The Old School Game Vault

Hi there! Thanks for checking out our page—welcome to The Old School Game Vault! 🎮 We’ve been in the video game business since 2007, started by a self-proclaimed “Mad Chef” turned passionate retro gamer. Our goal? Sharing the love of video games, from the classics to the current gen. We're kind of like GameStop… but better. 😎 At theoldschoolgamevault.com, we make it easy to sell your used video games—from ColecoVision all the way to modern consoles. Whether you're selling a single game or an entire collection, we’ve got you covered with competitive prices and free shipping reimbursement. ✔️ Over 15,000 games priced on our site ✔️ Fast, easy online selling ✔️ Dozens of 5-star reviews ✔️ Backed by an A rating from the Better Business Bureau We’re also active across social media and run a gaming blog packed with cool insights and nostalgia. Be sure to follow us if you're into retro gaming and beyond!

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Fake Nintendo Switch games can be more subtle than a full counterfeit cartridge.

Sometimes the cartridge is real, but the label has been switched.

That is what we ran into with a Switch game labeled as Zelda: Breath of the Wild. At first glance, it looked genuine. But when we tested it, the actual game was JoJo Siwa.

After comparing several Switch cartridges side by side, the differences became easier to spot.

How to Spot a Fake Nintendo Switch Cartridge: Real vs Counterfeit

Learn how to spot fake Nintendo Switch games with expert tips on identifying counterfeit cartridges, packaging flaws, and serial number tric

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Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon is more than just a Game Boy Advance version of an old Sega Genesis game.

The original came out in 1992, and the GBA remake arrived in 2004 with new characters, battles, plot additions, and gameplay changes.

It keeps the strategy RPG foundation intact while giving the game enough updates to feel fresh for players who already knew the original.

This review looks at why Shining Force still has such good shelf life.

Shining Force Dark Dragon Review: Game Boy Advance

This GBA remake of the 1992 Genesis classic adds new characters, battles, and a card system. It won't blow Fire Emblem fans away, but it's w

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As PlayStation and Xbox move closer to an all-digital future, physical games matter more than ever.

Retro cartridges and discs are more than collectibles. They are games you actually own, can share with friends, display in your home, and continue playing without worrying about licenses, server shutdowns, or disappearing storefronts.

Read why retro games remain important as physical media begins to disappear: https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/retro-games-matter-physical-discs-disappearing

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Used Nintendo 3DS systems often come with one annoying surprise: parental controls are still turned on.

That can block you from formatting the system or changing settings, especially when the original owner does not remember the PIN.

This guide explains how to unlock Nintendo 3DS parental controls without the original PIN by using Nintendo’s official reset process.

How to Unlock Nintendo 3DS Parental Controls Without the PIN

Locked out of a Nintendo 3DS because of parental controls? Learn how to reset or recover the PIN, and how to generate a new master key with

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Store credit sounds good until you look closer.

When a retailer raises prices by 30% to 40%, your trade credit may not stretch as far as the receipt makes it seem.

Cash is different.

You can use it anywhere. You can pay bills, buy groceries, save it, or shop around for a better deal somewhere else. There is no pressure to buy from one store and no leftover balance to forget.

This article breaks down why cash often beats store credit when selling old video games.

Video Game Trade-In Prices Compared: Why Cash Beats Store Credit

Compare video game trade-in prices across major retailers, websites, and online stores. The Old School Game Vault pays over 250% more cash t

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CGMagazine published a guide on where to sell old video games for the most money.

The article compares four selling options and explains why the highest-looking offer is not always the best deal. Shipping, payment type, condition rules, fees, and how much work you want to do all matter.

For retro game collectors or anyone sitting on an old box of games, it is a helpful breakdown before deciding where to sell.

Where Can I Sell My Old Video Games for the Most Money?

The difference between a good payout and a disappointing one often comes down to who you sell your video games to, how you ship, and whether

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Bloodborne is difficult, but it does not feel difficult by accident.

There is no pause button. No map. No easy mode. The game expects you to pay attention, stay aggressive, and learn from every mistake.

That is what separates fair difficulty from cheap punishment.

Bloodborne is brutal, but when you finally beat a boss or survive an area that wrecked you ten times before, it feels earned.

Why Bloodborne Is So Hard — And Why We Love It

Bloodborne’s punishing difficulty and relentless design make it unforgettable. Discover why this action RPG remains one of the most rewardin

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Final Fantasy VII Remake is not just about better graphics.

It works because it remembers that you remember the original.

Playing the original FF7 right before the Remake makes the whole experience feel different. The music cues stand out more. Aerith’s theme hits harder. The dialogue feels more layered. Even the emotional gut punches land differently because the original is still fresh in your mind.

How Playing the Original FF7 Made Me Fall in Love with the Remake

Before diving into FF7 Remake and Rebirth, I went back to the 1997 original, and it made both games infinitely richer. Here's how I structur

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What was the 1990 Nintendo World Championships?

Nintendo toured 29 cities across the United States looking for the best video game players in the country. Long before modern esports, this was Nintendo turning competitive gaming into a national event.

The cartridges are now the stuff of collector legend.

