Shining in the Darkness
Sega Genesis · 1991
About this game
This is a story-driven console-style RPG, and is the first in the three game Shining series for the Genesis (followed by Shining Force and Shining Force II ).
The Kingdom of Thornwood has been invaded by Dark Sol's men, and it is your job to vanquish them.
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You will need the Arms of Light to do this.
The game is a first person RPG, with turn-based combat and cartoony graphics.
The dialogue is displayed via dialog bubbles appearing above the characters speaking, although the protagonist never speaks.
There are no sub-quests - the secrets in the game involve the location and use of special metal for forging esoteric items.
There are about 25 to 30 hours of gameplay to be found here, before the final battle and ending sequence.
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 Shining in the Darkness 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 Shining in the Darkness 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 1991.
Price history
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
NTSC-J
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-14 | Item only | PAL | €37.20 |
| 2026-07-14 | Complete in Box | PAL | €79.23 |
| 2026-07-13 | Item only | NTSC-U | €30.62 |
| 2026-07-13 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €45.05 |
| 2026-07-13 | Item only | NTSC-J | €30.62 |
| 2026-07-13 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €45.05 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | PAL | €25.82 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | PAL | €25.25 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €48.12 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | PAL | €158.79 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-J | €6.20 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €13.11 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €4.81 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €555.56 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €968.08 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €19.26 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €52.93 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-U | €14.78 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €46.54 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | PAL | €57.78 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | PAL | €23.11 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €7.70 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €12.69 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | PAL | €144.36 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €48.10 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €4.81 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | PAL | €25.24 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | PAL | €25.81 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €7.70 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | PAL | €23.10 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Shining in the Darkness 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 Shining in the Darkness worth?
Shining in the Darkness for Sega Genesis is currently worth €37.20 loose, €57.78 complete in box, and €144.36 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Shining in the Darkness rare?
Shining in the Darkness 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 Shining in the Darkness?
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 Shining in the Darkness, loose is €37.20 and CIB is €57.78 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Is Shining in the Darkness worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Shining in the Darkness is currently worth €37.20 loose, versus €30.62 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
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