This is really a tough one. It can be frustrating when you are trying to find a game, whether it's just to add it to your collection or you'd really would like to legitimately play it, but the price is so inflated that it becomes a near impossibility. Not being able to play that game is actually the most depressing part. It's also the reason I've kinda avoided collecting for the NES and SNES.

I don't inherently consider reasonably higher prices to be bad though. If you're a collector trying to accrue a large amount of games, then yes, this hurts you. But if you are just trying to find that one game you'd really like to play from your childhood then paying $30, $40 or $50 isn't that bad. It's basically what you'd pay for a modern game today. Of course, there is a limit to what I'd be willing to pay as well, my nostalgia can only carry me so far. :)

I feel like I'm babbling and it's tough to articulate, but I guess my point is that if you're into the Contra series then paying a few extra dollars for one of them isn't that bad. Obviously you'd always want it for rock bottom prices but as long as you're not getting horribly gouged then I can deal with it.