Boxes: consider them essential to have?

[Ed Oscuro]

For myself, the answer is yes. I'll wait an extra month or year to get a console if I can get it in the original box. Of course, I kind of take things to extremes -- I don't believe in putting loose manuals with game boxes they didn't come in originally, even if it's the same game LOL I also stay away from boxed systems that are ugly or beaten up as much as I can - my worst-off system box would be that for my SNES Model 2, and it's still very presentable (just a bit of roughness around the edges).

Of course a boxed system is worth more than a loose one, but that's not the reason I search them out (seeing how I always have to PAY more). I like looking at the documentation and the box design, and of course I like shuffling about the wall of boxes on top of my desk. Adds to the decor ;D

[chadtower]

I suspect I am like nearly all collectors in that it entirely depends on the system.

[maxlords]

I'll get a box if I can and I'll pay extra for it, but I don't consider it "essential". If I REALLY want to play a game, I'll get the game whatever way I can (excluding EMU).

[Qixmaster]

for me, it is completely necessary that i have boxes for all of my items, not just game systems. In an ideal world I would have all boxes for all of my systems and all of my games.

-Josh

[EnemyZero]

Thats a definite yes...most of my systems i have the box for...games..thats another story...the hardest games to find in boxes are nes, snes, n64, since there all cardboard and easy to have rip apart or what not...and i like having my games in ORIGINAL cases...also i cant stand Greatest hits, or platinum hits or players choice...i refuse to buy games with that symbol on it..it drives me nuts.

[jhd7]

It depends. I prefer to have boxes for all my systems, but only boxes for games depending on how I store/display them.

NES - definitely!
SMS - yes.
TG16 - no, but I want the jewel cases.
CV - no.
7800 - no.
2600 - no.

Jeff D

[sisko]

I put other, mostly because it depends on how extra much the box would cost. $5 maybe, $10 probably not.

Sure they look nice, and it raises the value of the unit, but the only place I have for them is closed up in a closet where no one can see them anyway.

[Speedy]

Hardware - yes! I love all those big boxes and stuff in my room :D
Games, only CD games i really need in box, i don't pick up loose CD's. Cartridges i will pick up loose, but if i can get the box for a little more i'll go for the one with box :)

[badinsults]

I don't much care if I have the box. The cart is the important thing.

[Ze_ro]

It really depends. If the box only ends up costing me a buck extra, then sure... but if it's a diffence of $10-20, then forget about it. The boxes I have are already taking up too much room as it is.

--Zero

[Tritoch]

To me the box is definitely the most important thing, other than the game itself of course. That being said, I don't have to have the box unless they're games I REALLY want complete (like most SNES RPGs) or have super-cool artwork.

For hardware, I always try to get a box with it. I won't pass up a cheap console just because it doesn't have a box though.

[Cmosfm]

As time goes by I see it as being more and more essential. It';s hard to stack some systems without messing them up....ever tried to stack 5 loose saturns. O_O

[Stewie]

I'm probably the only one around that could care less about boxes for games or sytem, I'm all about the hardware and software

But then again, I don't have a lot of room either :(

[atari_overlord]

I have started caring about boxes a little more to keep my spending in check. I will pretty much buy any game I dont have. And there are tons I dont have. So I have come to the realization that I will be collecting for a long time and I have plenty of games to tide me over until I find that Blazing Lazers in box for cheap. Looking for boxes = finding less games every weekend = more money =girlfriend not setting me on fire while I sleep :D Sorry honey cant go to the movies I NEEDED these 40 unboxed sega games.

[PapaStu]

I went other because I am more worried about making sure that my games are complete more than i am about the systems.
Ive got the boxes to some of my systems (the newer ones), and mom tries to get me to throw them away... Loosing battle on her front. But i dont care if the systems that i have are "boxless" as long as they work.
Games dont come home unless they are complete.

[Kroogah]

I can trade boxes and manuals for games, so why keep them around? I like having my absolute favorite games complete, and ALL CD games complete. I can't stand greatest hits stuff either. What is with the color choices? "Look at my bright green PSX games, it proves how poor I am!"

