Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS collecting has exploded in the past few years. Prices have risen significantly, and some titles are now worth serious money. Here's what's actually valuable and what to watch for.
Why GBA and DS Values Have Risen
- The generation that grew up with these consoles now has disposable income and nostalgia to spend
- Nintendo hasn't made most of these games available digitally — no Switch Online GBA library for most titles means the original cartridge is the only way to play
- Physical print runs were finite. Supply can't increase; demand keeps rising.
- The YouTube retro gaming community has driven awareness of rare titles
Most Valuable GBA Games in Australia
Pokemon titles (always high demand)
- Pokemon Emerald: $80–180 AUD loose, $250–500 AUD complete in box (CIB) — authentic, not repro
- Pokemon FireRed / LeafGreen: $50–120 AUD loose each
- Pokemon Ruby / Sapphire: $40–80 AUD loose
- Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team: $40–80 AUD loose
Critical note on Pokemon GBA: The GBA Pokemon games are the most commonly faked cartridges in existence. A genuine Pokemon Emerald has a sticker label with a holographic Nintendo seal, a specific PCB layout visible through the shell screw holes, and saves correctly. Fakes are extremely common.
RPGs (highest price ceiling outside Pokemon)
- Mother 3 (Japan only — JPN version): $80–150 AUD — never officially released in English
- Final Fantasy VI Advance: $80–150 AUD
- Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow: $80–150 AUD
- Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance: $60–120 AUD
- Metroid Fusion: $60–120 AUD
- Metroid: Zero Mission: $60–120 AUD
- Golden Sun / Golden Sun: The Lost Age: $50–100 AUD each
- Fire Emblem (first English release): $80–160 AUD
- Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones: $80–150 AUD
Action / Adventure
- Mega Man Zero series (1–4): $40–100 AUD each
- Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand: $60–120 AUD (has light sensor — unusual)
- Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Four Swords: $40–80 AUD
- Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap: $60–120 AUD
Most Valuable DS Games in Australia
Pokemon DS titles
- Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilver: $120–250 AUD (with Pokewalker CIB: $300–500 AUD)
- Pokemon Platinum: $150–280 AUD — the rarest of the main series DS Pokemon games
- Pokemon Black 2 / White 2: $80–150 AUD each
- Pokemon Diamond / Pearl / Black / White: $50–100 AUD each
Pokemon Platinum is the hardest to find in genuine, working condition. The battery in the cartridge can fail, corrupting saves. A working, authentic Platinum is worth paying a premium for.
RPGs and JRPGs
- Chrono Trigger DS: $80–200 AUD
- Radiant Historia: $80–160 AUD
- Solatorobo: Red the Hunter: $80–150 AUD
- The World Ends With You: $60–120 AUD
- Suikoden Tierkreis: $60–120 AUD
- Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey: $60–120 AUD
Action / Adventure
- Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia: $80–160 AUD
- Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin: $60–120 AUD
- Zelda: Spirit Tracks / Phantom Hourglass: $40–80 AUD each
- Megaman ZX / ZX Advent: $50–100 AUD each
Lifestyle and Simulation
- Kirby Mass Attack: $50–100 AUD
- Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force (Heritage Interest): $30–60 AUD
What CIB Means and Why It Matters
CIB = Complete In Box (game + box + manual). Values above are for loose cartridges unless otherwise noted. CIB versions are typically 2–4× the loose cartridge price for most titles, sometimes more for factory-sealed copies.
For GBA especially, the original box is quite fragile — finding CIB copies in good condition is genuinely difficult and commands strong premiums.
Condition Matters
For retro carts, condition grades that matter:
- Label condition: Faded, torn, or stickered labels significantly reduce value
- Cart shell condition: Heavy yellowing (on white/grey carts), cracks, or missing battery cover
- Save battery: GBA carts use a coin cell battery. If the save battery is dead, the game still plays but can't save. Mention this in listings — it's a $5 fix but buyers need to know.
- PCB condition: Corrosion on the contacts or inside the shell
Spotting Fakes
GBA Pokemon games are heavily faked. Red flags:
- Label feels glossy/plasticky rather than slightly matte like an original Nintendo sticker
- Board is visible through the screw hole and has a different colour/layout than genuine
- Game boots to a language selection screen (original GBA games don't do this)
- Price is suspiciously low
DS fakes are less common but exist, particularly for Pokemon games. Check that the game loads the DS firmware intro correctly and saves/loads properly.
At HOKO Collectables, every retro game we sell is authenticated and accurately described. Browse our retro gaming collection or email hokotcgshop@gmail.com if you're looking for something specific.