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Just wondering if anyone else has this "dilemma;" There are certain systems I really dig playing, but would never collect for. The one that makes me scratch my head most is the SNES. There are some really incredible games on the SNES (duh), but the appeal of owning a boxed copy of most games doesn't have any draw whatsoever. The Turbo Grafx / PC Engine, while having what I'd consider a generally weaker or less rounded library, makes me want to collect for like crazy (and I have the eBay bills to prove it!). Initially I thought it was maybe the nostalgia factor, but I played the SNES and Genesis like crazy in my early teens. Tons of memories, but no real urge to collect.

Systems that make me want to collect (and play) TG-16, Game Boy, NES.
Systems I only feel the urge to play: SNES, Sega Genesis, Neo Geo.

I just think it's kinda weird. Anyone else?

And also why do you think it's so, for you personally? Does the cartridge or console design put you off? Are games on certain systems just too ridiculously expensive?

BEERS AND VIDEOS wrote:Are games on certain systems just too ridiculously expensive?

Yeeeeeeeeeeeep. My whopping 6 AES games are a tribute to that. But I still try to pick up games where I can. There's no system I enjoy that I don't collect for, just systems that are way way waywawawyawawyaywaywaywayway on the back burner. Like, the burner that's in somebody else's house. 3 states over.

Sega Saturn

Actually I ended up buying a copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga on eBay then selling it right back once I beat it. My net loss was $10.

KalessinDB wrote:

BEERS AND VIDEOS wrote:Are games on certain systems just too ridiculously expensive?

Yeeeeeeeeeeeep. My whopping 6 AES games are a tribute to that.

I have 4.

On the flip side, some systems have cheap game libraries, but it's impossible to find the games in the wild. Collecting consists of finding them on eBay and then being forced to pay shipping costs, etc. The VIC-20 comes to mind. Collecting for systems like that can be annoying even when the cost isn't particularly high.

Sano wrote:Sega Saturn

Same here. Love Sega, love fighting games too for that matter. The system is obviously no slouch when it comes to RPGs either. Problem is every decent game is $40+. No thanks.

I would love to collect for the SNES as well but the prices are a little high for me so I just have a small collection of good titles. (Castlevania IV, Star Wars, etc)

I would totes love to get into SNES, TG-16, and Saturn, but the monetary barrier of entry is all YOU SHALL NOT PASS.

I lucked out with the SNES. Owned it as a kid and got games like FFVI, Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, etc. for birthdays / Christmas.

One idea is to look into the import scene. Japanese Saturn and PC Engine games aren't generally that expensive.

I've got a really well rounded collection overall with 50+ games for at least 16 different platforms but there are definitely a couple systems that fall into this category still. For me it's the TG16/CD, All Atari home consoles, and NeoGeo MVS/AES/CD.

It's a strange combination of 1) I didn't own or play these systems growing up. 2) I have multicart/everdrive solutions for a few of these systems already. 3) I simply don't like the look of the carts or cases (AES being the exception here). 4) I don't have the shelf space to dedicate to creating a decently rounded collection for these new platforms.

On the flip side, I'm still hunting for games on platforms I don't necessarily love more than the TG16/CD, Atari or NeoGeo. It just that I am already invested in the platform with some good games, the new games I buy are classics on the platform and are not outrageously priced, and still I have a little room their respective shelves. Good examples being the GBA, DS, and PSP. It doesn't make much sense to play or collect like this but it's just how it happens for me.

TSTR wrote:I would totes love to get into SNES, TG-16, and Saturn, but the monetary barrier of entry is all YOU SHALL NOT PASS.

I am so glad I started hunting and buy for the saturn and snes many many years ago before the prices got to where they are today. Its crazy what has happened the past 3-4 years on these platforms. Flea markets, craigslist, and pawn shops use to be so much fun to hunt for games at but nowadays its seems like most of these places are all dried up from demand. Plus retro gaming is more popular than ever, almost to the point where i think its a just a fad for many people, and its over inflating the cost of games.