Another one of those threads about overwhelming collecting

[noiseredux]

hahaha last thing I need is ANOTHER console right now.

I honestly think I just need to not horde stuff so much. For instance I grabbed Evolution 2 in a trade. When will I ever play it? I have a ton of other RPG's to get through first.

I hate to say it (I mean really hate to say it) but PSN is slightly a good way to cut-down on collecting too at times. It's odd, but I only buy a game on PSN if I plan to play it RIGHT THEN AND THERE. It's not like when I go to Gamestop and buy piles of PS2 games and then never touch them. Y'know?

I think probably my best strategy is to just start thinking about "why do I own this game? Will I play it? Do I even like it?" etc.

[Opa Opa]

If you still want to go the physical game route for PSP; you can always make back-ups of your own game copies and then put your games in storage.

[alexis524]

noise,

i've been going thru the same thing. A few weeks ago, i started to slim down my collection. I used to snatch up any game i had any inkling of interest in and it resulted in a HUGE collection of games that i will never ever EVAR get to play through let alone play period, so i'm downsizing to those few titles that i know i will play and that hold sentimental value and it feels so liberating. i used to collect just to collect, almost hoarderish, but now it's more about getting real with myself in limiting my collection to what i know i will have time to play. I feel so much better since

[fastbilly1]

I combat this by setting up specific collection goals for the consoles I own right now. These are games that I want hard copies of (I do not care for boxes in most cases - eventhough I love box art). This list is stored on a big spreadsheet on several computers and gmail accounts. The games on this list are games that I have played and want a copy of, I have been told I will like by a trusted friend, or a game that I think I will like and havent played yet.

To give you an example, right now on my TG16 list there is only one game: Military Madness. Are there more TG16 games that I should want, probably. But of those other games, I will either get them on the PCE, have them on other consoles, or play downloads on VC or PC. Out of the entire TG16 library, Military Madness is the one game that I always want to play (I know I know, being a huge Bomberman fan I should buy those aswell, but right now those are on the PCE to buy list), so it is the one game I really want to have on the TG16 - the Wiiware version just doesnt feel the same.

The only exceptions to this list are PC games and if the game is under five dollars. If I find a game for a quarter, Ill probably buy it, even if I have several copies. PC games get a bye because of Steam and GoG sales.

[alienjesus]

@zing: I'm starting to think a little more about collecting-to-collect, and collecting-to-play...

Collecting-to-collect is what I've been doing for a long time. It's why I end up rebuying the same games on different consoles. It's kind of nuts. "oh this game is too cheap to pass up!" y'know? Or like "OMG! 45 Atari games on this disc!" which is great... if I ever got around to playing one of those 45 games. I mean, in the past year alone, I managed to pick up all of the Final Fantasy games for PS1 and PS2. And yet the only Final Fantasy games I played in the past year were XIII on PS3 and IV on PSP. But it's like I felt this compulsion to *own* all of those y'know... just in case. And now I feel myself getting into similar territory with my Dreamcast. It's like WHY did I even want Sega Smash Pack? I'm playing through Shining Force on Sega Smash Pack. But I already had it on the far superior Sonic Genesis Collection for PS3. Sometimes I don't get myself.

This is why I have a backloggery account. It really spurs me on to beat the games that I own, and allows me to see just how many games are collecting dust in my collection.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Man I've caught myself in this situation so many times Noise. It's honestly a hard decision to make, but once you make it I'm sure you'll find collecting more gratifying.

I recommend taking the four consoles you love the most, and keep those. Take anything you don't play often and sell it. It can be hard to let go of them, especially if you develop an emotional attachment to a certain console, but it's certainly doable. I find myself trying to get every console under the sun but I've learned to stop myself with the question "Am I actually going to play this?". I'd love to have an Atari 7800, but realistically I know I wont play it much. I've narrowed it down to the PS2, Dreamcast, Saturn, and Genesis. It gives me an awesome sized library with lots of games I'm interested in. I'm a dirty cheater and keep the Xbox hooked up to the main TV though.

Once you narrow down your console selection to about three or four specific systems then I recommend this:

I combat this by setting up specific collection goals for the consoles I own right now. These are games that I want hard copies of (I do not care for boxes in most cases - eventhough I love box art). This list is stored on a big spreadsheet on several computers and gmail accounts. The games on this list are games that I have played and want a copy of, I have been told I will like by a trusted friend, or a game that I think I will like and havent played yet.

I keep a list like this on paper in my desk. It also turns collecting into a game, instead of buying up whatever you see, you actually have a list which you can cross off "objectives". That's what has made collecting for me gratifying and in check.

You may also want to go ahead and sign up for a Backloggery account, it's fairly nice for keeping track of your collection and spurring you to play everything you buy. I don't find it a necessity though.

Collecting to collect is great if you enjoy it and have the space, but, I think people should collect to play and have awesome games.

[CRTGAMER]

Too much stuff
I think most of us have space storage issues, some games and controllers are buried in plastic bins. I built an extra shelf under the coffee table just to store all the wound up controllers I keep buying. Yes, there are some under there that has not been touched in over a year. All my PS2 games are buried in the bedroom storage, circumvented by HDAdvance/HDLoader. PS1 games got regulated to a couple huge binders so I can still get to them, the cases are stored in the washroom. On the plus I am finally playing a PS1 game on the dusty grey PSX, Final Fantasy VII. Seems to have a lot of Random battles like Dreamcast Skies Arcadia.

Downloading games for the sake of saving space dilemma
I noticed a lot of PS2 games on your sale list, does this mean you have already gone the PSN download route replacing your PS2 disc games? At least keep the PS2 physical copies, you won't make much profit in selling them. Maybe box them up in the closet just in case you ever go the HDAdvance/HDLoader route in the future. In a semi related noted Sony is hinting a voucher program of UMD owners for the upcoming Vita. Would this be a mail in program of the UMD discs? Even though UMD was a fail, shame on anyone "destroying" their discs. I'm just glad the voucher program did not take affect for all the HD recuts of PS2 games, HD Devil May Cry is on the horizon.

What problem, no problem
Those who are insane, deny they are insane. At least your are admitting the "problem", most of us are in denial. I mean we play games, visit game specific stores, look for only games at other retail venues, collect games and talk about it daily on a forum site.

[noiseredux]

Downloading games for the sake of saving space dilemma[/quote]

At least keep the PS2 physical copies,

^you crack me up man.

Those who are insane, deny they are insane.

^haha.

...honestly I don't know I'm just having a tough time deciding what to keep and what to purge. I feel a bit buried under my collection and yet keep getting more stuff. I have a tough time decide WHICH port of a game to own... and I know I don't need several ports of a single game.

[dsheinem]

You could just keep doing what you've been doing...binging and purging in cycles. Hasn't it basically worked for you so far?

[Ack]

You could just keep doing what you've been doing...binging and purging in cycles. Hasn't it basically worked for you so far?

Gamer bulimia?