How crazily do you catalogue your collection? Trying to find what works for me.

[DefaultGen]

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[PapaStu]

I just break it down internally within the tab. That way (in my mind at least) there is a lesser chance of me forgetting about adding it, because when I'm thinking X system, I only have to go to one place. I won't have the data broken down into multiple tabs where data for X system could go giving me a greater chance of missing it.

Say i've got a PlayStation prototype, that will go in its own list (protos) located under my game list for PlayStation tab. I do the same with variants, splitting them off into their own sublist off of the main list.


The only system I track hardware for is the only one I care about when I buy multiple systems for and thats the NGPC. I think its a bit of a moot point unless you are collecting hardware revisions/box variants ect.

[Xander]

Being a coder and paying for my own web host already, I started building a database online for my collection. I use html/php forms to view, delete, modify or add stuff to my collection simply stored into a MySQL database. I am currently tracking around 30 type of information roughly per games (from name to condition of the booklet). I haven't started to track hardware yet tho.

I found this to be as much fun as collecting in itself. Everytime I receive a new game I take the time to search informations online for it, even grab some screenshots and place it into the database, the whole process has become a ritual of some sort. And being in full control I can make some very fun features like top 20 best/worst games or wanted lists. I can sort any kind of weird statistics I want about my game like average value$ of my games for Genesis or % of my total games which are CIB.

All in all, lots of fun. And I'm starting to convert the whole thing to make it public, some of my friend started asking if they could use it too. Making it public open a whole new array of possibilities like compairing collections and spotting double in one collection that match a wanted item into another collection.

[Trebuken]

GameCollector. I really think it is the best solution. Excel works well enough but requires more work...
http://www.collectorz.com/game/?from=google&keyword=game%20collector&gclid=CIWrvZfurJYCFQQrFQodz2qkyg

[nate1749]

Xander the problem I had with making my own database is it was sooo much work (it lost it's fun factor for me when it transformed into a tedious task). Although I am very interested to see yours =)

I use Movie Collector and that's great for movies, but the last time I checked their Game Collector version it was really only good for newer generation stuff - is there more support for older stuff now? I guess I'll have to download another trial (if they let me).

Nate

[Xander]

Sure Nate, I'll probably make a little thread once I'm done with the first public version, maybe some people will like it.

The main problem I see with my system is that I am not importing another game database to merge it with mine as a kick start. So that means I'm starting the whole database from scratch, adding information for every games that exist.

I, for myself, don't mind it, it's part of my fun. But I can see it being a problem for someone who simply wants to have a way of indexing his collection online. Every game that he owns and isn't yet in the database would need to be manually entered by the user, which can be extremely time consumming for big collections. Time is precious, building a huge and accurate databases takes a lot of time and efforts from a lot of people.

[megasdkirby]

I update my list every....year or so?

No wonder I have liuke 5 of a certain game at times. :)

[DefaultGen]

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[SegaAges]

I use my website.

It is pretty in depth.

[Haoie]

Used to have a notepad. But that was on my old computer.

Now I halfheartedly use Mobygames and RFGeneration, online databases.

[Steven]

I used old pen and paper, but I've long stopped buying. I prefer P&P because like a magazine, nothing beats holding those sheets of paper and whipping through them for the odd trip down memory lane of your game acquisitions. I would write down the price, the cart status (loose, CIB, etc.) and who I bought it from. Date and time too. Usually a 2 or 3 second snipe message included, and max bid if it was eBay. Also any interesting stories behind it. (i.e. rushed home from traffic, barely got on PC with a minute to spare... they're fun little details that add up and really personalize a game log, rather than pure bare bones. I know some people like it bare bones, but I'm into archiving and "behind-the-game" type deal stories)

[Jumpman Jr.]

Most of mine is done in hard-copy. Its a little different for me because I actively collect complete collections of games.
So, I have this book that I've had ever since I've started collecting that has a list of every NES (well, not anymore, because I'm done), SNES, GameCube, and GBC.
I only collect CIB games now, but when I didn't, if a game was scratched off in pencil, it meant I had the cart. If it was in pen, it meant I had the box/cart. So if I had the cart, and then got the box, I would erase the pencil and scratch it off in pen.

Once I get down to only needing a few hundred games for the system, I type up the list of games I still need on the computer.

I used to organize my games in excell/using websites, but it just got too tedious.

[DefaultGen]

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[staxx]

If you have an Excel file all categorized, you can easily import that to a database (namely SQL 2000, 2005 and 2008 plus their express counterparts). You can import into Access also and you can build a front end to query it. This assumes that you have already started a list somewhere, else you gotta type one at a time.

