The research – conducted by Bitcade, the UK’s largest producer of custom-built arcade machines – analysed data from more than 13,000 listings across eBay, Gumtree, and WeBuy (CEX) for 23 different consoles.

The researchers collated data for each console and scored each one based on 4 key factors – rarity score (R), lowest current price (L), highest current price score (H), and the subsequent average potential price on the resale market score (A). After combining the four scores, the consoles were ranked against each other to reveal the ‘most valuable’ consoles in the second-hand resale market.

Top 10 most valuable consoles in the second-hand resale market:

Atari Jaguar (1993)
PlayStation 5 (2020)
Xbox Series X|S (2020)
Sega Dreamcast (1998)
PlayStation 4 (2013)
Nintendo Switch (2017)
PlayStation Vita (2011)
Sega Saturn (1990)
PlayStation 3 (2006)
Atari 2600 (1977)
Interestingly, the top 10 included a mixture of modern and retro consoles, as well as a variety of at-home, hybrid, and portable models. Looking at consoles released pre-Millennium, Atari Jaguar, Sega Dreamcast, and Sega Saturn were amongst those with the biggest earning potential. As recent releases (and so, likely to have retained a lot of their value), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series also featured.

For 21 of the consoles analysed, eBay was the most successful platform for attaining a high price. This except in the case of Nintendo Switch where Gumtree was more fruitful, and PlayStation 1 where WeBuy offered the most competitive price.

Jack England, director at Bitcade commented:

“With the rising cost of living, now is the time to get decluttering and find out how much cash you could get for selling some of your old items – which are likely in a cupboard or drawer gathering dust – and this includes gaming consoles and games. As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of new, hand-built arcade games machines, we know that arcade gaming continues to evolve and adapt… With a little help from modern tech, gamers can now enjoy the magic and nostalgia of arcades wherever they go.

“Retro consoles continue to have appeal – whilst modern consoles are popular, our data shows that retro gaming consoles are giving the more modern beasts a run for their money, with 4 of the top 10 being pre 2000 consoles. Based on these findings, we’d encourage consumers to check in their storage for any forgotten gaming gems which could be sold for a decent profit.

“Our tips for getting the biggest profit possible are as follows… Add as much detail as you can in the description, including all relevant game or console keywords within the title. To avoid any potential disputes with the buyer, it’s also important to be honest with the condition of the item in the listing. Think about the extras – if you can, throw in some games or accessories to create a bundle. Also consider any additional selling points of your item – for example, is it a rare or limited-edition version? Before sending your item, also remember to remove all personal data, such as login details and passwords. However, like all resale markets, a sale of your item is not guaranteed… If you are struggling to sell the whole item, consider selling for parts. If you cannot secure a sale, give trade-in alternatives, comparison sites, or recycling websites a go instead”.