The short version
- Typical range: £40 – £200
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Gaming
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used game boy is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for game boys, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £200 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £170 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £130 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £90 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £50 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a game boy
- A clean, unscratched original screen
- Rarer shell colours and special editions
- Boxed examples with inserts and manuals
- Battery compartment free of corrosion
What lowers it
- Screen scratches and dead lines in the display
- Battery acid corrosion on the terminals
- Yellowed or cracked shells
- Missing battery covers, which are surprisingly costly
How to work out what yours is worth
- Power it on and check the display for dead lines
- Open the battery compartment and inspect the terminals
- Note the exact model and shell colour
Once you have those three answers you can place your own game boy on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
Are Game Boys worth collecting?
Yes, handheld collecting has grown considerably. Condition, shell colour and whether it is boxed drive most of the price.
Does battery corrosion ruin the value?
It reduces it and can prevent the console powering on, though light corrosion cleans up. Photograph the compartment honestly.
Is a missing battery cover a problem?
It lowers the price more than you would expect, because original covers are genuinely hard to find.
More value guides: gaming guides · all value guides · browse live gaming listings.