[swlovinist]

Hard Copy User here. With over 6000 games and about 140 consoles/variants, using anything can be pretty overwhelming. What has worked for me is using a "nerd binder" and using this as an overall printable checklist

http://digitpress.slashbunny.com/

its not perfect, but its pretty darn useful. Since I collect for just about everything, It has came in handy so many times hunting "in the wild", that I have used it on a daily basis since it first popped up. Before this was the DP lite thing, which was somthing that I helped threw out as an idea of having a checklist of Game, Box and Instuctions checklist for games in three colums. I was really tired of having single rows of checklists that would be a "tree killer". Again this works for me, it might not for everybody else. I have a friend who uses it and loves it as well.

[Letiumtide]

I made my own sort of word database, I guess you could say. Though I'll eventually have it in excel because it'll be easier to search and add (even though insert row below isn't that hard).

I have everything based on title, system, year, company, rarity and Box/Instructions/Complete.

I like to have it printed out to carry with me, so what I have is a version at home where it's organized, but I'll have spaces for addition on the run while I'm out and hunting. It makes it easier for both, so I don't end up with a secondary copy of something that I may not want two of, works for me anyway.

[megasdkirby]

Hard Copy User here. With over 6000 games and about 140 consoles/variants, using anything can be pretty overwhelming. What has worked for me is using a "nerd binder" and using this as an overall printable checklist

http://digitpress.slashbunny.com/

its not perfect, but its pretty darn useful. Since I collect for just about everything, It has came in handy so many times hunting "in the wild", that I have used it on a daily basis since it first popped up. Before this was the DP lite thing, which was somthing that I helped threw out as an idea of having a checklist of Game, Box and Instuctions checklist for games in three colums. I was really tired of having single rows of checklists that would be a "tree killer". Again this works for me, it might not for everybody else. I have a friend who uses it and loves it as well.

That's an awesome idea. Helps with the quick catalog a collection quickly and efficiently. Also helps me determine those I need box and manuals for.

Thanks for the tip man! :)

[ScourDX]

I catalog all my games with Excel and IGN. Over the years I develop ways to select from the dropdown list from another worksheet and highlight cell with Rarity of 5. I am in the verge of updating my Excel file. I'll post up a template so everyone can use it as reference.

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/4753/listmq8.png (http://imageshack.us)

[HYB]

For now I use IGN. I have a word file of at least most, if not all games released for those consoles I collect for, I'm currently narrowing it down in size. When I get a game that's on the list I delete it and add the game to my IGN list, it's pretty simple. Especially since I only collect cib and those games I want to play, so my collection isn't going to grow to massive sizes.

[namzep]

I have a spread sheet on which I track game name, if I have the cart/box/manual/overlay/etc..., rarity (DP guide though I may add the Atari Age rarities to my Atari games), and any additional comments (damage/extras/variation).

[Nebagram]

I use excel and have done for years, but I occasionally print off a hard copy, which does make it a pain in the arse to organise so as to get it all fitting on one sheet- many columns (such as completeness of game and publisher/developer etc) had to be sacrificed. I could always do a 'screen version' and a 'printable version' but at over 1200 games (including downloadables) that's a hell of a commitment to make for something I'd likely not use much other than to update it.

[Dark_Sol]

Game Collector is a great program.. So customizable. NEarly everything i wanted for such a program.

[kupomogli]

I have all my GB, GBC, PSX, and everything shelved in the same sortof entertainment center(layered in the back and then a new layer in the front of each shelf.) After running out of room, everything else ends up being stacked up, like part of my DS collection, my full PSP collection and PS3 collection, and some of my PS2 games. There's also a stack of PSX games on the top as well.

For all my systems like NES, SNES, etc. I no longer play the physical copies of those(but rather play the games on my PSP now,) so both the systems and the games are boxed up.

I do nothing to know what games I own except remember them off the top of my head. I always start using some sortof thing that keeps a tab on what games I own like most gaming sites, but then I always quit after I put 50 games in because by that time I'm only a sixth of the way through.

-andrew- -kupomogli-

[StakeRaiser]

I just copy game lists into Excel, mark what I have ordered, then delete the game off the list once I actually have in my hands , as long it works and is in satisfactory condition

[Rev. Link]

Those of you saying that Game Collector is only good for newer games, I think you might not have the full idea of how that program works.

You can add any game or any system to Game Collector. You don't need to search any database of pre-existing titles, though you can do that if you want to. All you have to do is click Edit, then Add Game Manually, and a convenient window pops up allowing you to add the title, platform, developer, publisher, release date, and whatever else you want to add.

