Collecting complete system libraries.

[Opa Opa]

I've considered going after a couple of complete collections.

If I ever do it, it'll be for the Genesis/32x (might as well be both), or the Dreamcast.

A 32X collection seems doable (although it may be a tad pricey. 32X prices seem to be rising last I checked.)

As it stands, I could probably throw about $300 at ebay and complete my North American N-Gage collection. Not that I really care to.

@ Ack
How is Mega Man Soccer?

[Ack]

Sadly, it's not yet in my collection. But as soon as I get it, I'll let you know.

[mjmjr25]

Mega Man Soccer is terrible. I'm sorry, but this is truth.

I actually enjoy the Super Formation Soccer series (SFC) and ISS (SNES) is decent. It wasn't until MVS (Super Sidekicks series and Soccer Brawl) that real solid soccer titles were released. And there have been many well made titles since GCN and on, some the titles now are superb (UEFA for ps3 comes to mind).

[Xeogred]

The space issue is an aspect of collecting that becomes an issue, but by seeking carts only, I have eliminated much of the issue for mine. I currently have space for roughly 90 more SNES games alotted, and after that, I will likely move them to a dedicated bookcase. But for now, this works.

A dedicated SNES bookcase. Legendary.

I hope you don't mind, I'm probably going to stalk your list eventually and go off of that for stuff to track down, heh...

Any funny stories of you tracking down something for dirt cheap, that's actually kind of obscure/rare? For me I don't think I even knew the Ninja Gaiden Trilogy existed until I saw it at a Vintage Stock and picked it up for a few bucks. It's looking at about $90 used now on amazon, lmao. Glad my impulsiveness got me that time.

Back on the Lost Vikings praise, I gotta admit I don't think I've ever really played much of the SNES version of II that much, always went for the PC/PSX versions. I'll have to track that one down sometime.

My N64 and Genesis collections were destroyed the most back in the dark ages. I remember selling ~30 some N64 games for like, Armored Core 2 and maybe a memory card or controller when the PS2 was a bit newer. I think it was at that point when I started to realize trading in games is not for me... at all, never again. lol, I might have tossed away a few other games after that point, but for some reason Growlancer on the PS2 is the only one I can remember. I think I just completely hated it or something. But yeah in general I stopped getting rid of my games several years ago and don't regret it at all.

[Crabmaster2000]

That I disagree with.

Collecting is never as fun as gaming. Its cool to find a nice deal, but I find infinitely more enjoyment in playing a game that I really love. The music, the sprites, the level layout... a good game will give me a raging boner, and a good find is just money in the pocket (unless its something that's impossible to find, but even then, my excitement is that I get to play it more than that I found it)

To each their own of course

Edit: whoops, Ack snuck one in there

To each their own

Don't get me wrong, I love playing a great game as much as anyone. But, there is something to be said for hitting the road and digging through boxes at random flea markets, thrift stores, antique malls, pawn shops, and - as my wife and I call them - "junk" stores to find games. It is fun adventure whether or not you actually find something.

In any event, it should be clear that I am talking about "hunting" rather than "collecting". I only get so much pleaseure from simply viewing my collections, and I derive no pleasure from purchasing games on the internet. To really have a good time, you have to roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty (or trade with me on the Racketboy forums...seriously people, take these games off my hands).

I used to agree with your second statement, but I've found that I still do get a great deal of pleasure doing online hunting as well as the local stuff.

[theclaw]

Difficulty is the real test of a collection. More so than money or size, those favor the rich.

The former takes effort and extreme patience. If not even contacts in foreign countries to aid in tracking them down. You can't just settle for an outrageous BIN on items almost never posted for sale at any price. One has to go out of their way to hunt. Want ads on various forums, socializing with potential leads to encourage their help...

It could be hair-raising for fans of a game series to dig up that last region variant, special edition, or weird port on some obscure platform. Complete Tetris collection anyone?

I for one am curious how tough complete PAL Game Boy could be. I've never heard of any serious attempt. Not that I'll blame people, with titles like Hammerin' Harry!

[Ack]

Any funny stories of you tracking down something for dirt cheap, that's actually kind of obscure/rare?

Nothing really funny, though I did end up getting my copy of Super Mario RPG for free. Word spread amongst friends while I was in grad school that I was seeking SNES carts, and so I ended up getting a phone call one night asking if I had it, and if not, did I want it. I agreed, asking about the price, but ended up being told not to worry about it.

[AppleQueso]

I want to pop back in and say that Ack's and Harper's reasoning make perfect sense to me.

I'm also absurdly inconsistent. I may say that I don't want to ever go for a full set now, but who knows what'll happen down the road? I may yet change my mind.

[Ack]

Oh, and after a rigorous cleaning, I am up to 191 SNES carts. Home Alone 2 just did not want to work, so I cleaned it multiple times and let it sit for a few days. Works now! That leaves 9 to go to meet my major collecting goal for the year, though I believe I will exceed it easily during the summer, especially if there are more buy 2 get 1 free deals at the store I have been going to.

[Dakinggamer87]

I've contemplated over doing a complete collection for a system but have never been able to decide on which system to pursue.

I'm thinking about Virtual Boy or 32X since each of these systems have small libraries to collect for.