The $800,200.00 Stadium Events Game Gets Even More Interesting

 Rare Game Showcase, Video Games  No Responses »
Mar 032010
 

You can learn a lot about a person based on what they’ll write in an eBay listing, and this is sheer entertainment (If you call watching someone shoot himself in the foot entertaining).  Several days ago, eBay seller acuraboi12‘s listing for “Stadium Events Nes game” 110499541029 got bid up to $800,200.00 USD.   Since the auction was largely regarded as a fraud, it seems that bidders were having “fun” bidding it to absurdity.

Today, acuraboi12 relisted the auction 110501811026 with the following colorful and poorly written note on the situation:

“Im tired of these joy bidders thats not willing to pay and are playing around do you know this is causing me money to list this up. I will only take serious inquiries and offers only now and will not answer anyone with a yellow star rating. The two highest bidders was little kids that are sitting on their butts with pepperoni face pimples that have no lives. Now if you guys want to really make a offer please email me an offer and i will answer as many questions as possible.”

In my book, I bid on things based on the seller’s ability to make me comfortable and to feel confident that I’m receiving a great product and will be treated fairly if there’s an issue with it.  Unfortunately, acuraboi12 does neither of these and seems to demonstrate why his listing was target by sham bidders.  Besides his tirade, I think the yellow star thing is hilarious given the seller’s own “yellow star rating.”

Even if you disregard the troubling personality that seems to be attached to this game, I should point out that the seller still hasn’t supplied any close of photos of the game’s H-Seam.  Plus, it’s a bit strange that a “factory sealed” game like this would have a box hanging tab so far off center.  I’m highly doubting that someone at the factory miscalibrated the tab machine by a full inch on such a short run of games.  Nothing about his listing makes me trust the seller.

As a rule of thumb, take his method as an example of how best to not sell your possibly real / possibly fake sealed Nintendo Stadium Events game on eBay.  All things considered, this should be an interesting auction to watch again…that is if you enjoy watching train wrecks.

(Perhaps this article should have been titled “How Not to Sell Your ‘Sealed’ Nintendo Stadium Events Game.” )

$800,200.00 Fake eBay Sale of Sealed Nintendo Stadium Events Game

 Rare Game Showcase, Video Games  No Responses »
Mar 022010
 

Did a video game really just sell for $800,200.00 USD?  Do we have a new record for the world’s most expensive video game? Probably not, and here’s why.

Here are the last several minutes of a March 1, 2010 eBay auction “Stadium Events Nes game” item number 110499541029. The listing featured in this video has been regarded with suspicion as a fake, and it seems that collectors who are angry about the fraud have essentially killed the listing through bidding it to the point of absurdity. As a reminder, bidding on eBay is considered by eBay to be contractual; however, countless bidders get carried away and never end up paying.  This happens when they’re bidding on everything from rare & common video games, iPhones, to childhood memorabilia.  My assumption is that there will be little that eBay can do to enforce this except to give the bidder an unpaid item strike and to possibly ban the highest bidder’s account.  Chances are the bidder will simply claim their account was compromised (used by someone else against their will) and that the bids weren’t done with their permission.  Funny though, if you watch the bids, one of the high bidders retracted his/her bid right at the end. So if 2-3 guys were bidding on this as a team to simply have fun or to sabotage it, whoever was supposed to be the fall guy (aka the last high bidder) left his buddy on the line!  Ha ha!

What’s extra interesting is that only days ago what is commonly believed to be an authentic sealed copy of Nintendo Stadium Events sold for $41,300; however, bids mean nothing without payment. Word has it that the top bidder for that auction hasn’t paid either. If that’s the case, the $41,300 value is meaningless.  Likewise, perhaps the $15,000+ values for ultra rare video games are simply as meaningless as this $800,200.00 USD auction.  Each time we hear of these transactions, we simply have to take someone’s word for it.  There are never any video, photos, receipts of cleared checks.  Rarely do both parties even come forward.  It’s funny to think that all of the most expensive video game prices might just be fog and mirrors intended to boost the value of a collection and the cost of future sales.

