California Games
Sega Genesis · 1987
About this game
California Games was the original "Extreme Games" – what today's generation might call "X-Games in the sun".
Players can select sponsors (absent in some versions) and compete in events such as skateboarding, footbag, surfing, roller skating, flying disc (frisbee) and BMX.
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The surfing event is ranked by judges, which give a score to help the players improve their routine.
The Atari versions (2600 and Lynx) of the game omit the flying disc and roller skating events, while the Genesis version omits only the flying disc event.
About Sega Genesis
Known as the Mega Drive outside North America, the Sega Genesis (1988/1989) was Sega's most successful console and Sonic the Hedgehog's original home, fueling the "console wars" era against Nintendo's SNES. Genesis cartridge collecting is well-established: common sports and platformer titles are affordable, while sports-license and later-era games with smaller print runs can carry a meaningful premium.
Gamevaro tracks California Games for Sega Genesis with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding California Games to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This GEN release dates back to 1987.
Price history
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-14 | Item only | NTSC-U | €14.43 |
| 2026-07-14 | Item only | PAL | €17.01 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €7.64 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | PAL | €12.49 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | PAL | €17.61 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €222.56 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | PAL | €5.84 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | PAL | €48.12 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | PAL | €43.74 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €71.22 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | PAL | €8.96 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.48 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-U | €9.52 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €18.70 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €19.00 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | PAL | €5.84 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | PAL | €43.73 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €7.67 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.48 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | PAL | €12.49 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | PAL | €8.95 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | NTSC-U | €9.51 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €222.47 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | PAL | €17.60 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | PAL | €48.10 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €71.13 |
| 2026-06-18 | New (sealed) | PAL | €41.40 |
| 2026-06-18 | Manual Only | PAL | €5.76 |
| 2026-06-18 | Item only | NTSC-U | €10.68 |
| 2026-06-18 | Box Only | PAL | €12.32 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
California Games has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning enough copies circulate to establish a reliable market price.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is California Games worth?
California Games for Sega Genesis is currently worth €17.01 loose, €17.61 complete in box, and €43.74 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is California Games rare?
California Games has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for California Games?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For California Games, loose is €17.01 and CIB is €17.61 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Is California Games worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of California Games is currently worth €17.01 loose, versus €14.43 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
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