How many systems is too many?

[titanzguard]

I was pondering this last night. What I mean by the question is not how many different systems is too many, but how many of the same systems do you have is too many. For example, I currently have 5 Sega Genesis'(2 model 1's, 2 model 2's and 1 model 3). This to me doesnt really bother me but I have 3 original XBOX's, 3 SNES', 4 N64's and 3 NES's. The reason I have so many is because some were given to me or others were deals - such as an NES for $3.

Prime example was 3 weeks ago I was in a local goodwill and see and XBOX system, all cables and 2 controllers for $9. I plug it in to test if it powers on and tray opens. Both work great. Should I pass on it(Since it would be my 3rd console)? No, I bought it because I thought it was a steal. Here is the exactly opposite... I was at a flea a week or so ago and a guy had a Genesis and 10 games for $20. Well I knew I did not want the system, just the games so I asked "How much for just the games?" He replied "I want to sell it all together. How about $15 for it all?" I told him I would come back. I walked the flea for about 20-30 minutes trying to make up my mind. I finally went back and offered $10 for all the games. He hesitated but took the $10 for the games. As I walked to the car my friend asked me why I just didnt give him $5 more for a system with 2 controllers? Ever since then I think I am a complete dumbass for not giving him the $5 for it.

MY question is what do you guys think is too many of one system? I have always thought having 1 system to use and 1 as a backup is sufficient. But what do you do when you can buy an addition system for $5? Do you buy or pass on it?

[GnawRadar]

I think it depends on what it is. Personally I don't have any doubles of any systems, but I have a Generation NEX to use instead of my NES. If there is a good deal on something and I think I could use it or someone else might want it I probably wouldn't pass it up and would by it, even though it might be a double or triple. It also depends on where you are getting it. If I'm at a yard sale and I see a SNES for $5, I'm sure as hell going to buy it because if myself or someone else doesn't it might just get thrown away, and then it would just be a waste.

Depending on the deal and where it is coming from, I say go for it because worst comes to worst you can always sell them.

[megasdkirby]

I have doubles of systems as backup purposes.

However, it's never too bad to have many of a certain console.

Think of them as backups. That is, if money permits.

[swlovinist]

If you can afford it, never pass up a deal on a console sale. You may never know if youll need extra parts, your own system going out, or a friend that wants to borrow a system from you. In the end, if you have the extra money and space, ALWAYS pick a good deal up. If anything, they are cheap gifts to friends and family :)

[Malon_Forever]

I could see if you got a second one for a great deal, but if you come across a great deal again, why not pick it up and sell it for profit? Seems to make sense to me... There's no need (atleast to me) to have more then 2 of the same, unless you're a collector and you want each model or something of that nature.

[Sudo]

I really don't see the need for having more than one of a given system, unless like was mentioned it was part of a bundle or something. Even then, I'd sell off the extra.

[Sniderman]

I don't understand the question. There is no such thing as "too many."

[dao2]

I have 7 dreamcasts ;p (all different though) and 1 more coming (again none of what I have ;p) and I plan to have at least 10, and if I can get it 12 ;p

[The Shawn]

Well, last week I had my nephews for a while and I'm sure glad I had a spare X-box I picked up in a trade on hand, as my main unit red-ringed and some Japanese screen came up (I didn't know the original X-box red-ringed also!)

So after making the kids think they broke it:evil laugh: I pulled my spare out of the closet and fired it up! I was a pretty cool uncle after that...

If I come across a good deal I usually pick it up, just for a spare if need be.

[calgon]

Just my personal preference since I sold off the bulk of my collection within the past year-and-a-half, but I can't see myself ever owning more than three consoles at once now.

[titanzguard]

Ya, thats why I felt so dumb passing on that genesis for $5. I knew I could have found someone to atleast buy it from me for $5, if not more.

The reason I bring it up is I store all my gaming stuff in my office which is in the basement and it seems that every week I am re arranging things or putting a new box of doubles of systems away and I hate just looking at boxes that may never get played. But on the other hand, I HATE passing on a great deal. I figured most are just like me and hate passing on a great deal.

[MrSparkle]

as stated before, These things make great gifts as retrogaming is the new hotness, second point i'd make is genesis with 2 controllers could fetch 15-20 pretty easily on craigslist or ebay, and lastly if you ever wanted to mess around trying to mod something a really cheap flea market or garage sale system is probably the way to go, no need to risk your main system.

dont kick yourself over it though, it was just a genesis things are more common than grains of sand.