Here's an example of mine:
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff120/revlink/gamescreen.jpg

As you can see, I have my collection sorted alphabetically by platform first, then by title. I display developer, publisher, and release year. I also set up a custom field to display DP rarity values for older titles. All of this is customizable and can be set up however you want. And of course, the program also keeps a running total for you and breaks it down into individual systems.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff120/revlink/screengame2.jpg

After I started getting import games and systems, I knew I needed to find something better than IGN. Game Collector is definitely one of the best investments I've made concerning my collection. Totally worth the money.

Oh, um, sorry about the big pic.

[cyberfluxor]

I've gone over many methods of retaining my collection information, and every one has been a hard road to keep up with. Many game sites provide highly informative and attractive tracking methods that are publishable, but are tedious. Designing spreadsheets, word documents, and other processing DBs are quick but dirty. Many questions arrise and formatting can be a pain. Collectorz has been an interesting choice, but the pricetag is a deturrent and can see publishing a difficult task.

So, in all the craziness that's my collection catalogue is my mind right now.

[Rev. Link]

Actually, Game Collector can export to text, HTML, or XML, as well as iPod Notes and Palm/Pocket PC.

Here's an example, my collection exported to HTML and uploaded to my website.
http://www.geocities.com/basilicalink/gamelist.html

Unfortunately, this doesn't contain all the same info as what's listed in the actual software, but there may be a way to do that using XML. I have no real interest in looking into any of that, so I can't help you there.

[cyberfluxor]

I feel after graduation I'll get with a few people and build an application for collection tracking. They have several collection applications, and that's the thing. I also need to track my music, comics, movies, and potentially some other things. Each require a particular data storage structure along with a practical, intuitive interface. You can do it all in-house with the free express tools (http://www.microsoft.com/express/product/default.aspx) Microsoft offers. Like I said, a little group project would be fun, not produced for retail or large scale distro purposes so it falls inline with their EUL.

[nate1749]

I just installed Game Collector, they now support Retro games so I'll definitely be picking it up. Unfortunately the old games don't get the type of love that new games get (they generally have screen shots, but sometimes they're low-res and rarely are there summaries). I'm sure in time it will get better. I have their Movie Collector program and it's great. The cost might scare some people, but I don't mind, it will save so much of time and the easy printing (not like w/excel) make it worth it for me.

Nate

[flywheels]

I've been using Gamespot to catalog my collection, but after reading several posts I want to expand and either create something on my own or possibly pick up a software program as a few have mentioned.

I catalog my Transformer toy collection, so why not give the same treatment to my games?!

[otoko]

*Disregarding other posts.~*

Well, I just use a excel worksheet. My categories are as such in precise order:
Name loose manual in box system number of copies new or used suggested rarity DP Value Total Value

Then down the list I categorize them by their respective systems in this order:
Odyssey 2
Atari 2600
Atari 5200
Atari 7800
Atari Lynx
Colecovision
Commodore 64
Tandy
Intellivision
Nintendo
Super Nintendo
N64
Gamecube
Wii
Virtual boy
Gameboy
Gameboy Color
Gameboy Advance
Nintendo DS
Master System
Genesis
32x
Sega CD
Saturn
Dreamcast
GameGear
Playstation
Playstation 2
PSP
CD-I
TurboGrafx 16
Xbox
Xbox 360
NeoGeo Pocket

Any imports or other will be labeled as such:

Dreamcast(JP)
Dreamcast(Euro)
Dreamcast(Proto)
Dreamcast(burn)

Then I have some statistics... but I'm not going into that.. I might try that Game Collector Program. It might be easier than this broken spreadsheet @_@

Should I Start including the Amiga and PC games too?

[refan]

I love RFGeneration. I keep up to date with everything on that site. I currently have 745 games.

[ubersaurus]

I've been using Cart Commander for years. It's pretty efficient, and I tend to update it every couple months.

[Cornelius]

I love RFGeneration. I keep up to date with everything on that site. I currently have 745 games.


I've been using Cart Commander for years. It's pretty efficient, and I tend to update it every couple months.
I use both of these. RFGeneration gets pretty much everything entered, although I'm not really up-to-date with my stuff (1399 games atm). Cart Commander I use just for my NES collection only, just cause I like a quick and easy way to track that collection. I'd probably use Cart Commander for more, but I never found very good databases for it. Even the NES database has a big hole (I, J, & K or something). If anyone can point me to a very good source to update with, I'd be grateful.

p.s. I just checked and my total hardware/software count squeaks me in just behind DefaultGen!