What's your approach to disc-only games?

[LugNutX]

So we're well into the third (almost fourth) generation of disc-based consoles and I started to wonder - how are folks approaching their collection of these systems?

I've always preferred the most complete copy of a game that I can find, but lately I've been disappointed with the condition of most disc-based games. I'm not sure what folks are doing to these things, but it appears that some people attach the cases to their tires as extra traction in the snow. I would also guess that somewhere in the world, someone buys a game, strips everything out of the case, dumps 12 gallons of water on it, laughs, and then sells it as used. Just because they get off on that kind of stuff.

Anyway, I digress...

I started to pick up more and more disc-only copies, at first out of necessity, now out of convenience. I miss the artwork, but its easily available online if I want to see it. I miss the manuals, but they don't contain anything but a couple B&W screen shots of the main menu these days. I realized the only thing I really care about is the condition of the disc itself. Mind you, I'm more of a "gamer" than a "collector"...

Has anyone else switched to disc-only? How are you storing your collection? I've see-sawed back and forth between individual slim jewel cases and just buying a large CD booklet. I'm not really interested in displaying my games, but I would like to be able to quickly find them.

Thoughts? Ideas? Opinions? I want to hear about others' experiences with collecting the past two generations.

[EDIT: I guess this is actually the THIRD generation of disc-based consoles. Fixed.]

[AppleQueso]

Be very careful with the CD booklet/binders. They can damage the discs over time because of small debris getting into the sleeves.

I've got a good chunk of disc-only games. Most were freebies or simply cheap. I store them in individual slim jewel cases.

[CRTGAMER]

For disc based games I avoid disc only, the manual part of the experience of a game. It is weird that carts do not meet the same requirements as discs for most collectors. I guess because the carts are just so much harder to find complete box over a Jewel or DVD case?

[AppleQueso]

For disc based games I avoid disc only, the manual part of the experience of a game. It is weird that carts do not meet the same requirements as discs for most collectors. I guess because the carts are just so much harder to find complete box over a Jewel or DVD case?

Part of it is that, but the other part I think is that carts don't really need the protection of a case and they tend to display well on a shelf by themselves.

[Hobie-wan]

I pretty much only buy disc only for older systems if it is something rare or pricey, or super cheap. If it is something middle ground that I want, I'll wait until I find a complete one for a decent price.

[AppleQueso]

[EDIT: I guess this is actually the THIRD generation of disc-based consoles. Fixed.]

If you count Sega CD/Turbo CD type stuff, 3DO, etc, this is the fourth. Fifth now that the Wii-U is out.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I'm currently moving to "game only" collecting right now actually.

I figure, as somebody who's more of a gamer than a collector at this point, why would I spend $40 on a game I could spend $5 on? This is especially true with Saturn games, as those cases will break apart even in gentle use.

As far as the CD binder thing, yeah, they're bad if you're going to be pulling discs out a ton, but with the frequency I play them, I'm not worried about it.

[AppleQueso]

As far as the CD binder thing, yeah, they're bad if you're going to be pulling discs out a ton, but with the frequency I play them, I'm not worried about it.

As long as you're aware of the risks.

I've thought about doing disc-only for stuff like that before, but I really, really like the US Saturn cases.

[Hazerd]

Only buy disc only games if you need it to complete a CIB copy, or it's dirt cheap!

[LugNutX]

[EDIT: I guess this is actually the THIRD generation of disc-based consoles. Fixed.]

If you count Sega CD/Turbo CD type stuff, 3DO, etc, this is the fourth. Fifth now that the Wii-U is out.

Ah-ha! Guess that makes this question even more poignant.

I'll definitely still pick up a complete copy of a game if I can find one at a decent price. Otherwise, the cost savings and stress-free search are worth the tradeoff (for me). Again, if I was more interested in displaying and preserving things, I would have a completely different opinion.

ALL of my PC gaming is done via Steam these days and I don't miss any of the fluff. That may play a role in how I perceive the idea of a "game" these days.

Once things move completely to digital-only, this question will get REALLY interesting.