New collector, what system?

[xdaytime]

Ok, so I'm new to collecting video games, and would the NES be a good system to start with? Thanks!

[98redM6]

I'd suggest a n64. There are a bunch of games available for the system that provide endless hours of great gameplay. Mario 64, Zelda: Major's Mask, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Smash Bros., etc. They are reliable and you don't have to deal with scratched disks and disk read errors. Also the console and games are relatively inexpensive. If you insist on a NES, they are not very hard to find. However, the connectors are most used systems are hit and miss and will give you problems when trying to start them up.

[VileRedFalcon]

I am partial to the NES just because I grew up playing it. Lots of good stuff to collect, but there's also plenty of other people collecting it too so it's difficult and pricey to get some of the rarer stuff. Be warned though, collecting can soon turn to obsession.

[Pantechnicon]

Why are you getting into collecting (nostalgia, profit or fun),
..., and what did you play (know best) when you were a child/teen?

The answers to these two questions, imo, will form the best place from which to seek an answer to the question of the right starter system.

[xdaytime]

Why are you getting into collecting (nostalgia, profit or fun),
..., and what did you play (know best) when you were a child/teen?

The answers to these two questions, imo, will form the best place from which to seek an answer to the question of the right starter system.

I'm collecting for nostalgia and fun. I grew up playing the genesis, dreamcast and N64. I'll eventually work my way up to those.

[DigitalSpace]

First of all, welcome to the world of game collecting.

And to answer your question, YES. Just make sure you know how to deal with the pin connector issue if you don't go for a clone or try to hunt down a Top Loader.

NES games are very easy to come across. You'll see the places that overcharge for crap like Top Gun, but aside from the "A+" titles and rarities, the games usually tend to be pretty cheap in general (and even the "A+" titles and some rarities can be tracked down on the cheap if you look hard enough). I've paid around one to three bucks for most of the 183 NES carts I currently own. Try not to pay over a buck for SMB/Duck Hunt, or even better, try to get it in a lot.

Genesis would also make a good start - games are just as cheap (if not cheaper) than NES, there's a huge library, complete and boxed games are more common, and it's not hard to find a working console. Just be sure to avoid the loose ones you'll see at the thrifts, as the hookups can be a little tough to acquire on their own, Also, don't pay over a buck for any sports game that doesn't have "Mutant League" in the title (unless you're going for complete copies, and those can usually be had at dirt cheap prices too).

Hope that helps!

[dlopez9069]

Welcome to an obsession that will live with you for a long time. Are you going to go for complete collections before you start another system or not? I sure didn't and I'm happy for that stupid choice. Of course it makes completing a system extremely difficult but it also gives you a wide variety of games to play. I started with a PS, & N64, followed by NES, Genesis, & Snes. It has grown to more systems since then but you learn to appreciate each systems high & low points. NES is a good starting point though and I believe I'm rambling so if I were you I would go for N64 & NES.

[snes_collector]

If you grew up with Genesis, N64, and Dreamcast I would definatly start with those. Games for the most part are cheap for all of those systems and their isn't that many expensive and hard to find titles for them.

NES on the other hand is one of the more expensive systems to collect, it can be very challenging. But there are alot of cheap titles availible for rather small prices.

All of the systems are fun to collect for, so just have fun and good luck!

[DefaultGen]

.....

[tom]

Forget the NES, Genesis, N64 crap. To start it's VCS without a doubt!

[Trebuken]

My answer to this sort of question used to be Sega Master System. It's fairly easy and inexpensive, and with 100+ games it has a good assortment of games.

Honestly I think your best bet is get all the popular game systems from each era and then just start buying games at random as you find them locally. Once you have that you will likely know where you want to go next.

You can go ahead and buy back (if you have to) the games you used to have but there is also the angle where you can find all the great games you missed or simply could not afford back in the day.

NES isn't a bad place to start but when you get deeper into collecting for the NES it becomes expensive and it is probably the most obsessed over collection around...

[DigitalSpace]

I disagree on the N64 being cheap. The consoles might not set you back too much, but most of the cheap games you'll find are the non-Mario sports, wrestling, racing, and Star Wars titles, and Perfect Dark and Pokemon Snap. Things got a little better when GameCrazy and GameStop cleared out their N64 stock last year, but now everything else is back to being priced around $10 or more around here, maybe $5 at the cheapest. Complete and boxed games aren't as easy to find as they were about two years ago. Also, most of the third-party titles have not aged well.

On the plus side, there's no US release that has a rarity rating over 5.

[smokehouse]

I say start with the NES...plain and simple. One of the best systems ever made. Move on from there but start with the best.

The NES, SNES, Genesis and the PS1 all offer AMAZING lineups with some of the best games ever made. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

[debian4life]

It all depends on why you are collecting in my opinion. If you are collecting to find games that have the highest resale value, I would say that currently anything NES, SNES, N64 would be it.

