The Top 10 Rarest Games I Own

Hello dear reader, and welcome to another installment of my video game discussions. Today I won’t be reminiscing on anything in particular like I usually do- rather, I thought I’d change it up and talk about my video game collection a bit. Now, it’s nothing like some of the more tremendous and spectacular collections known to the world, but over time I’ve amassed a pretty decently sized pile of video games, consoles, and other memorabilia that would probably make any other collector give a thumbs-up, I’d like to think. Right now it’s hovering around 500 games across 25 or so different consoles, and that includes handhelds.

So rather than talk at length about every little thing I own, I’ve narrowed it down to what I think are the coolest and rarest games I own. Now, keep in mind I’m basing this off of a number of factors- price, condition, and ability to actually find the game either online or anywhere else at any point, chief among them. Also, for the purposes of simplicity I'm not including import games I own (that is, anything that isn't NTSC), though I do own some very rare imports as well. So, without any further delay, I present to you the top 10 rarest games in my possession.

10. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, SNES, CIB

We start off with a game that isn’t insanely rare but is certainly quite desirable, especially CIB. My particular copy might actually be in the nicest condition out of any CIB game I own; it is just absolutely gorgeous. The box has some very slight shelf wear in the corners, but that’s about it. The game and the manual are totally mint, and in all it looks nearly as close as it would if you picked it up off the shelf of a Toys R’ Us back in 1996. It hasn’t changed all too much in price since I paid what I did for it, but considering the condition, I believe I got a fairly good deal.

9. Conker’s Bad Fur Day, N64, CIB

Ah, the infamous Bad Fur Day. In what other game can you drink beer, piss on enemies, and jump on a sunflower’s tremendous tits? Like Super Mario RPG, it isn’t a particularly difficult game to get one’s hands on, and I think the price tag speaks more to desirability than rarity. And also like Super Mario RPG, my copy is very, very nice. Again, the box has some wear in the corners, but no glaring deformities, and the manual and game are very good. I actually overpaid for this one, as it was one of the first games I hunted down when I first started collecting and wasn’t paying too much attention to getting a good deal, but it’s still a great game to own CIB regardless.

8. Mega Man X2, SNES, CIB

This game would normally be much higher up on the list if it weren’t for one pretty big flaw- my cartridge is in pretty bad shape. The box is very good, and the manual is decent, but the game has a big rip in the label and some dents and discoloration in the plastic. It drops the value considerably, but even so, CIB this game is not very easy to procure. One day, when I have the money to spend (which will probably be never), I plan on getting a better cartridge and bumping this game up higher on my list.

7. Blackthorne, Sega 32X, CIB

Here’s where we’re starting to get into more obscure territory. This one isn’t obscenely expensive or anything, but it’s quite rare. I own almost the entire North American library of Sega 32X games, so you’ll see a few others on this list as well. Anyway, this one is just absolutely mint. The box is almost perfect, as are the game and manual. Considering that fact, I got it for a very good price years back, and it has gone up as of recently.

6. Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, Sega 32X, CIB

As I just mentioned, more 32X goodies. Another one that’s not all that difficult to find, but you’ll have to fork over a hefty sum once you find a good condition CIB copy. Mine isn’t all that great, but it’s definitely not bad either. The box has some decent wear in the corners, but the manual and game are fine.

5. Earthworm Jim: Special Edition, Sega CD, CIB

Another one that won’t be absurdly expensive should you come across a copy, but good luck doing so. As of writing this, I only see one copy listed on Ebay. I actually had no idea this game even existed for the Sega CD, but I promptly snatched up a copy once I found out. And I’m glad I did- this game is just awesome. The Sega CD version added two extra levels not seen in the Genesis or SNES versions, the graphics are smooth, the music is great, and it’s an all around great game to play. Also, it has the greatest bad ending any game has ever had in the history of video games. My copy is in very good shape too- the gigantic oversized Sega CD box that tends to break very easily is in very good shape, the manual is fine, and the disc is great aside from some negligible little scratches.

4. Resident Evil Gaiden, Game Boy Color, CIB

The weird little experiment of a Game Boy game, Resident Evil Gaiden will take you quite a while to find a CIB copy. I tend to see sealed NIB ones listed fairly often for extraordinary prices, but rarely ever have I seen one just CIB, which is a tad odd. Anyway, this has some distinction to me in that the box and manual I have are actually the originals that I owned from when I first bought this game when it was new. Usually they were just thrown out, but this one somehow stayed flattened in my closet for many years until I one day found it and then realized how rare it’s become. I lost the actual game, but I have since re-purchased it and completed this gem at a steep discount from buying it again CIB. Unfortunately, because it was flattened underneath a pile of junk in my closet for many years, the box isn’t in too great a shape. Which is a shame, but nonetheless doesn’t change the fact that this is a very difficult little item to come by.

3. World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders, Sega 32X, CIB

I know what you’re thinking- a rare sports game?? Seriously!? Yes sir, this game is stupidly rare CIB. Go on and look for yourself, I’ll wait. Done yet? See what I mean? Out of my entire 32X collection this was one of the hardest ones to find, for whatever strange reason that makes it so rare. Even so, my copy isn’t all that great- the box has a pretty good bend in one of the corners and some considerable wear on the sides, though the manual and game are very good. Nonetheless, prepare yourself to search for quite a while and hand over a good chunk of change if you’d like a CIB copy.

2. Mega Man X3, SNES, CIB

Now, I was going to say here that the game itself isn’t all that rare, but HOLY SHIT this game has jumped up quite a bit in price as of recent. Most copies of loose cartridges were listed at 200+ on ebay, which is waaay more than what I paid for it. And I didn’t even see one CIB copy upon searching, which makes me wonder now what that’s going for nowadays. Either way, get ready to sell a vital organ or two if you want this one CIB. My copy is a bit worn in places, but overall is in pretty good shape. Considering how rare it is, I’m happy just to own it.

1. The Amazing Spiderman: Web Of Fire, Sega 32X, CIB

Yes, if you know a thing or two about the Sega 32X library, you might have seen this one coming. If not, let me shed a little light on the subject. This was the final game of the 32X’s very short life span of only 36 games in North America. I don’t know how true this is, but it’s rumored that only 1,500 copies were produced. I wouldn’t doubt it, considering how hard it is to get your hands on CIB copy for a reasonable price. From what I’ve last seen, they’re up to around $400-500, which is thankfully way less than what I paid for it a few years back. My copy is an absolute sight to behold. It’s actually still mostly shrinkwrapped, with a slight tear in the top so that the inner cardboard slot that holds the game can be taken out. It even still has a hanging tab attached to the back of it. I’ve only taken the game and manual out once just to verify the condition and test the game out, but from what I’ve seen, they’re absolutely mint. This one is definitely the centerpiece of my collection, and I’m certainly not one to shy away from showing it off whenever I get the chance.