[coreys429]

Yesterday I picked up a Super Nintendo and Game Cube for $40. The reason was a day before my best friend ruined his SNES with his speakers and just needed a new system. Now I sold him the system for $25, and now only spent for the games, accessories of the SNES and a Game Cube for $15. I justified spending that much because I got the good deal on the stuff. I try to pick up systems on the cheap side most the time because I can get great deals for games. The only system I don't do this on is Sega Genesis....I can never get rid of them it seems.

[titanzguard]

Well another person made a real good point as well. If the seller does not sell the system, then they may just throw it away thinking its worthless.

Not system related but a few months ago I did just that. I was at a flea and a lady had 8 copies of Sonic 2 for gamegear. They were sealed, in box, and she wanted .50 a piece for them. I went over and bought one and gave my buddy .50 to buy a copy as well. I told him before we leave I was going to stop and see if the other 6 were still there. When I walked back over she still had all 6. I offered $2 for the last 6, which equaled .33 a piece for me. She took it. My buddy thought I was a complete idiot for buying all 6 but I told him she might just pitch them tonight and why let 6 brand new copies go to waste.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

My question, for those of you with extra consoles, is how do your store them? It wouldn't be bad if they were all boxed, but I doubt that is the case. It would be nice to find a retailer that carried boxes that were the right size to hold a console with its controllers and cables. That would work great for me since the person who had the storage locker before me installed some nice wood shelving.

JY

[titanzguard]

I have shelves built into my wall in my office. They are stored in boxes on those shelves. What I do is wrap them in bubble wrap and put all of the same consoles in the same box so I can just write on the box "N64 Consoles (4)."

That helps me keep track of all of my systems. Honestly, I only keep a couple systems out at a time due to my limited space on my TV stand.

[otaku]

I've never owned more than 5 at one time (never had duplicates or anything) no interest in having duplicates (now having several dreamcasts that are all different, limited editions etc etc thats fine) but two identical pieces of hardware seems strange

[Vigilante]

When you have to climb over boxes to get the the bathroom after a bad burrito, you have too many consoles and games.

[NES_Rules]

In a perfect world, I'd have 2 of each console. One boxed in mint condition and another in nice condition, but is the one that gets played. However, I've accumulated around 40 "spare" systems since I've started collecting.
Although it is nice having a few spare disc systems because they so much more prone to malfunctioning than cartridge systems.

[TheRealist50]

When you have to climb over boxes to get the the bathroom after a bad burrito, you have too many consoles and games.

haha thats funny, I actually pictured someone doing that. I got a good giggle out of it.


But if its a good deal, why pass? buy a cheap system, buy some cheap games and sell it as a lot and get some extra cash. If it happens often where you find cheap systems, then you can make good cash.

1 of each kind of system is good to keep, like 1 of each genesis...ect.

Its pretty funny, people say the Genesis is super common, but I have yet to find one at any thrift store or garage sale. The system I find the most is a PSX and N64...and none of the fancy N64s like the clear green/red one or the pokemon one...otherwise I'd buy one, I just HATE the ugly gray color of the N64.

[titanzguard]

Ya, your right. I see Playstations all the time, even saw 2 of them at my local goodwill. I have also passed on 3 N64's at fleas and yard sales priced at $10 due to having 4 already. At this point, ill only buy colored N64's, no black ones.

[98PaceCar]

As long as you can pay your bills and take care of everybody in your household, buy as many as you want! I just inventoried and sold a bunch of my spare consoles and made enough to cover tickets for myself and my girlfriend to take a trip to Europe. Not really a savings account per say, but sure made it easy to make a few quick bucks when I wanted to.

[coreys429]

The only reason I buy spare Nintendo 64's most the time is because they have the expansion in there. Only reason I buy Nintendo NES most the time is for the games. And so on with every other system. For me nice to have extras. Current count: Sears Video Arcade 2, 5 Nintendo NES, 3 Super Nintendo, 5 Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Cube, 2 Original Game Boy, 1 GB Pocket, 3 GB Color, GB Advance, 2 Game Gears, Atari 5200, Sega Dreamcast, PS1 x2, and 2 xbox. 30 Systems total. Most are for sale down the road, I just get them then sell them but I have a lot of games I like for most of them.

[Rathiain]

I have four n64s soon to be five but they're all diffrent colors. Would I buy duplicates of a system if I found them at a good price while out ysing? Yes because so many don't care about the older systems anymore and don't want to put forth the effort to get rid of them.They might end up trashed. You never know.

[murdoc rose]

never too many as long as you have room for the pile, also you may want to consider a trade. Always pick up those bargains and if you don't need it just put it up for trade here and get something you do need.

[Sabz5150]

I have a few duplicate consoles, I mostly keep them around for parts machines. They're great for components with odd ratings, backups or good old fashioned trade fodder.