Crabmaster2000 wrote:One thing I'd like to add for myself is that collecting can be as enjoyable as playing the actual games. I have just as much fun hunting for games, completing goals, restoring games, researching games, haggling over prices, scoring great deals, finding rare titles, displaying games, discussing games, and on and on and on. Its one of the best hobbies in the world IMO because I can interact with the product in countless different ways. Collecting is just one extra way to keep the good times coming!
This is a perfect statement as to why I enjoy this hobby so much. I have just as much fun tracking down games at flea markets, thrift stores, and pawn shops as I do sitting down to play them.
8bit wrote:There are plenty of people here on racketboy who collect for the genesis but IMO that would be the absolute ugliest system to do a complete collection for. Nothing matches... not the boxes, artwork or even the cartridges. Put it all together and it would just look like a mess.
I agree. I love my Genesis collection, but it is certainly ugly. The Sega Master System on the other hand...
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.
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)
I can see the appeal of having a big collecting goal like that. And I don't know about hideous, but a room stacked full of games brings joy to my eyes lol. As long as it atleast is displayed and shelved nicely. Piles or stacks of games on the floor is no good.
To me gaming and collecting go hand in hand. I enjoy collecting games because I also enjoy playing them. This is why I don't care for sealed items. You collect those for display purposes only, you can't interact. Collecting games allows for the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of displaying, and the enjoyment of playing them.
Space for me currently isn't too much of an issue. Though I will need a new shelving unit soon. I can definitely see how those in smaller houses/apartments/rooms would have issues with it.
i wanted at one point in time to collect all the US released n64 but it had so many games i wouldn't in the end wouldnt care for so i stopped and got rid of most.
i do have all the US released virtual boy games but then again its only 14 games.
I'm also very close to having all US released mario games. but thats a collection that always gets a new release.
I think down to road I may like to have all the 32x games.
I like having a well rounded collection. Some rare/some hidden jems/some popular
Being someone who has completed a set and am working on others I can say that it is very fun just to pursue. I know there are clunkers but even they can be fun just to goof around with.
I have also done this with my wife and daughter and the experience of sharing this together has been incredible. When one of us finds a game at Goodwill or under a pile of junk for cheap it is such an experience to share. Also, since my daughter is into gaming with me, I will have something of sentimental value to leave behind.
Cleaning, restoring, finding, searching, playing and displaying, sharing.....it is all in the experience!!!
dsheinem wrote:In any case, sorry that my avatar makes you cringe these days, but I haven't really changed my posing habits at all.
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).
True, the search is part of the fun. I found a near mint copy of Brave Fencer Musashi in a local thrift store, priced for about $1 if I remember correctly. The find alone made my day, notwithstanding the amazing game I just picked up. Going to a game store and rooting through SNES carts to find deals on ones I don't yet own is part of the fun, as is talking to the other guys doing the same thing or the fellas at the counter who ask me about how my collection has grown and what new recommendations I can make. A couple of weeks ago I picked up 9 SNES titles for $12 and discovered both Goof Troop and College Slam. And it was interesting for me to plug in both Super Pro Action Football and Madden and see the difference in presentation.
Oh, and RGS, it depends on the sport! I will try to give you some numbers based on my checking the lists:
Now I know some of you guys will jump on the large quantities of certain sports titles, but keep in mind that this is EVERY representation of the sport, so Soccer includes World Cup USA '94 as well as Mega Man Soccer. Others, like Boxing, include Super Punch-Out, though I admittedly left out Best of the Best, as I tend to count it as a fighting game. The Multi-Sport category includes any compilation of sports games, so the Olympics video games went here, as did winter sports, or the Sports Illustrated Football and Baseball game. Oh, and for the record, here's a comparison to another genre.
Racing: 38
That number includes Formula 1, NASCAR, BMX, Motocross, and fantasy racers like F-Zero, Super Mario Kart, and Speed Racer.
Fighting games I did not include with the boxing or wrestling categories. There are about 45 of those.
