Famicom World

Family Computer => Famicom / Disk System => Topic started by: ericj on October 16, 2009, 02:44:39 pm

Title: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: ericj on October 16, 2009, 02:44:39 pm
I thought this would be an interesting topic in which to share the lessons we've learned from collecting retro (specifically Famicom) games.

Here's what I've learned:

- Games that I've paid a lot for don't tend to get played much at all and mostly end up as nice 'decorations' in a game box.
- My best finds are usually discovered in lots that I didn't pay much for.
- Games will always pop up for sale in the future (minus some rare exceptions), so if you think it's too expensive, use restraint and don't make the purchase. You will see it for cheaper in the future.
- I like very few RPGs. I just don't have the time or the patience for them.

Please share the lessons you've learned.
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games
Post by: famiac on October 16, 2009, 02:54:21 pm
I agree with everything you said!
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: nintendodork on October 16, 2009, 03:03:23 pm
I agree with the RPG thing.  I only like Pokemon, Mother, Super Mario RPG...and the two N64 Zelda games.  That's about it, though.
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: nensondubois on October 16, 2009, 03:10:55 pm
Quote from: ericj on October 16, 2009, 02:44:39 pm
I thought this would be an interesting topic in which to share the lessons we've learned from collecting retro (specifically Famicom) games.

Here's what I've learned:

- Games that I've paid a lot for don't tend to get played much at all and mostly end up as nice 'decorations' in a game box.
- My best finds are usually discovered in lots that I didn't pay much for.
- Games will always pop up for sale in the future (minus some rare exceptions), so if you think it's too expensive, use restraint and don't make the purchase. You will see it for cheaper in the future.
- I like very few RPGs. I just don't have the time or the patience for them.

Please share the lessons you've learned.


Agree with number 1.
Somewhat true.
I haven't had any luck finding a few games and I've waited year and still no luck.
Title: What are some lessons you learned from collecting retro video games?
Post by: Nightstar699 on October 16, 2009, 03:11:41 pm
I really like musashi no bouken, and super chinese 2 and 3. Theyre rpgs. Anyways, i learned that ebay is absolutely horrible, and to never use it unless its a buy it now. It will just lead to dissapointment.
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: MS-DOS4 on October 16, 2009, 03:13:37 pm
I practically have to force myself to play my retro games. They're fun, but I wouldn't play em' all the time. They usually just sit on my shelf looking pretty. Especially my pirates, they're eye candy.
Title: Re: What are some lessons you learned from collecting retro video games?
Post by: famiac on October 16, 2009, 03:15:24 pm
Quote from: Nightstar699 on October 16, 2009, 03:11:41 pm
I really like musashi no bouken, and super chinese 2 and 3. Theyre rpgs. Anyways, i learned that ebay is absolutely horrible, and to never use it unless its a buy it now. It will just lead to dissapointment.


I got smb2j on ebay for 16$ shipped on an auction not too long ago :)
Title: What are some lessons you learned from collecting retro video games?
Post by: Nightstar699 on October 16, 2009, 03:20:13 pm
Well good for you.
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: nensondubois on October 16, 2009, 03:51:56 pm
I also feel the same about ebay, not about other auction sites because hardly anyone uses them. Chase the chuckwagon is good for retro games.
Title: What are some lessons you learned from collecting retro video games?
Post by: Nightstar699 on October 16, 2009, 03:58:37 pm
I have yet to try chase the chuckwagon. Ill see what i can find there sometime.
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: Rogles on October 16, 2009, 03:59:38 pm
Quote from: nintendodork on October 16, 2009, 03:03:23 pm
I agree with the RPG thing.  I only like Pokemon, Mother, Super Mario RPG...and the two N64 Zelda games.


ZELDA ≠ RPG
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: JC on October 16, 2009, 04:11:57 pm
--The best way to buy games is direct from people who live in the countries where the games were made.
--Buy lots because you'll find fun games you didn't know existed.
--You can completely fund your collection by buying huge lots and selling the dupes.
--Buy to play the game or don't buy it at all.
--Don't take someone else's word for it; play the game yourself to see if you like it.
--The only fun Japanese RPG is Sweet Home, but don't take my word for it.
--"Rare" games usually aren't rare.
--The only true grails are impossible-to-find unlicensed games; they keep me interested in Famicom.
--Japanese carts smell like mold.
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: MS-DOS4 on October 16, 2009, 04:17:13 pm
Quote from: JC on October 16, 2009, 04:11:57 pm
--Japanese carts smell like mold.


Mine smell like ether cig smoke or overheated electronics. My Atari 2600 carts smell of rank cat urine.
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: famiac on October 16, 2009, 04:26:52 pm
XD my carts smell like moldy cig smoke!
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: nensondubois on October 16, 2009, 06:15:12 pm
I never smell my carts! :D
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: famiac on October 16, 2009, 08:42:36 pm
Me neither but i just smelled them to see if what JC said was true XD
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: 133MHz on October 16, 2009, 09:19:56 pm
This thread has inspired me to write this on my blog:

http://133fsb.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/murphys-law-applied-to-video-game-collecting/
Title: Re: What are some lessons you've learned from collecting retro games?
Post by: senseiman on October 17, 2009, 05:59:00 am
I think I agree with the OP's points.

I would add (from the perspective of someone collecting in Japan):

-No two shops ever charge the same price for the same game so it pays to shop around;
-Every shop has way more Super Famicom games than anyone could ever need but nowhere near as much Famicom or N64 stuff;
-Every shop has way more horse racing games than anyone could ever need (ie every shop has at least 1 horse racing game);
-Never pay more money than you are willing to lose for a game you have never played before because it might suck;
-There is absolutely no correlation between how much fun a game is and how much it costs.