full set discussion

[raptor94k]

I've been inspired recently to start striving for some full sets of games for a few systems. I'm not worried too much about CIB or unlicensed stuff. But I just thought there might be some interesting things people can relate about their full sets.

What system?
When did you start collecting? (I mean seriously collecting, not just "I had 6 games in 1988 when I was 5 so I guess it started there").
How long did it take you to finish?
How much money (approximately) do you think it took to complete?
What was the hardest game for you to find/what was the last game you found?
Where did you find most of your games (in the wild/ebay/etc.)?
Any interesting stories along the way?
Why did you decide to collect for this system?
Regrets/what are you collecting now/comments on game library/etc.?
Any pictures? :D

In order to include everyone, people without full sets...feel free to answer these questions to the best of your ability.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Best of my ability? I don't know whether to be irritated by or laugh at that... Well alright, stodgy underachiever HO!

What system?
None, nada, zero, zip, ziltch, goose egg... Every system has useless crap, overpriced crap, near-impossible to find crap etc.

When did you start collecting?
I never thought about 'collecting' until I landed here to be honest. I guess you can say I started finding/buying stuff in the wild and selling/trading online sometime 2003ish. Before then, I just played games I guess. Pretty much the same now, except I'm a hell of a lot smarter about it.

How long did it take you to finish?
Even though I'm not taking on any completeness goals, every system I am into has actual want gaps still.

How much money (approximately) do you think it took to complete?
Money spent? Dear me, DO NOT MAKE ME DO OR THINK ABOUT THAT! I R scairt uv it.

What was the hardest game for you to find/what was the last game you found?
Hardest and last? Bubble Bobble Part 2 - Took years to find me one. Little Samson is still AWOL... When I find it, that will take this honor.

Where did you find most of your games (in the wild/ebay/etc.)?
Fairly even mix I'd think. Maybe a slight bump for local wild hunts.

Why did you decide to collect?
I had always collected something... I guess video games are the one thing that has stuck with me throughout most my life. I've fallen out with nearly everything else at one time or another.

[carlcarlson]

What system?
Nintendo NES is the only one I ever gave serious consideration to trying to complete. I gave up though when I realized I had about 400 games I'd never played. I do still try to get every game worth playing for certain systems, but fullsets seem pointless to me now.

When did you start collecting?
2004ish after I recieved Dr. Mario and TMNT for the NES for Christmas. So it's my girlfriend's fault.

How long did it take you to finish?
In two and a half years I hit the 500 game mark, leaving about 250 to go. I'll pick up a few more here and there, but I don't expect to ever hit the 600 mark.

How much money (approximately) do you think it took to complete?
I acquire my games by buying lots and then selling what I don't want. Using that method I've actually made money, about $10k or so.

What was the hardest game for you to find/what was the last game you found?
Probably Bubble Bobble Part 2. Ironically, I ended up getting two of them within about a month of each other. The first came in a large lot with two systems and about 30 other games. I paid $205 and ended up making about $220 off the extra stuff. The second was a system, BB2, and TMNT. I paid $65 and ended up breaking even after throwing in a Mario 3.

I'm still looking for Bonk's Adventure. I "bought" one once, but the seller conveniently sent the lot in two boxes and wouldn't you know it, the box that didn't show had Bonk and the boxed top loader in it. So yes, he scammed me.

Where did you find most of your games (in the wild/ebay/etc.)?
ebay yo.

Any interesting stories along the way?
I keep a log of what I bought and for how much, and then how much I've sold the stuff for. It's pretty interesting to look back through all of the lots I've purchased.

Before I even started collecting my mom found a box of about 60 NES games for $30 at a garage sale. I had her buy it just for nostalgia sake, I didn't even have a system at that point. When I finally got around to collecting I looked in that box to see if I had anything noteworthy. Nope, nope, nope, Little Samson? Well I'll be...

My mom also bought a complete system once at a garage sale for $1. Ok, that's a good deal by itself. Then I opened it and found Sunday Funday. My mom is the best.

Why did you decide to collect for this system?
Nostalgia. I grew up playing NES and then later got into the Genesis. When I started collecting I followed that same route, first with the NES and then later on the Genesis. When I was little I always thought it would be amazing to just have a library of games. Now I'm old and can make it happen!

Regrets/what are you collecting now/comments on game library/etc.?
Acquiring for the sake of acquiring is dumb, and I know that now. I have a lot of junk that's just taking up space and I can't even give it away. I'm never going to use this Sega Genesis mouse. I don't need 4 loose 32x systems. I don't regret getting most of the games, but a lot of the hardware is just junk.

Now I just buy games I want to play. I will occasionally go for a game because of "future collector value", but only if it's an rpg (my favorite genre). I mostly focus on the 360 now, with the occasional ps2 rpg. It's much less stressful.