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Rare Games and Their Collectors

Posted by Zonk on from the more-valuable-than-gold-by-the-gram dept.

simtastic writes "John Szczepaniak in his article, Obscurity Below the Radar, exposes the underground world of buying, selling, stealing and acquiring rare, one-of-a-kind, and non-public games and gaming hardware. From the article: 'Oftentimes, such groups run the risk of the law, yet still dedicate their lives to the acquisition and recording of things. In trying to uncover this secret realm, I was graciously granted access to some of the more high profile members, including the head of one such community. A renowned American gentleman who wishes to be known only as ASSEMbler, he tells us a little of himself and also the nature of such undocumented people ...'"

2 of 33 comments (clear)

  1. All of them eventually become rare by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Try to find SuperMarioBros I.

    Not rare yet? Wait a few more years and try again.

  2. Are many of these titles really worth having. by sharopolis · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I can't help but think there maybe a good reason why most unreleased games weren't released. Having played a lot of the more readily available protos floating around the 'net, it seems there are a few genuine bonafide classics that got shelved due to bankruptcy/internal politics or whatever and I can see why these may get premium prices.
    Sadly there's no mystery why a lot of protos reamined locked away, it's because they were crap.