Only 90 gray Nintendo World Championships cartridges were given to finalists. The gold version had just 26 copies made for a Nintendo Power contest.

What was the 1990 Nintendo World Championships?

Learn about the 'Holy Grail' of NES collecting: the Nintendo World Championships cartridge. Explore 1990 tournament history, gray vs. gold r

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BioShock Infinite vs The Last of Us: Which Wins a Decade Later?

One sent players into the bright, violent, impossible city of Columbia. The other dragged players through a ruined America with Joel and Ellie.

At launch, both games felt important. More than a decade later, the comparison feels different.

This article looks back at BioShock Infinite and The Last of Us to see which one has aged better and which one still carries more emotional weight today.

BioShock Infinite vs The Last of Us: Which Wins a Decade Later?

I hoped HBO would save Joel. They didn't. Comparing BioShock Infinite vs The Last of Us over a decade later - one creates emotional impact t

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The Sega 32X is one of the biggest “what were they thinking?” moments in retro gaming.

Sega had the Genesis. It had Sonic. It had momentum. By 1992, Sega was finally giving Nintendo a real fight in the console market.

Then the 32X happened.

Instead of making the next step clear, Sega released another add-on, pushed toward the Saturn, and left a lot of buyers confused about what system actually mattered.

This article looks at how Sega damaged its console strategy in just one year.

Sega 32X: How Sega Destroyed Its Console in One Year

You need three AC adapters and a power strip just to hook up a Sega 32X. I'm getting confused writing about it. How Sega destroyed the 32X i

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The Game of Nerds reviewed The Old School Game Vault and asked whether it is a legitimate place to sell old video games.

The article explains how the process works: sellers get an instant quote, ship their games with a prepaid label, and get paid after the collection is evaluated.

It also covers what The Old School Game Vault buys, what they do not buy, how they handle counterfeits, and why cash payments are different from stores that mostly push trade credit.

The review’s main point is that eBay might bring a little more in some cases, but it also means fees, shipping, listings, photos, and more work. For sellers who want a simpler option, The Old School Game Vault offers a good mix of fair pricing, quick payment, and communication.

The Old School Game Vault Review: Is It Legitimate? - The Game of Nerds

The Old School Game Vault usually offers better cash deals than most local game stores, but you might get a bit more if you sell your games

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About Brandon Perton, Owner of The Old School Game Vault

The Old School Game Vault started with Atari, NES, Tecmo Bowl, Zelda, Contra, and a kid who saved paper route money to buy games.

Founder Brandon Perton started the business in 2007 as an eBay consignment operation before shifting into buying and selling old video games and consoles. After a near-death accident in 2008, the business took on a clearer purpose: focus on the stuff he actually cared about.

Retro games were never just inventory. They were childhood memories, family memories, and eventually, a business worth tattooing on his arm as an NES controller cord.

About Brandon Perton - Founder of The Old School Game Vault

I faked sick to finish Zelda, saved paper route money for Tecmo Bowl, and founded The Old School Game Vault after a near-fatal 2008 car acci

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Believe It or Not: 6 Atari 2600 Games Worth More Than Your 401(k)

A basic loose Atari 2600 console might sell for around $30 to $50, and common games like Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Frogger usually sell for under $5. But a few Atari 2600 cartridges are so rare they can sell for thousands.

Gamma Attack is the big one, with only one known copy and a reported $500,000 listing.

Believe It or Not: 6 Atari 2600 Games Worth More Than Your 401(k)

Find the rarest Atari 2600 games worth thousands. See current prices for Gamma Attack, Air Raid, and more, plus a complete guide to Atari co

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Selling Video Games Online: What You Actually Keep After Fees

A price tracking site might show what a game sold for, but it usually does not show what the seller actually kept after fees, shipping, packing materials, and time.

This article breaks down the real costs behind a $50 online game sale and explains why instant quotes can be easier than doing the math yourself.

Selling Video Games Online: What You Actually Keep After Fees

Selling video games online? See what eBay and other marketplaces actually charge, including real fees, hidden costs, and what you keep.

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If you found The Old School Game Vault online and wondered, “Is this company actually legit?” this article answers that directly.

Brandon Perton, founder and owner of The Old School Game Vault, explains the company’s history, reviews, BBB accreditation, payment process, and how sellers can verify the business for themselves before sending in retro games.

The Old School Game Vault has been buying retro video games nationwide since 2008 and pays cash, not store credit.

Is The Old School Game Vault Legit? An Honest Answer

Wondering if The Old School Game Vault is legit? We've been buying and selling retro games since 2008 with 1,600+ reviews at 4.99 stars. Her

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How to Identify Fake GameCube Game Artwork and Case Inserts

Most fake case inserts are home-printed reproductions. The easiest signs to check are the spine text, paper feel, light reflection, and barcode quality.

If the spine looks off, the paper feels too thick, the gloss does not reflect like original semi-gloss stock, or the barcode looks fuzzy, there is a good chance the artwork is fake.

How to Identify Fake GameCube Game Artwork and Case Inserts

Learn how to spot fake GameCube case artwork and inserts. Check spine alignment, paper quality, light reflection, and barcode clarity to aut