The unique Xbox was an enormous second in gaming over 20 years in the past, serving as Microsoft’s headfirst dive into the medium.
And whereas it was a bit tough across the edges — and clearly couldn’t overcome the Goliath that was the PlayStation 2 — it was nonetheless an admirable try that established Microsoft as a significant participant within the gaming area. It additionally launched some franchises that will stand among the many pantheon of gaming’s most iconic names, and it served as a quantum leap ahead for on-line gaming.
With Microsoft’s continued dedication to backward compatibility on the Xbox One and Xbox Sequence X|S, authentic Xbox video games haven’t turn into as uncommon or costly as their PlayStation 2 or GameCube counterparts. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply each Xbox recreation is a stroll within the park to seek out as a result of there are actually some video games which may mild your pockets on fireplace. Listed below are 10 of the rarest and costliest Xbox video games which can be most likely far much less necessary than shopping for groceries this month.
As per typical, all costs are based mostly on numbers supplied by PriceCharting. Used costs are based mostly on the “Free Value” itemizing, whereas new costs are based mostly on the “New Value” itemizing. Entries are ranked from lowest to highest by their respective “new” value.
10. Def Jam: Battle for NY
$349 New | $71 Used
Let’s ease into the listing a bit with a recreation that’s certain to deliver again some recollections. Def Jam: Battle for NY is a cult basic amongst players, and its continued reputation has led to many curious gamers hoping to snag a replica for themselves. Throughout all consoles, although, it’s fairly costly, and with the truth that a Platinum Hits model exists on Xbox, this authentic Black Label launch is much more of a premium.
A used copy runs for round $71, which isn’t too far off from what present video games price as we speak. A brand new copy, although, will drop you down $349. Would you consider it in the event you came upon that that is really the most cost effective of the three consoles? New copies on the GameCube run for $350, whereas the PlayStation 2 model will set you again a large $498. It’s certain to be a good time if you will discover an reasonably priced copy…however clearly, that’s an enormous “if.” One can solely hope it will get a reissue on fashionable consoles in some unspecified time in the future.
9. Halo Triple Pack
$350 New | $43 Used
Halo 3 may not have been prepared till the discharge of the Xbox 360, however that didn’t cease Microsoft from going by way of with the Halo Triple Pack on the unique Xbox…which clearly didn’t embrace the third recreation. No, this triple pack featured Halo: Fight Developed, Halo 2, and the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack. Being that every one three video games are in their very own particular person packing containers, it’s most likely not obscenely onerous to discover a used copy, however discovering a wholly sealed bundle is a distinct story.
Grabbing this used solely units you down $43, but when you will discover a brand new copy, you’ll need to throw down $350. It’s a fairly large ask, one which solely the staunchest of collectors ought to really go for. The excellent news, although, is that used copies can be found at a much more reasonably priced value in the event you’re really on the lookout for that genuine expertise. If not, Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Xbox One ought to swimsuit you simply positive.
8. Silent Hill 2
$375 New | $35 Used
You may not have anticipated a recreation like this to finish up right here, however sure, Silent Hill 2 is a reasonably uncommon discover. Even regardless of its essential acclaim and industrial success, costs for this recreation have been marked up by fairly a bit. It would assist that the Xbox model served as an prolonged model of the unique recreation, and the later launch of a Platinum Hits model could have made the unique extra of a problem to seek out.
Used copies will not be too dangerous, touchdown at round $35. It’s whenever you get to the brand new copies, which go for $375, that we begin seeing issues get wild. This isn’t restricted to the Xbox model, both: a brand new copy on PC will go for $428, whereas a brand new copy on the PlayStation 2 lands round $558. Possibly discovering a used copy will swimsuit you effectively in order for you the genuine expertise, however proceed with warning in the event you’re on the lookout for a brand new copy…or hey, perhaps look forward to the upcoming remake.
7. Teen Titans
$480 New | $119 Used
Licensed video games are fodder to finish up on a listing like this, and we’ve obtained our first instance right here with Teen Titans. That is an instance of a recreation that acquired a large upcharge largely due to its launch timing: in comparison with the opposite console variations (which have been launched in Might 2006), Teen Titans was launched for workforce inexperienced in October, a full 5 months later. By that time, the Xbox 360 was nearly a yr outdated, which meant a recreation like this was at all times gonna be behind the eight ball.
Consequently, used copies run for roughly $119, whereas new copies leap as much as $480. That is in stark distinction to the PlayStation 2 and GameCube variations, which nonetheless fetch a notable quantity however nothing that borders too far into “unaffordable” territory. Thus, your finest wager if on the lookout for this recreation is to seek out it on one other platform, although…it’s little greater than a mean beat ‘em up, so that you would possibly need to redirect your search elsewhere.
6. Yu-Gi-Oh: The Daybreak of Future [Platinum Hits]
$600 New | $13 Used
Persevering with into licensed recreation territory, we’ve obtained an attention-grabbing one, as Yu-Gi-Oh: The Daybreak of Future is an Xbox-exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh entry. It’s attention-grabbing in that it’s a recreation based mostly on a well-liked Japanese franchise, printed by the Japanese firm Konami…that wasn’t launched in Japan. Certain, it’s comprehensible as a result of the Xbox isn’t common in Japan, however…nonetheless unusual. Both approach, this didn’t deter it from promoting sufficient to make it to the Platinum Hits line, however such copies should not have been produced en masse as a result of it’s turn into fairly costly.
