Reasons To Never Sell A Game – Investment Policy

Summary

Don’t sell games; you may want to replay them later for nostalgia or to prep for a sequel.
Bad launches can be patched; remasters sometimes disappoint. Keep originals and discs for future play.
Resale value is low; selling erases preservation and the chance to pass games to friends or family.

Game sell-offs among players can stem from various motivations. During their youth, when they don’t have jobs yet, selling games is an effective method for them to keep up with the most recent and top-of-the-line titles. Autumn, however, proves to be a particularly challenging period for video game enthusiasts due to the overwhelming abundance of choices, along with limited financial resources or time to thoroughly enjoy each new release.

As an avid gamer myself, I’ve pondered over the idea of selling my games, perhaps at online marketplaces or even GameStop. However, looking beyond the immediate gain, it’s crucial for fellow enthusiasts like us to consider the larger implications. Here’s why letting go of your games might not be such a great idea after all:

1. Building a personal library: Each game we own contributes to our unique collection, a testament to our gaming journey. Selling them can erode that sense of accomplishment and history.
2. Future value: Some games appreciate over time, becoming collector’s items with significantly increased value. Selling these could mean missing out on potential profits later on.
3. Sharing the experience: Lending a game to a friend or family member allows you to share the gaming experience together, creating cherished memories that can’t be bought or sold.
4. Access to physical copies: Digital games may not always be accessible due to service discontinuations or changes in personal devices. Owning physical copies ensures long-term accessibility.
5. Community involvement: Selling games could potentially reduce our ability to participate in local gaming communities, where trades and swaps are common and foster a sense of camaraderie among gamers.

Ultimately, the decision is yours as a fellow gamer. I hope these points help you weigh the pros and cons before making your choice!

You Never Know When That Itch May Hit

It’s Fun Reliving The Past

Back in the day, being a gamer meant building an impressive collection of classic titles, and forward-thinking gamers like me from the ’80s and ’90s managed to do just that. Now, little did we realize it back then, but keeping those NES and SNES game boxes was actually quite smart from a financial perspective. Unfortunately, most kids probably tossed their old gaming boxes away, not knowing they were throwing valuable treasures into the trash!

No matter what the storage method, it’s convenient to be able to select a game from a shelf or binder without any trouble. Players may suddenly feel like playing an old game again, especially when a sequel is announced. For instance, some players revisited Death Stranding in preparation for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which was one of the most anticipated games of 2025. This just goes to show how often players might go back to earlier games.

Selling For A Bad Experience Is Silly

Patches Can Fix Everything

Many gamers find it hard to swallow the concept of spending $70 or more on games, considering it a substantial amount for an uncertain gaming experience. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077, despite being a highly-anticipated title, was criticized for its rocky launch, regardless of whether players were on consoles or PCs. The game’s debut was so flawed that some digital platforms, such as PSN, briefly pulled the game from their storefront until CD Projekt Red could rectify the major problems.

In some cases, players resold their hard copies due to a disappointing experience. However, this scenario underscores the importance of trust in developers’ ability to rectify issues through updates or patches. It may not be applicable to all games, but it certainly proved effective for the game Cyberpunk 2077.

Don’t Sell For A Remaster

The Original Could Be Better

Starting from the 1980s, consumers of various media types have been accustomed to regularly updating their collections. For films, viewers progressed from VHS to DVD to Blu-ray, frequently repurchasing the same content to enjoy a supposedly enhanced experience. Similarly, when an additional version, remake, or remaster is released for games, players might feel compelled to sell their previous versions in order to obtain the latest edition.

Occasionally, things like the Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3 in the Silent Hill HD Collection might not be well-liked, such as their reception. Fortunately, a more favorable version of Silent Hill 2 emerged with its remake in 2024. It’s worth preserving the original versions since they offer certain advantages.

Consoles May Have Great Backwards Compatibility

The Xbox Is A Trendsetter

As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but feel thrilled when new consoles are announced. For me, and many other Xbox enthusiasts, backward compatibility has become a game-changer, especially since the Xbox One era. Microsoft has been exceptional in this regard, enabling us to slide our trusty Xbox 360 discs into the console and enjoy the games as long as the system supports them. It’s features like these that make me feel valued as a loyal Xbox fan.

Spec Ops: The Line serves as a notable instance. At present, it’s unavailable for purchase on Xbox and Steam, but those who acquired it digitally prior to its removal (or possess a physical copy) can still enjoy it. Remarkably, it runs smoothly on an Xbox Series X equipped with a disc drive, suggesting that some of your old games might function again on future consoles.

The Delisting Dilemma

You Never Know When Games Will Disappear

It’s worth considering the concept of removing games from circulation, especially when licenses expire on certain properties. For instance, games like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game can vanish for extended periods if they are only available digitally. Fortunately, in this case, it has been reintroduced and even offers physical versions now.

Occasionally, the removal of games like “Battlefield: Bad Company 2” from digital platforms may seem illogical, as Electronic Arts never produced a remake or remaster for

Most Shops Won’t Give You A Good Deal

Keep Your Investments

Buying back a newly released game from a retailer like GameStop typically won’t net players much money, often after only a week or two post-launch. This is part of the reason why the second-hand market can seem strange, but there’s also value in keeping items because their rarity might increase, even if the game itself is perceived negatively.

The special edition of Dead Space 3 was produced in a small quantity, with each copy coming in a brand-new case but containing the same disc. This scarcity makes this version of the game hard to find and valuable for collectors. However, it’s not wise for players to buy every game they come across in the hopes of making a profit later on; still, the example of Dead Space 3 stands as a testament to the possibility of such rare finds.

Pass Your Legacy Along

Lending To Friends And Family

One compelling motivation to hold onto every game you buy could be to create an enduring collection that you can eventually share with your loved ones – friends or family – in the future. Preserving games may not appeal to everyone, but for enthusiasts who have a deep passion, it can transform into a special and enchanting endeavor.

Experiencing the nostalgic charm of playing Chrono Trigger on an old tube TV with a SNES console offers a unique and fascinating trip down memory lane. Given that this iconic role-playing game revolves around time travel, it’s quite fitting. In a broader sense, owning physical copies of games can provide these kinds of one-of-a-kind experiences if players have the necessary storage space for them.

2025-09-06 14:36