Another one of those threads about overwhelming collecting

[k.vlaros]

Yo Noise,

Make up some arbitrary limits. They'll give you peace of mind, brotherman. Like you only buy games for one current-generation system and two previous generation systems. For a total of 3 systems you collect for. Then give yourself an allowance per month to spend on software. Allow for your sales of software to credit towards the allowance. I don't know your situation, but maybe $100 per month would work? That's one AAA new title and a couple nice used games, for example.

And my experience is that keeping games I don't ever want to play casts a sad fog over me. Looking at my game shelf and only seeing gems of joy is a much nicer feeling.

Good luck!

[noiseredux]

so I've taken some time to stand back and think about all this. Some thoughts.

I seemed to have way more fun collecting, when my collecting was somewhat narrowed down. That is to say that for pretty much the last year I've been collecting heavily for PS1, PS2 and PS3. What I like most about this is that my PS3 is backwards compatible. I love the simplicity of owning a single console, and collecting a bunch of games from 3 generations to play on that one console. Likewise, the PSP is a nice small system to collect handheld games on -- it's also great for emulation and homebrew. I can easily turn any import PS1 games I buy into eBoots to play on it. AND all Mini's and PS1 games purchased from PSN can be shared between the PS3 and PSP.

This brings me to another thing I've realized: I don't hate PSN. For a long time I was so stubborn about physical vs digital. And I still PREFER physical of course. But take for example Marvel Vs Capcom 2. The PSN version is in HD and allows for online matches. The fact that I own this version makes me feel silly for also having it on PS2 and DC. I really think it's a matter of "what's the best version?" If the digital copy is actually better, then that's the one I should have.

I don't plan to get rid of my Dreamcast. But really I think it should be there for what I intended it to be there for: exclusive shmups, the handful of exclusive other games I'd want (Typing Of The Dead for example), and homebrew. I'm kind of thinking I'm not as interested in genuinely COLLECTING for the non-PS systems these days.

Who knows if my collecting goals change in the future. But I really do think that the narrowing down the focus thing truly does make it a little easier and fun for me.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

so I've taken some time to stand back and think about all this. Some thoughts.

I seemed to have way more fun collecting, when my collecting was somewhat narrowed down. That is to say that for pretty much the last year I've been collecting heavily for PS1, PS2 and PS3. What I like most about this is that my PS3 is backwards compatible. I love the simplicity of owning a single console, and collecting a bunch of games from 3 generations to play on that one console. Likewise, the PSP is a nice small system to collect handheld games on -- it's also great for emulation and homebrew. I can easily turn any import PS1 games I buy into eBoots to play on it. AND all Mini's and PS1 games purchased from PSN can be shared between the PS3 and PSP.

This brings me to another thing I've realized: I don't hate PSN. For a long time I was so stubborn about physical vs digital. And I still PREFER physical of course. But take for example Marvel Vs Capcom 2. The PSN version is in HD and allows for online matches. The fact that I own this version makes me feel silly for also having it on PS2 and DC. I really think it's a matter of "what's the best version?" If the digital copy is actually better, then that's the one I should have.

I don't plan to get rid of my Dreamcast. But really I think it should be there for what I intended it to be there for: exclusive shmups, the handful of exclusive other games I'd want (Typing Of The Dead for example), and homebrew. I'm kind of thinking I'm not as interested in genuinely COLLECTING for the non-PS systems these days.

Who knows if my collecting goals change in the future. But I really do think that the narrowing down the focus thing truly does make it a little easier and fun for me.

Generally, that's what I've found. I like my Sega systems though.

The BC PS3s are great for that reason, one nice compact unit that can play thousands of games. Tons of awesome exclusives.

[retrosportsgamer]

This brings me to another thing I've realized: I don't hate PSN. For a long time I was so stubborn about physical vs digital. And I still PREFER physical of course. But take for example Marvel Vs Capcom 2. The PSN version is in HD and allows for online matches. The fact that I own this version makes me feel silly for also having it on PS2 and DC. I really think it's a matter of "what's the best version?" If the digital copy is actually better, then that's the one I should have.

I struggle with this. I love PSN for the instant multiplayer (nba jam, tecmo bowl, daytona, all the SF HD remakes, puzzle fighter) but I still want the hard copy in its original format (MvC2 on the DC in this case). I guess it's just hesitation around the question if DLC content is always going to be available. I'm the same way with XBLA stuff i've bought. I don't really have any answer for myself either.

[k.vlaros]

Good strategy.

If your BC PS3 ever broke you could find a new or nearly new PS2 slim to go with a PS3 slim, too.

[noiseredux]

Good strategy.

If your BC PS3 ever broke you could find a new or nearly new PS2 slim to go with a PS3 slim, too.

I already have a 2nd (non-BC) PS3 as well as a modded Slim PS2. So yeah. I'm pretty all set. Haha.