If you are looking to start with games that have the most titles that would be either Atari 2600 or the NES. If you are looking for a system with all around great games to play then I would give the nod to NES and the PS1.

Personally my two favorite systems to buy for is the TI99/4a and the NES.

Regards,

Brian

[Cornelius]

Honestly I think your best bet is get all the popular game systems from each era and then just start buying games at random as you find them locally. Once you have that you will likely know where you want to go next.
I second this. Just buy everything you find cheap, and after you've been at it a while you'll know what you can get rid of and what you want to keep/focus on. Even buying a bit of everything I don't think you'll be finding more than you can handle, unless you are putting a ton of time into searching or buying on eBay.

It just seems that if you pick just one system at a time you'd be passing up a lot of good stuff along the way that you might have to search for again on down the road.

[cyberfluxor]

I'm collecting for nostalgia and fun. I grew up playing the genesis, dreamcast and N64. I'll eventually work my way up to those.
Buy anything cheap, period. Maybe you have the system, maybe not but one day you could. Keep that eye out for Genesis, Dreamcast and Nintendo64 titles but don't avoid Super Nintendo, Playstation, Saturn, 3DO or Turbo stuff as those are around the era you're looking to. Just become familiar with some prices before buying into anything, there are many sharks out there praying on newbies.

[Rev. Link]

My advice: Just buy what you want. Buy what you like.

If you want to play a bunch of Genesis games, go for that. If you want to try some NES games, go get 'em. Pick a little from here, a little from there. Don't worry about completing collections right away. Just have fun buying and playing games.

[Press_Start]

How much are you willing to spend?

Money is always a top issue for almost any game collector, cause it doesn't grow on trees. (Unless you're rich! X_x) Best to start with the NES or Genesis, because its cheap and get you adjusted to your new spending habits for I've seen some who've gotten carried away and paid a heavy price. ^^;

Also, don't always rush and buy the first thing you see. There are plenty of deals and bargains out there if you take the time to look. Right now is a good time to start getting games for Gamecube, PS2, and...XBox :-/. Most store are trying to clear them as fast they can for the new current-gen consoles. Good chance you might catch many complete games for as low as $5.

[xdaytime]

Ok guys, thanks for all of the help! Also, is www.collectorscardsandgames.com a respectable website? I was thinking of ordering from there.

[Moo Cow]

Personally, I'd suggest the Super Nintendo. The original NES is great, but I've honestly enjoyed my SNES so much more.

[jupitersj]

For me it's personally Sega Saturn(even though my other system collections dwarf my saturn collection still O.o ... it's a feeling kind of thing).

I usually collect rpg's and shoot em ups for any system; which kinda sucks since they seem to be the most expensive games over the years :bawling:

I'd suggest the Super Nintendo though...most games decently priced with a few expensive hits.

Oh yeah I have off work sat sun and mon so I think I'll head down to DP mortar and brick for my first time ever; hopefully making my collection bigger :villagepeople:

it'll be a fun 150+ mile drive :yipes:

[strassy]

does this thread seem bizarre to anyone else? usually collectors have an interest in something, and THEN start collecting. i've never heard of anyone say "i want to start collecting (something), but I don't really care where i start"...it seems akin to collecting sports cards, but not really caring what sport you are collecting for.

[UK Collector]

I would suggest just buying the system that you generally see the most games for in around the area you live. If NES is in abundance, then by all means, buy all you see, its a great system. I personally prefer the SNES, but that is because I was deprived of it as a kid and only had the mega drive. Which, having thought about it, is a good system to collect for too. Mega Drive (Genesis) is a good system in its own right, and a few key games (gunstar heroes, another world/out of this world, sonic 3, etc) will see you happy and on the way to a great collection. I hope that helps. I dont know about the website you suggest though, sorry.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[Jorpho]

My advice: Just buy what you want. Buy what you like.

If you want to play a bunch of Genesis games, go for that. If you want to try some NES games, go get 'em. Pick a little from here, a little from there. Don't worry about completing collections right away. Just have fun buying and playing games.


does this thread seem bizarre to anyone else? usually collectors have an interest in something, and THEN start collecting. i've never heard of anyone say "i want to start collecting (something), but I don't really care where i start"...it seems akin to collecting sports cards, but not really caring what sport you are collecting for.

Seconded. I might also suggest that you try to avoid accumulating more stuff than you will ever possibly be able to play during your lifetime, especially if you ever intend to move from your present residence.

[Cornelius]

does this thread seem bizarre to anyone else? usually collectors have an interest in something, and THEN start collecting. i've never heard of anyone say "i want to start collecting (something), but I don't really care where i start"...it seems akin to collecting sports cards, but not really caring what sport you are collecting for.
This was my gut feeling as well, just couldn't have put it into words, really. Still, I'm guessing the OP isn't starting from complete scratch (even though it sounds that way), and just thought it might be good to know of any major pitfalls to avoid (hah!).

