Scratches on discs, am I too OCD?

[porlino87]

I came across some of my favorite rare used PS1 games yesterday. They only had some light scratches and scuffs, nothing serious. They were even priced relatively nicely. I refused them because I am really OCD about scratches. Everything in my collection must be mirror-like.

I feel like I missed out on these games, especially after looking at the market prices on Amazon and Ebay. I'm starting to reconsider what is "good enough" for my collection. It just....feels so nice to look at my discs and say "Ahhh, so smooth".

What are your standards?

[Nz17]

Are you? Yes. Should you buy those games? Yes. What can you do to help yourself? Either relax or get some good resurfacing materials/machines/service. Is it not the same? Yes. Is the difference minuscule? Absolutely. Is it better than no games? Hell ya!

[HappehLemons]

This would probably be better off in classic gaming. Anyway!

Although I am a strong believer of actually only buying games I plan to play (not eventually, like play that next week, or month, but even thats pushing it) When I do buy a game I always make sure it's in pristine shape (Always CIB) simply because I like to read the manuals and look at the box because to me that's actually part of the game, and a part I actually really enjoy. But as far as the backs of discs go..that's a little OCD. Heck as long as it works I'm fine with a disc being a little scrated up since it doesn't really detract from anything. So yeh, 100% mint all the way unless it's the back of a dsic, lol.

[porlino87]

Are you? Yes. Should you buy those games? Yes. What can you do to help yourself? Either relax or get some good resurfacing materials/machines/service. Is it not the same? Yes. Is the difference minuscule? Absolutely. Is it better than no games? Hell ya!

Well said, my friend. You changed my life.

[crazydrunk87]

Yea with used games especially on PS1 where its gonna be 10+ years old your going to have a rough time finding "mirror like" games especially with the way some people keep there game

* what was the rare game anyway and how much was it? just curious

[DKTheArcadeRat]

PS1 Games are hard as hell to resurface to looking like new. If I remember correctly. I mean. You can take GIANT scratches out, but it still can leave weird looking marks if not done correctly. It's been over a year since I've resurfaced though.

[kupomogli]

I'm the same way. Most of my games that are CD have no scratches at all. Mint condition or I'll pass it up.

[Kitsune Sniper]

You have no idea how many great albums I've passed up because they have one too many scratches. Even a light scratch can render an album unplayable (or in my case, unrippable.)

But with games, I'm not THAT picky. I own some PS1 games that look like shit and still play. Many early PC CD games don't even use all the space, and the scratches are usually way on the edge of the disc.

[wberdan]

If a game on disc has more than a minor scuff, I pass it up.
I do that with cd's too.
With vinyl records I am even more picky.
There is nothing like having a clean copy...

[maxlords]

Screw that. if they're rare....buy them....resell them and use the money to buy scratch-free copies. Geez :P

[Oobgarm]

Letting scratches deter you from passing up a good or great deal on a game is silly to me.

Once you let go of the OCD, everything in life is better.

[Gooch3008]

I used to pass up scratched up discs all the time and now im kicking myself all the time forpassing up a ton of good deals. I found a place that makes discs look like new. Can't even tell it has been resurfaced. Of course, I will pass it up if the game is worth less than the resurfacing cost, or if there are some DEEP scratches.

[megasdkirby]

I used to be obsessive with regards to condition. I only buy games that are CIB for the most part, but it doesn't have to be Monty for me to purchase them. As long as they are in good condition, I don't mind at all. I even purchased a professional resurfacer to repair discs, because I want to play what I collect, not just let it rot in a shelf for years and years.

Get the game now and don't wait until later, as you may never again find it at that price. Besides, you also have a chance to play and enjoy the game now, as you might not be able to play it later...or ever for that matter.

[bangtango]

The problem is that unless there are a lot of sealed copies of the game still around, not necessarily a given for PS1 games, you could literally look at 15 different copies of the game and not be happy with any of them for one reason or another. Then what do you do?

At some point, a person needs to draw a line.

As others have said, it isn't like cd's where a little nick or fingerprint can make a cd skip like a well-thrown stone.

[Yoder]

Yes, I think you are, IMO. To expect to find a 15 year old game that has essentially not played is a bit much. Yes, they're out there, but not common. I'm OCD about plenty of things (from dings my on cars, to creases in pages of books, any yellowing of old hardware, etc) so I understand.

But these things can really keep you from enjoying the hobby, IMO. If the game plays fine and is otherwise fine, and is a great price, then you're definitely missing out.

And if you're REALLY OCD (which you probably are not...probably just picky/critical) then there are options for that that supposedly help people. But that's for another forum :-)

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

While I have seen technically effective resurfacers that leave a visible pattern, the resurfacing hardware at the Digital Press store leaves PS1 discs (and pretty much everything else) looking pretty immaculate.

I'm not sure what the brand/make/model is, but it's retail-grade.

I'm pretty OCD myself when it comes to condition, but if I can get a rare title that I'm interested in owning/playing that's in a condition that I know will go through a resurfacing process of that quality, I'll get it.

What I DO tend to shy away from is not scratches but crap on the TOP surface of the disc like rental security labels, etc.

[InsaneDavid]

Screw that. if they're rare....buy them....resell them and use the money to buy scratch-free copies. Geez :P

This man knows what he's talking about, listen to him.

Pass on hard to find games for great prices only when the scratches are on the top where the data layer is.

EDIT: Which is what Frankie said.


What I DO tend to shy away from is not scratches but crap on the TOP surface of the disc like rental security labels, etc.

[jonebone]

Um... you always take whatever you can get your hands on and then worry about upgrading later. I also want 100% Mint scratchfree PS1 games, but I'll buy whatever I need for my collection when the price is good. Then I worry about upgrading later, and I'll often be able to sell the duplicate for more than I paid anyway. Win win.