I love collecting rare video games and like many collectors, and like many of my fellow geeky collectors, I daydream of one day putting together my own retro gaming museum.  But, unfortunately, it seems that in something as harmless as vintage video game collecting, one has to be streetwise.

$29.99 Nintendo Game Stadium Events Turns into a $41,300 Sale on eBay

 Rare Game Showcase, Video Games  1 Response »
Feb 272010
 

eBay seller vals2girlz of Olathe, Kansas is a happy man: a $41,300.00 USD richer man.  In 1987 he made he purchase of a lifetime without even realizing it.  The original 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was in all its glory, and vals2girlz went to the local Richman Gordman’s department store in Overland Park, Kansas to buy the newest game for the NES.  What he didn’t realize was that the game Stadium Events which he was buying needed a power pad.  “What I remember is that we bought it thinking that we could play it by itself and then realized that we needed the pad (?).  Somewhere in there it was recalled so the pads weren’t available when we went to purchase it” (vals2girlz).

Sure enough Nintendo did pull the game from shelves.  Stadium Events was released by Bandai, and when Nintendo realized the fantastic potential of the game and accessory known as the Power Pad, Nintendo bought the rights to it and pulled all of Bandai’s copies of the games off of store shelves.  Then Nintendo repackaged, rebranded, and renamed the Power Pad and game for sale with their systems.  Stadium Events became the popular and ubiquitous World Class Track meet that many of us loved as children.  So, ultimately, most of us have played Stadium Events without realizing it.

As the story goes, vals2girlz made his purchase just on the verge of that recall.  Without knowing of the impending recall he was able to purchase the game; however, the recall meant he missed out on the needed Power Pad.  Without the needed accessory to play it, he put the game in a box in his basement.  For the last 20 years it sat there until he realized its value:  “I am selling because I didn’t think I had anything of value.  Then I saw that one lady sell her system and games for what she did.  Upon checking the boxes that had sat in my basement for nearly 20 years, I hit gold! (vals2girlz)”

What vals2girlz is referring to is February 10, 2010 sale of a complete copy of NES Stadium Events for the shocking price of $13,105.00 USD!  Little did eBay seller lace_thongs35 know that she had a super rare game in her lot of random NES stuff.  Heck, she didn’t even put the game’s name in the title to better advertise it.   Given the buzz surrounding  that surprising sale and the eBay dream story that it inspires, countless people dug into their closets, basements, and attics praying that they had a copy of Stadium Events to throw up on eBay.  Nothing sort of Stadium Events mania followed as countless Stadium Events games and related auctions popped up trying to capitalize on the momentum.

Well vals2girlz  was one of the lucky ones.  He found an absurdly rare new, sealed, complete-in-box copy of the American NTSC version of the game, and the rest has become history.  $41,300.00 USD is now the value of the most expensive video game ever sold!

Whatever the reason was at the time, I have a feeling that vals2girlz is pretty happy that he never returned that game.  Little did he know that his original investment of $29.99 would bring him a 137,716% gross return on investment!

It’ll be interesting to see how eBayers and the media respond to this monumental sale.  More Stadium Events mania?  Some other long lost ultra rare video games surfacing on eBay?  Whatever happens, this past month has been a vintage video game collectors dream as museum worthy items have appeared and changed hands.

Curious to know how much eBay makes off of such auctions?

Sure enough, eBay loves this sort of thing. Not only is the media attention great for them, but since they own PayPal (and assuming the buyer receives payment through PayPal), eBay will be $1549.81 more wealthy. Not a bad business model when you consider the countless things sold on eBay and paid for with PayPal around the world.

Rare Video Games & Collectibles on eBay: Sealed Stadium Events, M8, M82, Atari Demo Unit, and a $200 Ruler

 Rare Game Showcase, Video Games  No Responses »
Feb 262010
 

Here are some rare video games, systems, promo items, and collectibles that I’m watching on eBay.  I love the fact that eBay is essentially a live museum of video gaming rarity.  Happy retro gaming and good luck collecting!

$$$$ — For the Video Game Collector with an Unlimited Budget

FACTORY SEALED NEW NES NINTENDO STADIUM EVENTS NTSC If you’re not aware of this auction (currently at $41,300.00 USD with 3 hours to go), then you’re missing out on the world’s most expensive video game auction to date.

