Most Expensive Retro Games You Can Buy Cheaper Digitally

Video game prices tend to drop significantly when a console stops being made. However, some dedicated fans from the 80s, 90s, and later predicted that even unpopular or poorly-made games could become valuable collector’s items if they remained sealed in their original packaging.

The market for collecting retro games has grown a lot in the last ten years. Although owning a brand-new, sealed copy of a game like Super Mario Bros. for the NES is impressive, digital stores such as Steam and PlayStation Network make it much simpler to acquire rare games these days.

Okay, so when I’m checking prices, I’ll be using data from PriceCharting. I’m specifically looking at how much brand-new, still-sealed games are selling for, so I can get a good idea of their value.

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Mister Mosquito (PS2)

One Of The Weirdest PS2 Games Ever

$199 New
$10 PSN

Released in North America in 2002 (a year after its debut in Japan), Mister Mosquito is a truly unique PS2 game. Players take on the role of a mosquito with a simple but challenging goal: secretly suck blood from one of the three members of the Yamada family without being noticed.

These massive creatures would attempt to crush players, creating a blend of gameplay reminiscent of Shadow of the Colossus and stealth mechanics. Few anticipated the return of this hidden gem, but it surprisingly appeared digitally on the PS5 in 2024. Now, fans eagerly await a release of Mosquito 2: Let’s Go Hawaii, a sequel that was only available in Japan for the PS2. Regardless, the original game is now quite valuable due to its rarity.

Manhunt (PS2)

The Devil’s Playground

$224 New
$10 Steam

Manhunt, a controversial game by Rockstar, puts players in the role of James Earl Cash, a prisoner forced to participate in a horrific snuff film. The game focuses on stealth, and rewards players for increasingly brutal kills – using anything from knives and bags to even an electric chair. The main objective is to escape the film set and get revenge on the person directing the violence, known only as The Director.

The game initially came out on PlayStation 2 in 2003, then was released for PC and Xbox in 2004. Today, it’s most affordable on Steam, and it’s also playable on the Steam Deck – perfect for fans of stealth games, though it can be quite challenging. If you’re looking for a collector’s item, the original PS2 version with its original box art is the most valuable.

Breath Of Fire 4 (PS1)

Dragon Quest

$284 New
$10 GOG

Breath of Fire 4 initially came out for the PlayStation 1 in 2000, and was later released on PC, but only in Japan and Europe. It was also available on the PlayStation 3, briefly allowing it to be played on portable devices, though not newer consoles like the PS4 or PS5. Surprisingly, in 2025, the game appeared on GOG.com and is now very affordable compared to the price of the original PS1 copy.

This RPG is one of the best on the original PlayStation and still plays well today. The graphics haven’t aged badly, and the turn-based combat is enjoyable. Like other Breath of Fire games, you play as Ryu, a character who doesn’t speak, and his ability to transform into dragons during battle is a particularly awesome highlight.

Herc’s Adventures (PS1)

To Hades!

$319 New
$5 PSN

Okay, so I recently checked out Herc’s Adventures, and it’s a total steal at only $5 on the PlayStation Store! It’s actually a pretty old game – originally came out way back in 1997 for the PS1 and Sega Saturn. But the cool thing is, it got a re-release on the PS5 in 2025, which means you don’t have to hunt down and pay a fortune for the original cartridge unless you’re a collector like me!

Released in 1997, Herc’s Adventures wasn’t a blockbuster, but it’s now known as a solid top-down action game inspired by Greek myths. Players could choose from three characters – Herc, who was strong; Atlanta, who used a bow and arrow; and Jason, who had a sling – and even play together in co-op mode. Their mission? To defeat Hades, a story similar to the popular game Hades.

Alone In The Dark One Eyed Jack’s Revenge (PS1)

Before The Spencer Mansion

$338 New
$10 PSN

The history of this game’s titles is a bit confusing, so let’s start at the beginning. Before Resident Evil, Alone in the Dark was a pioneer in the survival horror genre with its original game in 1992. Alone in the Dark 2 came out on MS-DOS computers in Europe in 1993, but PlayStation players had to wait until 1996 for a version. This PlayStation release was known as Alone in the Dark: One-Eyed Jack’s Revenge in North America, and it’s this particular version that’s now quite valuable to collectors.

If you’re looking for a classic zombie-shooting game where you explore a mansion and its grounds, you’ll want to check the title on the PlayStation Store. While it wasn’t originally released under this name in North America, the game appears as Alone in the Dark 2 (1996) on the PS5. It might not be as polished as other early survival horror games for the original PlayStation, but it’s worth a try for fans of the genre’s origins.

Resident Evil 2 (PS1)

Leon And Claire Debut

$354 New
$10 PSN

Resident Evil 2 is a classic game beloved by fans, famous for introducing characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, and the setting of Raccoon City. The story follows Leon, a new police officer, and Claire, a college student, as they struggle to survive a zombie outbreak in the city. While the original PlayStation version is a bit dated now thanks to the excellent 2019 remake, it’s still a very affordable way to experience the game.

The game initially launched on the PlayStation 1 in 1998 and has been re-released on several platforms since, including digital versions for the PlayStation 3 and, most recently, the PlayStation 5 in 2025. Because of the various versions released for the original PS1 – including one compatible with the DualShock controller – the original game cover is now worth more money online.

ObsCure (PS2)

The Faculty

$600 New
$7 Steam

Compared to other games, ObsCure was a remarkably expensive PlayStation 2 title to develop. It’s surprisingly affordable now on Steam, costing only $7, but unfortunately isn’t yet fully compatible with the Steam Deck. Originally launched in Australia in 2004, it came to North America the following year for PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.

ObsCure is a unique survival horror game set in a high school. Players control two of five characters, switching between them as they fight infected creatures within the school. The game featured cooperative play and a dynamic story that changed based on which characters survived. Despite being ahead of its time, it’s thankfully still remembered by PC gamers.

2026-03-28 01:39