I collect loose carts. Do you?

[Anthony1]

I know that most real collectors frown upon loose carts. But for me, I have no problem collecting them. For one, they are cheap. Two, they don't take up that much space.

Of course it would be nice to actually have the instruction manuals and stuff. Usually you can get by without one and quickly figure out what the controls are, but sometimes it helps if you can give the manual a once over.


But I just don't have the necessary storage place to be collecting complete games. Unless it was games in jewel cases like TurboGrafx-16 games or something.


But for me, I just want to play the game, so I don't mind the loose carts at all. I can find loose carts all over the place, and usually for pretty damn cheap. They certainly aren't as valuable as complete, but there are still a number of loose carts that can be somewhat valuable to the crazy people on Ebay that love to overpay for stuff.

On a related note, what is a good way to store your loose carts? I have those plastic drawers that you can get at Target. There are 3 of them stacked on top of each other. They are the kind that people use as clothes drawers to store their socks and underwear and stuff. They work pretty good as storage sites for my loose carts. I try to have my carts in alphabetical order in those bins, but whenever a get a new batch, it requires me to complete re-organize it, which kinda sucks.

[Atarian75]

I only collect loose carts for the NES and the Atari 2600. Everything else is complete. I store my loose carts in large rubbermaid bins that I got at Target.
-Atarian75

[Funkenstein]

You got a compadre in me Anthony. If I'm looking on Ebay or a similar place I'll try to find it complete, but if it's in the wild or I can't find it otherwise, loose carts are just fine with me. I don't own a single NES game that has a box or manual. I'm not a big fan of the factory sealed stuff. I don't like paying for a game and taking it home and putting on a shelf. I like playing them.

I bought a bunch of empty NES sleeves a while back, and put the carts on top of each other in sleeves vertically. They used to slide out a lot though, so I taped them together in groups of ten. All my NES carts are stacked on top of one another on a bookshelf but you can pull any individual game out without distrubing the others. It works rather well, they've never even fallen over. The only problem is I alphabetize them too. It's an extreme pain in the butt when you need to add a new cart in because you have to move every single game a notch down, but it's my own fault for having the compulsive need to put them in order.

[Ze_ro]

I like having boxes and manuals... but if I passed on all the loose carts I've found, then my collection would be awfully small. As long as I can enjoy the game, that's good enough for me... besides, boxes take up more space that I don't have.

The only systems where I insist on boxes and manuals are for the Jaguar and the Lynx. So far, my collections for both are entirely complete (which I think is pretty decent considering I have about 40 Jaguar games), and I'd like to keep it that way. Luckily, finding CIB games for both systems isn't terribly difficult.

--Zero

[Daria]

For most of the Nintendo cartridge systems I generally settle for carts only. Gameboy Advance is new enough that I'll only accept boxes games, with Gameboy color following closely behind. I only ever plan to own 7 N64 titles so... those I hope to find boxes for them some day. Probably will hold out for Aydian Chronicles and Quest64 and just buy them complete.

Genesis Games have to have boxes, most of them were plastic so it's alot easier to collect then say cardboard snes boxes. Plus I was a Sega girl, I just feel better having boxed Genesis games.

CD based games have to be complete, no exceptions.

And while I have no gamegear boxes I plan to eventually get Shining Force, Crystal Warriors, and Defenders of Oasis some boxes. Maybe even rebuy them complete.
________
GLASS PIPES (http://glasspipes.net/)

[klausien]

The moment I decided to take advantage of my employee discount when I worked at Funcoland in college, I abandoned my "must...be...complete" mentality and got into really loving the thrill of the hunt.

Most of my cartridge collection is sans box and/or instructions and I love them just the same (except for my HuCard collection which is mostly complete or close. At least they all have real HuCard cases). There is a certain satisfaction to opening that drawer and seeing 100 Genesis carts strating at me. Not a dud in the bunch.

They play just the same, though complete is always better.

When it comes to CD-Rom software, I need the box and instructions to be truly satisfied since they go uniformly on the shelf.

[Push Upstairs]

I'd like to have a complete game, but if i have to sacrifice a box and manual to get a great game then i do.

Except for Super Mario 2 (which is complete) all my NES games are in the sleeves inside those clear plastic clamshell cases with a label in each spine.

When it comes to CD games (well, Sega CD or Saturn) if i dont have a cover i either print one out or create my own.

[Anthony1]

Although I collect loose carts, there are some loose carts that I won't buy. No matter how cheap. The ones that have labels that are totally thrashed.


I don't mind the carts that have rental stickers, and rental alarms things, and pricing stickers and all kinds of stuff like that. Names written on the carts with a Sharpie, etc, etc,.

But if the Label is thrashed there really isn't anything you can do.

You clean all that other crap off of a cart, but if the label is in shambles, you really can't do anything about that.

Now don't get it twisted, I have plenty of loose carts that don't have perfect labels, in fact, few of my carts have absolutely flawless labels, but I don't like the ones that are "TOTALLY" thrashed.

They could have a little rip in them or tear in them or something, but if it's just totally thrashed, it's hard for me to buy it. I'd rather wait and find one with a halfway decent label.

