Retro Gaming

Retrogaming is becoming more and more popular, pushing the cost of old games to rise due to hardcore collectors.

17:35 24 November 2015

With the advancements in the field of gaming, it may sound surprising that retro titles are becoming increasingly popular. This trend is pushing the cost of old games to significantly rise due to hardcore collectors.

 

One of them is Rich Barker from Cornwall. He has spent two decades building up his hoard, which now boasts over 4,000 games and 100 boxed consoles.

 

"One of the main reasons I collect retro video games over new games is because they are much harder," he said.

 

"With next-generation games these days, you run down a corridor and there's a checkpoint, you walk around a corridor and there's another checkpoint.

 

"In the old days you had three lives - three mistakes in five seconds and it could be game over, start again."

 

"Retro games are definitely getting more expensive. It was a very cheap thing when I first started getting into it," he says.

 

"You could pick up games for a couple of pounds quite easily. I've got a game that I bought nine years ago for £25 and it's now selling on auction sites for £1,000.

 

"There are people who are driving up the price by hoarding games.

 

"It makes it harder now for someone getting into retro gaming to start a collection for many systems because they are getting out of reach.

 

"You really need a big wallet."