The February megathread: Groundhog Day edition

Yeah, I don't really get these "just started collecting" posts either most of the time. By the time I realized I was "collecting" games I was already in pretty deep. I don't mean to gatekeep, just wondering what triggers these people to identify as collectors so early on as opposed to people who have a handful of video games.

But I guess to me collecting is a consequence rather than a goal... maybe that's not the case for everyone.

Here in Brazil, due to a collection of factors including low purchasing power and expensive imports, piracy (and later, downloadable titles due to Steam) was the default here. Physical titles only really started catching up with the PS3, so basically every console before that has very limited numbers of physical copies available and they go for a premium - physical, original games are seen as an expensive novelty, so you actually have to go out of your way to be a collector here.

My collection is valued at around $10.5k on pricecharting, which places it on the "ooh, look at the widdle baby trying" tier compared to a lot of collections here, but I'm sure my collection is in the top 5% in my country.

Used to have a good collection, gonna rebuild one day

I started thinking of myself as a collector when I started buying games and consoles I have little-to-no intentions of actually playing...for nostalgia reasons, mostly. Like, yes, I fulfilled my childhood dream of getting an Atomic Purple Game Boy Color, but I'm not gonna 100% Kirby on that or anything.

I think my first real 'collection' purchase was a boxed Super Star Wars for the SNES. I never owned an SNES and I have no plans to buy one...I just liked it.

I'm in a kinda weird spot here. Technically, I've been collecting games for basically my entire life, because I've always preferred physical copies of games and have even gone out of my way to get some collector's editions and such. Until about a year ago, though, I didn't really have a "collection", because I was living either in a tiny room at my parents' house or in a college dorm, so all my games were packed away or, at best, shoved into a backpack or strewn about my room.

Now that I'm an adult with an apartment and actual space, my game collection has actually become a collection for the first time. Accordingly, this is the first time in my life that I've gone out of my way to actually collect games, buying physical copies not just because I want the game, but because I want the game on my shelf.

I sell for a dude that brought out a game store. I sell them on ebay (just console) for 50.

I got 5 phats over the past 4 years. Paid €5 for 2 lf them, 1 was free, 1 was €10 and 1 was €20, every single one came with controllers, games and a memory cards. Tho I got them all at flea markets. Not sure if anything has changed but I’d say €20 max, preferably with games and accesories, if you are patient ofcourse. Hope that helped.

Rose Colored Gaming has stands, $10usd a pop, though.

What I usually do is google for box art, or search for the game on ebay or amazon... But yeah it would be a big help if wikipedia had that info in the sidebar with the platforms.

There's no mainstream website (maybe someone could make one?) to show what games are offically going to have physical versions. General rule of thumbs seem to be:
-If it's exclusive, it's likely to have a physical version.
-If it's mainstream or triple A, it's likely to have a physical version.
-If it requires a physical peripheral it'll likely have a physical version.
The games that come to mind when I hear digital only for Xbox Series X, are indie games that don't have the ability to go physical, or rerelases of games that the publisher sees no need for a physical format.

It could be the Lysol dissolving the dye in the wires. Try wiping them with a microfiber cloth or paper towel that you've dipped in water. If you still see residue then it might actually be that dirty

I might not be the best person to answer this, but I feel like disc only games aren't even really worth displaying, unless we're talking about games that only exist in disc only form (like Gamestop's Dokapon Kingdom reprint or not for resale Skyward Sword) or worth a mint even in disc only form, such as Suikoden II or w/e.

I would personally buy a blank, transparent jewel case for those and display them on a plastic easel on the shelf.

You can buy a reproduction case. Alternatively you can buy blank cases and print out your own artwork.

I know you said eBay but I would only trust the sold and completed listings there, what people are actually paying for.

pricecharting.com

There are a lot of different variations on the 360 case. That includes slightly different shades of green. It's annoying, but there isn't really a way around it. The 360 was just around for so long that their cases changed over time.

There are a few facebook groups that specialize in this exact thing. One I'm familiar with is smaller but called Video Game Pieces

was wondering this, but for boxes as well. I have a ton of games that were originally CD only due to lack of space, but I now have a proper place to store them.

Honestly, I'm attached to my games, and I've only ever sold games that were already dupes that I got from lots. I am quite picky as to what I actually buy, though, so there are few games I own that I don't care much for.

For games that I don't care for keeping - such as greatest hits games in lots - I will hold on to them until I've played them, and then sell.

If it were me I'd hold on to the factory sealed copy until I get around to wanting to play the game, at which point I'd sell it and buy an open copy.

This is something that varies from person to person, as well as from game to game. Do you think it will continue to rise in price? I would hold it. Do you want to sell now to use that money to buy other games? Then sell. If you keep it, do you know when you would play it? Would you even open it to play, or keep it sealed as part of the collection?

I personally collect games to play, I don't collect sealed games. Maybe you can buy an opened copy for way cheaper down the line when you are going to play it. I would do what you would want for your collection.

As far as I'm aware, I don't know of any database that keeps track of ads or inserts. Most people just define "CIB" as box, manual, game, and the cardboard insert that holds it in place.

I'd just check CIB auctions on ebay to know what's included

It takes a bit of freak luck to "re-construct" CIB from loose parts, can't imagine being able to do it very often. Are you sure those boxes are legit?

Just the games alone look like they're worth in the ballpark of $80 (I'm assuming they're loose), so yes, it sounds like a pretty good deal.

A DS Pokémon game with case and manual for $102 USD? Go for it, IMO (or the Pokéwalker version, if you're so inclined). The going rate is higher than that, in my experience.

Ikea stuff is the general rule of thumb due to the cost and configuration options.

I used IKEA HEMNES shelves. They’re not the most space efficient option out there, it they’re easy to put together, sturdy, not too expensive, and they look nice. IKEA has a lot of options though.