[djbeatmongrel]

i say yes for everything after the 16 bit generation except n64.
yes for all wonderswan products.
everything else is optinional

[Famidrive-16]

I'm probably the only one around that could care less about boxes for games or sytem, I'm all about the hardware and software


same here. Hey, if I were to choose between a boxed or unboxed version of a game I'd get the boxed. But I know a lot of people just threw their boxes away anyways.

I've managed to keep all my game boxes. System boxes, however :(

[kainemaxwell]

For me its essential only for certain game sin my collections. If I can get them with the game great but I don't mind waiting to find them later. That's part of the fun!

[richmond]

If I plan on keeping stuff it must be complete! I have few missing boxes and manuals here and there right now and it tears me up inside thinking about it :(

[Sotenga]

Nope, nuh-uh, naw, not a requirement, at least not for cartridges. I'd feel safer if CD's were in a nice secure casing. But half of the NES games I own lack their original boxes. In this day and age, I've gotten used to secondhand conditions for cartridges, so it's no biggie with me. If there was a boxed and not-boxed copy of the same game, sure, I'd take the box, but it's not a strict requirement.

[Blackjax]

nah, i consider em bonuses if i get them, and I don't toss em if i get the system new. Although i still almost shed a tear every time i look at my empty Odyssey plastic shell case. Picked it up years ago, and have just kept fireworks in it since.

BTW, anyone know whats under those white stickers on the Atari 7800 box? I assume it was probably referring to the keyboard, but I never peeled em and they'd probably just rip now.

[Algol]

I only need boxes/instructions for CDs. I dont really care about boxes for cartridges. Besides, its almost impossible to find cartridges with boxes or manuals over here.

[Arqueologia_Digital]

My answer is YES, i´m a maniatic of boxes and manuals and also, if i have a loose cart and i find the same cart but complete...I BUY IT!!!
I think manual art and boxart are an important factor of a game...

Matías

[portnoyd]

For system boxes: not really. If I can get them free, sure, otherwise, I can live without. For systems like the Vectrex, it's not even an option. Most system boxes I have were free, or were with the system when I purchased it.

For game boxes, Jeff D's breakdown is pretty much in-line with my own:

Any Sega system - Yes, as most of these systems, at least for most of their life, had hard shells of some sort. Great for stacking, and they don't collapse, and can be easy replaced with donors.

Any CD system - Absolutely. Loose discs, even in blank cases, suck.

NES, SNES - Yes, as much as possible. Obvious reasons.

Any System with no Top label - Must have the boxes! I hate stacking them, and not knowing what's what!

TG16 - Preferably, at least the jewel case.

Pre-SMS except for O2, INTV - Loose. I can't be bothered with boxes from back then, especially 2600. O2, INTV, that stuff I got mostly boxed, so I'll be anal about it just because.

dave

[neuropolitique]

Voted Other

There is no excuse for not having the box for a cd game. Other wise, if the game has a box, great, if not, oh well.

[The Manimal]

Any CD based game must be complete...though I am missing the 3D glasses for CONTRA: LEGACY OF WAR :( ...

Anything less than complete for CD games is pathetic. How can anyone want these NOT complete. No back cover would suck, and the front insert in most cases IS the manual. So to me it is complete or I will not purchase it.


Cartridge based games? It depends. I do not go out of my way, though most of my GB/GBA games were bought new, so I've thought about keeping to complete for those since I only have maybe 3 'cart only' games. For the most part, no. I do want the manuals though I mostly don't have them when I buy used games. LOL

[Kamino]

haha? system boxes?
man, those were gone years ago.
i personally burned my xbox/ps2/gamecube boxes in the fireplace...
nes/snes were gone long time ago.
i dont care about game boxes either. i have a decent number of snes/n64 boxes but theyre aall "folded down" in a box somewhere so definitely NOT display case material.
however i cant stand those damn greatest hits labels either; every time i look at my max payne ps2 disc i cringe a little, until i get the game into the system and realise it doesnt matter!!!!!
i know loose games are worth less, but it doesnt mean theyre worthless...
the game is the most important part, i'll buy games for ANY system, even disc based, loose. i have a question for you:
where's the fun?
The box
the manual
the inserts
or..
THE GAME

i rest my case, vladimir.

[Kejoriv]

Games I like boxes and manuals for XBOX, ps, ps2, ngc, dc, gensis, sms

Everything else, if I buy the game and it comes with a manual or box I trade/ sell it.