What to do about game boxes?

[RetroRich]

I recently decided that I want my collection to look nicer, after being inspired by chargebackforward's collection. I decided I want my nes, snes, and n64 games in boxes. Luckily I don't have a lot of NES, snes and n64 games so I figured I would individually buy the manual and boxes for what I have, and then any game I buy from now on would be boxed. Problem is, I realized this can get expensive, as some boxes are worth about as much as the game. I've also looked into using universal game cases, and the cover project for the artwork. However, there is a part of me that feels like this is a cop out, and using self made cases would not make it a "real" collection.

How do you guys feel about self made game cases? Do they look good? Do you think it lowers the quality of one's collection? What should I do?

[Blitzwing256]

don't worry about what anyone else thinks, if you want to do the repro covers, and if that gives you enjoyment, then do so, if you are collecting for enjoyment not an investment, then do what is aesthetically pleasing for you. boxes can get VERY expensive so maybe a combination of both?

[Suikoman444]

That's what I do. I have a combination of both. I get the boxes of almost anything I can get my hands on. For what has eluded me or is simply too expensive I use the UGC with the ptinted artwork. I really enjoy the look of my collection in boxes of any kind over the loose carts.

[BlastProcessing402]

I would only use repro boxes/covers if it was something that was not available in a real box, like a game that only came as a pack in or something. But whatever makes you happy, you're the one that's gotta look at your collection, not me.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Getting original boxes can be a pain. Get access to a good printer and do the reproductions.

[bb_hood]

You just gotta ask yourself if its worth the trouble. If its not original, its not something Im really interested in collecting. But thats just my opinion.

Also you have to figure in the space they will take up. I have so many games right now when I get something new I have to find a space to put it, which can be a pain. If you go ahead and make up a bunch of pretty cases then later on down the line find an original box/case, your not gonna want the ones you printed out taking up space, and would probably end up ditching them. If you were to sell your collection or a big part of it later on, I dont see printed boxes really adding anything to the value, so it would just end up being a waste of time and money.

But hey, if you have alot of loose games and have alot of room, go for it. Id consider the extra space the biggest factor

[mobiusclimber]

If you have a small collection, I'd suggest just start looking for good deals. It's usually easier (and cheaper) to get complete games then just the box and manual but sometimes you get lucky. If you do find a good deal on a complete game you already have the cart of, get it and sell off the extra cart to help pay for the purchase.

[Sunnyvale]

My rule of thumb is this: If it looks fun, or I've heard good things about it, I'll take it loose, minus label, scratched disc, etc. But if it's Bugs Bunny's Bu-Fu Bros Vasoline Adventure, it better have the case, manual, inserts, and some profit from the games I get with it... If it wants to be on my shelf.

[substantial_snake]

Of the two cart based systems I collect for, snes and genesis, I really only prefer having complete genesis games since the cases are usually still in great shape. When it comes to SNES games their are either too ridiculously expensive to justify buying complete, or the complete game is saddled with a faded falling apart cardboard box.

In the SNES's case I use the Universal Game Cases mostly because its pretty easy to either make (which is a ton of fun :) ) or get a good looking cover online and I don't like having carts all over the place. That way if/when I get ahold of X game's manual I can protect it inside a functional and good looking case without having to deal with ratty boxes or carts laying around. I don't collect to show off to people in order to justify the validity of the collection. I collect because I enjoy playing these oldschool games and having an organized, good looking, collection is more important to me then having an all original collection.

Oh and another case I typically replace are the US Sega CD and US Sega Saturn cases. Those things were just awful at both not breaking and holding CD's in place over time. I really have no idea why they though it was a good idea two console cycles in a row to use cheap brittle plastic in such a large box just asking a CD to pop out and shred itself over time...especially since their JPN counterparts all used normal CD cases..just dumb. I originally threw them into spare CD cases at the time but now I'm going with DVD cases for the instructions manual space. Seriously fuck those terribly terrible game cases.

[Rickstilwell1]

I'm letting a whole bunch of original complete in box games go and becoming more of a gamer than a collector, collecting systems to play games on, and collecting multicarts/flascarts. but before i let each go, i am scanning all of the material. you might see a bunch you want being listed by me soon. There's a lot of good NES, SNES Game Boy and N64 ones in there.

[AceAerosmith]

Bugs Bunny's Bu-Fu Bros Vasoline Adventure? I think I played that. Got stuck on the buttplug level when I ran out of lube. Shelved the cart after that.

[TRM]

Since it's your collection, you should do whatever makes you happy.

Back when I collected games, I would buy the title boxed if I found it that way, but if it was loose I would grab it loose. In this manner, I ended up with a mixed collection and I was perfectly happy.

I personally think a boxed collection looks more impressive than a loose collection, but that can get expensive very fast. If I was in your situation, I think I would try to grab boxes for the loose games (if I had a small collection of maybe 20 games or so), and then buy boxed from then on out, as I prefer the real thing to a printed copy.

On the other hand, I see absolutely nothing wrong with printing a bunch of custom cases in the style of game boxes. I think that if done right, it could look really sexy too, and it would definitely be the cheaper route to go. I guess the main thing to think about is this:

a) How much money are you willing to spend
b) What are your collecting goals?

If you want to get a complete collection of NES/SNES/whatever and are not willing/financially able to drop tons on a Stadium Events box for example, perhaps it is not worth going for a complete boxed collection, and the copied boxes would be fine. On the other hand, if you have the money and are willing to go all out, then why not?

[Rickstilwell1]

The best way really is just get complete boxed copies of the games you actually like and care about and just go cart only for the rest if you really must have all games for a system