subject: Tips For Retro Game Collecting [print this page] As a child you may have heard that video games would be a passing fad. Your parents thought that at a certain age you would grow out of them and that it would be like any other youth pop culture phenomenon. However, that's not what happened. As it turned out, video games became one of the leading industries in entertainment and is now a driving force equal to music and movies. They have crossed that threshold to the point where they are now become adapted into other formats (books, graphic novels, films, etc.). And if you were a serious gamer you probably built up a fairly expansive collection. Retro games are still super popular. Although many of the bigger titles will be reincarnated into the new system formats and digital downloads, there's something nostalgic about playing them on their original console.
It's very easy to develop an extensive video game library. Retro titles are a kind of commodity in a collector's market. Conventions, pawn shops, and independent game stores may stock both common and rare franchises that will really round out your overall treasure. Sure, you're going to want to start with your old favorites, but as you continue on your hunt, you should really start looking for rare systems and cartridges in their original packaging. Games that only sold so many copies are not only considered vintage, but their scarcity makes them worth much more.
Unless you have a local store that stocks an ample selection of retired games and systems, chances are your best bet to find the missing pieces to your puzzle is by searching online. With sources like eBay and Amazon the ability to find these treasures has become much easier. You can even find sites online devoted to price comparison. There are also magazines for purists that list the market price for certain titles and what to expect from them in terms of appreciation or depreciation. These collector's guides will help you find the right timing for purchasing said titles.
And if you're going to put so much effort into finding all of these originals, then you need to set aside part of that budget for accompanying consoles, controllers, and other peripherals. The experience is worth the work you put into achieving it.
Your level of commitment is decided by nobody but you. Whether you're diehard or casual, you can enjoy the experience of building a proper collection. You can dig as deep into the realm as you like.
