Struggling to Keep Collecting

[ProfessorK]

I'm fairly active, I suppose, yet I'm new to this whole "Posting just to post thing" so bear with me. Also, it's a bit of a rant so... Sorry.

Back before I joined the site ,and even for a little while after, I had a large game collection. Not as large as some, yet still large. It spanned generations, contained hundreds of games and around 15 systems. It was my pride and joy. I grew up always wanting the classics I had when I was tiny. My dad would always tell me that if it was old, it wasn't worth it. He wouldn't even let me get Yoshi's Story for N64 when it was new because it was 2-D! Then, when I turned 10, I started my collection. I was able to do this because I also started getting my own funds. 9 years I put into it. Always making amazing finds (Complete US Guardian Heroes for 7$!) and spending nights playing SNES and Saturn when my friends were waiting in line for 360's. Don't get me wrong. I owned new consoles too. They just weren't as treasured.
Then tragedy struck as I lost my job as a Pharmacy Technician. Times got tough, I've been on my own since 17 mind you. I was forced to start selling. First the Sony Stuff, then Atari, Intellivision, Portables. Then came the pain as it was time to sell off Sega and Nintendo consoles. Finally, I had to let go of my jewel. My Saturn collection.

Now, try as I might, I always seem to hit a wall. My collection gets to a few systems, some games ect and I just can't keep going. It's like... It's like I just can't anymore. Like after the loss of my first "life's work" I can't start a second. It's not gaming, I still love to game. But there is this nagging part of me that just wants to sell everything and get a new console and a DS and be done with it. Does anyone else find this happening? Any tips, haha.

Also, as a side note, sorry for all the attempted Sale threads that I always end up canceling. It's hard to decide to sell because all in all, I love this stuff.

[CRTGAMER]

Hang in there. Maybe keep one personal favorite Retro system that you still own.

[ProfessorK]

Hang in there. Maybe keep one personal favorite Retro system that you still own.

I have often considered specializing in Saturn or SNES. It can be difficult though. I seem to have a nack at finding cool stuff randomly, haha.
and thanks.

[Anayo]

Maybe you shouldn't invest so heavily in material possessions to begin with?

Sorry if that sounds stoical or preachy, but I've seen this kind of thing before on video gaming forums. There was one guy on the forums for www.videogamecritic.net who actually had his house robbed. Tons of really valuable games and collectibles were stolen. The police told him they couldn't do anything about it since he didn't have the receipt. He felt really depressed about buying more games again.

Personally I take satisfaction in knowing I experienced certain games. Like, I can relate to your love of the Sega Saturn; IMO Shining Force 3 is one of the best RPG's out there. But I really haven't found time to play it again, and it's not complete or mint so I can't exactly display it as a "collection piece". I guess the only reason I hold on to it is in case I run into someone with a similar interest so they can experience it to (maybe a friend I can lend it to? lol.) Or several years from now I might get the urge to play it again. But if I lose it in a fire it won't hurt me that bad, cause I'll know I beat it and loved it and saw what there was to see. I can move on without the silly disc if the need arises.

[ProfessorK]

Maybe you shouldn't invest so heavily in material possessions to begin with?

Sorry if that sounds stoical or preachy, but I've seen this kind of thing before on video gaming forums. There was one guy on the forums for http://www.videogamecritic.net who actually had his house robbed. Tons of really valuable games and collectibles were stolen. The police told him they couldn't do anything about it since he didn't have the receipt. He felt really depressed about buying more games again.

Personally I take satisfaction in knowing I experienced certain games. Like, I can relate to your love of the Sega Saturn; IMO Shining Force 3 is one of the best RPG's out there. But I really haven't found time to play it again, and it's not complete or mint so I can't exactly display it as a "collection piece". I guess the only reason I hold on to it is in case I run into someone with a similar interest so they can experience it to (maybe a friend I can lend it to? lol.) Or several years from now I might get the urge to play it again. But if I lose it in a fire it won't hurt me that bad, cause I'll know I beat it and loved it and saw what there was to see. I can move on without the silly disc if the need arises.

I definitely respect your advice but I feel like I just couldn't. I know I kind of... Totally let possessions run my life but I've never seen it as more then a problem for my wallet. I've always been a collector and I just can't seem to stop. I've even tried to funnel my collect-mania into other outlets but Retrogaming still forces its way in. A friend told me recently "Even if you sold everything, including your TV, you still couldn't pass up a rare game."

