Flatten a box to make space?

[megasdkirby]

So while trying my best to make room for all my junk...err games and stuff, I've realized something: I really have no space left! This is a problem if I continue to get games in the future.

A few years ago, I made a topic about shelves, which will happen, but for the time being I am unable to create any (long story, but mostly to do with low $$$).

As some of you know, I decided to do what may be considered blasphemous to many: I would take a CIB game that has a cardboard box, then I would flatten nicely the box by opening both extremes and place the flattened box in a non-acidic bag (like those offered in many sites like VGA and similar to the qualities of a comic book bag). This works great with GameBoy, NES, SNES, N64...any games that has cardboard boxes AND that can be opened on both sides.

Although this helped, I quickly realized it was not enough. Many of the games I have in my collection are opened on one side, but sealed with glue on the bottom. This is true with old games, like those from Colecovision, Atari 2600, etc.

I recently obtained a few games that have been opened carefully on both sides, flattened, and with the manual inside. After inspecting them, I realized that the boxes are in fantastic condition, probably conserved in the above mentioned plastics.

My question is: will flattening these particular boxes lessen the it's value? I would think not, but since I know many are purists, some may consider this a way of "box mutilation" (yes, I've seen the term and I agree, it's stupid as all hell).

What would be the best, appropriate way to open the bottom, glued portion of the box? I know part of the box will be ripped, but this will be the inside portion and not noticeable from the outside.

Any ideas or suggestions?

[pseudonym]

That's how I stored my NES games years ago. I would take the game out, leave the manual/paperwork inside the box, fold the box, and put the whole lot inside a Tupperware storage unit I had. I was able to store all of my boxes inside two large storage containers which saved a lot of room.

It shouldn't damage the boxes, but you might want to think twice about mint/near mint games because the box can form a crease or stress-lines on the sides if you're not careful. I wouldn't bother flattening boxes that were glued together.

[rolenta]

Back in 1983 I ran out of room so I flattened all of my 2600 boxes. BUt still, living in an apartment with my parents, I still didn't have room for them so I threw all of them out. Fortunately, I kept the manuals.

[badinsults]

I keep all of my snes boxes and inserts flattened. Really, since few of them were mint to begin with, I'm not too concerned if the edges get a bit frayed due to them being flattened. For long term storage, I say this is the way to go.

[megasdkirby]

Thanks everyone for the input.

Concerning damage to the boxes, here is a few pictures of one of the games I purchased that arrived flattened:

http://s382.photobucket.com/albums/oo270/megasdkirby/Flattened%20Boxes/Roc%20N%20Rope/

Notice that overall, the box is in GREAT condition. Manual is inside, in likewise condition. But notice the picture of the back of the box, mainly the bottom and top flap. On the closeup of the bottom flap, you can see the tear where the glue was. From what I can tell, this is unavoidable. Even with the tear, it doesn't look bad at all. The closeup picture of the top of the flap shows where the glue was headed, with no box residue, meaning the person simply removed it afterwards. Overall, the box is in great shape and it's noticeable that it has been stored for a very long time. This is what I want to achieve.

I then decided to practice on a spare copy of Zaxxon, and these were the results:

http://s382.photobucket.com/albums/oo270/megasdkirby/Flattened%20Boxes/Zaxxon/

Overall, it's not bad either. I used an X-acto knife to do this. The box isn't nearly as flattened as that of Roc N Rope, but that is because it's fairly recent (if maintained flat for a long period of time, Zaxxon would become "totally" flat, sort to speak). Closeup of the flaps reveal that it wasn't bent, but that the rips from before were present, just a tad different because a knife was used. Overall, it's pretty good. Please note that any bumps or bends on the box itself was already there before the "experiment".

However, is there a slightly better method to use to diminish this "rip"? Or is it unavoidable?

[tom]

Don't forget to flatten the carts as well ;-)

[Cornelius]

The problem with doing that for glued game boxes is that you can't put it back into a stable box form. There is no tab or "insert" flap to kind of hold it back in place. So if you ever want them back in box form to put on shelves or whatever, you'll have to re-glue or *gasp* tape them if you want them to stay. Otherwise that bottom flap will always want to kick open.

