Tips for Building an Awesome Retro Game Collection
Mar 19, 8:00 am
It’s late at night. Two floors down, the thumping beat of a house party causes the room to slightly tremble, as if with anticipation. You’re in your apartment, snacks ready, several friends waiting expectantly, watching your every move. You pull a slick plastic case off the shelf, and pop it open, revealing the disc inside. Your friends gasp, staring at the disc in awe. In your hands is an original black-label copy of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, complete with the original case and manual.
Okay, maybe I dramatized that a bit, but it is pretty cool when people appreciate some of the rarer games in my collection. If you’ve ever been to my apartment, you’ve probably noticed the massive wall full of retro games. It’s a passion – well, maybe more than that. I’d have to classify it as an obsession.
I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I really do play them all!
It’s great to sometimes pull down Goldeneye or BattleTanx 2 for some nostalgic multiplayer with friends. When I’m in the mood for some solo gaming, maybe I’ll play some Tactics Ogre, or Chrono Cross, or Secret of Mana. Maybe I just want to smash stuff in Twisted Metal, or camp out with a laptop gun in Perfect Dark.
My collection took a ton of work, and it’s still not nearly complete. I still have to get my hands on the original Valkyrie Profile, Suikoden II and other rare games that I’m dying to add to the epic gaming wall.
I also collect strategy guides, art books and various other gaming paraphernalia. It’s definitely been a labor of love, one that probably won’t be completed for a few years.
Anyway! I’m here to offer you a few quick tips on how you can build your very own retro gaming collection - without going completely broke.
Pawn Shops – Not Just for Selling Stuff
I’ve never seen a place so full of retro games and consoles as the pawn shop near my apartment. Seriously, there was even a brand-new Power Glove - which I really wish I bought! I found a like-new SNES there, bundled with 8 games for $19. Check your local pawn shop - there’s always at least a few retro games, and they’re usually pretty cheap.
Become an eBay Pro
Most of the games that I have, I won from auctions on ebay. I always cross reference the prices on eBay with other sites that have retro games available, like Amazon.com. Actually, how I funded a lot of my gaming purchases was to buy multiple “rare” games off of eBay, and re-sell them on Amazon (keeping one, of course!). You’d be surprised at how many people sell Breath of Fire for $1 on eBay. Fun Fact: I also use a similar strategy to make gold in WoW. Shhh!
Bug Your Friends
Collecting retro games definitely isn’t for everyone. Some of your friends might have an old N64, or a box of old games sitting in their garage that they’d be willing to part with. You can offer them money, but trading works well too! I traded some of my duplicate Magic the Gathering cards with a friend for a N64 console and a huge box of games.
Anyway, those are the three main things I did to build my epic collection of epic-ness. Do you collect games? What are some retro games that you still have sitting on your gaming shelf?
Mar 19, 8:00 am
It’s late at night. Two floors down, the thumping beat of a house party causes the room to slightly tremble, as if with anticipation. You’re in your apartment, snacks ready, several friends waiting expectantly, watching your every move. You pull a slick plastic case off the shelf, and pop it open, revealing the disc inside. Your friends gasp, staring at the disc in awe. In your hands is an original black-label copy of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, complete with the original case and manual.
Okay, maybe I dramatized that a bit, but it is pretty cool when people appreciate some of the rarer games in my collection. If you’ve ever been to my apartment, you’ve probably noticed the massive wall full of retro games. It’s a passion – well, maybe more than that. I’d have to classify it as an obsession.
I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I really do play them all!
It’s great to sometimes pull down Goldeneye or BattleTanx 2 for some nostalgic multiplayer with friends. When I’m in the mood for some solo gaming, maybe I’ll play some Tactics Ogre, or Chrono Cross, or Secret of Mana. Maybe I just want to smash stuff in Twisted Metal, or camp out with a laptop gun in Perfect Dark.My collection took a ton of work, and it’s still not nearly complete. I still have to get my hands on the original Valkyrie Profile, Suikoden II and other rare games that I’m dying to add to the epic gaming wall.
I also collect strategy guides, art books and various other gaming paraphernalia. It’s definitely been a labor of love, one that probably won’t be completed for a few years.
Anyway! I’m here to offer you a few quick tips on how you can build your very own retro gaming collection - without going completely broke.
Pawn Shops – Not Just for Selling Stuff
I’ve never seen a place so full of retro games and consoles as the pawn shop near my apartment. Seriously, there was even a brand-new Power Glove - which I really wish I bought! I found a like-new SNES there, bundled with 8 games for $19. Check your local pawn shop - there’s always at least a few retro games, and they’re usually pretty cheap.
Become an eBay Pro
Most of the games that I have, I won from auctions on ebay. I always cross reference the prices on eBay with other sites that have retro games available, like Amazon.com. Actually, how I funded a lot of my gaming purchases was to buy multiple “rare” games off of eBay, and re-sell them on Amazon (keeping one, of course!). You’d be surprised at how many people sell Breath of Fire for $1 on eBay. Fun Fact: I also use a similar strategy to make gold in WoW. Shhh!
Bug Your Friends
Collecting retro games definitely isn’t for everyone. Some of your friends might have an old N64, or a box of old games sitting in their garage that they’d be willing to part with. You can offer them money, but trading works well too! I traded some of my duplicate Magic the Gathering cards with a friend for a N64 console and a huge box of games.
Anyway, those are the three main things I did to build my epic collection of epic-ness. Do you collect games? What are some retro games that you still have sitting on your gaming shelf?
SHARE THIS:
