If you’re a collector of video games then chances are you know of what titles to look out for when hunting in the wild. The original PlayStation had a ton of video game releases since it first launched but today we’re looking at some of the more rare and sought games. In this list we have picked out some of the most expensive and rare PlayStation video games in North America.
The prices are current at the time of writing this according to Pricecharting.com. Likewise, we are looking at games that are complete in box rather than being new or loose discs. Take a look at this list as you may have a few pricey PlayStation games in your old collection.
#10 ISS Pro Evolution
- Developer: Konami
- Publisher: Konami
- Release: June 6, 2000
- Price: $116
The ISS Pro was a football based video game series with ISS Pro Evolution releasing exclusively on the PlayStation platform. This installment contained a number of international teams with developers boasting the new player movements and visuals. Players could even save certain aspects of the game to their memory card such as replays and trophies earned.
Reviews for the title were even positive but the game had one issue against it. Because the PlayStation 2 released within the same year, interest was quickly moving away from the original PlayStation; thus the game didn’t sell as many copies as Konami had hoped. Now the game can fetch over $100 if you happened to stumble upon it out in the wild, this is one sports game to snatch up.
#9 Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
- Developer: Namco
- Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
- Release: March 10, 1998
- Price: $124
The PlayStation platform received a massive catalog of platforming video game titles. While some went on to be well-known and cherished today, others had fallen to being a bit of an obscurity. This may have been the case for Klonoa: Door to Phantomile. The game was a 2.5D platforming title that followed the events of Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil, a title that released in 1998.
Interestingly enough the game was a massive hit within Japan but failed to capture an audience in other markets. As a result the game is common in the Japanese markets but has become more of a rare title in the United States. Despite the game still living on with a remake on the Nintendo Wii, it’s the PlayStation version that will fetch the most money. At the time of writing this article, Klonoa: Door to Phantomile is about a $124 game.
#8 Suikoden II
- Developer: Konami
- Publisher: Konami
- Release: September 25, 1999
- Price: $130
Just a year before the launch of the PlayStation 2 came Suikoden II, the sequel to Suikoden. This is a tactical RPG video game where players control a party of characters against enemy forces. In fact, there’s a massive collection of characters that are featured within the game with over a hundred being recruitable for your army.
Reviews for the game were positive though the biggest downfall was the lack of purchases. Due to the game not selling well, Konami had halted printing additional runs of the game. This has made Suikoden II to be limited in the markets resulting in a price tag that can cost gamers over a $100 to add a copy into their collection.
#7 Valkyrie Profile
- Developer: Tri-Ace
- Publisher: Enix
- Release: August 29, 2000
- Price: $139
Valkyrie Profile was the first title within the franchise which had its latest release in 2016, though it currently is only available within the Japanese market. Regardless, this is a Norse mythology-based RPG developed under Tri-Ace. The game followed a valkyrie by the name of Lenneth who was on a journey to discover information about her original human life.
This series was a big hit in several markets but for whatever reason, failed to meet the positive reception within the United States resulting in the game not moving much stock. Again, this is just another case of a great title among critics but likely due to the PlayStation 2 release, the title was overlooked.
#6 Team Buddies
- Developer: Psygnosis Camden Studio
- Publisher: Midway Games
- Release: September 18, 2000
- Price: $140
It would have been easy to look over Team Buddies when it launched. The game was bright, colorful and cartoonish, but it wasn’t intended for children. At least, not outside of the North American release. The game was a tactical shooter where a peaceful world suddenly became corrupt after the inhabitants, known as Buddies, discover crates full of weapons.
This resulted in segregations and factions where groups of Buddies attempted to become supreme leaders of the land. As mentioned the game was meant for adults with its harsh language and humor but this humor was completely taken out from the North American release so that it would cater more to a younger audience.
Apparently there wasn’t much faith in the game as a small limited print was released into the markets followed by being scrapped afterwards. Now there’s a cult following with game collectors seeking to find a rare copy in the wild.
