Post-collection depression/crisis syndrome

[JapanTokei]

Clash that is a great analysis.  I defintely grewup with collecting sports cards and gaming b/t the SMS, NES/Famicom, then later TG-16/PCE.  I then quit and went to Emulators/PC and chasing chicks... but now have come back to full circle in my mid-thirties, to enjoy these childhood games once again. 

I've found that i spend more time acquiring games than playing them.  There is a thrill to collecting.  I guess its all about the journey and not the destination.

I think a lot of people of the early 80s generation grew up with baseball cards and video games.  Video game collecting in 2010 basically mixes the two hobbies.

Probably could make a fortune selling packs of NES and TG16 games with random Stadium Events and Magical Chase randomly inserted.

[SuperDeadite]

This is why it's better to go slowly.  Sure I could go to Tokyo, throw down a huge chunk of cash for all that I wanted, but then most of the game would sit in boxes for months.  What's the point?

This is why I go slowly, buy no more then 2 games at once.  This way I get good deals on stuff, and I actually devote a good amount of time to playing the games as I buy them.

[JapanTokei]

Good perspective for sure Deadite.

But if you wait to long, Tokyo's stock would be all pillaged after my recent raid and Henry's continued under-ground secret source bulk buyings + Tat's weekly Hardoff hunts

and wait even longer the $USD will worth less and less and next thing you know Yen-based PCE games will double in price... lol.  okay, we won't get into economics but I had to toss that in there with the USD:YEN rate down to 84..

This is why it's better to go slowly.  Sure I could go to Tokyo, throw down a huge chunk of cash for all that I wanted, but then most of the game would sit in boxes for months.  What's the point?

This is why I go slowly, buy no more then 2 games at once.  This way I get good deals on stuff, and I actually devote a good amount of time to playing the games as I buy them.

[SuperDeadite]

Reasons why I can wait forever:
1.  I am paid in Yen.
2.  Most of the good stuff was taken by me already anyway.  (Boxed Darius 3D Glasses for 3,500yen )
3.  Plus my PCE collection is more or less complete.  Not much else I actually want to buy.
4.  If I was desperate all released PCE games are easy to get if your willing to throw down the cash, protos
and a few Not For Sale items are the only ones you can't easily get, and Cychorider is the only one worth having
personally.
5.  Most importantly Osaka>Tokyo

[_joshuaTurbo]

The only collection I've owned that had been close to completing was the Nintendo Virtual Boy.  lol- I think I had 16 games or something...

A few years ago I sold off my entire collection of video games.  Save the Nintendo Wii/ Dreamcast for the kids to play.  But My Saturn/TG/Nintendo(all)/CDi/Gens/MS/Atari etc etc were all sold to pay bills etc etc....

I went strictly emulation for a while for my retro gaming fix, and while it does seem to work short term,(all on a modded Xbox with 60gb HDD) It did leave an empty feeling inside.  I think half of the fun I had playing my video game collection was the actual cart, instructions, and packaging.  Along with the controllers and console, it just wasn't the same.  So in the last 12 months I've decided to start to recollect/play, but only if I can find GREAT deals.  And so far I've been getting back into the swing of things pretty well.

Last fall I fell into a Saturn and 30+games for $50.
Been finding NES/SNES/ Genesis games randomly from local thrift/ garage sales stores all the time.
Picked up a Turbo Grafx unit for $19 off the bay.  (Mispelled auction TurboGraphix 16)
picked up a busted CD unit and a WORKING Turbo Power base for $15
picked up a Atari 7800 for $20 at a pawn shop a couple months ago.
Basically stole(not really) a TI/99a Computer/Retro gaming machine and 40 games for $20 at a local thrift shop.

And I think a few others, but yeah- not obsessing, and just taking things slow and finding GREAT deals is the best way to go.  I now own about 15 Turbo games, and am working on picking up a PC Engine DUO to play CD games.  I have a way to go before I get to the 150 game mark I was at when I sold out in 2008, I may never get there, especially with all the rare titles I owned at the time... but you never know. 

Most important thing is that I'm having fun collecting, and I'm not obsessing about having every rare or expensive game.  I'm totally cool with probably never owning a US copy of Magical Chase!!

just thought I'd share my experience.

[termis]

Yeah, I guess I can imagine the feeling. 

But my view on "collecting" (if you can even call it that) is a bit different, so I don't seem to have as much of a problem.  Video gaming, and in particularly retro gaming, have been about cheap fun for me.  I have other crap to spend big money on.  I mean, I just splurged $900 on some motorcycle gear the other day -- I probably spent less than that on video games in the past 7-8 years or so, including system purchases and all.  Majority of my gaming collections (mostly PCE, SS & DC) have been from hard-off "junk" sections and yahoo jp auctions, meaning most were purchased dirt cheap, with a few "splurges" at super potato or whatever (and even then, I'd rarely spend over 2500 yen or so on a single game). 

For me, part of the fun was buying these random little gems for a few bucks here and there.  And I can't imagine this pursuit ever ending (of course, the search would eventually go to a broader scope of systems), so I dunno if I'll ever feel the whole "not as excited" feeling, unless I get bored of retro games in general.

[DragonmasterDan]

The only collection I've owned that had been close to completing was the Nintendo Virtual Boy.  lol- I think I had 16 games or something...

Heh, I actually have a complete (and I mean boxes, manuals, and cart) US Virtual Boy Collection (and a few imports).

Most important thing is that I'm having fun collecting, and I'm not obsessing about having every rare or expensive game.  I'm totally cool with probably never owning a US copy of Magical Chase!!

just thought I'd share my experience.

