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Golden Axe II Sega Genesis Box Art
Golden Axe II Sega Genesis Box Art

Description: Golden Axe II Sega Genesis Box Art Year: 1991 Medium: Oil on canvas Image Area: 20" x 23.5" Image Source: Online Condition: Excellent
- Golden Axe II Sega Genesis Box Art
- Artist:
  
  Boris Vallejo (b. 1941)
In the Collection of OVGA Database
Sonic The Comic Issue 83 August 1996
Sonic The Comic Issue 83 August 1996

Description: Sonic The Comic Issue 83 Year: 1996 Medium: Mixed Media Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Some staining
- Sonic The Comic Issue 83 August 1996
- Artist:
  
  Carl Flint
In the Collection of Jamie Lequire
Surf Ninjas Sega Game Gear Promotional Art
Surf Ninjas Sega Game Gear Promotional Art

Description: Surf Ninjas magazine advertisement as part of the "Welcome to the Next Level" ad campaign by Goodby Silverstein & Partners, which managed Sega's marketing budget between 1992 and 1996. Signed at lower left. Date Completed: June 21, 1993 Medium: Acrylic on board (stripped) Image Area: 25 3/4" x 16" Image Source: Original Condition: Very good, minor tape residue at lower left
- Surf Ninjas Sega Game Gear Promotional Art
- Artist:
  
  Roger Loveless (b. 1957)
In the Collection of trsteve87
Gordo 106 Super Nintendo Unreleased Box Art
Gordo 106 Super Nintendo Unreleased Box Art

Description: Gordo 106 was released for the Atari Lynx and had a planned Super Nintendo port that was set to be published by DTMC. The port was canceled but this box art painting had already been commissioned and completed. Year: 1993/1994Medium: Mixed Media (acrylic, a touch of oil, and a bit of pastels) on paperImage Area: 11" x 8.25"Image Source: OriginalCondition:
- Gordo 106 Super Nintendo Unreleased Box Art
- Artist:
  
  Michel Bohbot (b. 1955)
In the Collection of Anonymous
Unreleased Home Computer Game Box Art
Unreleased Home Computer Game Box Art

Description: Unreleased Home Computer Game Box Art Year: 1995 Medium: Acrylic Airbrush on paper Image Area: Image Source: Original Condition: Some image warping, scratches
- Unreleased Home Computer Game Box Art
- Artist:
  
  Yasushi Torisawa 酉澤安施 (b. 1962)
In the Collection of Anonymous
Games Master Issue 34 October 1995 Mortal Kombat 3 Cover Art
Games Master Issue 34 October 1995 Mortal Kombat 3 Cover Art

Description: Games Master Issue 34 October 1995 Mortal Kombat 3 Cover Art. The Name on the Tombstones were Editors that worked at Future Magazine, something requested by the art editor. Year: 1995 Medium: Acrylic on board Image Area: Width 40CM x Height 59CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent condition
- Games Master Issue 34 October 1995 Mortal Kombat 3 Cover Art
- Artist:
  
  Paul Kidby (b. 1964)
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind Super Nintendo Manual Artwork
Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind Super Nintendo Manual Artwork

Description: Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind Super Nintendo Manual Artwork. A 16-page comic book within the Manual by artist Ken Macklin. This is the complete 16 pages of originals. Year: 1993 Medium: Acrylic on board Image Area: 12"x 9" to 16"x 12" The largest of the paintings is a double page spread Pg 12,13 Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent
- Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind Super Nintendo Manual Artwork
- Artist:
  
  Ken Macklin (b. 1954)
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
Dig & Spike Volleyball Super Nintendo Unused Box Art
Dig & Spike Volleyball Super Nintendo Unused Box Art

Description: Dig & Spike Volleyball Super Nintendo Unused Box Art Year: 1992 Medium: Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent
- Dig & Spike Volleyball Super Nintendo Unused Box Art
- Artist:
  
  Lee MacLeod (b. 1953)
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
Golden Axe Sega Arcade Promotional Ad Artwork
Golden Axe Sega Arcade Promotional Ad Artwork

Description: Golden Axe Sega Arcade Promotional Ad Artwork Year: Medium: Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent Framing Details: Framers: Fine Artisan Frame Makers, London UK Glass: UV Anti-Reflective Artglass AR 99™ Moulding: Italian Brown Gold Shoulders Attachments: Tray/Sink Mount Backing Board: Archival Buffered Meridian High Density Acid Free Board Mount Board: Conservation Suedette Cabernet 1600
- Golden Axe Sega Arcade Promotional Ad Artwork
- Artist:
  