[megasdkirby]

The problem with doing that for glued game boxes is that you can't put it back into a stable box form. There is no tab or "insert" flap to kind of hold it back in place. So if you ever want them back in box form to put on shelves or whatever, you'll have to re-glue or *gasp* tape them if you want them to stay. Otherwise that bottom flap will always want to kick open.

That's another factor I need to consider as well. If I do ever plan on putting glue back to revert back to the original shape, I don't think i can use any glue, as it can really cause havoc on the box. And I don't want to damage the box.

Although I don't think i would ever "reconstruct" them, though. I found that if I keep cardboard boxes flattened, besides the obvious reduction of space, they will be conserved for a longer period of time than leaving them exposed on a shelf. Yes, even those on the shelf I have wrapped in acid-free polybags, but space wise is an issue.

If I do consider this (which is most likely), I need to know the correct method to open the boxes to reduce potentially irreversible damage.

Another question: if I place two boxes in a single bag, what do I need to put between them (if anything at all) to protect them from sticking? I don't think this is an issue since the environment is humidity-free, but I rather ask just in case.

[k8track]

No time to be delicate about it. Stomp on them! Stomp them like old Ukrainian ladies stomping grapes.

[Leo_A]

Although I don't think i would ever "reconstruct" them, though. I found that if I keep cardboard boxes flattened, besides the obvious reduction of space, they will be conserved for a longer period of time than leaving them exposed on a shelf.

Why keep them then? To increase the resale value of your collection? Just don't have the heart to throw them away?

[megasdkirby]

Why keep them then? To increase the resale value of your collection? Just don't have the heart to throw them away?

Ironically, the last.

I have no plans on reselling, as I play with the games. I just don't want them to get ruined and make them last a very long time. Specially with rare games...I don't want to pay alot and then simply toss out the box and manual. I want them to stay with me, so I try my best to protect them. It's something I do ever since I was a kid.

[Zthun]

Ironically, the last.

I have no plans on reselling, as I play with the games. I just don't want them to get ruined and make them last a very long time. Specially with rare games...I don't want to pay alot and then simply toss out the box and manual. I want them to stay with me, so I try my best to protect them. It's something I do ever since I was a kid.

Are you able to take a picture of your game cave? If your shelves are packed, is it possible to stack some games in front of each other?

[calistarwind]

I too am lacking space and am trying to come up with some unique ways to store things. However I don't think I could bring myself to flatten boxes. My problem is I have to much game related other items that it is not easy to find a home for (Promos, game toys, etc.) If you have any other suggestions to share I'd love to hear them. Oh and if their is a solution for limited edition storage (too many different shapes and sizes) I wouldn't mind hearing that either.

[jdheins]

I've never been a fan of flattening boxes. It just increases wear on them unnecessarily. If you bend paper enough it will split, like anything else.

My opinion is keep the boxed games you love, and sell the boxes of the rest.

[Zing]

Why keep them then? To increase the resale value of your collection? Just don't have the heart to throw them away?

I have a hard time believing that any gamer who still plays ColecoVision games could ever bring themselves to throw away any game boxes they have.

[tubeway]

I think this is being overthought wayyyy too much. Seriously, is every game you own so valuable that some minor folding wear will have a significant impact on their value? Do you invest the same amount of mental energy in perfectly bagging, organizing cleaning and storing your books? how about your DVDs? Clothing? do you neurotically clean every other item in your home, or is your collection the only thing not in disarray? Seriously guise. Step outside of your bubble. I've seen people make "wahhh I'm depressed" posts about wanting to give up collecting and feeling unfulfilled, and as soon as they coddled and given attention they go back to posting about their collection the next day. This is how it starts -- getting way too involved in the minutae of collecting.

[VACRMH]

So it sounds like this... You don't have space, and don't have the funds to make the space (shelves), but if you did get said space, you would have already flattened the boxes (like you've done with other game boxes).

Even if you had the space to display them, would you? It doesn't sound like it. It seems like if you got rid of the boxes you'd gain not only space, but a little bit of cash.

Unless you're going for a whole set or something, I'd at least consider getting rid of the ones that don't have meaning for you. Just my opinion of course.

[chrisbid]

if you do not have the space for them, do not collect cib games. sell off your boxes.