collecting SNES games...with or without box

[icebane]

I'm considering getting a bit more hardcore into collecting. I grew up with the NES and SNES, and already have a large number of Squaresoft games, loose. Most with manuals.

I'm kind of obsessive about quality, and I feel like trying to acquire CIB games is an uphill battle, because of the box quality. The boxes are so fragile, and easily damaged. Personally, I feel that the cartridge and manual (and any maps if applicable) are the most important aspects (to me at least).

As with any collection, the fragile items have the potential of really varying value. So I realize a perfect box would really help long term value. But... I'd love to hear some other opinions on this. It seems a lot easier to acquire a lone cartridge, and a loan manual... than a loan empty box. Or be on the lookout for loan manuals, if you want to 'upgrade' the quality of your old one.

Thanks.

[swlovinist]

while I collect most systems boxed complete, SNES is the exception. I collect them as they come, but add a bare cart to the collection from time to time. I have, without focusing the system, got about 400 carts, with about 120 of them boxed. For me personally, it is a much harder uphill road to collect snes games in boxes, but it does look nice. Also, SNES bare carts take up less space, that is why I went that way.

[mobiusclimber]

I'd actually rather have the boxes than the manuals and maps. It's for display purposes, obviously. Just looks cooler on a shelf. I also take em as they come, but I'm starting to get to the point where I have almost every game I need for the SNES (my scope is fairly limited, I collect RPGs and any other game that appeals to me, and most games don't), so I'm starting to want to get boxes for my loosies.

[icebane]

Thanks for both of your thoughts.
The 'display purposes' is a good point, and here personal preference comes into play. If display purposes was important to me, I'd probably be more tempted to waste endless amounts of money on sealed games.

I wonder if we could do a poll on this, or if one already exists?

For me, going after the loose cartridge in mint condition, manual, map, and strategy guides would be my focus over trying to maintain a fragile box.

[JLukas]

Cart only. The boxes are simply too difficult to find in collector quality condition, and carry a high price. Japanese SFC games, on the other hand, are much easier to find complete and not expensive in general.

[Draven]

I think personal preference plays the biggest role. If you're a gamer first, you obviously want manuals, maps, etc. If you're a collector first, then display is probably your highest priority and value is judged accordingly with each aspect being taken into consideration when determining the price you're willing to pay.

[aclbandit]

My thought, although I haven't actually done so yet, is that I will buy the American version of the cartridge, and then the Japanese complete-in-box, as long as it's the cheaper solution. It usually is, and then I've got both versions, and one is CIB.

For example, Earthbound on SNES. I could either pay around $300 for a CIB American version, or I could spend $90 for the American cartridge and $40 for the Japanese complete-in-box; added up, it costs less, I have both language versions, and I have a complete copy.

I intend to start running a SNES/SFC collection as soon as I round out my NES/Famicom collection enough to make me happy.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Are you looking to have a musuem, or just some good games to play?

One thing to consider is that collecting boxes causes storage issues because of the additional space needed. Loose cartridges are easier to pop in and play, and there is no worry about damaging the boxes when you get them out. Unless you store the boxes somewhere without the games in them, but that brings us back to the space issue. You'll also save money, as you have already mentioned.

[mobiusclimber]

But see there's the other thing, and I guess this might apply more towards N64 games, but I still think is relevant to SNES ones: The boxes make identification of games easier. I don't have to hunt around through stacks of loose games to find the one I want. Plus the shelving I have dwarves those tiny little carts. I mean, sure, I can stack em up instead but... I guess for me the box is more the way to go only b/c I'm not attempting to get every SNES game. I think my collection of SNES games ends at around 30.

I don't see the need for a manual or map only because manuals tend to not tell you much of anything, and gamefaqs is bound to be more detailed than whatever a producer decided to toss into a box. This isn't always true (Phantasy Star games' manuals are invaluable since the names of spells are meaningless just about), but it's usually true. I DO have quite a few manuals for games, but I've yet to crack open any of them. Maybe some FPS on the 360 will have to scratching my head looking at the manual to figure out how to strafe/aim & shoot/climb a flipping wall/take your pick, but not something on the SNES.

[Speed Racer]

There are clear storage cases available for SNES carts that have clear sleeves which can hold custom printed inserts of the box art. Here's one I have for the Super Mario RPG.


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c342/ccarl1968/Forum%20Items/Clear_Case_Pic_2.jpg

[icebane]

The collector first vs. gamer first brings up a good point.

Final Fantasy II and III (US) changed my life, so I'm definitely a gamer first.

If you're a collector first, and want to primarily put games on display, this gives the sealed game market some points.

I could personally afford to invest in sealed games if they were treated as an investment. What does that mean? It means if I spend $2500 on the sealed perfect Final Fantasy III on ebay, I would want to have confidence in its value rising in 20 to 30 years. I could afford to 'invest' in them but I cannot afford to buy them as simply a hobby. I think a lot of people have this opinion, which is why sealed game collecting is a weird area. People want to have fun with game collecting. People want to enjoy it and relive their childhood. However when the price demand is so great, it squeezes the fun out of it and invites both stress. These were all thoughts before I decided to start collecting, and why I decided to stay completely away from sealed game collecting.

