Collection Essentials: Selecting a Console

Collecting video games often has no starting point; many collectors naturally fall into it. For those looking to have a clean beginning, however, selecting a console is an important step. Numerous factors can go into this, including personal taste, finances, availability and intentions.

Modern systems can be a good place to start due to availability and frequent price drops and sales this generation. Collecting for modern systems can be great for finding some true gems, and for potential value in the future, but because many modern games are mass-produced, there are no guarantees. I suggest starting with the Wii or a handheld, because of their unique niche titles, relative cheapness and potential future value due to low sales numbers and low print runs.

When it comes to retro systems, the 16-bit systems are very good choices. Super Nintendo and Genesis (Mega Drive outside North America) consoles are fairly easy to come by on eBay, at thrift stores and at flea markets, as are their games. 16-bit games are also quite different from modern games, and they make for good historical perspective, which is something that I think is good for a collector. There are plenty of fun common games, as well as fun rare games, giving you cheap games to scoop up at the onset, and elusive beasts to pursue later down the road.

Always be sure to decide as soon as possible if boxes, manuals and other original items are important to you. You don't want to buy a bunch of cheap cartridges only to realize you wish you spent a little more and bought them complete.

No one knows what is good for YOUR collection better than you, but hopefully this will get you started and get some ideas going.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• tvandlust
• tv
• and
• lust
• collection
• collector
• collecting
• video
• game
• games
• gamer
• retro
• classic
• modern
• big
• huge
• tips
• ideas
• getting
• starting
• start
• nintendo
• snes
• genesis
• wii
• ds
• psp
• sega

[photonarbiter]

Very nice video sir

[tvandlust]

@photonarbiter Thank you!

[thewonderfulwick]

NICHE IS PRONOUNCED NEESH. NEEEEESH!

[tvandlust]

@thewonderfulwick It is. It's also pronounced "nitch." Both are acceptable in American English, cupcake.

[RuckasNuckaa]

handhelds have alot of sales i dont know what your talking about the DS over shoots every THING vgchartz(dot)com

[tvandlust]

@RuckasNuckaa Sure, they sell well, but people don't generally think of them when it comes to collecting.

[tvandlust]

@zer0z Looking at your PS3 collection video, it's not surprising you feel that way. I'm not one for criticizing someone's taste, but I will say there is more to gaming than simply big budget AAA releases, and that's all you seem to purchase. Honestly, I'd be surprised if you even played half the games I showed in this video.

[Gamester81]

You're right it is a loaded question. I think the Wii is a good system and the games are getting better and better. I think Nintendo owned it Q4 last year in my personal opinion.

[TheCynicalFinn]

Help me please! I have the mega drive and the snes, how can i hook both of them up in the same tv?

[Newz1306]

The Wii is this generations Saturn?

I would give that designation to the PSP. It's huge in Japan, and it's pretty much dead here in the states. It also has a ton of pretty cool japanese games, alot of which haven't been brought over to the states; just like the Sega Saturn.

[Kefka44]

@tvandlust I do agree about the Wii sort of becoming the Sega Saturn with sort of a niche library of games. On the Sega side of things, I started getting Sega Genesis games around 2004 after my purchase of the Model 2, I haven't come across a decently priced Model 1 or Model 3 Genesis. I had the unfortunate mishap of buying a boxed Earthworm Jim game when I opened the box the Cartridge's label had been torn off, the store doesn't offer refunds on damaged carts.

[seanyboy1436]

LMAO! Love the intro! super funny :)

[FianderTV]

I'm trying to collect as many PS2 games as I can, also, I've started collecting all the Myst games