[extra_anchovy]

Best to start with the NES or Genesis, because its cheap

you really think NES is cheap?! Even common games can cost a lot to get in good enough condition for a collector (at least from eBay).

I think games are a very personal thing like cars, everyone has very specific tastes as to what is good. I like to go for underappreciated systems myself because there is less collectors to compete with so prices are cheaper. and also I like obscure systems

I recommend collecting CD Interactive, around 80/90% of the games you should be able to get for peanuts (sealed even!). of course a lot of them games are rubbish but there are still some dam good games though. most notably the shooters, adventures, FMV and porn games. On the downside though the hardware can be very pricey.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[g2000]

What does your heart say, Sega,NES,3DO,Turbo etc?

If you happen to come across to some very cheap games for different systems, pick them up, don't hesitate.... You might not find a great deal again.


Note: The Genesis & NES have to be the most common systems to find stuff for.

[Icarus Moonsight]

The NES is a great starting-point/foundation for building a collection.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[Zebbe]

Go with the systems you grew up with. That nostalgic feeling means a lot when collecting games. It's like living your childhood again.

[Press_Start]

you really think NES is cheap?!



Compared to most other systems, yeah. I have about 90 great NES games and the highest I paid for one game is $11. Most of it from Ebay.



Even common games can cost a lot to get in good enough condition for a collector (at least from eBay).



Where do you shop? I know places where you can get complete good condition boxes for a low price. Got a complete Startropics, including box, manual, game, and letter, from Joe's store for $8.

[Ze_ro]

I'm collecting for nostalgia and fun.
When you say "fun", do you mean the fun of playing the games, or the fun of trying to hunt down hard to find ones? Around here, the second meaning is often an inspiration to people.

In any case, I'd recommend you just start with collecting games you like to play. It may seem stupid, but trust me, there are tons of people around here with truckloads of games that they will definitely never play (Math Gran Prix on the 2600? Donkey Kong Jr Math on the NES? Dangerboy and his Lightspan games? Why do we do this to ourselves?). I'd say NES is a good system to start with though... there are tons of games, including lots of true classics... and most of the games are reasonably easy to find and not terribly expensive.

There is a lot of competition out there for NES games though. Seems to me that the newer generation of collectors is going after NES because they had one when they were kids... vice versa, the Atari 2600 scene seems to be dwindling as the people who had that as a kid get older and stop collecting. The younger newcomers never had one when they were young, and just see it as some lame system with bad graphics and shallow gameplay (which is perfectly fine by me, as it means I can get rare games for lower prices ;) )

--Zero

[DefaultGen]

.....

[tom]

I agree, NES is the cheapest, look on Ebay US, 1000s of carts for $1 or less

[DeputyMoniker]

Ok guys, thanks for all of the help! Also, is www.thisplace.clownpenis.fart a respectable website? I was thinking of ordering from there.

If it turns out you're plugging your website here,
Captain Spaulding is gonna kill your whole fucking family.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/DeputyMoniker/1132527302_spaulding3.jpg

[DefaultGen]

.....

[bangtango]

xdaytime:

My system of choice would be the Genesis.

If you plan on letting your friends or family play on occasion, I'd recommend the NES or Super NES instead. There seems to be a little more nostalgic value with those. If you have people over to either take turns or engage in a little multiplayer, the libraries from those two systems would probably go over a little better.

Someone who knows what they are doing and the right places to look can build a good library for the NES, Super NES or Genesis very cheaply.

[swlovinist]

Buy the Retro Duo, and you can play all Nes, Nes Imports, Super Nes, Imports. That way you have one system that can play both Snes and Nes. Both would be great starting points to collect.

[extra_anchovy]

Compared to most other systems, yeah. I have about 90 great NES games and the highest I paid for one game is $11. Most of it from Ebay.

Where do you shop? I know places where you can get complete good condition boxes for a low price. Got a complete Startropics, including box, manual, game, and letter, from Joe's store for $8.

nice thats cheap as $10 a game! a couple popular but common games mint/excellent and complete cost me maybe 4 to 5x what you pay per game. this was from one of them ebay game stores with 1000s of feedback, possibly direct4games. I'll admit I'm not into NES much so maybe I don't look around enough. for other systems I usually go for auctions but I was impatient to get these games for NES. I did get a common but not that popular game complete and good condition at my local real gamestore for about $15 so I know there are cheap games.

[FrakAttack]

I'd start with N64 if you're planning on getting into that system cuz carts (aside from sports titles) are just starting to get scarce in the wild. I've noticed a big drop off recently compared to a year ago.

[DefaultGen]

.....

[xdaytime]

Ok guys, thanks alot. I can get a NES in box on CCAG for about 65$. After I build a decently sized collection of NES, I'm going to move onto a sega system, then maybe SNES or N64. Thanks again!