Loose, Complete, or "Really" complete?

[csgx1]

It kind of varies for me.

I don't mind collecting cheap loose Hucards for games that I think are below average or games that I might not play that much. 

But when it comes to my favorites or games that I will play a lot, they must be complete and the box is preferred.

[TheClash603]

I have the hu/cd and instruction manual for each game I own.  Anything in excess of that I got cheap, because I don't need the other stuff.  A lot of my games are in generic CD cases.

Sega Saturn I do CIB, anything else I am not picky.

[_joshuaTurbo]

I'll take 'em however I can get 'em.  A complete copy is probably worth more to me, but if I have a loose Dungeon Explorer (which I do) I still consider that good and pretty much stop looking for another version, complete, with instructions or otherwise.

However if a complete copy fell in my lap, I'd probably sell/give away the less complete version.

[Damon Plus]

I really can't understand why latecomers arriving on the Turbo scene decide to sodomize themselves and contribute to the current ebay insanity by buying only complete copies.  It's one thing if you already own a third of the library and have set a precedent for boxes, but why show up late to the potluck, pick a random system to which you have no prior attraction, know that most of the sellers are price gouging, and chose to go buy one hundred and forty games with prices starting at thirty dollars? 

As a classic system collector, I've had interest in the Turbografx for quite a long time. It's just now that I've had the chance to pick up a new one for quite cheap. As for the gouging, I'm not going to buy any game that comes with the box without looking at the price. If I don't consider it has a fair price, I'll get it later. In fact, I don't see myself buying a game that costs more than 30$, and only if it's one of the pricier ones. I'll never pay 120$ for Air Zonk, for example, as some people has done.

I live in Spain, and people here is just stupid, and overprice games way too much. This same week I've bought a Military Madness+World Court Tennis pack, new, unopened, for 45€ shipped. Is that expensive? For someone who lives in the USA, where games are a lot cheaper, maybe. For someone who saw just last week a pack of Pinball+Elite for the Nes complete selling for 50€ without shipping, not so much.

[BlackandBlue]

I want 'em complete minus the cardboard box, though I'll take the box too if the price isn't utterly retarded.

I'm with Necro.  PCE/TG16 case and manual are good enough.  Other systems, like PS2 > I like to have the case.  The only time I wanted the obi card was for Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun, because I love them, but probably paid half what these ebay douches spend for them.

[vestcoat]

As a classic system collector, I've had interest in the Turbografx for quite a long time. It's just now that I've had the chance to pick up a new one for quite cheap. As for the gouging, I'm not going to buy any game that comes with the box without looking at the price. If I don't consider it has a fair price, I'll get it later. In fact, I don't see myself buying a game that costs more than 30$, and only if it's one of the pricier ones. I'll never pay 120$ for Air Zonk, for example, as some people has done.

Well Damon, it sounds like you're sane (and welcome to the forum, BTW, and thanks for starting a good thread!).  I can understand getting into the system because you found a cheap deck and slowly adding games to your collection when the price is right.  Starting from scratch in 2011 and deciding to go for all complete copies still seems a bit like self torture or a waste of money, but I guess it depends on what kind of "collector" you are.  Do you have complete sets for three other consoles already on the shelf and the Turbo is just the next one on the list?  Or are you mainly out to get some games you've always been interested in, picking up other titles if you find them cheap?  I can relate to the latter.

I tracked down the U.S. games because I've always been more obsessed with the Turbo than any other system, the library is small, the ratio of good:bad games is decent, and I already had half of the rarities before the prices went nuts.  On the flip side, I recently picked up a 3DO.  I've always had an interest in it since borrowing one from a friend in '94, but, with none of the other factors in my favor, I've just said "f*ck it, why waste money?" and I settle for any scratched, loose disc with downloaded PDF manual that will let me play the games on real hardware without ruining my lens with ISO CD-R's.

When it comes to other systems, I like manuals with my RPG's and go for complete copies of stuff I'm really into, like Ultima and SSI games.

Anyway, that's what's reasonable in my mind.  I know it's very judgmental and hypocritical to say that my U.S. TG collection is justified and those who came after some arbitrary cut-off date are crazy.  Collectors are (mostly) all shades of grey and as long as you're not blowing money out your butt then you're cool in my book.  What matters is that we all dig NEC consoles!

[Dyna138]

For me I consider US games "complete" with the outer box. That said I doubt I will have a complete collection of boxes with a boxed copy of Magical Chase going for something like $2000. I still try to get complete copies of US Turbo games as I like to collect them, but I guess I'm gonna have to do without that one in the end unless I find a really good deal. Part of the reason I want the boxes is they have nostalgia value for me. I can see someone who didn't grow up playing the TG16 or someone from another region not caring about them.

My standards for Japanese PCE games is not that high by comparison. I'm mainly concerned with the condition of the disc or card and not if its got the Obi strip or not.

