The short version
- Typical range: £40 – £250
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Gaming
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used retro console is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for retro consoles, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £250 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £212 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £162 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £112 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £62 | 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 retro console
- Boxed and complete with manuals and inserts
- Original controllers and first-party cables
- Consoles free of yellowing on light plastics
- Working RF, composite or better video output
What lowers it
- Yellowed plastic from sun exposure
- Battery leakage in cartridge-save systems
- Missing original controllers, often costly to replace
- Region-modified or opened consoles on collectable models
How to work out what yours is worth
- Identify the exact model and revision from the base label
- Test every port and controller connection
- Open any battery compartment and check for corrosion
Once you have those three answers you can place your own retro console 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 old game consoles worth anything?
Many are worth considerably more than they were, and boxed complete examples sell for multiples of loose consoles.
Does yellowed plastic reduce the value?
Yes, noticeably, because collectors want original appearance. It can sometimes be reversed, but disclose it either way.
Should I sell a retro console with its games?
Check individual game values first. Sought-after titles frequently outvalue the console itself and are better listed separately.
More value guides: gaming guides · all value guides · browse live gaming listings.