Stadium Events Nes game What will be equally interesting will be to see if history repeats itself with this auction for another copy of a sealed Stadium Events.  It’s currently at $7,300.00 USD with 3 days to go…but seems a bit sketchy.

$$$ — For the Collector Whose Grandma Just Died (Or Who Has a Job and a Budget)

**** Atari 2600 Game *** Coke Wins – Pepsi Invaders *** Apparently Coca-Cola used this custom 2600 promo cartridge to allow users to dominate the minions of Pepsi.  I think that’s simply awesome. (Ended March 6, 2010 at $2125.00 USD)

Nintendo NES M8 Kiosk Store Display Unit This original Nintendo display unit predates the M82.  The seller is certainly asking a pretty penny for it, but at least he has the best offer feature going.

Nintendo M82 Game Selectable Working Product Display This crazy dude is asking a freakish amount of $35,000.00 USD or best offer for this thing.  Clearly he’s out of his mind.  They run about $1,000 USD for the unit.  However, it is rare to find in the box. (Ended March 28, 2010 at $9000.00 USD)

Rare Nintendo Store Display Machine M82 These display units are fantastic.  They’re certainly on my wish list.

Rare 1982 Atari VCS Store Demo 45 Games plus slot WORKS Starting the bid at $99.00 USD, this seems like a fair opportunity for Atari collectors to pick one of these up. (Ended March 8, 2010 at $338.33 USD)

Nintendo Mario Soda Store Display Promo Signs NES Expensive, but a great Nintendo promo item none the less.

Nintendo GameCube Donkey Kong Kiosk Display Setup

EarthBound Promotional Ruler Super Nintendo SNES Promo! There’s nothing like spending hundreds of dollars on a ruler…yes, a simple wood ruler. (Update: Sold for $776.47 USD on Feb. 28, 2010)

Starfox Super Weekend Super Nintendo SNES RARE (Ended March 3, 2010 at $304.69 USD)

Rare New Game Boy Micro Console Pokemon Limited Edition (Ended March 3, 2010 at $235.50 USD)

Yellow Zelda test cart – NES – very rare – NM condition (Ended at $550.00 USD)

N64 Nintendo Fiber Optic Sign kiosk store display unit (Ended Feb 25, 2010 at $295.00 USD)

$$ — For the Game Collector with Some B-day Money from Grandma

5 MARIO BROTHERS COOKIE CUTTERS WILTON 1989 NINTENDO (Ended Feb 26, 2010 at $20.00 USD)

Sega Genesis Controller Modified for use with Vectrex As I’ve recently become a Vectrex collector, I’m impressed to find unique Vectrex items on eBay.  Perhaps most impressive about this auction is the manual that this guy created to go with his item. (Ended Feb 27, 2010 at $39.99 USD)

Nintendo Legend of Zelda Link PVC Figure 1989 Applause (Ended Feb 27, 2010 at $14.77 USD)

Bioshock Big Daddy limited edition figure from the xbox (Ended Feb 28, 2010 at $31.00 USD)

Nintendo World Championships 1990 Certificate With all the Stadium Events fever, it’s starting to feel like the NWC Cart is so last week.  Anyone have an idea of how this affects the sales of other rare video games? (Ended Feb 28, 2010 at $34.00 USD)

Nintendo Mario vs Donkey Kong Mini Countertop Display

$ — For the Poor Video Game Collector Mooching Off His Grandma to Support a WoW Addiction

Wendy’s Nintendo Wii Toys Mario Spinner 2007

Rare Video Games & Collectibles on eBay: Nintendo Cereal, Cheap NES Maxi 15, Original Game Boy Kiosk

 Rare Game Showcase  No Responses »
Feb 202010
 

Like a lot of collectors, I’d love to be able to buy every unique vintage video game, promotional item, and collectible that I found while searching on eBay.  What amazes me is that there’s always something that pops up that I’ve either never heard of or that simple blows everyone away with it’s current value.  Since I’m simply watching these for the sport of it, I figured I might as well share the love…

