Typically the value of any game is in the memories of the beholder.  Board games, as most
people think of them, are a relatively new.  The antiquity value of the game is based more on the
art work of the box, board and components, than on the name of the game.  Usually, but not
always, games do not have antiquity value until they are 60-70 years old.  In other words, when
the value of the game is no longer based on the memory of a person who played the game is
when the antiquity value becomes realized.

The values of board games is really a roller coaster ride.  When the games first came into print
they have a shelf value that they will sell for.  When first out of print, the value will actually sink
to almost nothing, because the demand will be generally low.

The value of the game will slowly rise again as the people who played them begin to have their
own children and they want to share those memories with their beloved children.

There will be a slight drop again as these game players reach into their 20’s and early 30â
€™s as the focus of this age group changes .

The values again peak when the original players of any said game reaches into their 40's and
50's.  The reason for this is the person in that age category has more disposable income and is
competing with others in his age group to relive some memories.

After that age group that played those games as youngsters reach their 60's and beyond, their
disposable income becomes less due to retirement.  The values of the games drop because the
demand for those games also drops.

The antiquity value then rises as the artwork of any game becomes less and less available.  At this
point you are looking at the value of the game based on the culture of the time period it was
printed.

Board game "value guide" books and antique guides are usually worthless in trying to determine
the value of a game based on memories, the first real peak of the values of games. I have actually
witnessed one antique guide stating a game is worth $85 and another stating the same game as
valued at $15. Those guides are dated and base their values usually on antiquity values of games.  
Antiquity values and memorical values are two totally different valuations.  Most game dealers
will not quote you a price either, because the memorical value of the game is in the beholder.  
The beholder is whoever wants a particular and what price they are willing to pay to get it.  
Therefore the value again can vary based purely on ones income range and amount of disposable
income.

The truest way to measure "memorical values" of games is to look at the prices of completed
auctions of ebay in about the months of late October to early December.  Memorical values are
highest then because people are using those memories as Christmas gifts and also as times when
family members get together and relive good times.
Darwin's Game Closet
Board Game Values