How I collect my CD games....

[BoringSupreez]

I don't think I've read through a manual since Metal Gear Solid 2 (with the sick little comic).

That manual was great.

[PGchris]

If its a game I'm looking for and its a pretty good deal I'll just buy it, for example I bought a copy of Megaman legends 2 without a manual for 5 bucks the other day but I usually try to avoid. I'm just too OCD about it, its like everytime i look at my collection all I see are my disc only copies glaring back at me, kinda hate it.

[Hobie-wan]

I mean, i can kinda understand wanting a full package when you buy something (even though it's really just the game that counts) but when the manual is SOOOOOOO under par, why is it a factor? Maybe someone can explain this to me.

Because many of us are collectors and just like to have things be... complete.

[BoringSupreez]

I mean, i can kinda understand wanting a full package when you buy something (even though it's really just the game that counts) but when the manual is SOOOOOOO under par, why is it a factor? Maybe someone can explain this to me.

Because many of us are collectors and just like to have things be... complete.

Yes, there are few things more annoying than opening a game box to play a game and seeing a bald spot where a manual should be sitting.

[pepharytheworm]

Im pretty much with all you guys. Here's what perplexes me.
People who care about Manuals in their games NOW. I mean, half the manuals are nothing more than the button layouts (which are in game), the seizure warnings, and, if you're lucky, a brief introduction to the game and a list of the characters, weapons, and items (which, in Halo 3's case, is just an example of laziness as it leaves out more than a few things). They are also in black in white now. I don't think I've read through a manual since Metal Gear Solid 2 (with the sick little comic).

I mean, i can kinda understand wanting a full package when you buy something (even though it's really just the game that counts) but when the manual is SOOOOOOO under par, why is it a factor? Maybe someone can explain this to me.

If its a cd case without the manual there goes the cover art. I dont mind as much if its a DVD case. Some games like rpgs I like having a handy guide or map right there instread of printing one or going back and forth from the computer. If I dont care about the case then why would I buy it? I might as well burn all my disc based games or emulate them. the only exception is if its a rare game at a good price.

[Jrecee]

CD based games have to have a case for me. Otherwise it's a sure sign that the previous owner(s) didn't take proper care of the game. With cartridge based games it depends. If they came in a crappy cardboard box I don't usually worry about it. snes/nes/late genesis I don't bother. With the genesis games I can print out a new cover and stick it in an empty case and it looks good as new. SNES and NES I don't even bother. The cartridges are labeled on top and front and they look good enough lined up on a shelf. 32X and N64 are the exception because A.)They don't have top labels and I can't tell what the hell they are and B.)There's fewer games for those systems that I still need to collect so I just go for it. Plus with N64 they're much more recent so it's not super expensive to get ahold of a boxed game.

Manuals I don't care so much about. Not a dealerbreaker but I'd probably spend another $1 to get a manual if the opportunity presented itself.

I'm still baffled at how people tossed out genesis cases though. The cardboard crap I understand, young kids didn't care and parents didn't care so they got thrown away. I can even understand sega cd/saturn/early ps1 since the cases tended to crack. But if I see anything from the dvd case generation without a box. . . no way in hell.

[pepharytheworm]

CD based games have to have a case for me. Otherwise it's a sure sign that the previous owner(s) didn't take proper care of the game. With cartridge based games it depends. If they came in a crappy cardboard box I don't usually worry about it. snes/nes/late genesis I don't bother. With the genesis games I can print out a new cover and stick it in an empty case and it looks good as new. SNES and NES I don't even bother. The cartridges are labeled on top and front and they look good enough lined up on a shelf. 32X and N64 are the exception because A.)They don't have top labels and I can't tell what the hell they are and B.)There's fewer games for those systems that I still need to collect so I just go for it. Plus with N64 they're much more recent so it's not super expensive to get ahold of a boxed game.

Manuals I don't care so much about. Not a dealerbreaker but I'd probably spend another $1 to get a manual if the opportunity presented itself.

I'm still baffled at how people tossed out genesis cases though. The cardboard crap I understand, young kids didn't care and parents didn't care so they got thrown away. I can even understand sega cd/saturn/early ps1 since the cases tended to crack. But if I see anything from the dvd case generation without a box. . . no way in hell.

Go to gamestop and look at all the generic cases on the wall. Thats my idea of hell were its the same price no matter what. Fatal frame (ps2) complete $39.99. Fatal Frame (PS2) game disc only in generic cheaply made DVD case with Gamestop Print out and no booklet $39.99.

[jfe2]

I can't imagine that CD games without cases are in any real playable condition... I have never used a disc doctor but it would probably come in handy if I ever did pick up a loose disc.

The only time I have ever bought a loose disc was on E-bay to replace a lost disc 2 for my copy of Final Fantasy VII. I let a friend borrow the game when I was in high school and never did get to finish because he returned it without disc 2. Needless to say I was very upset...

[MrPopo]

Im pretty much with all you guys. Here's what perplexes me.
People who care about Manuals in their games NOW. I mean, half the manuals are nothing more than the button layouts (which are in game), the seizure warnings, and, if you're lucky, a brief introduction to the game and a list of the characters, weapons, and items (which, in Halo 3's case, is just an example of laziness as it leaves out more than a few things). They are also in black in white now. I don't think I've read through a manual since Metal Gear Solid 2 (with the sick little comic).

I mean, i can kinda understand wanting a full package when you buy something (even though it's really just the game that counts) but when the manual is SOOOOOOO under par, why is it a factor? Maybe someone can explain this to me.

A big part of it is I just like to read the manuals, no matter how crappy they might be. I've found that every manual contains some piece of info I wouldn't know about otherwise (not counting the in-game tutorial; that's what the manual is for). But I do agree that it is disappointing just how far manuals have fallen from their heyday.

[J T]

I definitely don't think it is fair that GameStop charges the exact same price for a disc only game as they do a complete game with manual and insert; however, I don't mind buying disc only games if they are cheap. I collect to play, not to display. In fact, most of my games are kept in a CD binder because I don't have the shelf space to display all of the boxes.