the greatest platformers ever on one SNES cartridge, and it’s worth noting that the Super Mario Bros. NES remakes all have a save system that the originals did not have. Five classic 2D Marios can be yours loose for about $35, and complete for quite a bit more, like over $100, so I would stick to the cartridge only if you’re on a budget.
2. Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection (PS3,360,PC)
If you have a PS3 or Xbox 360 and not a Sega Genesis, then please, get Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection. Containing 48 of the best Genesis games including all the Sonic’s, Streets of Rage, and Golden Axe titles. Although, sadly, no Rocket Knight Adventures, which is kind of a hidden gem, but has gotten more notice over the years, even a full-on remake on more modern systems. Nevertheless, this is a fantastic collection of classics and lesser-known games like E-Swat: City Under Siege. 48 great games in one on something that can easily run it like a PS3 or 360, but it must be expensive right? Wrong. Check it out on eBay or other such places and you can acquire this blue hedgehog approved disk for a cool $15.
1. PS3 HD Remasters (PS3)
Since it’s really hard to choose just one of the many HD remasters for the PS3, I’ll zero in on like two or three. First is the God of War Saga Collection which has the first GOW games and the two PSP games Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta all in one case for around $40. Next is the Metal Gear Solid Legacy Collection. This one contains Metal Gear Solid 1,2, 3 and even 4 as well as the original MSX Metal Gear games and goes for about $55 CIB. There is also the Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Sly Cooper HD remasters as well. Most of these come with extra content and an art book of some kind. They may vary in price but the fact that you don’t need a PS1 or PS2 to play these games and they’re upscaled and look nice on the gaming shelf. There were more than 50 HD Remaster of games previously released on consoles, mainly PlayStation. But there is no doubt that these collections hold up and look awesome on display that you’ll want to have them for your collection.
End Credits:
These are just five examples of great deals you can find if you know where to look. I would say that these five that I’ve chosen are great if you’re just starting a collection for a particular system. Because having multiple games on one cartridge or case of two or three disks is better than just one game right. Another thing to consider is multi-carts that have over one hundred games on them usually. Although those carts are typically third party and don’t use the best emulation of the original games and kind of defeat the purpose of collecting if you want more than just one cart sitting on a shelf. Whichever game console you collect for, make sure to stay within your means and don’t sell a kidney just to afford Little Sampson for the NES. Because the hunt for budget deals on games is half the fun.
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