I am definitely a gamer first, but I am also a bit obsessive. I feel if I go the complete box route, that temptation to get into sealed game collecting will be too great. I will want my boxes to be perfect.

In my opinion, going after mint manuals, carts, maps, and strategy guides is the safest bet for both gaming, usability, storage, and low cost for investment. I know I can keep the manuals/maps/guides safe without being sealed eternally in some air tight hard plastic case.

[rpepper9]

Collect however you want. Keep things like cost, storage and playability of the game in mind and just have fun!

[Natty Bumppo]

All of my snes games are complete - but that is mainly due to the fact that I started collecting when the format was alive - and I had a good friend managing a used game store so I could get maps, manuals and boxes when they came in without having to buy the whole mess. I am not sure what I would go after if I had to rebuild the collection (around 250 or so - with all the main (and most of the lesser) rpgs). With gameboys (which I started collecting fairly late - I am content with the game and the manual - box is neat if I can get it, but that is not often terribly practical. So I might well do that with snes too.)

I do store the boxes, maps, manuals and games separately given the nature of the boxes and the nuisance of removing (and adding wear on) the contents from them.

I keep the boxes in footlockers in storage (since I generally don't have any pressing need for them), the games in pull out storage drawers (the ones made specifically for SNES games), the manuals in a tin decorative box and the maps/posters are in flat vinyl holders so both sides (where applicable)
can be seen and they don't get damaged folding and unfolding.

[Trebuken]

If your only focused on collecting for one system (SNES) I'd go for the box as often as you can. If you find a certain box is much tougher to find or inordinately expensive settle for the clear plastic storge cases (anyone have a link to find these reasonable priced?).

I just like having lots of games. I'll go for the complete one if it does not significantly increase the cost. Since most games I buy will likely retain their value I can later sell them and upgrade to a complete one with no worries, just more work...

[Nico87]

I can see the point about buying a japanese complete set of a game, and a US cart, because of prices. I only went that way with Final Fantasy 6 (3), though, because personally I find the NTSC box awful. The Japanese box looks so much better.

[kainemaxwell]

I'll get both. If it's a game I want and I can find it mostly complete at a decent price, I'll get it. If not, I start with the cart and eventually get the manual (a must-have) and possibly the box later.

[Nico87]

Yeh, I'll probably end up doing the same with the FF's.

[Greg2600]

I don't care for the boxes for any cartridge system, because I store all the games in drawers. Keeps them cleaner.

[DigitalSpace]

I mainly go for cart only games, only buying boxed and complete copies if I come across a good deal.

[darkslime]

I have about 40 SNES games, and only 2 are complete.
Complete only collecting definitely makes this hobby a lot more expensive, and I only go for completes if I can find them cheap.

[Nico87]

Oh, and yeah, the boxes with all inserts are placed nicely in my bookshelf and I use these neat little things for my games in the shelf I use for games;

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-SNES-SUPER-NINTENDO-GAME-DUST-COVERS-SLEEVES-JACKETS_W0QQitemZ400022062210QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVi deo_Games_Accessories?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

They're pretty handy and the games takes so little space.

[niolani]

Boxed or not. I don't care as long as I can play them. But, I always make sure that all my games are protected by dust covers. :D

[Misto]

I only have about 5 boxed SNES games and I think they look nice sitting on the shelf. Surprisingly though, all the ones I have are in excellent shape. I won't buy a boxed copy if its torn up or in poor shape, I'd rather just go for a loose copy. It also depends on the price of boxed compared to loose.

It was also the fact that were I got the boxed games, they didn't have loose copies which was also kind of a problem :)

[RASK1904]

I collect what ever I can find with extras going to Ebay. Becuase of this most of my collection is cart only but I have found some neat sealed games along the way. It's kinda more kickedback way to collect. I'm not rich or into spending 2500$ on a 30$ game. I play all mine.

If you want sealed complete games cheap collect a newer system PS3, Xbox 360, DS, Wii ect.. Only 50$ for a nice new sealed game then wait 20+ years and you'll have a classic collection. Get the rare ones. Very good, collectors edition, demos, ect..

Do what ever you want. Just remember, be true to yourself. Don't do anything becuase someone else is or you might regret it.

Thanx RASK1904

[Nico87]

Yay, started collecting SNES a week or so back.

So far I've got,

Final Fantasy II
Final Fantasy III
Final Fantasy VI (JP)
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger (JP)
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Secret of Evermore
Super Mario World
Super Mario Allstars
Super Mario Kart
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong 2

All are boxed sets and it very good to excellent condition.

Guess that means that I want em boxed!

