So, what kind of TG collector are you?

[Lord Thag]

I guess this could go in the PCE forum as well, but due to cosmic infuences beyond my control, it is getting posted here. The voices said that would be best 

I'm kind of a weird hybrid as far as a game collector goes. Most collectors I know get all gooey and freak out when they find a brand new, never been opened game. They pet it and hug it, and put it on the shelf to drool over. Now if that were me, I'd probably tear off the wrapping, whip out the cart, and slap it in the nearest working console and play it. I'm more of a player than a collector, or at least, I like to SAY that. Makes me sound like I'm not one of those crazy obsessive types with a bedroom full of nothing but games.

Except that, well, I kind of have a bedroom full of nothing but games. Heh. Oops. My bad. 

I have determined that what I am is what is generally termed a 'lazy-ass hobo collector'. What that means is that I don't give a sack of boiled monkey sphincters if the game I'me getting is all pristine and in the box. It doesn't even have to HAVE a box (though I'd prefer it if it's the same price), so long as it works when I plug it in. Got a game with a torn label? I'll take it. Sharpie marker'd copy of Pitfall owned by some douchebag named 'Billy'? Dibs! I don't care, as long as it works. I'll take it, spend half an hour restoring it to pristine beauty, and play the hell out of it. I'm the master of taking a destroyed game and making it look new. Best record was the time I found an old tabletop arcade game (you know, like the old coleco ones) that was all smashed up. The CIRCUIT BOARD came in a little baggie in about thirty pieces like a jigsaw puzzle. It was completely smashed. I superglued it all back together, had a friend jump solder over the broken traces, repaired the case and ... it works beautifully, and is the envy of ... umm ... one other guy I know who actually cares. But still! 

So, I usually don't care about cases, though I usually end up dinding a bunch in the end. Unless, of course, it's a Genesis or Intellivision game. Won't touch either without a box. Asymetrical carts drive me nuts.

So, that's the kind of nutcase I am, how about you guys? Do you sort your carts every night? Alphabetize your hucards? Only wrap controller cords widdershins? 

Fess up! 

[nat]

I am exactly like you, except I'm slightly more picky with TurboGrafx/PCE stuff than stuff for other consoles. I'm also extremely cheap 98% of the time and will buy a sub-par quality item only to turn around and "restore" it (like you) to mint condition just to save a buck or ten.

Although with regards to some TG-16 stuff I've gone above and beyond my own personal buying patterns and spent a pretty penny from time to time (Magical Chase [mint]-$165, Might and Magic III-$100, Dungeon Explorer II-$95 were my 3 most expensive US TG-16 games and Magical Chase was the most expensive video game I've ever bought, period).

[nectarsis]

I am OCD with mine.  I like everything as minty fresh, and complete as possible.  Some may scoff at that..oh well.  So I collect, AND play.  Maybe it's the toy collector in me.   

[Turbo D]

I am a bit of a completest. I like to have complete games. They don't have to be in mint condition, but they should at least be complete. I like to get the total experience out of my games. I like to read manuals and appreciate box art. Unfortunately most of my games are not complete, lol.

[ApolloBoy]

In most cases I'll prefer the PC Engine version of a game because it's cheaper, but for TG-16 games, I'll go for games that at least have the jewel case and manual. I'm not all that worried about condition (as some of you could tell by my loose TurboChips), but obviously if the game is physically broken or the label is really worn, then I stay away. Cracked jewel cases are fine, since I can easily replace the front from another jewel case.

[Peluso8]

I don't care about completeness, in fact I prefer loose because they are easier to store. I only collect what I like to play, if I don't like the game then it goes.

[Black Tiger]

Although I am a collector in that I pick up games that I won't necessarily play as well as stuff like magazines and posters, everything is based around actually playing games. So its neat to get complete HuCards, I don't really care very much if I have the cases and I keep the actual HuCards separate in binders.

I'm more concerned about having complete Megadrive carts, since the cases look so cool. But I do want most of my CD games complete in cases. I don't consider spines or mail away cards part of completeness though.

I've owned M&MIII complete a few times, but I'm not going to really get into it any time soon and always end up selling it. However I once found the U.S. game disc for sale on eBay for under $20, so I keep it in my complete double disc PCE M&MIII case, which actually looks very nice(unlike the fugly U.S case). I probably won't buy the Turbo version complete again until its the last complete Turbo game I need(if I ever get to that point).