A used copy is extraordinarily reasonably priced at $13, however discovering a brand new copy will pressure you to cough up $600. Past potential rarity, it appears all variations of this recreation (Platinum Hits or in any other case) got here with some Restricted Version taking part in playing cards, a not-uncommon follow with Yu-Gi-Oh video games that’s been discussed here before. Thus, your determination to chop off an arm and a leg would possibly come all the way down to how a lot you care about these playing cards. A used copy is lots reasonably priced, certain, however on condition that the sport doesn’t appear to be all too nice, you would possibly simply be higher off discovering a extra fulfilling Yu-Gi-Oh expertise elsewhere.
5. Halo: Fight Developed [Not For Resale]
$765 New | $7 Used
The Halo franchise has made the listing twice, and it most likely gained’t be too large a shock to see a “Not For Resale” disc find yourself right here. Whereas these are usually used for console bundles or in-store promo items, this model of Halo: Combat Evolved appears to have been accessible particularly for workers on the Microsoft Retailer. Naturally, this meant {that a} smaller variety of copies have been made, thus making this an much more attention-grabbing collector’s merchandise.
Apparently, used copies of this go for under $7. For no matter cause, although, a brand new copy prices someplace round $765. Fairly frankly, of the various “uncommon and costly” recreation lists this author has created right here, that’s one of many largest discrepancies between “used” and “new” costs so far. It seems Microsoft staff most likely weren’t getting their unique variations of Halo simply to stare at them; it was a reasonably enormous recreation, in any case. Fortunately, there are about 50 other ways to play the unique Halo recreation at this level, so that you don’t must drop your lease cash on one thing like this.
4. NBA Ballers [Platinum Hits]
$803 New | $60 Used
By itself, NBA Ballers isn’t an costly recreation. Yow will discover it on PlayStation 2 or Xbox for roughly $35 or beneath, and also you’ll be handled to a reasonably strong Halfway basketball recreation in the event you do seize it. The Platinum Hits model, however? Yeah, good luck catching this one. Whereas the unique recreation was launched in 2004, the Platinum Hits model appeared to return alongside round 2005 after the Xbox 360 had already been out. Thus, Microsoft and Halfway most likely didn’t trouble giving it a big print run and it grew to become a tough discover, thus jacking up its value.
A used copy runs at round $60, which isn’t the worst value on the earth. The $803 it could price to get a brand new copy? Yeah, that’s a very totally different beast altogether. This model is most definitely solely for individuals who completely NEED to have a full Platinum Hits assortment. In any other case, simply seize a normal copy of the sport and ball out with a couple of pals. You would possibly even discover that the sport has aged fairly decently.
3. Futurama
$923 New | $161 Used
A Futurama recreation being uncommon? That may’t be proper; certainly, this recreation bought a superb quantity, proper? Properly, no. The Futurama recreation was launched after the collection had been canceled — the primary time, as a result of it’s been canceled extra occasions than Brett Favre has retired — and was primarily seen as a “misplaced episode,” because it was launched after the ultimate episode had aired. By that time, with dwindling viewers curiosity, Vivendi Common didn’t undergo the legwork of manufacturing many copies, and thus, it grew to become a reasonably uncommon collector’s merchandise.
Even simply snagging a used copy of the sport will set you again $161, whereas a brand new copy lands all the way in which up at $923. A decade in the past, you might have been capable of finding this for one thing within the $30 vary, however now, you’ll have to surrender far more than that in order for you it. What’s worse is that the sport isn’t all that nice to start with, so a $191 minimal is a steep positive. Possibly it is best to spend your money and time on a recreation from creator Matt Groening’s different large collection, The Simpsons.
2. Metal Battalion
$1,150 New | $305 Used
Right here we have now a particular instance of a uncommon recreation. Steel Battalion was an early Xbox recreation printed by Capcom that gained notoriety for its insane controller. As pictured above, this controller had 44 enter factors/buttons and was meant to simulate the sensation of being inside a mech. Extremely artistic, nevertheless it was a big and costly controller for a recreation that, principally, performed to a selected area of interest. Thus, only some of those have been created (someplace round 2,000 items initially) and the value clearly skyrocketed.
Merely discovering a used copy of this may drain $305 out of your pockets, whereas a brand new copy will brush you again by a whopping $1,150. It’s unhappy as a result of the sport really appeared to be fairly good and the controller added to the expertise in a singular approach, nevertheless it was at all times gonna be onerous to promote one thing like this. In the event you’re capable of finding it for a good value, go forward and seize it, however don’t get your hopes up that these numbers will go down a lot.
1. Shrek Tremendous Occasion [Watch Bundle]
$1,500 New | $395 Used
Oh expensive…it’s returned. As beforehand famous in Twinfinite’s article discussing the worst GameCube games one could play, Shrek Tremendous Occasion is a recreation this author is all too accustomed to. “Massive Head Shrek,” as his pals consult with it, has turn into a supply of evening terrors, the type with which I’ve hassle escaping. Monsieur Hood’s piercing smile can solely make me cower in worry, and regardless of his quick stature, Lord Farquaad’s equally terrifying expression has made him my sleep-paralysis demon.
It’s like in every single place I look, I see “Massive Head Shrek.” And now, the data has come by way of that this life-altering recreation had an Xbox-exclusive Particular Version that got here with a watch. Maybe that is the important thing to purging the infidels that hang-out me in my sleep. Certainly, buying this watch bundle will hold the demons away, like garlic to a vampire. That is what must be purchased as a way to get a superb evening’s sleep…if it wasn’t so costly.
Even getting a used copy of this bundle nets you $395, whereas a brand new copy will go for a whopping $1,500. There’s merely little or no cause to spend 4 figures on any online game, not to mention one this shockingly dangerous. Certain, the sport is much extra reasonably priced on different platforms, however with out that watch, it seems sleep will proceed to be elusive. I’ll conquer you sooner or later, Farquaad.
However till the demons are slain, what are another uncommon and costly Xbox video games? Tell us within the feedback!
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