  Joe Spencer
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
Might and Magic ii Super Nintendo Preliminary Sketch
Might and Magic ii Super Nintendo Preliminary Sketch

Description: Might and Magic ii Super Nintendo Preliminary Sketch of "Map of the World Cron" The black and white layout of the World of Cron, is made up of actual drawing and printed material on velum. Year: 1995 Medium: Image Area: Width 36" x Height 27" Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent
- Might and Magic ii Super Nintendo Preliminary Sketch
- Artist:
  
  Jim Krogle (b. 1944)
In the Collection of Anonymous
Time Lord NES Manual Interior Artwork
Time Lord NES Manual Interior Artwork

Description: Time Lord NES Manual Interior Artwork Year: 1991 Medium: Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent Framing Details: Framers: Fine Artisan Frame Makers, London Glass: UV Anti-Reflective Artglass AR 99™ Moulding: Red Eye Attachments: Cotton Paper Hinges Backing Board: Archival Buffered Meridian High Density Acid Free Board Mount Board: Conservation White Core Suedette, Ebony 1600
- Time Lord NES Manual Interior Artwork
- Artist:
  
  Rick Grayson
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
Sonic Life Saver Promotional Ad Art
Sonic Life Saver Promotional Ad Art

Description: Sonic Life Saver Promotional Ad Art Mixed medium with the Box Art being somehow printed then highlighted with paint. Same for the LifeSavers sweets. Year: 1994 Medium: Mixed Media Acrylic and Pens Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent Framing Details: Framers: Fine Artisan Frame Makers, London Glass: UV Anti-Reflective Artglass AR 99™ Moulding: Italian Ivory Cassetta with gold slip Attachments: Paper
- Sonic Life Saver Promotional Ad Art
- Artist:
  
  Greg Martin (1956–2013)
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
Space Ace Super Nintendo Box Art
Space Ace Super Nintendo Box Art

Description: Space Ace Super Nintendo Box Art. Designed and Drawn by Don Bluth Year: 1994 Medium: Mixed Media / Airbrush Image Area: Width 62CM x Height 44CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent Framing Details: Framers: Fine Artisan Frame Makers, London UK Glass: UV Anti-Reflective Artglass AR 99™ Moulding: Lucerne Black/Silver Attachments: Tray/Sink Mount Backing Board: Archival Buffered Meridian High Density Acid Free Board Mount Board: Conservation White Core Suedette, Blue Night 1600
- Space Ace Super Nintendo Box Art
- Artist:
  
  Don Bluth (b. 1937)
In the Collection of Imran A
Aquatic Games starring James Pond and the Aquabats - Mega Drive Title Art
Aquatic Games starring James Pond and the Aquabats - Mega Drive Title Art

Description: Aquatic Games starring James Pond and the Aquabats - Mega Drive Title Art Year: 1992 Medium: Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent
- Aquatic Games starring James Pond and the Aquabats - Mega Drive Title Art
- Artist:
  
  David Rowe (b. 1950)
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
Darkstalkers The Night Warriors & Darkstalkers Revenge Capcom Gamest Book Cover Art
Darkstalkers The Night Warriors & Darkstalkers Revenge Capcom Gamest Book Cover Art

Description: Vampire Mysteries: Capcom developers reveal the monsters' secrets, is a book about Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors and Darkstalkers' Revenge. It was put together by Gamest Books Editorial Department and Capcom Development Team. Vampire no Nazo The book lays out the background behind the characters and mythology in the game, answering questions about unexplained things from the game, with short essays speculating on various subjects. Year: Medium: Image Area: Width x Heigh
- Darkstalkers The Night Warriors & Darkstalkers Revenge Capcom Gamest Book Cover Art
- Artist:
  
  Hisashi Fujiwara 藤原ひさし
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy Unreleased Sega Saturn Box Art
The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy Unreleased Sega Saturn Box Art

Description: The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy Unreleased Sega Saturn Box Art Box Art Year: Medium: Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent
- The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy Unreleased Sega Saturn Box Art
- Artist:
  
  Hisashi Fujiwara 藤原ひさし
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
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ThunderHawk Sega CD Game On the Genesis/Mega Drive Box Art
ThunderHawk Sega CD Game On the Genesis/Mega Drive Box Art

