Are My Old Toys and Games Worth Anything? How to Tell What You Have

You found a shelf of old board games and novelty toys in your parents' house. A Monopoly set that looks ancient, a collection of small stuffed animals with heart-shaped tags, and a box of video game cartridges gathering dust. Your first instinct might be to donate the lot. But before you do, some of these items might surprise you.

Here's the honest answer.

The Quick Answer

Most old board games, novelty toys, and video game cartridges are worth very little - typically $5 to $20 at a garage sale. But certain items, especially early editions of classic games, rare video game cartridges, and specific collectible toy lines from the 1990s, can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The collectible toys and games market is quirky - value often hides in the most unexpected places.

The biggest factor? Rarity combined with completeness. A common board game missing half its pieces is worth nothing. A first edition of the same game, complete with all original components and in excellent condition, might be worth hundreds of dollars. And a rare video game cartridge that barely anyone has heard of could be worth more than a box full of popular titles.

The Most Valuable Collectible Toys and Games You Might Actually Find

Beanie Baby - Princess Diana Bear

The Princess Diana commemorative Beanie Baby, released in 1997, was one of the most hyped collectibles of the late 1990s. The reality is more nuanced than the legends suggest. First-edition Princess Bears made in Indonesia (with a PVC pellet filling rather than PE) in mint condition with perfect tags sell for $500 to $5,000. The vast majority of Princess Bears, however, are later editions worth $5 to $50. The key is identifying first-edition markers: PVC pellets, Indonesian manufacture, and specific tag details.

Despite the myth that these bears are worth hundreds of thousands, realistic market values are much more modest. But a genuine first-edition example in pristine condition is still a meaningful collectible.

1st Edition Monopoly 1935 - Parker Brothers

The original 1935 Parker Brothers Monopoly is a landmark in board game history. First-edition sets can be identified by their black box with the "Trade Mark" text (not "Reg. U.S. Pat. Off."), and they included patent pending notices. Complete first-edition sets in good condition sell for $5,000 to $15,000. Even partial sets or those with wear bring $1,000 to $3,000. Later pre-war editions from the late 1930s and 1940s also have collector value.

Original Atari 2600 Air Raid Cartridge

One of the rarest video game cartridges ever produced. Air Raid was made by an obscure company called Men-A-Vision, and fewer than 20 copies are known to exist. A complete copy with box and manual sold for $33,433 in 2012. Even loose cartridges without packaging sell for $10,000 to $15,000. The cartridge has a distinctive T-handle shape that makes it easy to identify.

While Air Raid is an extreme example, other rare Atari 2600 cartridges like Red Sea Crossing, Gamma Attack, and Birthday Mania can also be worth thousands.

How to Tell If Your Toys and Games Are Valuable

Step 1: Identify What You Have

Start by cataloging your items:

Board games: Note the publisher, edition, and any identifying marks on the box
Video games: Check the platform (Atari, NES, SNES, etc.), title, and whether you have the original box and manual
Collectible toys: Identify the brand, series, and any distinguishing features (tags, markings, packaging)

Step 2: Check Edition and Printing

For board games, earlier editions are generally more valuable. Look for:

Patent dates and numbers on the board or box
Publisher changes (many classic games changed publishers over the decades)
Design differences between editions
"First edition" or early printing indicators

For video games, look at the label design, cart color, and any variant markings. Some cartridges had different label versions, and early production runs can be identified by specific characteristics.

Step 3: Evaluate Completeness

Completeness is critical for both board games and video games:

Board games: All pieces, cards, dice, game board, rules, and original box must be present for maximum value. Missing pieces significantly reduce value. Check the rules sheet for a complete component list.
Video games: A "complete in box" (CIB) game includes the cartridge or disc, original box, manual, and any inserts. CIB copies are typically worth 3 to 10 times more than loose cartridges.

