Current Events > So I got an old SNES at a rummage sale this weekend. Turns out it's worth a lot.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I paid $250 for the system, which was complete in box. It was a special edition Donkey Kong Country release, which included the game.

Everything was in the box; the system, a controller, all cables, the DKC1 game, instruction manuals for the console AND game, and a poster.

Turns out the current market price for all of this is nearly $600. So I really have a nice find.

Pics in next post.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/3/6/AAaVCFAADXcE.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/3/7/AAaVCFAADXcF.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/3/8/AAaVCFAADXcG.jpg

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/3/9/AAaVCFAADXcH.jpg https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/4/0/AAaVCFAADXcI.jpg

Market price doesn't mean you'll get that much plus it looks in rough condition.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/4/1/AAaVCFAADXcJ.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/4/2/AAaVCFAADXcK.jpg

As you can see, the console is in rough shape. Very yellow and a bit dirty. But I'm going to try to retrobrite it.

The cartridge is in great shape, as are all of the manuals and cables. I used alcohol to wipe off the pen on the box and remove the sticker. It looks way better now.

250 at a rummage sale? Damn, people are sharks

If you just want it to own it then thats cool. If youre buying to flip stuff then youll find it not so fun for gaming stuff or itll become a 2nd job....

Mr_Karate_II posted...

Market price doesn't mean you'll get that much plus it looks in rough condition.

I've opened it up and inside the board is in great shape. The yellowing comes from UV exposure. Likely the system was left out for ages in the living room of whomever last owned it. It's possible to reverse the yellowing on the console plastic. I should be able to restore it to some of its former glory.

Darkprince21 posted...

250 at a rummage sale? Damn, people are sharks

Yeah, that's bit high considering the condition. I could see if it was unopened but it's not

You bought it to resell? Like the seller did you?.....

Mr_Karate_II posted...

Yeah, that's bit high considering the condition. I could see if it was unopened but it's not

Unopened is nearly $2000

https://www.pricecharting.com/game/super-nintendo/super-nintendo-donkey-kong-system

ZMythos posted...

I've opened it up and inside the board is in great shape. The yellowing comes from UV exposure. Likely the system was left out for ages in the living room of whomever last owned it. It's possible to reverse the yellowing on the console plastic. I should be able to restore it to some of its former glory.

It's not just UV exposure. It's a chemical property of the plastic that was used and happens naturally even in the dark.
But yeah, there's easy but annoying fixes.

ZMythos posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/4/1/AAaVCFAADXcJ.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/4/2/AAaVCFAADXcK.jpg

As you can see, the console is in rough shape. Very yellow and a bit dirty. But I'm going to try to retrobrite it.

The cartridge is in great shape, as are all of the manuals and cables. I used alcohol to wipe off the pen on the box and remove the sticker. It looks way better now.

Retrobrite doesn't last though. Personally I'd find a non working one with a great shell and swap the guts out

I was thinking it was unopened as well.

I dunno if 600 is right or not. It seems high. You can get all the pieces minus the actual boxes for 120-140 on Amazon.

I know original boxes add a good bit of value but that seems high. I'm not a collector or anything though so what do I know.

Oh man, that's the second SNES I got after the first one broke down; got it on my birthday in 1994(?), no less.

ChocoboMogALT posted...

It's not just UV exposure. It's a chemical property of the plastic that was used and happens naturally even in the dark.
But yeah, there's easy but annoying fixes.

LordMarshal posted...

You bought it to resell? Like the seller did you?.....

No, I like to restore vintage games and systems as a hobby. I don't specifically like flipping them for profit. But I like to make them look like new and use them. And, eventually, when I've had my fun with them and want to sell them, they'll be worth much more due to time and the effort I put in restoring them.

I already have a Super Nintendo Jr. model that I've kept since I was a kid. So this is the second SNES I own. The Jr. is in great shape by comparison, but I've since lost all of the manuals and the box.

Its just my opinion but only mess with retro stuff if you enjoy it. Theres so much better things to flip.....

LordMarshal posted...

Its just my opinion but only mess with retro stuff if you enjoy it. There's so much better things to flip.....

Yea, I don't intend on selling it after I restore it. I like collecting and preserving gaming stuff from my childhood.

I'm going to need you to hand over the entire set to me immediately.

Because reasons.

$600 seems incredible high considering the box is the only unique thing about the set. It's literally a standard SNES and DKC in the same box. Your manual and inserts look great.

Actually just found this on ebay. Same item but much less yellowing, additional controller, and 3 additional games. For $240.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/394106431601

Bummer the box is wrote on. But I'm sure Julie and Leland are nice people.

ZMythos posted...

Yea, I don't intend on selling it after I restore it. I like collecting and preserving gaming stuff from my childhood.

How far into the restoring process? Do you open up the system to clean inside and replace the capacitors?

aurlen posted...

Bummer the box is wrote on. But I'm sure Julie and Leland are nice people.

Isopropyl alcohol removed the ink without damaging the box.

BlazinBlue88 posted...

How far into the restoring process? Do you open up the system to clean inside and replace the capacitors?

I haven't done anything besides wipe the box down and open up the system.

BlazinBlue88 posted...

$600 seems incredible high considering the box is the only unique thing about the set. It's literally a standard SNES and DKC in the same box. Your manual and inserts look great.

Actually just found this on ebay. Same item but much less yellowing, additional controller, and 3 additional games. For $240.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/394106431601

The manuals seem to add a lot to the value of the box set. Also it looks like that SNES has a component output, which I believe is an aftermarket inclusion. An original SNES has RF to Coax adapter and cables.

why Not just buy an SNES mini and hack it for that price?

bobaban posted...

why Not just buy an SNES mini and hack it for that price?

I already have an SNES with many games. I bought it for the sentimental value and to restore it.

ZMythos posted...

I haven't done anything besides wipe the box down and open up the system.

No you said you like to restore game systems as a hobby. Curious what all you normally do to restore them.

ZMythos posted...

The manuals seem to add a lot to the value of the box set. Also it looks like that SNES has a component output, which I believe is an aftermarket inclusion. An original SNES has RF to Coax adapter and cables.

Those little inserts and posters are what'll bump up the value the most. Apparently it was normal for people to throw that stuff away for whatever reason.

The SNES can output up to s-video natively. It can output component but requires a mod. Not sure what cables came in the box originally since I didn't have one growing up. I did buy a Japanese SNES(Super Famicom last year). It came with a composite cable but I bought an official Nintendo s-video cable to use with it.

Does it smell like cigarettes?

BlazinBlue88 posted...

No you said you like to restore game systems as a hobby. Curious what all you normally do to restore them.

Oh, I thought you were asking how much restoration I've done so far to that system.

I'm self-taught in soldering, and I've replaced small components before like resistors, batteries, and capacitors in the past. I try to research the specific parts and then order them online. I also try to learn a bit about the circuit diagrams and chips. I have a multimeter that I use to test continuity for example.

I haven't done any large scale restoration. and I've had my fair share of blunders. I accidently broke a backlit screen for a GBC mod I was attempting one time.

I usually use alcohol and a toothbrush to clean the board, and baking soda on any plastics or metals with stubborn dirt and grime. Otherwise I just do soap and water on the casing.

I haven't done any retrobriting in the past, so this will be my first attempt. I've got a good spot with constant sunlight so I'll do it naturally vs. with UV lamps or LEDs.

That's the exact same box I got my SNES in. What a throwback!

Trumpo posted...

Does it smell like cigarettes?

Nah, the yellowing comes from exposure to the air and UV light. You'll see a lot of old electronics that have yellowing on the parts that were in the sun vs. in its own shade.

It's a reversible process, but there's plenty of debate on the best techniques and their ability to last.

ZMythos posted...

Isopropyl alcohol removed the ink without damaging the box.

Nice

Trumpo posted...

Does it smell like cigarettes?

maybe. i had complaints on games i traded smelled like cigarrettes.
but that story is for another day.