[IIII SS IIII]

I'm glad that I'm not alone on this. My retro gaming collection started up about 3 years ago with just a NES. My goal was to get only the games that are great as well as maybe some bad games that I had when I was younger for nostalgic reasons. When I started getting close to finishing that I bought a SNES and repeated the process. That continued for awhile until I started getting into a console collecting kick. Now I have around 18 systems and games for each (some more than others). I don't feel the need to slim down my collection, in fact I want to get more. Sure, I might not play something on every system monthly, but having them all readily available whenever I want feels great. The way I find to keep myself in check is to only buy games I'm interested in that are $10 or less. For most of my systems that covers a lot of great games. As far as the rare or more valuable games, I'll buy them if it's a good deal and never more than 1 a month. Someone earlier mentioned the feeling of a library of games, I have this same feeling and would equate having all of these systems as almost a museum for the consoles. When I have friends come over, even ones that are into gaming, there's always something that they are unfamiliar with that we can talk about. I openly admit that my collecting is a habit and I have more than I'll ever need...and I'm perfectly fine with it.

[EVOLghost]

The dilemma's of a collector.

[elmagicochrisg]

Hmm, I collect both for collecting's sake and for playing. Been collecting for over 20 years now and have a vast collection of around 800 games. The thing is, I got to the point that I have almost everything I want. Two more games and the PAL Dreamcast collection is complete. And I've got most of the US and JPN imports I want too. I also have a very nice Mega CD, PS1 and PS2 collection, and smaller GC, oXbox, NDS, Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 collection. And a few N64 and PSP games. For SNES, N64 (and one day MD and NES) I chose for flash carts. All the other consoles emulation. You simply cannot collect all the good games for all the consoles you like. It has to end somewhere...

This puts me in a spot where I am feeling very comfortable with my collection, and very at ease. I've had a very good flea market spree this summer, and right now I don't feel the urge to buy or hunt down many games anymore. And when I do, I buy them dirt cheap or not at all...

One of the things I almost never did in all those years is actively hunt down 'specific' games. I was always thinking that every game will pop up cheap eventually. This is one of the reasons my collection is that vast. Most of the games I have I bought for 5 euro or less (except for Dreamcast and Mega CD). This means I can get around 15 games were someone that buys new games on day one can only get one for the same money...

Now imagine someone bought 1 game new every month for 20 years. And then think I could've bought 15 times the amount of games he did, with just as much money. See what I mean?... You don't need a lot of money to build yourself a dream collection. Just a lot of time, effort (walking around on flea markets for hours on end, looking on second hand websites for bargains, etc...) and patience (sometimes it takes years before a specific game pops up cheap somewhere).

As for buying the same game more than once for different consoles. Don't... Try to find out what is the best version (for you) of the game, and only buy that version. For instance, when I find the oXbox version of a game I have on PS2, most of the time I will buy it, and sell off my PS2 version.

Also, choose for which consoles you will go the flash or emulation route, and for which consoles you want physical copies. And stick to your decisions...

Sure, I might not play something on every system monthly, but having them all readily available whenever I want feels great. The way I find to keep myself in check is to only buy games I'm interested in that are $10 or less. For most of my systems that covers a lot of great games. As far as the rare or more valuable games, I'll buy them if it's a good deal and never more than 1 a month. Someone earlier mentioned the feeling of a library of games, I have this same feeling and would equate having all of these systems as almost a museum for the consoles. When I have friends come over, even ones that are into gaming, there's always something that they are unfamiliar with that we can talk about. I openly admit that my collecting is a habit and I have more than I'll ever need...and I'm perfectly fine with it.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

This thread got me thinking again and... collecting makes me tired.

I went over today and looked at my shelf of games, and, I just didn't feel the fufillment I used to feel. I question why I have so many of these games, especially when I find it hard to go out of my way to play them. About the only retro game I've actually been playing for the last month is Shining Force and the occational round of Galactic Attack. The thought of playing many of them bores me and just seems like a chore.

Then when the thought of selling some of them crossed my mind, I got that hoarder mentality. What if I end up wanting to play this? as Noise was describing. It's strange, a lot of these things provide me with little fulfillment beyond the first few times playing them yet I find it hard to get rid of them.

I think a lot of it is convenience. I don't really find the idea of moving from my computer over to the TV to play some games. Yes that sounds lazy, and maybe it is... I don't know.

I think it helps to find what console you really love and has a library you're passionate about. For me, I always seem to go back to the Saturn. I love the thing to death.

I asked my dad what he thought, and he gave me some sound advice from an old quote from the Chinese that basically amounted to "If you're going to collect something, collect one thing."

And you know what? I think that's about the best advice I've ever heard when it comes to collecting. When I sold everything off but my Saturn about 6 months back, I loved it and had no issues. I found collecting enjoyable and having a nice row of those awesome Saturn cases just felt awesome. Every time my collection branches out, I seem to get sick and tired of all the games.

Sorry about the rambling, this thread got me thinking about it the last few days, and I'm in a tired and rambling mood.