Yep, there's no point in spending astronomical amounts on a single game especially if it's one you don't intend to play which is the case for most people. The most I've ever spent on a single game is 125.00 and it was for a game I wanted to play. Part of the fun of collecting is finding things on sale or getting good deals on stuff, the most expensive game I own (and one of the most expensive games in general, NES Stadium Events) I found for $3.99. Part of the fun of collecting is the sport of finding good deals.

[_joshuaTurbo]

Another good tidbit on being retro gaming frugal is on Amazon.com!  They usually have a certain amount you can spend and then you get free shipping.  We order from time to time off the site, so its a really sweet deal.  I actually was doing some birthday shopping their a couple weeks ago, and I had spent $40.  The items I had in total would be $55 with shipping, but if I spent an additional $10 I would get free shipping.  I then found a used copy of Cosmic Fantasy 2 (Disc, black CD case, instructions) for $10!!  So I actually saved $5 by adding a great Turbo CD game to my order!!

HUZZAH!!

[Rockabilly Paradise]

i usually collect a bunch of stuff i want and then get rid of it all just so i can start collecting it again later on... it's been a vicious cycle.

[SignOfZeta]

I agree with Super Deadite. I can wait pretty much forever. If these games were going to dry up and become totally impossible to find they would have done so by now.

The reality is that all of this stuff is actually easier to find than it ever has been. A popular example would be Sapphire. This game was almost impossible to find when it was released, even if you were in Tokyo the day it came out. Now...how many people will sell you this thing, today even? A lot. And Sapphire is pretty common compared to some of the super rare non-releases. Sure, maybe the shop wants $1000 for it, but at least they have it. Try getting prototypes when they are new if you didn't work for Hudson or Famitsu or someplace with access.

And the stuff will always be there because nearly all super collectors eventually dump all their stuff: see Roy Vegas.

If time made games harder to find then stuff like those Caravan Bomberman HuCards would have totally dried up ages ago, but there is almost always one on eBay.

[Roy The Sunderer]

One of my biggest regrets is getting rid of my games over the years. I've always taken care of my games and they can sometimes be tough to find complete and pristine for a decent price. I started collecting games for older systems again just a few months ago. My G.I. Joe collection sacrificed itself for the gaming cause and I'm glad I'm picking up these older games again. Searching for deals can be difficult but rewarding, it's great to find games at good prices. I have yet to find anything good at Goodwill or Salvation Army, but I'll keep checking them out because you never know when you'll find a gem or two.

[JapanTokei]

Roy - glad to see you back in the game-hunts.  I hope that nice collection of TG system + loosey hueys I bought from ya didn't set you back too much and/or duplicates you had    btw I still haven't picked it up.... I need to stop by SF soon.. grrrrr.

One of my biggest regrets is getting rid of my games over the years. I've always taken care of my games and they can sometimes be tough to find complete and pristine for a decent price. I started collecting games for older systems again just a few months ago. My G.I. Joe collection sacrificed itself for the gaming cause and I'm glad I'm picking up these older games again. Searching for deals can be difficult but rewarding, it's great to find games at good prices. I have yet to find anything good at Goodwill or Salvation Army, but I'll keep checking them out because you never know when you'll find a gem or two.

[Roy The Sunderer]

Hi Tokei. Those were doubles, so my collection wasn't affected. The Turbo collection is still growing, I'll have 6 more games in the collection next week. It's tough trying to focus on one system, there are still so many good games to pick up for the Dreamcast, Master System, Nintendo 64, etc. I enjoy all of my consoles and obtaining the games is a hobby that will keep me occupied for many years. You probably have a ton of goodies waiting for you in SF, don't you?

[blueraven]

Completion, Tokei is the end of a quest. Some people have a harder time than others regrouping and starting anew.

Playing and beating every PCE/Turbo game is how to beat the depression. Counter your accomplishment with an uber-accomplishment!

[Sparky]

Yeah, I guess I can imagine the feeling. 

But my view on "collecting" (if you can even call it that) is a bit different, so I don't seem to have as much of a problem.  Video gaming, and in particularly retro gaming, have been about cheap fun for me.  I have other crap to spend big money on.  I mean, I just splurged $900 on some motorcycle gear the other day -- I probably spent less than that on video games in the past 7-8 years or so, including system purchases and all.  Majority of my gaming collections (mostly PCE, SS & DC) have been from hard-off "junk" sections and yahoo jp auctions, meaning most were purchased dirt cheap, with a few "splurges" at super potato or whatever (and even then, I'd rarely spend over 2500 yen or so on a single game). 

For me, part of the fun was buying these random little gems for a few bucks here and there.  And I can't imagine this pursuit ever ending (of course, the search would eventually go to a broader scope of systems), so I dunno if I'll ever feel the whole "not as excited" feeling, unless I get bored of retro games in general.

Well that saves me typing my thoughts!!! yep i am with you there man... 

The hunt, cheap fines, great people i have met and traded with and being a lucky frucker, i just never tire of it or get down and out about it.

With a shrine dedicated to my goods i am in it for the long haul and yes i agree you have to be patient... my god, slow the f*ck down... blowing your load all at once would leave ya feeling spent!!!

hell if i am going to pay $300+ for Dynastic hero... a burned copy with some super slick art work works just fine for me right now, until i do find it for cheap and oh i will!!!!... also loving the pce equally as much so i am covered for collecting/gaming for life

I've never known this problem because I collect a lot of different stuff.

hey look zeta said he collects? hahahaha... you collector you <<just razzing ya dude..hugs!!>>