[dao2]

There are clear storage cases available for SNES carts that have clear sleeves which can hold custom printed inserts of the box art. Here's one I have for the Super Mario RPG.


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c342/ccarl1968/Forum%20Items/Clear_Case_Pic_2.jpg


i do this (cept end cap only) for snes and n64 games. it looks quite nice ;p

[Iron Draggon]

There are clear storage cases available for SNES carts that have clear sleeves which can hold custom printed inserts of the box art. Here's one I have for the Super Mario RPG.


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c342/ccarl1968/Forum%20Items/Clear_Case_Pic_2.jpg


where do you get those? do they hold the manuals too? it would be great to have something like that for my SNES & Jaguar games... but not as great if they don't hold the manuals too... I'd still be interested in them either way though... do they have inserts for every game, or just the most popular ones?

[krooper13]

My own rule was that consoles that had mostly plastic boxes I collected boxed with instructions, but ones with cardboard boxes I didn't mind about cart only games, not to say I didn't make the odd exception, Master System Smurfs 2 cart only for 7 Euros was fine by me!

[nickerous]

I love how boxed games look on shelves, but have recently gone to collecting cart only due to cost issues. Here's some old pics of my snes collection:

http://nesforums.com/showthread.php?t=3407

I still look for boxed games, but only buy the good deals I run across. Got 5 boxed for $6.75 last week. That's with shipping included.

[makaar]

I have certain games pre-determined that I buy in the box (DK Country, Mystical Ninja, Link to the Past, Chrono Trigger, Starfox) while others I don't really care if they come boxed or not (Beavis and Butthead, Bubsy, Pit Fighter, etc.)

Its not really fair though because SNES had waaay too many great titles.

[tom]

dao 2 those boxes are great, the also work for VCS games?

[Speed Racer]

where do you get those? do they hold the manuals too? it would be great to have something like that for my SNES & Jaguar games... but not as great if they don't hold the manuals too... I'd still be interested in them either way though... do they have inserts for every game, or just the most popular ones?

I bought a full case of these off of ebay around 3 years ago and yes, they hold the game manuals. The image files for the inserts can be found online and last time I checked there were several available for download.

[MeTmKnice]

For uniformity, I would say boxes.. but overall especially if you play them enough you dont NEED the boxes but nice to have.

[Astrocade]

I have about 150, 200 or so SNES games, and I can only think of maybe five that are boxed. Those were just ones I came across on accident.

I don't know why but Boxed games never held much sway for me unless I actually liked the box, and on most games I could take them or leave them. The only boxed game I ever actively seeked out was Friday the 13th on the NES, cause the box was the only cool thing about that game. Ditto "Uninvited" and "Dirty Harry".

I have a large number of boxed games for different systems, but I only pick them up if they're real cheap.

[backguard]

I'm really picky...I won't even buy something that isn't complete unless it is really hard to find. So my only incomplete SNES game is Chavez II.

[Astrocade]

I'm really picky...I won't even buy something that isn't complete unless it is really hard to find. So my only incomplete SNES game is Chavez II.

I understand what you're saying, but I'm a game PLAYER before I am a game COLLECTOR. To me, collect just means you own it. I collect what I play. I don't care if the thing is wrapped in paper towels, I want to be able to play the damn game. If it's something I'm never going to possibly play, I don't want it (barring certain rare instances).

[backguard]

I understand what you mean. Lots of people share your view on here. But for me, the two hobbies are completely separate.

[tom]

And all these people during the lifetime of SNES throwing away boxes/instructions. Now they're crying out for them.

[PDorr3]

Funny, I have been thinking about this same issue lately. I want more snes games but I really want them to be atleast boxed because they look so great on a shelf. SNES to me though is not as bad as loose N64 carts and such since they still look pretty good stacked up on a shelf thanks to their nice end labels.

[Atarian75]

I try to only buy SNES games complete for the simple reason that it keeps me from buying so many games. Lately I seem to be failing at this because my cart only pile is getting alot bigger. Oh well.

[RPG_Fanatic]

I'm really picky...I won't even buy something that isn't complete unless it is really hard to find.

Same here, It has to be complete and in mint condition. Or as close to mint condition as can be.

[tubeway]

I won't buy SNES games unless they're missing all of their packaging, have a damaged label, and some kid named "Tobar L." wrote his name on them in sharpie.

[The 1 2 P]

My Snes collection is half loose carts and half factory sealed games. I would definitely take a cart only Snes game(like the Super Punch Out I found at Goodwill on Monday) if it's something I really want and it's priced affordable. I still prefer complete games though. However, as most of you know, Snes boxes(and Nes and N64) are ridiculously flimsy so displaying them in any way other than a straight row across can be dangerous to your collection. Thats why I have so many factory sealed Snes games. Their boxes are slightly more sturdy than non-factory sealed boxes. Also of note is that Super Famicom(the Japanese version of Snes) games have much sturdier boxes. Thats something to keep in mind when displaying your collection comes up.