He is right, too. I couldn't. And I'd run right out and find the system for it too.

[dedalusdedalus]

It sounds like you collected everything under the sun.

I'm currently in a similar position, and I'm feeling some burnout because I've stretched my collection much too thin--I've currently got stuff for PSX, PS2, PSP, Dreamcast, Saturn, Gamecube, GBA, and Neo Geo AES.

That said, I think it makes more sense to just concentrate on collecting something like 1 or 2 consoles and 1 portable.

I'm purging N64 and Jaguar from my collection, and it feels great. I've gotta purge a couple more consoles soon, but I'm having some trouble figuring out which collection to divest.

[lwcook]

I had this problem a few years ago when I moved out of my Mom's house and out into the real world. Selling some of my collection was not just for money, but for space too. I just couldn't take it all with me.

And really, it was kind of freeing. I don't focus so much on having the actual physical copies of XYZ in mint condition. Don't get me wrong, I have many rare/holy grail games I've picked up cheap here or there, but now I just appreciate them how they are. I think of it as a living,growing collection.

Plus, I would have a great collection but usually spent more time looking for games than actually PLAYING them. Nowadays, I just find the best way to actually play the games I want to experience them (emulation, modded systems, flash carts, etc.)

Having the physical collection is neat at the end of the day, but I think part of growing up is figuring out the best compromise for your situation. Whether that be specialize in a system, buy rare/cool games but not focusing on a complete collection, or whatever.

[ProfessorK]

It sounds like you collected everything under the sun.

I'm currently in a similar position, and I'm feeling some burnout because I've stretched my collection much too thin--I've currently got stuff for PSX, PS2, PSP, Dreamcast, Saturn, Gamecube, GBA, and Neo Geo AES.

That said, I think it makes more sense to just concentrate on collecting something like 1 or 2 consoles and 1 portable.

I've just purged N64 and Jaguar from my collection, and it feels great. I've gotta purge a couple more consoles soon, but I'm having some trouble figuring out which collection to divest.

I have really been considering doing the same. Maybe like... Wii, DS and Saturn. Something to that affect. I just find it difficult. Like when I look at my collected Mega Man games for NES and think about selling them... It's like im selling a child! (I know, I probably sound crazy. Whatever! haha)

As far as collecting everything under the sun, I have been around. Pokemon, Magic (still do) and Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards, Games, Comics, Manga, Action Figures (Still do, working on Watchmen Movie Figures), Anything Ninja Turtles (Still kinda doing this too), Transformers, Cassette tapes, Records (Still do)... Sigh. Pack-ratism.

[Dylan]

I think what you're going through is relatively normal for a collector. Sometimes I too consider just selling of my collection and keeping current with maybe one system, but I always come back to my collection. Usually the way I handle things is to buy when I'm in the mood to increase my collection, and let it lay inactive when I'm just not feeling it. I'll bounce between moods at given times. Perhaps what you need is more of a system of moderation than anything else. I've had to stop myself many times because I wanted to purchase a rare game just because I could find it for about $10 cheaper than its normal price. I think you'll find better satisfaction with your collection if you just take it at a nice, leisurely pace. At least, that's what I try to do.

[ProfessorK]

I had this problem a few years ago when I moved out of my Mom's house and out into the real world. Selling some of my collection was not just for money, but for space too. I just couldn't take it all with me.

And really, it was kind of freeing. I don't focus so much on having the actual physical copies of XYZ in mint condition. Don't get me wrong, I have many rare/holy grail games I've picked up cheap here or there, but now I just appreciate them how they are. I think of it as a living,growing collection.

Plus, I would have a great collection but usually spent more time looking for games than actually PLAYING them. Nowadays, I just find the best way to actually play the games I want to experience them (emulation, modded systems, flash carts, etc.)

Having the physical collection is neat at the end of the day, but I think part of growing up is figuring out the best compromise for your situation. Whether that be specialize in a system, buy rare/cool games but not focusing on a complete collection, or whatever.

This I have also considered. As TV's grow further from these systems, they also seem to get less compatible. Like playing NES on some of these Hi-Def sets is basically un-doable unless its VC or emulation. I just am so... Picky about physical games. Maybe it is time to kind of... grow up, and find the best compromise.