How to choose which games to play?

[Damon Plus]

When you have a big quantity of games, it takes some time to choose which game to play. With about 7-8 systems being played consistent, I have a hard time figuring which games to play. Maybe Super Mario Bros 3 on the Nes? Or Bioshock 2 on the 360? Or a handheld game, like River City Ransom EX on the GBA?

I might start playing a game I really want but after 10 minutes, I remember I had some other game to play and I end up switching games.

How do people here choose which games to play at every moment? Do you give each game a number and use a randomizer program? Choose a group of maybe 15 games and start eliminating one after one and finally getting 3-4 games only? Or just choose one at random and start playing?

[VACRMH]

Both ways I keep track of my games (Game Collector and Backloggery.com) can pick a random game.

But for the most part, I just pick what looks fun. I do however try and mix up the genre's that I'm playing. Too many RPGs at once makes it easy to get sidetracked.

[Emperor Megas]

I usually get on kicks. Like right now I'm playing Dead Space because the wife and I are always playing co-op Left4Dead2 and so I'm feeling action horror games. If I get Dead Space 2 or Dead Rising 2 by the time I complete Dead Space I'll probably play one of them next to keep the momentum of those series' going. If not, I'll probably move on to one of the many other horror games I already own, or I'll branch off to something more action/shooting-centric, like Gears of War 2.

I'll usually have one 'commitment game' in my rotation, one co-op or versus type game to play with the other half, and at least one arcadey title. Right now the spread is: Dead Space, Left4Dead 1&2, and DeathSmiles.

I find that if I continue playing installments of a series in immediate secession I get more games played. Also, the fewer games that I play at a time, the better my chances of staying committed to them and seeing them through.

As for older games from previous generations, I'll usually get my interest piqued by a review video of something I haven't played before, or a conversation about a certain game, or series at a forum or something. Also, if there's a recent installment to an older game coming out and there's buzz about it, I'll play the older one in preparation.

It's also a seasonal thing with me. I tend to play more horror games and RPG's during the winter and fall, and I almost always play horror games at night. In the spring and summer I play more action, adventure and retro games. During the day, if I'm working or out and I'm gaming with a hand held, it's almost always puzzle games.

[tubeway]

Dear Digital Press, I have lots of food in my kitchen. How do I choose what to eat?

[Arcade Antics]

When you have a big quantity of games, it takes some time to choose which game to play. With about 7-8 systems being played consistent, I have a hard time figuring which games to play. Maybe Super Mario Bros 3 on the Nes? Or Bioshock 2 on the 360? Or a handheld game, like River City Ransom EX on the GBA?

I might start playing a game I really want but after 10 minutes, I remember I had some other game to play and I end up switching games.

How do people here choose which games to play at every moment? Do you give each game a number and use a randomizer program? Choose a group of maybe 15 games and start eliminating one after one and finally getting 3-4 games only? Or just choose one at random and start playing?

I throw all of them in the air. Games that landed face down are automatically out. Of the face up games, the game with the most letters in its title from the word "Belgium" is the one that gets played.

[allyourblood]

I throw all of them in the air. Games that landed face down are automatically out. Of the face up games, the game with the most letters in its title from the word "Belgium" is the one that gets played.

I did this, but every game landed face up: Super Belgium Fighter, parts 1 through 16. Now what?!

[DuckTalesNES]

I alternate new game/old game.

[Arcade Antics]

I did this, but every game landed face up: Super Belgium Fighter, parts 1 through 16. Now what?!
Wait, I know this one. That's a trick question, there's no such game as Super Belgium Fighter!

Okay, my turn. What's heavier, a pound of Gameboy carts or a pound of Atari 5200 carts?

[Aussie2B]

I've always been a little perplexed by these kinds of questions. People can't just pick whatever they're craving? Sometimes I think it would be fun if I had a program to spit out a random game from my list, but it would be completely unnecessary. My choices are usually determined by cravings for a specific genre, specific system, and/or a time period. I usually like to mix up my gaming to represent much of gaming's history. I'd go nuts if I had to stick with one genre or one era. I also make my decision based on how much of a commitment I want. I try to play at least a couple short games for every massively long game I play. Once I nail those things down, if I don't have a specific game in mind, I just skim my shelves keeping track of possibilities until one really jumps out at me. Generally, at any given time, I have a list of several games I'd like to get to in the near future.

[vrikkgwj]

I alternate new game/old game.

This. I usually do a SNES/PSX/PS2 game mixed with a new console or handheld title. It's nice to do it with the same series too to see how game design and perception has changed.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Okay, my turn. What's heavier, a pound of Gameboy carts or a pound of Atari 5200 carts?

That's kid's stuff: A pound of 1's and 0's is always heavierest

How about when all else fails, try playing some Guitar An Hero? :D

[staxx]

Wait, I know this one. That's a trick question, there's no such game as Super Belgium Fighter!

Okay, my turn. What's heavier, a pound of Gameboy carts or a pound of Atari 5200 carts?

Neither both the same

[allyourblood]

Neither both the same

"Whoosh!"

[mobiusclimber]

I actually don't have too many consoles hooked up so I tend to try to stick w/ what is hooked up at the moment, tho that doesn't always (usually) work. I get a craving for a certain genre or type of game and then I go thru the games that fit the bill and figure out which one sounds the best. Lately its been pretty easy b/c I mostly only have time to play on the DS and I've been on a DQ kick. And then Pier Solar came out so I'm playing that.

[staxx]

I play the games that I have close by and are not stored away in storage bins. If I want to play a game that is in a storage bin (craving) I normally use a emulator. It's a lot of hassle to dig out the console, hook it up, find the game just for say a 15 min blast of Sonic 2.

[j1e]

Play Illusion of Gaia for SNES. I bought it years ago and never played it until the other day. Damn good game that'll kill off quite a few hours.

[Enigmus]

How to choose, huh?

1) Do a quarter turn off the roof.
2) Unlock Big the Cat in Super Mario 64 (requires a toaster oven).
3) Mince a copy of Bad Dudes and pureè it into a fine dust (don't breathe this lest you want schizophrenia).
4) Make and wear a motocross helmet out of American and Colby Jack cheeses (requires being at lvl. 47 and knowing the move "Mimic").
5) Compare the weight of one pound of salt to a Neo Geo cartridge.
6) Just play whatever the hell you want already.

Simple, really.

[tubeway]

I think questions like these are really indicative of two things:

1.) We're really scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to finding new things to discuss about what is a finite span of time and the games released in it, and some people would still rather talk about general game related topics than actually play games, and

2.) Asperger's Syndrome on the interweb.

[Nirvana]

I usually play a game of each of my favorite genres.

1 RPG
1 Fighting game
1 Shooting game

Right now it's

Blazing Souls: Accelate
Marvel vs Capcom 3
Halo Reach

[Gameguy]

The best way to decide is to start a poll and ask other users here, like this;
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62271

Seriously though, this topic was already asked several times before.

http://digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127107
http://digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118745
http://digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99810
http://digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11726