[petewhitley]

Although I collect loose carts, there are some loose carts that I won't buy. No matter how cheap. The ones that have labels that are totally thrashed.

This is me. I collect ONLY loose carts, but they've gotta be near mint. No stickers, no filth, no markings. I've eBay'ed complete games only to turn around and buy the loose cart with a percentage of the profits. Having said that, I ONLY collect complete CD-based games though. No instructions, no sale for me. Yeah, it's called O.C.D. It's a recognized mental disorder... Storage wise, I like putting them in those DVD/CD/etc. media racks. It takes up space but looks impressive.

[captain nintendo]

I am a big fan of complete stuff. I have over 200 nes games and 150 of which are complete. I also have close to 100 empty boxes and nearly 200 manuals for nes. So I will look for loose games to fill that stuff. If I come across a hard to find game loose I will pick it up however. My dream is to have all of the U.S. nes release list complete x_x Of course that will be a very hard task to complete. I recently picked up all of the dragon warrior games minty fresh and complete. That made my day ;)

[TNTPLUST]

Yeah I collect loose carts too for all the reasons given above. Plus loose carts are like orphans...somebodies gotta take em in. :D

[dreamcaster]

For me, it depends on the console.

Here's my rationale for game collecting:

Nintendo 64: PAL games must be complete. NTSC games can be in any condition.
Sega Dreamcast: Must be complete.
Super NES: Any condition.
NES: Any condition.
Atari 2600: Any condition.
Sega Mega Drive: Any condition.
Sega Saturn: PAL games must at least have case. NTSC must be complete.
Sony PlayStation: Must be complete.
Sony PlayStation 2: Must be complete.
Sega Master System: Any condition.
Game Boy Color: Must be complete.
Microsoft Xbox: Must be complete.
Nintendo GameCube: Must be complete.
Neo Geo Pocket Color: Any condition.
Sega Game Gear: Any condition.
Game Boy Advance: Must be complete.
Atari Lynx: Must be complete.
Game Boy: Must be complete.
Sega Mega CD: Must be complete (may take without manual).
Sega 32X: Must be complete (not completely decided on this yet).

Also, I only take cartridges with stickers in perfect or near-perfect condition. No torn/missing labels whatsoever.

CD games I will take as long as they are still playable. And that's also console-dependant. E.g. The Saturn is quite accepting and will take really scratched discs. Whereas the Dreamcast tends to be a bit more fussy.

[Daria]

I recently picked up all of the dragon warrior games minty fresh and complete. That made my day ;)


Have I ever told you I hated you? ;)

Where's the envy emoticon when you need it?
________
Chrysler patriot history (http://www.dodge-wiki.com/wiki/Chrysler_Patriot)

[DigitalSpace]

If I can get a game for a cart based system complete, I will, but when it comes to cart-based systems, loose carts don't bother me at all. Most of my SNES and N64 games (the only cart based systems I own at the time) are loose. But there are exceptions. Trashed labels? Nope. Labels that are a little torn or ripped? Sure. Sharpie markings? Depends. If it's scarce or hard to find, I'll buy it. I have a loose On The Ball for SNES (R5) with the zip code of the Blockbuster location where it formerly was a rental copy. If it's common and has some kid's name written on it? Nope.

However, with disc-based systems, I must own complete copies.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

I just want to play the game, so I don't mind the loose carts at all.
As usual, Anthony, I'm right behind ya. Virtually all of my 2600 carts are loose, very few exceptions there. I have the boxes for roughly half of my Intellivision collection, but I keep all the carts loose in my mighty cart drawers just to keep them together. Same with 5200 carts.

Now, my one exception is the Odyssey2. That system has very nice bookshelf boxes that just scream KEEP ME. I look at O2 games the way I do CD-based games: there's no excuse for anyone to have ditched the original packaging. I have a handful of loose O2 carts, including Turtles and the two Imagic games, but the majority of that collection stays boxed.

But for the rest of my stuff...I'm here to play the games, not lock 'em up in glass jewelers' cases. Let me at 'em where I can play 'em.

As for what I keep my carts in, I use one of these. (Warning, year-old room of doom pic comin' atcha)
http://www.thelogbook.com/phosphor/about/room/drawers.jpg
$40 at Wal-Mart, and you've gotta put it together. But it's proven to be very sturdy and not entirely unattractive. You can get a look at how much the drawers hold here (http://www.thelogbook.com/phosphor/about/collect.htm). That drawer has proven to be a very good investment thus far.

[tholly]

for me, it depends on the system. certain systems, like the NES, i would love boxes, but they arent required, but things like GC, XBox, PS/PS2, and N64 i will only buy complete

[PackratMarty]

I dont like dealing with boxes and will add them to games I am selling when I think it will help the selling price. same thing for system boxes to. There might be 2 exceptions, the boxed powerlords and one like minty boxed atari 2600. I have 2 huge boxes of Genesis boxes that annoy the heck out of me.
NES boxes are to fragile to survive in my house, but I do think games that were originally packaged in hard cases do look nice on a shelf. I could see myself keeping my saturn and sega CD boxes when my game room is done, but I am not a completist in any way.