[ceti alpha]

Now that I'm actually starting to amass a PCE/Turbo collection, I can see that I prefer "complete" games (CD/HuCARD, case, manual). However, I do have a couple games that are not complete, but I bought those in a lot that came with GOT (Valis II and Final Zone II). It's clear to me now that having these two classics incomplete is totally unacceptable and must be rectified as soon as possible to avoid "Turbomadness" (Turbostar™ ). HuCARDs are definitely more acceptable loosey goosey than CDs, and I'm sure some games are going to get the loosey goosey treatment.

Oh, I forgot to mention whether or not I'm a collector or gamer. I'm a gamer by nature, which is why I loved the TG so much to begin with. It's hard to pin down percentage wise with the TG, but I would say 70-80% gamer, 20-30% collector.

...let me change that - 100% gamer and 100% collector. lol 

[Sinistron]

All of my CDs have cases and manuals and they are for the most part in excellent to mint condition- all of my hucards are loose and in a binder- I play all of my games as much as time allows- even the few sucky ones I'll try to play like once a year    I have so far cleared 55 of the games that I own which is about 26%.  Turbografx/PCE is the only system I play and collect for.  This is the third time I've collected for this system and my current collection I've amassed in just a few years time.

[Paisa49]

I'm not much of a completist at all. I collect games so that I can play them, so long as the game works, I'm good.

[MurderDate]

Earlier this year I realized trying to have a completist collection of anything was just the wrong approach for me.  I simply have too many (expensive) interests to keep up.  I am funny about two things though :   I collect records, and if the record in question is an Italian record than I must have the original Italian pressing.  My dream is to one day have an entire shelf stocked with records made in Italy.  Secondly - -  US Turbo Grafx !!  I don't have much of a desire (just a little) to get every single title - but I would greatly prefer the US over the Japanese version of the game if both are available.   There are others of this mindset too, and then plenty who would prefer the exact opposite!  I can't tell you why..  except to say I was alive and playing the TG16 every chance I could in 1991 without knowing something called the "PC Engine" even existed. (I didn't own my own system until 2007!)

and I should add :  as far as completeness / condition of the given title (of games)  I try not to be too anal retentive, but of course there are limits.  (insert quote function here to perform joke)
I like the games to be in their plastic cases only.  I don't want a box.  I had mint games in boxes before that I bought in a lot.. and I sold them all and bought back more than twice as many games in normal/used condition.   My favorite games I would like to have as near to mint as possible, of course.  Most of my best condition titles came from a guy who wrote the date and the prices he paid, as well as the date he beat the game neatly on the warranty page of each one.  I love stuff like that. I wish all my games had that kind of love.   My R-Type manual is falling apart.. I hate that (I love that game)..  And I hate fading on the cases !!!   That's a big one.

[nat]

but I would greatly prefer the US over the Japanese version of the game if both are available.   There are others of this mindset too

Yeah, I should add my goal is ultimately a complete US TG-16 collection. I have just about all the heavy hitters out of the way except Dynastic Hero.

[Necromancer]

I'm a semi-completist, in that I only buy games in decent shape with the manual and case.  It's great if I can find one at a reasonable price that's minty fresh and in the box, but I won't pass up a deal on a title that'll play the same and look just as good sitting amongst its brethren.

As far as playing vs. collecting, I'd say I'm a gamer first and a collector second.  I play all of my games as often as possible, but since I'm slowly working towards a complete U.S. collection, there's a few turds that won't see the light of day again any time soon.

[ceti alpha]

I'm a semi-completist, in that I only buy games in decent shape with the manual and case.  It's great if I can find one at a reasonable price that's minty fresh and in the box, but I won't pass up a deal on a title that'll play the same and look just as good sitting amongst its brethren.

As far as playing vs. collecting, I'd say I'm a gamer first and a collector second.  I play all of my games as often as possible, but since I'm slowly working towards a complete U.S. collection, there's a few turds that won't see the light of day again any time soon.

teehee...you said "turds".... 

[Mobius]

I but games to play them, but I prefer them complete and in great condition whenever possible.  I have no desire to complete a collection of all games released for a given platform, I just want the games that I'm interested in.  But the games I do buy, I like to be "collector quality."

That said, I'm not above picking up a $3 loose Genesis or SNES cart at a local place when I spot a game I want.