Active eBay Listings:

  • MYRIAD 6 IN 1 BOX ONLY for Nintendo NES Pricey but rare.
  • Nintendo 64 NU 64 Gang Writer – In Original Box
  • Magnavox Odyssey Video Game 1972 W/Case # 9236191 This is great to see in the travel case. (Ended on March 1, 2010 at $167.50)
  • Vectrex – prototype – Minestorm MB 1983 (Ended on Feb 21, 2010 at $381.76)
  • 1988 Super Mario I SAVED THE PRINCESS poster Nintendo (Ended on Feb 21, 2010 at $102.50)
  • Nintendo NES MAXI 15 IN 1 game case cib complete box If you don’t already have this in your 8-bit NES collection, here’s one that’s currently at about $20.00 USD with 16 hours to go. (Ended on Feb 21, 2010 at $83.99)
  • Custom LINK Figure Zelda Nintendo Mario Rare nes snes Is it just me or does this thing look creepy? (Ended on Feb 21, 2010 at $9.99)
  • Game Boy Display Station Extremely Rare willing to ship An original Game Boy kiosk it all it’s glory.

Ended eBay Listings:

  • RARE NINTENDO CEREAL SYSTEM NEW UNOPENED Yes, a box of cereal official Nintendo cereal just sold for $207.50 USD!
  • Official Vintage Nintendo Mario Clock Sign RARE Display (Measures approx. 20″x12″) Sold for $235.50 USD.
  • Vintage Nintendo NES / SNES / Gameboy Sign Display RARE Sold for $164.50 USD.
  • Mini Pac Man Arcade Machine If you haven’t already seen this, it’s worth doing so.
  • Rage of the Dragons US Neo Geo AES Very Rare!
  • LittleBigPlanet Sackboy hands from video shoot Sold for $363.95 USD.
  • Life-Size Replica Bayonetta Gun Sold for $2500.00 USD.
  • Rare 1989 Nintendo Legend of Zelda Plate And just to prove that anything old with Mario or Zelda on it is worth selling on eBay, this plate just sold for $250.00 USD.

eBayers Have NES Stadium Events Fever!

 Rare Game Showcase, Video Games  No Responses »
Feb 132010
 

Stadium Events GreedEvery retro gamer and collector not living under a rock knows that a complete copy of Stadium Events just popped up on eBay and sold for a glorious sum of $13,105.00 USD!  Not only did this give all of us geeks a museum-worthy piece of video game history to drool over, but it seems to have inspired every Tom, Dick, and Jane to dig through their closets (and possibly Google images), to try to find their own Stadium Events to sell on eBay. As I write this, there are no fewer than 7 auctions up on eBay featuring Stadium Events related items. Normally there are zero. (Updated Feb. 14, 10 Today there are a 27 eBay auctions featuring Stadium Events items…some fool is even selling the e-mail address stadiumevents@collecting.com…lol…even funnier is that he has 8 bids and just broke the $100.00 USD mark.  I scratch my head.)

A word of caution though before you go into a bidding frenzy trying to grab one for your own collection: be warned that a number of the listings are for PAL and Famicom version of the game. For those unfamiliar with region encoding, NTSC is the region protection that was applied to NES games in the United States, Canada, and the rest of the Americas. PAL games, which look just like NTSC games in shape, size, color, etc., were sold in Europe and Australia.  A quick way to tell the difference is that NTSC ones sold in the US will generally say NES-xx-USA in the bottom right hand corner of the label.  Japanese gamers received cartridges that were roughly the shape of a Sega Master System cart, so those are petty easy to tell apart. Why do I mention this? Because Stadium events is most rare in its NTSC form. The PAL and Famicom ones may be somewhat rare but are much much more common than the US version. So, sorry to burst anyone’s bubble, but a number of the items listed on eBay are more opportunistic than rare. Here’s a Little Samson cart for example.  It’s quite a rare and great game in the US, but as you can see from the corner, it’s not an NTSC version and thus has a lot less value to collectors.

