Which consoles to start with?

[ElkinFencer10]

Collecting ≠ Playing

This is important to keep in mind, especially as emulation because more reliable. Some of us just love to play games. Some of us love actually collecting them. Some of us love both (that's me). It seems like there's a lot of judgement being lobbed from one camp to the other (and I'm as guilty of it as anyone else. You're not an idiot for paying high prices for retail copies of games if you love to collect; you're not a fake or a villain if you play old games via emulation. Priorities are just different. If your priority is to PLAY the games, go with a Retro Freak or just PC emulators and USB game pads. If your priority is to COLLECT the games, go with the original hardware or a Retron/Retro Freak. If you want to do both, then get a Retro Freak or a Retron 5 and collect the hardware that you REALLY love.

[Sarge]

Or if you're a hardware purist that still wants to play (almost) everything, get a flash cart.

I've learned over the years that I'm a cheapskate collector. I buy games if I feel they are a significant value compared to what they're priced, and if it's something I'm actually interested in playing. I won't shell out the money for Panzer Dragoon Saga, but I can certainly respect someone that does. It's your money, so more power to you!

[marurun]

I won't shell out the money for Panzer Dragoon Saga, but I can certainly respect someone that does.

I don't own this right now, but I've played it. It's fantastic, and ALMOST worth the asking price.

[ElkinFencer10]

PDS is (in my opinion) the best game on the Saturn and one of the best RPGs of that generation. I've got a CIB copy, and I absolutely treasure it, but like I said, I'm a collector as well as a gamer. I'm AT LEAST as much a collector as I am a gamer, probably more.

[Sarge]

I'd probably buy it if I were making 200K a year.

[ElkinFencer10]

I'd probably buy it if I were making 200K a year.

Or if you were financially reckless and without a spouse or child like me!

[Sarge]

I have the latter part of that covered, anyway.

[ElkinFencer10]

I have the latter part of that covered, anyway.

I thought you had a wife?

[Sarge]

Negatory. Still a bachelor.

[ElkinFencer10]

Negatory. Still a bachelor.

Smart man.