Chrono Trigger in a box of junk: is traveling for retro games even worth it?

Last summer, I was driving through Ohio and saw a sign for a vintage shop. I pulled over, kinda on a whim, and spent an hour digging through boxes. I found a copy of Chrono Trigger for the SNES, but it was missing the manual. Paid twenty bucks for it, which felt like a steal. Now, some folks say hunting like this on trips is the best part of collecting, you never know what you'll find. But others think it's a huge time sink and you're better off just checking eBay from home. I mean, I almost missed my hotel check-in because of this, and my wife was not happy. So what do you all think? Is the adventure worth it, or should we stick to online deals?

4 comments

4 Comments

blair8811mo agoMost Upvoted

That "once in a lifetime" feeling isn't about the game, it's the story you get to tell.

foster.matthew1mo ago

No way, that's an insane find. I read this article last week about how game hunting trips are basically modern day treasure hunting, and finley679 is totally right about the story being the best part. The whole point is those random moments you'd never get from a buy-it-now button. Almost missing the hotel check-in just makes it a better tale later.

price.ray1mo ago

Honestly, scoring Chrono Trigger for twenty bucks is legendary. But almost missing your hotel? That's pushing it.

finley6791mo ago

Totally get where you're coming from, @price.ray. That find was a once in a lifetime kind of deal for a game that good. Old gems like that just don't show up for that price anymore, you know? So yeah, I was cutting it close with the hotel check in, but the trade off felt right in the moment. Some things are just worth a little last minute panic. You gotta jump on a win like that when you see it.