Additionally, I’ve seen at least 3-4 auctions go up and get taken down for Stadium Events games in the last 24 hours.  While eBay can be a safe marketplace when you’re buying from a seller with a great feedback record, there are also definitely greedy people searching Google, Yahoo, and Bing for an image to use to make fake listings.  It goes without saying to be careful when buying rare video games, but now is the time to use extra caution.  And when in doubt, have a fellow collector check out the listing to give you his/her two cents on it.

Best of luck retro gaming, vintage video game collecting, and happy eBaying!

Rare Video Games & Collectibles on eBay: Maxi 15, Suikoden II, Colecovision Homebrew

 Rare Game Showcase  No Responses »
Feb 032010
 

Here are some rare video games that I’m watching on eBay.  (Just to be clear, I’m not selling any of this stuff myself.)

  • Maxi 15 Game Cartridge (Nintendo NES) 15 GAMES IN 1 A seller in eBay Canada is selling the NTSC version of this game for a pretty reasonable price.  And, could you imagine a better matching sheet to photograph the game on?  Pretty…
  • Lot rare suikoden II 2 valkyrie profile all sealed This is a great lot for PS1 collectors…and a bummer for the guy selling them.
  • Coleco/Adam/Astro Invader/Homebrew/Brand New! Colecovision homebrew…how rad is that!?! (Ended Feb. 9, 2010 at $26.05 USD)
  • Coleco/Adam/Deflektor Kollections/Homebrew/Brand New! (Ended Feb. 9, 2010 at $20.45 USD)
  • Adventure II for Atari 5200 Limited edition#13/250 RARE

Happy eBaying, collecting, and retro gaming!

My Rare Video Game Finds: Atari Super Pong, Fatal Fury Special, Tropical Trouble

 Rare Game Finds, Video Games  No Responses »
Jan 312010
 

I love hunting for retro video games.  I’d say I enjoy it more than playing them…and possibly even more than collecting them.  I’m not sure why, but the joy of finding a needle in the haystack of flea market crap and getting the games for a great price is hugely satisfying to me.  Anyway, here are my finds from the last two weekends of hunting at the local flea market.

A few highlights…

  • Atari Super Pong System:  Sure enough this thing started right up…not bad since it was made in 1976!  I was about to list this on eBay when my girlfriend insisted it stay in the collection…great girlfriend!
  • Internation Superstar Soccer Deluxe (SNES):  Picked up this rare game (well…tarnished gem with some label wear) for my personal collection for $15.
  • “Super 8″ Movie Collection:  Ok, I don’t know anything about 8 mm film, but I couldn’t pass these up.  Tarzan in the She-Devil, Zorro’s Suicide Express, Little Rascals Spooky Hooky, etc. Even if none of them worked, the covers alone would make awesome art pieces.
  • Fatal Fury Special (Game Gear):  My buddy had a Game Gear growing up.  I didn’t like it then, and I’m not interested in collecting it now.  However, since most of the games have very little value, I know it’s an easy system for other people to collect.  It turns out that Fatal Fury Special is one of the few games of value for the system, so that made a great find for me to pass along to someone’s collection.  
  • Tropical Trouble & A LOT of Other Intellivision Games:  Tropical Trouble simply has some of the best label art of any video game I’ve ever seen!
  • Baldur’s Gate Dark Alliance II:  It’s always great to be looking through a folder of loose games and to find a gem.  Sure enough one seller had both of the Baldur’s Gate Playstation 2 games.
  • VMIGO System:  Every now and then curiosity gets the best of me.  When I saw this at the Flea Market, I had no idea what it was other than that it looks like a decently made weird little video game system. For $3, I couldn’t pass up.  It turns out that you use it to raise a virtual pet.  Best part is that the VMIGO portable pet “Game Boy” unit also functions as a pedometer.  It gives kids points for exercising!  lol  Expect to see this in my eBay store starting at a penny bid soon. ha ha

I had fun hunting for vintage gaming stuff.  Sure enough, I found a few rares for a good price.  That puts a few things into my collection and hopefully means that fellow collectors can find something for their own collections once I get it all listed on the GamesOgre eBay Store!  In the meantime, check out the rest of my photos below.  Happy collecting & retro gaming!

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