Step 4: Assess Condition

Board game boxes: Check for crushing, splitting corners, fading, and water damage
Game components: Look for staining, writing, missing pieces, and wear
Video game cartridges: Check for label damage, marker writing, and that the game plays correctly
Collectible toys: Examine tags (crucial for Beanie Babies), packaging integrity, and overall cleanliness

Step 5: Research Current Market Values

Check completed eBay sales for your specific item in similar condition. For video games, PriceCharting.com provides detailed market data. For board games, BoardGameGeek's marketplace section shows recent sales. Always filter for "sold" listings rather than asking prices.

Value Factors for Collectible Toys and Games

Rarity and Production Numbers

Items produced in small quantities or for limited distribution windows are naturally more scarce. Recalled items, regional exclusives, and products from companies that quickly went out of business create collector scarcity.

Completeness and Packaging

Complete items in original packaging are worth dramatically more than incomplete or loose items. For video games, factory-sealed copies graded by WATA or VGA can command massive premiums over opened copies.

Condition

Condition drives pricing across all categories. A board game in "like new" condition with a crisp box and unmarked components can be worth 10 times more than a well-played copy of the same edition.

Nostalgia and Cultural Significance

Items tied to major cultural moments - hit TV shows, viral trends, or generational touchstones - maintain collector interest. Monopoly's status as the world's most recognized board game keeps early editions perpetually in demand.

Emerging Markets

The retro video game market has exploded in recent years, with rare cartridges seeing dramatic price increases. Sealed and graded games have become a distinct investment category, though this market has also seen controversy and price corrections.

What to Do With Your Collection

If You Think Something Is Valuable

Don't throw anything away without researching it first - even items that look worthless might have value
Keep items in their current storage - don't try to clean, repair, or reorganize
Photograph everything - clear photos of the item, any markings, and overall condition
Research specific items using completed eBay sales and specialist databases
Consult specialists for items that appear to be worth over $100

If It's a Common Collection

Most collections of board games and casual toys fall into this category. Options include:

Sell locally through Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, or consignment shops
Sell online through eBay or specialized platforms
Donate to schools, community centers, or thrift stores
Keep and enjoy - game nights with vintage board games are a blast

Frequently Asked Questions

Are old board games worth money?

Some are, particularly first editions of classic games (Monopoly, Clue, Risk), complete war games from the 1970s and 1980s, and vintage games with unique components. Most common board games from the past 30 years are worth $5 to $20, even if complete.

Which old video games are worth the most?

The most valuable tend to be rare titles from the Atari 2600, NES, and SNES eras. Sealed, graded copies of popular titles (like Super Mario Bros. for NES) have sold for enormous sums. Even loose cartridges of rare titles can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars. Stadium Events for NES, Air Raid for Atari 2600, and certain prototype cartridges top the value charts.

Are my Beanie Babies really worth thousands?

Almost certainly not. The vast majority of Beanie Babies are worth $1 to $10. Even "retired" and "rare" tag variations are typically worth $5 to $50. A small number of genuine first-edition rarities can bring $500 to $5,000 in perfect condition, but six-figure Beanie Baby sales are largely internet myths perpetuated by inflated asking prices on eBay.

Should I get video games professionally graded?

For sealed games potentially worth over $100, professional grading by WATA or VGA can significantly increase value. For opened games, grading is less common and the cost-benefit is less clear. The graded video game market has faced scrutiny and price corrections since 2021, so research current trends before investing in grading.

Are vintage puzzles worth anything?

Most are not, but there are exceptions. Hand-cut wooden jigsaw puzzles from the early 1900s (particularly by makers like Par and Pastime) can be worth $50 to $500 if complete. Puzzles must be complete - a missing piece makes a puzzle essentially unsellable to collectors.

How do I sell a rare video game cartridge?

For high-value items, Heritage Auctions and specialized gaming auction houses get strong prices. eBay is good for mid-range items. Local retro gaming stores will buy cartridges but typically pay 30-50% of market value. Online communities on Reddit (r/GameSale, r/retrogameswap) are also active markets.

Last updated: February 2026

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