Pokémon Official Nintendo Player's Guide (Red and Blue Versions)
Nintendo Power / Nintendo of America · Books & Media > Strategy Guides / Video Game Collectibles
Era / Decade
Late 1990s (1998); identified by the '150 Pokémon' text and original Nintendo Power branding
Material
Full-color printed softcover book with glossy paper pages; originally included a sheet of 150 stickers
Condition
Good to Very Good; visible edge wear and whitening on the spine and corners. Crucially, it is unclear if the internal 150-sticker sheet is present and unused, which heavily impacts value
Demand Level
Strong; Pokémon remains the highest-grossing media franchise and 'Gen 1' items have consistent, year-round demand among Gen Z and Millennial collectors
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
Low: $35 (well-worn/no stickers), Mid: $65 (good condition/no stickers), High: $150+ (excellent condition with intact sticker sheet)
Estimated Retail Value
$12.99 - $14.99 (original 1998 MSRP)
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sold listings for 'Pokémon Official Nintendo Player's Guide 1998' range from $40 for acceptable copies to $180 for copies with the sticker sheet still attached and unused
Description
The definitive original 1998 strategy guide for Pokémon Red and Blue versions on Game Boy. Published by Nintendo Power, this guide features a complete Pokédex for the original 151 monsters, detailed walkthroughs, and maps of the Kanto region. A cornerstone of 'Pokémania' memorabilia featuring classic Ken Sugimori artwork.
Key Features
Vintage Nintendo Power branding; original 151 Pokémon era; highly nostalgic for millennial collectors; high demand for 'complete in box' style accessories for retro gaming setups
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence; features correct period-accurate Nintendo Power and ESRB logos; paper quality and ink saturation match legitimate 1998 printings
Flaws to Note
Corner dinging and shelf wear on the cover; spine creasing; common issues include missing or used stickers, markings inside on the Pokédex checklist, and loose pages from aged glue binding
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (best for reaching serious collectors), Mercari (excellent for quick sales in gaming niches), or Heritage/Goldin Auctions if it was in pristine, mint condition
Selling Tips
The first 5 photos must include the front cover, back cover, spine, and a shot of the sticker sheet (if present). If stickers are missing, state it clearly in the title to avoid returns. Ship in a rigid mailer or box—never a bubble mailer—to prevent further corner damage.