To consider (for the purpose of making an informed vote):
-I very much love my console stuff, and am probably as much a collector as a gamer. I have a few hundred games in my collection I will probably never again play.
-I enjoy RPG's / Strategy games, however, with work and family, it has been years since i've been able to play those types of games the way they should be played. I enjoy adventure games too, and even those I don't have time for. My gaming is done in 20-60 minute intervals.
-Part of my collecting is for my kids - as in, they can't play and understand Zelda LttP right now, but i'm certainly keeping it until they can (even though i'll probably never play it again, other than to help them when they get stuck, etc).
-In the past year, i've spent 40% of my gaming time on PS3 (online w/you guys), 40% of my time on my Cabs, and 20% of my time on Wii w/the kids.
-I hate MAME.
-I play primarily fighters, shmups and beat em' ups and my focus breaks down as such: a focus on the new 2D fighters, and arcade PCB's of unported shmups and beat em' ups.
About my choices in the poll:
-Choice 1: Pretty straight-forward, save up money (w/o selling anything I currently have, for whichever setup I prefer). I imagine it would take about 8-12 months of saving (ie, not buying anything gaming related) to save up enough for the options below (more for choice 2, probably 24 months).
-Choice 2: Get a Taito Type X2 Capable Cab (this is the hardware the current gen of fighters is played on - SSFIVAE, BBCS, Battle Fantasia, Sam Sho: Edge of Destiny, etc) and it would be awesome to play the current superb fighters on the arcade hardware on an HD screen, w/VLX (or similar) control panel. I'd prefer the Darius Burst Cab seen here:
This would be the costliest option and the hardest to arrange, as they aren't exactly sold at Wal-Mart.
-Choice 3: The Egret II is considered by many the candy cab of choice, great monitor for sure. What sets it apart beyond being just gorgeous, is the extremely easy TATE mechanism - most cabs have a much more arduous process to TATE. It also has a small footprint.
-Choice 4: I have an astro city currently and love it. No tri-sync monitor, but not a big deal as my Blast has that and I can play the games that benefit from that on there. By getting (2) astro's (or similar) I would have (4) candies in the house, which would enable me to have some buddies over to play and still leave an area for the kids to play. Currently, if I have someone over, the kids hear the sound and come running and they want to play. To note, (2) astros cost the same as (1) egret, shipping considerations included.
About my collection (and what i'd have to move for choices 2-4)
-PSX, about 40 games and a couple consoles, a few shooters and decently valuable RPG's. The real value lies in the JP stuff. Not much sentimental attachment. I enjoyed both Castlevanias and occasionally play Gaia Seed and Harmful Park, but prob not enough to warrant their price tags.
-PS2, about 50 games - the whole PS2 collection, including consoles and pads is worth maybe $400-450. Zero sentimental attachment. Only thing keeping my holding on to this is that, i've played less than 10% of it. Almost all was bought new, or was traded for from people who keep it in like new condition.
-NES - About 60 games, lots of sentimentality here, but I just very rarely hook up the toploader. I don't like the look of cart only stuff either, so that is a negative (as its 90% loose). The only games that would be considered commons I think: Rush n' Attack, Super Mario 1-3, and that's about it. Probably worth $500-600 depending how it was sold off.
-Taito F3 - 5 Games and (2) MOBO's, no attachment to it and if I had to move a "library" of my arcade stuff, this would be the one to go. $500-550 value.
-"Collectibles" - this is stuff that I never use, most is sealed, or at least boxed and like new. The idea is to display it, however, that would require literally displaying nothing else - which is not an option for me, and particularly my wife. Items such as: Gundams Orange GCN LE Bundle, Boxed Fight Pads for PS2, Boxed Maracas for DC, Boxed HORI fight sticks for various consoles. Selling a few things could clear up $500, selling most could net $1K plus. (meaning not all are terribly rare and valuable, but if they aren't being displayed, and aren't going to be used, maybe just do em' all if it means getting something amazing...that I will use and enjoy.)
Ok, so that's the rundown, please vote and post which way you voted and why. I consider a great many of you friends and take your input very seriously.
Thanks,
-Mike