[gamergary]

I collect loose carts for any system but if the game is famicom, super famicom, cougar boy or neo geo pocket then I would prefer it complete.

[Nez]

I dont go out of my way but if i can grab a box i will.
For instance i bought a sega cd box for 15$
I think its neat to see the game descriptions and the art work.

[Oobgarm]

Cartridge games:

I view boxes and manuals as a premium. They're nice to have, but I take them as they come. I don't specifically hunt games down that are complete. Nintendo 64 and Genesis are a bit of an exception, as I prefer those games to be complete. Of course, I've got plenty of loose titles for each....

CD Based games:

No doubt, they have to be complete. If I get a game that isn't complete, I'll always be on the lookout for a case to snag or something to that effect.

[chadtower]

For me, it depends on the system. While I never pass up cheap loose games, for many systems I am a completist and will upgrade to complete games when I am able. I'm a completist for N64, Saturn, and Odyssey2 (PDF was SO RIGHT about O2 packaging), and pretty much any of the modern nonportables. Anything else like NES, Atari, Coleco, etc I am fine with loose carts. In fact for most of those systems I specifically trade away boxes and manuals to people who actually want them to be sure they end up in a good home. I may not want them myself but I do still respect their place in a collection.

[le geek]

For Atari 2600 games I try for cart and manual. I keep some boxes for resale value, but don't seek them out.

For Genesis, I don't say no to complete, but cart only will do.

For Turbo Grafx I prefer hucard, jewel case and manual.

For others cart only is fine

For CDs I prefer complete, but I do have a CD case with a bunch of PSX games...

Cheers,
Ben

[Ed Oscuro]

I wonder what condition the boxes are for each of the "complete collectors" whose Doomed Rooms we see :P I wouldn't claim an item as collectable if it wasn't in very decent shape, especially true of cardboard boxes. If it doesn't look good I'll consider it playable but not part of my "real collection."

Now some stuff I have no choice but to collect carts only, like in store demos and Sega Mega Tech carts. I don't believe I'll find a boxed red "Sample" label Master System cartridge, for example.

The more expensive an item is the more I'll want to get it in its complete state, like Neo Geo AES carts. I wouldn't consider buying a loose one for the collection (unless it is s00per rare); I'd consider it playable or perhaps a future sale...though I haven't ever sold an item.

[chrisbid]

i seem to be with the majority, i prefer complete, but i will not pass up loose if the price is right.

For 2600, NES, and Super NES boxes, i collapse the boxes and store them separately from the games. The great thing about NES carts is that they are pretty close to the height and width of a CD jewel case, so they fit great on shelving made for CDs (as long as there arent individual slots)

[Kamino]

well considering i SOLD as many of my boxes and manuals as i could... :devilish:
I actually despise boxes and manuals. the carts go into plastic storage drawers and discs go into a 200-capacity cd wallet/binder thing.
on a side note...at least i kept my boxes around until i could sell them....back in the day my friends used to smash or burn them...i witnessed the incineration of a Super Mario RPG box and the smashing of a ToeJam and Earl box.....

[RetroYoungen]

I collect primarily loose games. Boxes and manuals, though they're good to have, take up more space that could be used for holding more games. If I can find the box and manual, that's all well and good, but it's not a requirement.

[QBert]

Atari, NES, SNES, Coleco I collect loose, but like most of you, if I can get it complete, Im down for it.
Xbox, DC, Intelly and Genny I collect complete only except in rare occasions.



Q to the B-E-R-T

[kainemaxwell]

I collect carts loose, and then get the manuals and boxes for them, if I want, later. Though if I find something boxed by some chance I do snatch it up. :)

[Duncan]

Pre-crash (RCA, etc.): whatever I can get (my Studio II games are complete, though!)
NES: loose, with cart sleeves (don't care about manuals)
SMS: boxed (manual not required)
Lynx: whatever (I'm not really collecting for it at the moment)
Genesis: boxed (manual not required, but I'm a bit picky)
Game Boy original and Color: whatever (boxed, loose, anything)
N64: complete (all my old stuff is complete, but I'm probably gonna settle for loose)
Game Boy Advance: complete (box and manual)
Anything with discs: complete and clean (I hate scratches - it means someone really didn't care)

The exception with disc games is with jewel cases (Dreamcast and PS1) - if the outer case is crappy-looking, I have no problem replacing pieces if need be. But the game and all the paper stuff must be present.

I'm not a stickler for perfection in labels or manual condition, so long as everything's there. And I'm willing to clean up dirty carts, too - I consider it my duty to the cause. :angel:

[whoisKeel]

NES carts i need the manuals for...though i only have about 1/2 the manuals i need. I want snes manuals too, but not as important.

I'll trade away boxes for anything EXCEPT rpg's...or zelda titles...i don't even like rpg's anymore, i just like their boxes :)

CD games need to be complete (though i have a few loose psx).

I'll take any loose cart with rental stickers or marker on it, as i've always been able to get it off completely. extensive label damage is a no-no, but a little peeling doesn't get me too upset. I'm just starting a tg16/duo collection, and i think i'm gonna shoot for completes only on that (not like i'll find any in the wild anyways)