So, you want to get into video game collecting? Retro, modern, a specific brand, or a weird obsession with the more obscure gems of gaming. Finding and collecting games can be an exciting and fulfilling hobby to share with our friends and families. Whether you want to finish a complete console library, find the rarest of the rare, or just bolster your options for your favorite consoles, I got you covered. There are a lot of different ways to approach getting into game collecting, and I am going to give some advice based on my experience as a game collector for 25 years and counting.
Getting Started
You have your basic games that you enjoy. Your Mario, your Zelda, your God of War games.These are games you buy, you play, and you enjoy over and over again. One would think that it would only make sense to stay in that lane, so do a little diving and find out if there are games featuring your favorite genres that you don’t own yet. Look into who developed the games you enjoy and find other titles by them.
A good example would be Platinum Games, who have created such titles as Nier: Automata and the Bayonetta series. Their games have a unique smooth flowing combat system that captures a lot of players that love the hack ‘n slash genre. Looking into them and following their works in reverse order, you’ll realize they also helped create Metal Gear Rising, Transformers: Devastation, Vanquish, The Wonderful 101 , and Mad World. Do a little more digging and you will notice they’re derived of the core developers from the former Clover Studio which worked on older titles such as Viewtiful Joe, God Hand, and Okami. Any dummy that can google, as proven by me in doing this research, can follow this trail and find many games across many platforms to start looking for to add to their collection.
Another method I used was to try and find every hockey game ever made. Sports games are cheap and rarely ever hold value, so it was a fun time boosting my collection with these. Stick with what you like and find other games like it. You will have less shelf space before you know it!
Where do I look?
Finding specific games is as easy as it’s ever been with the internet. There are a million websites with people begging collectors to buy their unwanted games for more money than they’re worth. Anyone can go to eBay and look up what a game is listed at and think “Well, I should ask for that much, too!” If you’re looking for a game that you can’t seem to find at your local spots, there’s no shame in buying it online. Just be prepared to pay more for that convenience, and to take the risk of that game being in a compromised condition that the seller may have just happen to “overlook”.
I have bought a game listed as “great condition!” with a picture of the front, and when it came the cartridge had an illegible name written on it in permanent marker. Something along the lines of “Blurmafre”. Thanks Blur, I will never truly own that copy of Porky Pigs Haunted Holiday because of you. I am just borrowing it until you return my liege.
If you are like me though… First off, I’m sorry. Second, you want to find these games “in the wild”. You enjoy the thrill of walking into a thrift store and seeing a bin that says, “3 for $10”. I’ve had to fight the urge to fist pump like Tiger Woods hitting a championship clinching putt as I’ve found a rare title collecting dust in a $3 game bin. Taking it up to the counter and trying not to make eye contact as I rip the guy off to high heaven by handing him a $10 bill for $100 worth of games if purchased anywhere else. Don’t bank on this happening often though. You may find yourself finding nothing that interests you for a couple weeks at a time. But, it’s worth checking in to a few spots every so often. You never know!
What to collect?
You’re a video game fiend and aren’t sure exactly what you want to collect for. You just know that money is burning a hole in your pocket and it needs to be turned into GAMES!! Currently the biggest bang for your buck is going to come from the PS2 and original Xbox. These games have the value of a pack of coasters at this point. Most people have boxes and boxes of them in their closets and attics. Much like my generation had for the NES and SNES back in the day. But, it’s only a matter of time before the nostalgia hits. Then, the people that grew up with the PS2 as their childhood console are adults looking for extra money. The prices of these games may start to shoot up in the coming few years, so strike while they’re cheap!
The PS2 sports a library of over 1,700 games from all different genres. A ton of them are yearly sports titles that most shops should pay you to take off their hands. But there are some awesome platformers, shooters, RPGs, puzzlers, and everything in between. You’ll be more likely to take a risk on games you’ve never played this way as well. Teleport back to the 90’s where you would rent or purchase a game based solely on the cover art and the synopsis on the back! It’s just a couple bucks, you may find another rabbit hole to fall down if it’s part of a series!
Quality over Quantity
Do you just buy up as many games as possible, so you have full shelves, and an impressive display for when your fellow gamers come by the house? Or, should you have a select few rare gems that will fuel their envy when they see it staring at them from your neatly preserved collection? I’ve honestly went through phases of both. Being a huge fan of JRPGs, I’ve been prone to finding a way to obtain some pretty expensive games to fill out my PS1 and PS2 collection.
When collecting video games, it’s important to understand, that for more expensive titles, make sure you buy the RIGHT copy. Do not settle for a disc only, damaged case, or missing manual. Sellers will try to get the highest possible price out of you. Regardless if it is in acceptable condition or not. Do not be afraid to walk away! If you are looking to just have a physical copy to play, then always try to haggle with the seller. Point out that it’s missing some key elements to making it worth the price they’re asking. They may give a discount if you sound like you know your stuff!
Bundle and Save
When it comes to going for quantity, try to bundle your games for a bigger discount. If a seller says they want $10 for 3 games, they’ll probably do $15 for 6 games if you ask. Remember that they want to get it off their shelves, and you want it onto yours. This works with expensive games as well. If you’re willing to spend a good amount, most sellers will work with you, if you bundle a few smaller things as well. I’ve heard the phrase “I’ll throw those in for free since you’re buying that one” a lot over the years. Asking your friends if they have any old games lying around can work too. I had a friend sell me a lot of 55 games for $100 once. It contained around 35 games I needed, which is going to bring me to my next bit of advice:
Use Games to Get Games!
Don’t be afraid or ashamed to buy games you already own. Especially at a price you know is very low for what you’re getting. Having bought a lot of 55 games that had 20 I already owned in it seems kind of dumb. But wait! I am not the dumb. I am the smart, and you can too. Being a collector, you’re most likely going to run into other people that enjoy collecting as well. Whether it be a friend close to you, or an online community through Discord or various message boards. Trade those bad boys to other collectors that want them for something you want! Give ‘em the ol’ Pokemon card treatment. Flip that Blastoise for a Zapdos!
There are ways to turn your doubles into the games you need. Just be patient and find out what your fellow collectors are looking for. I’ve had countless times where I’ve ran into something I knew a friend needed. I’d pick it up in a bundle and toss it their way if I felt I got my money’s worth for what I needed. Game collecting can be a self-sustaining hobby after a while if you go about it the right way. Enjoy the community aspect and make some good buds along the way who also are into video game collecting!
Be Responsible
Always, always, ALWAYS take care of your priorities first. It’s easy to get caught up in the newest collector’s edition, or the ultra-rare RPG you’ve never seen in person before. Game collecting can add up very fast, and the thrill of completing a set can often warp your rational side to what really matters. In the end, it’s just video games, and things like your car payment, rent, or medication for your gout take priority over that copy of Rule of Rose. If you find yourself running low on money because you’ve splurged a bit too much on your collection lately take a break, the games aren’t going anywhere.
These are just a few tips I’ve come to learn over the years that I feel can be pretty helpful when you’re looking to get into collecting games. Now get out there and find those games and begin your adventure into video game collecting!