Description: ThunderHawk Sega CD Game On the Genesis/Mega Drive Box Art Year: 1993 Medium: Mixed Media Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent
- ThunderHawk Sega CD Game On the Genesis/Mega Drive Box Art
- Artist:
  
  Koichi Miyajima
In the Collection of Imran A
Mega Man 7 Super Nintendo Promotional Artwork
Mega Man 7 Super Nintendo Promotional Artwork

Description: Mega Man 7 Super Nintendo Promotional Artwork Year: 1995 Medium: Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent
- Mega Man 7 Super Nintendo Promotional Artwork
- Artist:
  
  Greg Winters (b. 1956)
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
Super Play Magazine Issue 20 June 1994 Metroid Cover Art
Super Play Magazine Issue 20 June 1994 Metroid Cover Art

Description: Super Play Magazine Issue 20 June 1994 Metroid Cover Art Here is what the Artist Wil Overton had to say about this piece: "I donated it to a charity auction some years ago. The linework was done by hand, transferred to the acetate and then painted by hand in an animation cel style. On the magazine, the background was a stock library photograph, licensed by the Art Editor" Year: 1994 Medium: Acetate cel Image Area: Width 15" x Height 11" Image Source: Original Conditi
- Super Play Magazine Issue 20 June 1994 Metroid Cover Art
- Artist:
  
  Wil Overton
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK
Your Sinclair Issue 51 March 1990 Interior Page Art
Your Sinclair Issue 51 March 1990 Interior Page Art

Description: Your Sinclair Issue 51 March 1990 Interior Page Art Year: 1990 Medium: Image Area: Width x Height IN/CM Image Source: Original Condition: Excellent
- Your Sinclair Issue 51 March 1990 Interior Page Art
- Artist:
  
  Paul McCaffrey
In the Collection of Ibrahim_UK

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OVGA Blog

A group blog by OVGA Curators in Latest
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OVGA Curators blog entries
New to buying game art? An OVGA Buyer’s Guide, by Dan Maresca

Latest entry by Sanford_US, March 1, 20251 yr
[First written alongside the launch of the site in November 2022, this buyer's guide has been revised as of February 2025, with minor updates and editing by Sanford Hesler]

So you want to buy art for the first time. Welcome! It’s a wonderful hobby and you’ll enjoy it tremendously. There’s truly nothing as special that I’ve found in this hobby and you’ll learn so much, and meet lots of great people. There’s nothing better, at least for my money, in the world to collect. I started collecting art in late 2007 and it was absolutely hook, line and sinker for me—practically an all consuming passion that completely overtook any interest I had in other hobbies. You will have your own experience—it may or may not be exactly like mine, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it either way.

BUILDING A FOUNDATION

One thing that I’ve noticed many times is that people already collecting painted illustrations of another type (Magic the Gathering artwork, for example) have an easier time adjusting to collecting video game art. That's not to say that everybody doesn't get there in the end, but it's just an observation that those with a previous grounding tend to understand which pieces are better than others and what they might expect to pay for certain things better than most newcomers. Why is that? The reasons may be varied but likely because they have a bit of grounding in art collecting and a bit of a sense of hierarchy in terms of the factors that can make pieces better or worse than others. They understand that there is ONE illustration, in the WORLD, for any given game piece, and the more things the piece has going for it, the more they are going to expect to pay.

Hierarchy? Explain.

Substitute desirability, pros and cons, whatever other word or phrase you want to use. The point is, every piece has things going for it, and against it. A common remark from the brand new collector is that they say piece A available for $x and piece B available for $3x and they don’t understand why one is more than the other. Sometimes I think it's because some new collectors want all the pieces they see to be in a range they are comfortable in. However, there’s also a bit of education or understanding that happens over time with respect to what factors can increase/decrease price. A very non-exhaustive list of potential price factors:
- The game itself. Was it well remembered? Was it good? Is it collectible? Does the game itself go for good money? Is it a cult classic? etc.
- The console on which the game was published. NES pieces are probably going to go for more than virtually anything else. Pieces for an obscure console are going to sell for less, generally.
- The game publisher. An Enix or Capcom anything is going to be an easier sell than anything by Bullet Proof Software.
- The artist. Some artists are known for their game work, and that may get a premium. Some artists have well-developed markets outside of games which may serve to establish a range for that artist’s work regardless of any other factors.
- Size. This may come as a surprise at first,but a 6 x 4 inch illustration is going to feel awfully small and have little presence in hand. Conversely, a nice 30 x 20 inch painting smacks you in the face in person—lots of power and presence. Remember or understand that while the length of the painting is often shorthand for the size, a 30 inch (by 20 inch) painting isn’t 5 times the size of a 6 inch (by 4 inch) painting, it's 25(!) times the size. 5 times as large for each dimension. The one is smaller than a NES box, the other is a good-sized window. Again, 25x the size. Believe me, that makes a huge difference in how the painting looks in hand.
- Image quality. Art doesn’t have to be displayed, but many people do display at least a piece or two. As such, if the painting is well rendered and pleasing to look at, it's always going to be a nice positive versus something a little harder to look at.
- Usage of artwork. For a console game, the prime piece is generally going to be the main box image. Other official art may exist such as for promotional usage or for a game map or insert. There is also artwork for magazines. You can rank that as a whole other hierarchy too in that covers are going to be better than interiors, better publications are going to go for more and…
- Characters. Better characters are going to go for more as well generally speaking. Maybe you have artwork for a Mario game, but Mario isn’t even on it (and Princess Peach is). That’s going to be less appealing to most people than the piece would be if it featured Mario.
- Final artwork vs preliminary. Both are wonderful pre-production artifacts and in many ways the preliminaries show the creative process better, but the final, published works typically sell for more. I don’t see that as a negative, just a fact. The finals are going to cost more, and the preliminaries are going to be more accessible.
PRICE COMPS

Often, the new collector wants to know what things have sold for in the past to get a sense of what a piece they are looking at should be priced at. While that’s understandable it's also something you will have to get past. These pieces are all one of a kind. There is no perfect price comp for the piece you are looking at until it sells! That being said, once you have an understanding of some past sales, where the market is at, and what the desirability factors above are, it becomes pretty easy to slot things in where they should belong on a ‘A sold for X, B sold for Y, C should be in between’ type basis.

So, where do you get those data points?

Well, for starters, join the Original Video Game Art Collectors Facebook group. Look at any pieces currently offered for sale and scroll back through the group’s history for some past sales. Talk to people, ask questions, and find out what (and WHEN!) they paid for things. Private sales between collectors are where most game art sales have happened historically. Look also at Heritage Auctions price history as well; some sales have happened there and others are sure to follow! While Heritage has increasingly become a source for some comparables, aside from a pair of sales in January 2023 for Prince of Persia and Bionic Commando (for $63,000 and for $45,600, respectively) it has generally lacked high-end comparables. There have been a series of sales above the $20,000 mark, but in general, pieces above a certain level of desirability have not really hit Heritage or other auction houses yet.

Pieces of that upper tier, such as for the Street Fighter franchise, have traded hands only privately and well above the $100,000 mark. Unfortunately, sellers tend to want to avoid the attention and the buyers tend to want to avoid pushing prices up on themselves, so getting people to be open about the significant private sales can be difficult although these details are known ‘in the grapevine’ if you ask around.

Basically, keep your eyes and ears open, ask questions, and understand that if you’re looking for a perfect and public comp on a one-of-a-kind item, it's simply not going to exist and will take a little more thought and work than you may be used to until such time as you get the hang of it. It does get easier, but it takes a little while to build up that mental profile of what the market on things is like.

OVGA is working on curating a spreadsheet of public video game art sales and will incorporate a link to that sheet as part of a subsequent update.

YOUR TASTES ARE PROBABLY NOT SO DIFFERENT!

This is one that I think everyone should remind themselves of from time to time. Sometimes as collectors we justify lower perceived value ranges on a given piece by telling ourselves that ‘that cover is nothing special, but I just really like it, it should go for X.’

Well, guess what? As collectors, for the most part, we aren’t so different. If you like something (you just really liked that game, or you really liked that box art image, or whatever draws you to the piece) chances are others like it too and are drawn to it for the exact same reasons! If the game you are really excited about is some 2 star unlicensed foreign game with a 1 star cover image by an anonymous artist on a console no one has ever heard of, then yes, you’re right—it should be inexpensive.

If on the other hand, your idea of a game cover that is super ‘under the radar’ is something like Brain Lord for SNES, adjust your expectations. That’s a reasonably well known game, for a very well known maker on a super well known console. Many collectors would be excited to have that in their collection.