[Damon Plus]

Well Damon, it sounds like you're sane (and welcome to the forum, BTW, and thanks for starting a good thread!).  I can understand getting into the system because you found a cheap deck and slowly adding games to your collection when the price is right.  Starting from scratch in 2011 and deciding to go for all complete copies still seems a bit like self torture or a waste of money, but I guess it depends on what kind of "collector" you are.  Do you have complete sets for three other consoles already on the shelf and the Turbo is just the next one on the list?  Or are you mainly out to get some games you've always been interested in, picking up other titles if you find them cheap?  I can relate to the latter.

I tracked down the U.S. games because I've always been more obsessed with the Turbo than any other system, the library is small, the ratio of good:bad games is decent, and I already had half of the rarities before the prices went nuts.  On the flip side, I recently picked up a 3DO.  I've always had an interest in it since borrowing one from a friend in '94, but, with none of the other factors in my favor, I've just said "f*ck it, why waste money?" and I settle for any scratched, loose disc with downloaded PDF manual that will let me play the games on real hardware without ruining my lens with ISO CD-R's.

When it comes to other systems, I like manuals with my RPG's and go for complete copies of stuff I'm really into, like Ultima and SSI games.

Anyway, that's what's reasonable in my mind.  I know it's very judgmental and hypocritical to say that my U.S. TG collection is justified and those who came after some arbitrary cut-off date are crazy.  Collectors are (mostly) all shades of grey and as long as you're not blowing money out your butt then you're cool in my book.  What matters is that we all dig NEC consoles!

No, I don't have any complete library. My pockets are not that deep (if at all). I've been collecting for other systems a few years, and I've already gotten almost every game I wanted (Dreamcast), think the games are very expensive and only get them if cheap and cart only (Snes), or a combination of both (Genesis and Nes, for example). Their +600 library each don't help, btw.

 I guess is the pleasure of collecting something not quite as mainstream as the other systems. That's why I also like the NGPC and the Lynx (which I forgot before). They are systems with small librarys (the TG is the biggest at 94 if we don't count CD releases), and, with time and luck, it would be feasible to get them. Yes, I know getting something like Magical Chase would be a "Miracle chase", but it doesn't worry me. I'll be adding games when I can and find them.

In the end, I'm starting to collect for the TG-16, because I find the system a very charming one. It has a lot of exclusives I want to play since I read about them in magazines years ago (remember Spain was one of the test markets for the TG), and, more important, I'm having fun doing so. Getting that sealed Military Madness I mentioned before gave me that special, nostalgic, fuzzy feeling only things you're really excited gives you. And money can't pay that (well, it can, but... you know what I mean).

[roflmao]

Congrats on getting an unopened copy of Military Madness, especially at what you paid!  I sure hope you crack that bad-boy open and give it a shot, though.  IMO, it's one of the best console turn-based strategy games to date (on any system).  It's one of my favorites for the TG-16, even though I'm not very good at it yet (still haven't beaten it!).

[GameFreak]

I used to collect many loose. Now when i find a game that is on my "must have" list, i usually need a case+manual.
I have no need for boxes unless I'm starting a fire.

[GameFreak]

...the original question reminds me of another point. Sealed/brand new?
I have been building up my (pc-engine) CD collection. I now try and find a sealed CD copy if I can. I am good at taking care of CD's. So it is good to have one with no scratches. I have been disappointed buying a used CD and when more than half way through the game the tiniest scratch will keep me from finishing the game. That sucks. It's nice to open a sealed CD game that has been sealed for 15ish years knowing it wont glitch.
I would NEVER buy a sealed Hucard though! Hucards can withstand a beating over time.

[Damaramu]

For TG16 games, I don't really care about the outer box. If it comes with the game, fine - but I won't go out of my way to hunt down boxes. PC Engine games, specifically CD based, I would like to have the spine card but it's not a deal breaker if it's missing.

I won't ever purchase a hucard/cd only game.

[exile]

I"m with the majority. I'm not too keen on those damn cardboard boxes worse yet trying to make sure the foam in inside lol If the game didnt come with a case,I'm good with chip and manual. Pc engine same no spine cards needed. Genesis (some might cry) I cut those cursed cardboard boxes up to fit it the plastic cases. I like my games uniform. Only system I own and couldn't give a rats @$$ about boxes is my famicom top loader. anything else manuals are a must and cardboard boxes secondary. Ie: nes-SNES,etc

[grahf]

Loose Hucards only! I just buy the games I want to play for now. Maybe one day I'll get completes of the ones I really like.
As for CD games, it's kind of hard to find them without the jewel case. I don't care about spinecards though.

[thrush]

I'll take 'em however I can get 'em.

This is my attitude, too.  If price & availability were not issues then, sure, I would rather have the case & other paraphernalia.  But, for the most part I just want to play the games.  A couple people at local game stores have been referring to me as a collector recently, but I suspect my "collection" is pretty small compared to most people on here (8 consoles, each with less than 20 games).  I suppose I'm a collector only in so far as I'm an avid player.

edit: That said, I can totally respect someone who does collect seriously ... as long as they also play.  ^_-