What do you collect and why?

[Nemoide]

I collect games I'm interested in playing, unfortunately my gaming-eyes are bigger than my gaming-stomach so my backlog is overwhelming...
I have a deep love for Sega hardware, so I always like expanding my collection of those games, but I'm really all-over-the-place (as my Backloggery profile will attest). I'll blind-buy things based on reputation, historical significance, or relation to other games I like (ie in the same series, sharing developers). I prefer physical media because I still don't trust digital copies to not vanish from existence one day. I've also always preferred CIB because I like having the manual to read/reference and being able to look at the cool box art. Condition doesn't matter as much to me as having everything. I don't want bootlegs in my collection but will sometimes print out replacement artwork and have bought repro box-spacers (I foolishly used to throw them out and flatten cardboard boxes); officially licensed repro carts are acceptable and I don't count those as bootlegs.
I've lately had my interest re-sparked in handheld games, I feel like the original Game Boy is a blind spot for me and I have a lot of nostalgia for the Game Gear.

I've never sought getting a 100% complete run for any console. I toyed with the idea of doing that for 32X but the thought of spending hundreds of dollars on a mediocre-at-best Spider-Man game seems dumb to me.

[stickem]

For some reason when it comes to genesis cib's I'm drawn to the cardboard box variant. I find it fascinating the cardboard boxes have held up for 35 yrs, at least the ones I pick up. I dont get why the clamshells are more in value when they aren't near as easy to keep nice. I mean you can just swap clamshells and artwork , you cant cardboard. Doesnt make sense to me.

I think it's because the cardboard box variants were later reprints. Plastic boxes look nicer too since most cardboard is frayed. Personally, I prefer a nice sturdy shell to keep the games safer.

Like a year or 2 reprinted? I just figured they subbed out extra copies to save money, but at the same time. The b/w Manuel's, he, doesnt matter to me. At the end of the day it's complete. I thi k the artwork pops more on cardboard than a paper print. I put all my cardboard boxes games in the clear plastic cases anyway to stay nice.

[Note]

Like a year or 2 reprinted? I just figured they subbed out extra copies to save money, but at the same time. The b/w Manuel's, he, doesnt matter to me. At the end of the day it's complete. I thi k the artwork pops more on cardboard than a paper print. I put all my cardboard boxes games in the clear plastic cases anyway to stay nice.

I'm pretty sure the reprints came out later than than just a year or two. I purchased a new copy of Contra: Hard Corps in the cardboard box along with the Genesis 3 at a Toys R Us in 1998. I know the Genesis 3 and the rereleased (and lower quality) six button controllers were manufactured by Majesco, but I'm uncertain if the cardboard box reprints were also manufactured by them.

I believe the reprints were released at the same time as the Genesis 3 in 1998 and were marketed as a budget gaming option. If I remember correctly, I think I picked up Contra: Hard Corps that day for around $20.

[stickem]

^ thanks for the backstory info. Did not know it was that later they were released compared to the dog's. I picked up that hard corps game myself last year. As far as black and white manuel's, clamshells used those sometimes as well.

[pook99]

(ie in the same series, sharing developers). I prefer physical media because I still don't trust digital copies to not vanish from existence one day. .

I agree, I have all my romsets backed up mutliple times so I know they are all safe, but I also have 1900 steam games and I definitely get anxiety at the thought that they may mysteriously vanish one day.

[Note]

@syndicate and Note: since you guys mentioned wii/xbox 360 be sure to check out gamestop before its too late, they have buy 2 get 2 free on retro games $10 or less, you could stack up on some great games for dirt cheap right now. It is very easy to spend less than 30 dollars and walk out with 8-12 games.

Unfortunately, the GameStop in my area closed late last year. I was able to get a few good co-op games for the 360 before it closed though. My girlfriend and I purchased Left for Dead 1 and 2 there last fall and put a lot of time into those games. It's too bad, because it was the closest game store to where I am and was walking distance.

[Syndicate]

@syndicate and Note: since you guys mentioned wii/xbox 360 be sure to check out gamestop before its too late, they have buy 2 get 2 free on retro games $10 or less, you could stack up on some great games for dirt cheap right now. It is very easy to spend less than 30 dollars and walk out with 8-12 games.

...thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye out at my local stores.