POPULATION

There are less than 100 NES box art originals known so far and less than 100 SNES as well, with even less Genesis, Game Boy, and so on. Similar numbers of ads and promo pieces are known. Video game magazine art (Nintendo Power, Sega Visions, EGM, GamePro, etc) is more available as there was just more of it created, but obviously a magazine cover featuring a great game is going to be more desirable than a small interior illustration for a game no one has heard of. Many pieces of box art were destroyed or owned by the corporations or have images that are photos or logos. When you filter it down all the way, the published final box art paintings are beyond rare and so even relatively minor pieces can cause a stir with collectors.

Artwork for early games (pre-1990, Atari etc) is almost completely non-existent and the later stuff (post-1995) is almost completely digital.

LOVE WHAT YOU FIND

Because there are so many games in a library (say 800 for NES) and a much smaller number of originals that exist, and a much smaller than that number of originals that exist for memorable games, and a lot of image duplication between consoles (the same image might be used for the same game across NES, SNES, and Game Boy releases, for example) don’t expect anyone to sell you the box art to Mega Man X anytime soon, unless its for a fortune. Why would the owner sell something that good just to have some money to buy something not nearly as good with?

You will likely learn to appreciate all vintage pieces. Each one is a survivor and a jewel. But many collectors set their sights too high when crossing over from game collecting because they take the checklist approach that is possible in games themselves (I’m going to buy 9.8 copies of every sealed Mario game) to game art, and are surprised when they can’t find any AAA franchise pieces that aren’t priced to the moon. Asking for the Street Fighter 2 box art is like a new game collector coming onto a Facebook group and asking about a sticker sealed Super Mario Bros! You’re asking for a mega grail that EVERYONE would want in their collection. Expect the new house-in-the-nice-neighborhood kind of price.

PRIVACY

“What do you have?” he asks. “I dunno, what are you looking for?” he replies.

There are all sorts of reasons why someone may not want to hand you a list of their entire collection. They may be private, in general. They may have purchases or sales relating to those items happening. They may not have an easy-to-access list. They may not be interested in digging things out or have a long conversation with someone they haven’t dealt with before.

Anything a person shares is great. But respect that we all have our reasons for sharing and for keeping things private too and we have no right to place our expectations onto what others may or may not want to do. All of the art shared on OVGA is artwork that the owner chose to share, and that’s wonderful. Not everyone will make that choice for every piece.

PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS

“What do you want for that?” buyer asks. “I don’t know, what are you offering?” seller replies.

So many private deal conversations start that way. There are also many reasons why a seller may or may not want to attach a price to something. The buyer certainly appreciates hearing an actual number and having a starting point. The seller on the other hand, may not be so keen on that. Perhaps they simply haven’t considered what they’d be comfortable with on the piece, and don’t want to put a number out there (once you put it out there, you can’t take it back—the buyer will cling to that number like an emaciated junkyard dog on a medium rare T-bone). Perhaps they don’t want to put a number out there in a rising market because the buyer will expect the number to be the same in three months if they change their mind (see: T-bone). Perhaps they have a use for the money right now, or perhaps they don’t. Perhaps they want the buyer to offer first to see if the two are even in the same ballpark (and without offending the buyer, if the number is too high for them).

Again, all sorts of reasons, and one of a kind property. You’re going to have to get comfortable with either making offers, or passing on pieces where you can’t get a price, or asking indirect questions (‘more than 50 less than 100?’) to narrow things down, if you are looking to purchase pieces privately.

COLLECTION PIECES

Maybe the owner wants to sell, and maybe they don’t. I know which situation will result in a lower price and which will result in a higher price. The common thread here is that every situation is different and while that may take some getting used to coming from the ‘this exact game sold on Tuesday for $X’ experience, it’s a reflection of the fact that each piece is irreplaceable. There is no Tuesday sale.

There is perhaps a more desirable piece of art that sold six months ago and a less desirable one that sold nine months ago, and you’ll have to put a little effort in and ask some questions, but it's incredibly rewarding once you have the art in hand.

ENJOY

Most of all enjoy! Join OVGA, join the Original Video Game Art Collectors Facebook group, meet other people, and ask questions. In my opinion, this is the best hobby in the world and there is a whole world of art and information out there that you may never have even considered before. I wish you the best.
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