I've been getting rid of a few particular games recently, but for the most part, I just can't part with them.  Honestly, I'm never going to play Gungrave or Suikoden IV again, so why can't I sell them?  What the hell is wrong with me?

This generation has seen far more Western developed games (I have a particular love for Japanese stuff), so I have cut back, but I still put import oldies and rarities, plus I still have a list of games to pick up that I never got around to, like Kolibri.  Plus, I still pick up anything weird that I see - I've got a Famicom Disk System copy of Metroid sitting on display along with my recently purchased Pikachu edition GBA SP.  And I don't even like Pokemon, I just think the thing is hilarious!

I know that a lot of people experience the same thing.  This tells me something.  Videogames are about more than just playing.  It's a culture.  Personally, I think half the fun of videogames is talking about them and hunting down particular ones.  Gamers in general seem more enthusiastic about their hobby than other people seem about theirs.  I have an equal love of videogames and of music, but I've never had such passionate discussions about bands or types of guitars as I've had about games, nor have I been one to search for first-pressings or imports with extra tracks (with the exception of my very favorite bands).  There's something that I can't put my finger on, but gamers seem to be, by nature, not just enthusiastic, but passionate about their hobby.

And, uh... If anyone sees a Gameboy Light or Hello Kitty Dreamcast... Lemme know.

Comments (9)

...
written by Bryce, January 15, 2009

Gameboy Light Were those even sold in the United States? Haha

I have lots of games, but when I was younger I used to sell my games constantly. When my parents stopped buying them for me, and me being a 13 year old kid with no income, there wasn't really any way to get new games. I was actually stupid enough to sell Final Fantasy X, which I bought back as soon as I realized how dumb it was. I like to keep the good games, and of course any rare games I have.

I do not trade any of my games to games stores because I know it is a ripoff. I will, however, sell my games on Amazon (SO EASY!) or use Swaptree.com. Both of these have had great results so far.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Daniel Lloyd, January 15, 2009

we are one in the same. I have a TON of stuff. things i'll never use again, or haven't touched as is....but theres a huge sense of pride in my supernerd collection.

for example, my Intellivision games. got like a dozen or so, in the original boxes with manuals and overlays for $1 a piece a few years back at a Goodwill. do i have an Intellivision? nope. will i get one someday? hopefully......but I couldnt just let them sit at Goodwill for some goon to buy and toss out.

i did the same thing w/ a bunch of Master System Games....

i should write a follow up photo essay with pictures of all my junk.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Mark Peachey, January 15, 2009

I'm not much of a collector. In fact, I traded in a huge library of games and game systems to the Xbox 360 at launch. Yup, the same one that broke down on me seven times. But I had so much to trade in that I almost got the thing for free.

Now that I've got a more sustainable income, however, I'll likely start my collection anew.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by MC, January 16, 2009

In terms of divesting myself of games, I've found Goozex to be my most favored option.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by marc, January 16, 2009

Funny you mention Intellivision, Dan. My dad had one before I was even born, and that's what got me hooked - Space Invaders, Lock & Chase, Donkey Kong, and Frogger mostly. Maybe the collectors of the staff should all do photo essays lol.

Bryce, GB Light never came out over here, sadly. A lot of chiptune artists like them because the screens are easily visible in the darkness of a nightclub. I, however, want one just because!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Tralfaz, January 16, 2009

I don't have nearly as many games as most "collectors" out there, but I have a modest collection of games - steadily growing as the years go by. I don't plan on getting rid of any of my machines, though, but for somewhat practical (if also sentimental) reasons. Ultimately, whereas a lot of PC games will continue to be playable, so long as you have some compatibility environment (emulator, virtual machine, or special libraries). There's going to be no way for me to play my favorite old games without hanging on to some piece of hardware that can play them.

That said, I don't like a lot of redundancy in my hardware. I retain my PS2 and Gamecube mainly so that I can have an "Standard-Def setup" with that era of titles on my older TV. Some just don't look good or act well on a large plasma. Beyond that, though, I have no interest in collecting alternate revisions of the hardware I already own. If it has a useful purpose, yes... but not just to have. [If I ever get my hands on a CDX, I'm giving my Genesis a goodbye.]

P.S. - Kolibri is an excellent game. Arguably the finest hummingbird-based shooter on the 32X. [And yeah, I've played it. It really is pretty cool.]

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by chipperkwah, January 16, 2009

I've got a Gameboy Light I picked up in Japan a few years ago, if you want it Marc I'm willing to sell. Send me an email and we'll get down to brass tacks.

P.S. It's the gold edition..

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by JoshMiller, January 16, 2009

I am a participant in several collector style communities and I have o say I've seen the trend of "cutting back" more and more lately. Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's that particular collective age group getting to the point of "growing up" but it's not an uncommon thing.

It could also be that because I'm "doing it" I "notice it more".

I'm using too many "scare quotes" this morning it seems.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Marc Deangelis, February 01, 2009

...Just picked up a Japanese Gamecube in Spice Orange...

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment