How to Store Loose Carts?

[erehwon]

I have several loose carts sitting around and I was wondering how should I store them. There are two main options that come to mind.

1. Zipable sandwich bags
2. Universal Slim Combo Game Case (http://tinyurl.com/97yza)

Option 1 is cheaper and I'll most likely do that for my NES games. Option 2 is what the people in the CAG custom N64 (http://tinyurl.com/dp45u) and SNES covers thread are using. Here's an idea of what those look like.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5742/cases1cu.jpg

It's important that I do something to protect them because my room gets quite dusty. Do you guys have any tips? Is it even safe to store loose games in one of those sandwich bags?

[SeiruKoji]

try viewing this.

http://digitpress.com/archives/collectors/mar_2002_p1.jpg

I used this when I had the same problem.

[Ed Oscuro]

I don't know about sandwich bags. Shouldn't cause a problem, but if they're made of soft PVC (I highly doubt it as people don't want to eat food imbued with noxious gases from degrading PVC, and I've never heard of a rotting sandwich bag) you might not want to.

Shoe boxes. Nothing wrong with that. I found one brand (forget which though) works especially well for SNES games, as those stack nicely.

For N64 and Genesis games, I have a couple still-not-filled officially branded cartridge storage boxes. These are probably the best option if you can find them.

[drwily008]

Ziplock bags have a chemical in the platic that can yellow the labels (ecspecially white ones). I also think that it with loosen the adhesive end of the sticker over years.

However there is a solution there are collectors baggies that you can buy for SNES sizes games (I'm sure someone here that uses them will have a website to buy them from).

I personally use comic book storage bags (the have no harmful chemicals), I just cut them to size and fold and tape.

Hope this helps. -Ken (DrWily008)

[Ed Oscuro]

It does, thanks. I find that strange, as ziplock bags can potentially sit on store shelves for years...hmm, more stuff to worry about, I guess. O_O

[Kamino]

I just put em in plastic storage bins.
then again, I actually, y'know, play my games, so I don't want to dick around with plastic bags etc.
YMMV...

[jdchess]

Just an important side note about the cases in the original post. The case itself is made from polypropelene which is totally Ph neutral and safe for archival storage, BUT the sleeve on the outside is PVC, and trust me, you do not want to use ANYHTING PVC for long term storage. I hate to rain on the CAG Custom N64 cover party, but using the cases with PVC sleeves is NOT a good idea at all. I use these same cases, but I get the ones WITHOUT the sleeves and just use archival labels.

The plastics you should look for are polypropelene (PP, recycle symbol 5), and polyethelene (HDPE, LDPE). These are both safe. PVC is NOT!!!

Same is true for plastic bags. Make sure they are either PP or PE of some sort, and NOT PVC.

"Sterilite" products are all made of PP (with the exception of some of the outdoor stuff), which makes them great for long term storage. Look on the bottom of the sterilite container and you will see a "PP" next to the recycle symbol.

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up, so you don't regret using them later.

[k8track]

Atariage has an excellent series of articles that has helped me a lot:

http://www.atariage.com/howto/storage_tips/index.html

[kainemaxwell]

Atariage has an excellent series of articles that has helped me a lot:

http://www.atariage.com/howto/storage_tips/index.html
Thanks for posting that actually. i've wanted to look into those plastic bags over time and had trouble finding them at the AA store now..

[CYRiX]

Wait how does PVC ruin your games?

[erehwon]

Wait how does PVC ruin your games?
I'd like to know too. Does it degrade over time? Also how does the PVC sleeve of those covers hurt the game?

[§ Gideon §]

I don't know why I clicked this link, knowing it's an overdone topic that's started several times a year. But I did. And I'm glad. It's amazing how much you don't know when you think you do.

AtariAge Storage Tips (http://www.atariage.com/howto/storage_tips/index.html)
Don't follow the CheapAss homemade case instructions.
Plastic baggies discolor the label over time.
Polyethelene is safe (in addition to #5 plastics).

You guys gave me this new knowledge, so finish the job and deal with my resulting questions. LOL

Does polyethelene have a recycling number?
You said Ziploc bags mess up the label. What about those old-fashioned sandwich bags without a zipper. Same deal?
jdchess, do I have your word that Item code #50754 - No Sleeve, per 100 $39.00 (http://www.mediashelving.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=W&Product_Code=USCG&Category_Code=VHS) is archival safe?

[joshnickerson]

I'm extremely tempted by those CAG cases, PVC or not. I've been storing my NES games in these plastic baggies I bought a few years ago, and basically just taped the flap over with scotch tape. The only downside is that they really don't look that hot displayed like that.

[jgenotte]

I love these (http://www.geocities.com/jgenotte/Forum/Rack.jpg) that I made and always post them in these types of topic.

I have an instructional how-to that I can post if anyone is interested.

-james

[Arqueologia_Digital]

Option 2 at the beggining of the post is horrible and i didn´t know that info of plastic bags like ziploc...very interesting...

Matías

[googlefest1]

swallowing them is the best way

[n8littlefield]

I use photo storage boxes. They aren't the greatest fit, but they work well enough for me and keep the games readily accessible. They are just the cardboard ones with a fake leathery covering on the outside from Walmart for like a buck each.

[Ed Oscuro]

Wait how does PVC ruin your games?
I'd like to know too. Does it degrade over time? Also how does the PVC sleeve of those covers hurt the game?
I used to be a pretty big card collector back in the 90s (hey, that's OK with me, I'm assuming I made a good return on my investment, if I ever decided to sell some), and one of the first things you'll read in any book is that PVC - polyvinyl-chloride - degrades over time. It was a popular type of plastic in the 1970s used for everything from car interiors to, yes, card holders, because it was soft and pliable. It took people a while (and some investment tragedies, I'm guessing!) before it was realized the stuff degrades into various noxious gases over time. Bad, bad, bad.

[jdchess]

I don't know why I clicked this link, knowing it's an overdone topic that's started several times a year. But I did. And I'm glad. It's amazing how much you don't know when you think you do.

AtariAge Storage Tips (http://www.atariage.com/howto/storage_tips/index.html)
Don't follow the CheapAss homemade case instructions.
Plastic baggies discolor the label over time.
Polyethelene is safe (in addition to #5 plastics).

You guys gave me this new knowledge, so finish the job and deal with my resulting questions. LOL

Does polyethelene have a recycling number?
You said Ziploc bags mess up the label. What about those old-fashioned sandwich bags without a zipper. Same deal?
jdchess, do I have your word that Item code #50754 - No Sleeve, per 100 $39.00 (http://www.mediashelving.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=W&Product_Code=USCG&Category_Code=VHS) is archival safe?


First off, yes, PE also has a recycling number. LDPE is #4 and HDPE is #2. The dreaded PVC is #3. More info here:

http://www.earthodyssey.com/symbols.html

The sandwhich bags...I'm not sure. Contacting the manufacturer of the exact ones you plan to use would be the best bet. Just ask them what plastic their bags are made of. They should be able to supply this info.

I do know that "GLAD" brand sandwhich bags are made of polyethelene and are safe for storage. I have talked with someone at corporate about this and the info on their website confirms this.

I've talked with the manufacturer of the cases sold by Media Shelving. The product that you mentioned, the cases WITHOUT the sleeve are made of nothing but polypropelene, which means they are safe for storage. When I first got them I did the "float test" to make sure. The test is simple. Cut off a chunk of the plastic case and toss it in a bowl of water, push it to the bottom and see what happens. Here's the thing...PP, HDPE, and LDPE all have densities of LESS THAN 1, which means that they will flost in water since water is more dense. PVC has a density greater than 1 (1.15 - 1.35 usually), which means it will sink. PP and the two PE's are the only commonly used plastics that have a density lower than 1. So, if the plastic floats use it for storage. If it sinks, don't use it and find something else. I use the particular cases you mentioned myself, and I do believe that they are truly made of PP.

OK...the question that others asked about PVC. Overtime PVC breaks down chemically and releases chloride gas. This gas has a very deteriorating effect on most materials, inlcuding things such as other plastics and paper labels. This should make it obvious why you would NOT want to use anything with PVC in it to store anything. As far as the sleeves on the cases not actually touching the games, why chance it?

[poloplayr]

Between your butt cheeks.

[erehwon]

Thanks for all the info.I might get some of those comic book or hardback book bags for some of my games. I'll also look into some of those cases, but without the sleeve. If I really want to use those covers, I could possibly go to the hardware store and pick the right type of plastic to make my own sleeves. I'll go check the numbers on the plastic containers around my room I'm considering for game storage.

I do have one other question. On the standard DVD, PS2, GC, and Xbox cases, are the sleeves PVC?

[§ Gideon §]

:eek 2: jdchess, you are a genius! Thanks for all the info; it's been dutifully noted. Thanks for everything.

[Schenley]

Just an important side note about the cases in the original post

[snip]the sleeve on the outside is PVC, and trust me, you do not want to use ANYHTING PVC for long term storage.
[snip]
Forgive my ignorance, but if the PVC is on the outside of the case, how does it still harm the game itself?

Oh, and approximately how long are you talking about when you mention 'long term storage?'

Thanks!

[Nescollector]

Hey, that picture (second down on the left) is a picture of mine (from my old room) wow, I'm in a book and didn't even know it :)

sorry for the double post.

[Nescollector]

Hey, that picture (second down on the left) is a picture of mine (from my old room) wow, I'm in a book and didn't even know it :)

http://digitpress.com/archives/collectors/mar_2002_p1.jpg

[SkiDragon]

This topic is extremely enlightening, and causes me to worry a lot. I have been storing my Genesis games in ziplock bags, but only for a couple years and I havent noticed anything bad, but I will probably get rid of the bags now.

We should make a list of different safe and unsafe storage things, especially official ones like NES/SNES sleeves, and DVD cases for new systems. Or jewel cases. DS/PSP cases. etc.

[erehwon]

There is a lot of good info here. It might be a good thing to go into the knowledge base.

[ianoid]

I'm working on figuring out the right bags for carts. Not easy. Trying to stick to Polypropelene although Polyethylene may be what I end up with. I want self sealing stuff because I don't like the idea of tape so close to my labels. My first purchase was modeled after the AA size, self sealing:

http://www.bagsunlimited.com/cart/search_results.asp?txt=SPPLGC68R&man=ALL&ven=ALL&cat=ALL&type=ALL&Image1.x=13&Image1.y=13&fromsearch=fromSearch&ilevel=1


They are just too big and stiff to fold. I think I'll step back to Polyethelene (will fold easier) and try another size. I need something for my little 8-bit carts and then something a little bigger for the 2600 carts.

I should pick up those comic book sized Polyprop bags for the boxed 2600 stuff. That's in the next order. I also got some Polyprop bags for the mags. Those definitely should be saved from surface injury.

[CartCollector]

I keep all my NES/SNES/Master System stuff in a Sterilite storage drawer. For modern cases, I have two DVD racks.

[Schenley]

I was waiting for answers to my previous questions before ordering the cases from mediashelving.com, but I ordered them anyway...

Here's my original unanswered questions:


jdchess said:
Just an important side note about the cases in the original post

[snip]the sleeve on the outside is PVC, and trust me, you do not want to use ANYHTING PVC for long term storage.
[snip]
Forgive my ignorance, but if the PVC is on the outside of the case, how does it still harm the game itself?

Oh, and approximately how long are you talking about when you mention 'long term storage?'

Thanks!

I'm working on building custom shelves for all the games. I used to use those plastic drawers to store them, but honestly, they are a pain in the ass. Also, I think it's much more appealing to be able to look at the games like you would look in the library or game store - easier for guests to spot something they'd like to play, or easier to pick out something.

[kainemaxwell]

For me loose carts are in my game drawers or on my bookshelf with my other complete games for collecting purposes. I'll likely get some bags myself since some my complete Atari games were sent to me bagged (Seaquest and I think River Raid II).

[jdchess]

I was waiting for answers to my previous questions before ordering the cases from mediashelving.com, but I ordered them anyway...

Here's my original unanswered questions:


jdchess said:
Just an important side note about the cases in the original post

[snip]the sleeve on the outside is PVC, and trust me, you do not want to use ANYHTING PVC for long term storage.
[snip]
Forgive my ignorance, but if the PVC is on the outside of the case, how does it still harm the game itself?

Oh, and approximately how long are you talking about when you mention 'long term storage?'

Thanks!

I'm working on building custom shelves for all the games. I used to use those plastic drawers to store them, but honestly, they are a pain in the ass. Also, I think it's much more appealing to be able to look at the games like you would look in the library or game store - easier for guests to spot something they'd like to play, or easier to pick out something.

The sleeve is on the outside. That's true, but why even have it close to your games that you spent good money on. Personally, I just don't feel it's even worth chancing.

As far as "long-term storage" goes, personally, I hope to pass my collection on to my son one day. I want to give the carts and disks a good chance to survive as long as possible. Everything will break down eventually, but the environment you keep them in certainly determines how long this will be.

Just my three cents... x_x

[§ Gideon §]

Ziplock bags have a chemical in the platic that can yellow the labels (ecspecially white ones). I also think that it with loosen the adhesive end of the sticker over years.
Actually, according to them (http://ziploc.com/faq_bag.asp#4), that's not the case. Ziploc bags are archival safe.

[Niku-Sama]

i just came across this link looking fomr something completely different but i thought it might be something useful

http://www.mediacabinet.com/

[Tron 2.0]

I find just useing.. a huge plastic bin is good enough for cartridges.

[Schenley]

I mentioned my shelves... I finally did them - I wouldn't call them finished, but whatever...

I went from this:

http://www.brokenclavicle.com/arcade/IMG_0824.jpg




to this....



http://www.brokenclavicle.com/arcade/IMG_0885.jpg


I didn't want to spend a lot of money - I got the cheapest frickin wood I could find. The upper 3 or 4 shelves are actually tongue-n-groove flooring material that was in the discount bin. The other pieces were 12 foot pieces - so I could make one cut and get two six foot shelves out of it.

I think I spent about $50 on this...

[James]

I've always wondered if any of the plastic baggies that brand new Nintendo Games came in up until they started using DVD like cases were bad for my games and if they might degrade somehow over time. I haven't had any problems with them, I still have most of the ones from my new games and some from used ones that just happened to have them, some of these are 20 years old now so I assume they are PP or PE and not PVC. Thanks on warning me about those sleaved game cases jdchess you sure know a lot about your archiving.

I'm also interested in a previous unanswered question regarding DVD, CD-Jewel, Game cases, Genesis cases etc. any retail case really, I assume they don't have any PVC as that would be quite stupid but I'd like to know if any of these cases are bad for their contents in any way. I might as well ask about the NES and SNES dust covers as well.

[Mahoutskai]

I just keep my loose carts lined up in a couple of drawers. It keeps them away from the ancient dust which frolics in my room. All NES and american SNES games have dust caps / sleeves on them.

[Abman]

Recently I have started taking real good care of my NES loose carts' I do this by useing a Q-tip to get all the dust off the outside and then puting then in zip-lock bags it works really well.

[CYRiX]

Hey who posted that cart rack (like a dvd rack/tower) do post a little how-to please!

[Fighter17]

I store my games like this:

Loose games goes in a shoe box.
Complete games goes in my dressing draw (in a row according to system).

[zektor]

I actually took Atariage's advice for the Iris drawer method. I have been using these types of drawers/sterilite for many many years, and have concluded that this is the best/neatest/cleanest way to store loose carts. Carts I have had in these for years still look and play exactly the way they did when I first put them in there. And, the drawer method works great for finding and playing titles that have the title on the top of the cart as well.

[zektor]

I just keep my loose carts lined up in a couple of drawers. It keeps them away from the ancient dust which frolics in my room. All NES and american SNES games have dust caps / sleeves on them.

I am a dust cap freak too. Not a single SNES game I own is without an official dust cap. I plan on keeping it that way for the entire collection. Only thing that is really bugging me is that certain ebay sellers picture a game with a cap, and then send it without...just so they can juice a bit more cash by selling the caps seperately...argh!

[Abman]

Recently I have started taking real good care of my NES loose carts' I do this by useing a Q-tip to get all the dust off the outside and then puting then in zip-lock bags it works really well.

After reading what some of you said I have decided to take them out of baggies I want to keep them in there best condition possiable. So here is my new plan I think I will do this later tonight I will clear off my book shelve because I never read any of the books on there put the books in boxes and then I will dust of the shelve then I will but paper Towels under all of the NES games to make sure no dust from the shelve gets in them. I will change the paper towels weekly and dust regaulary I think that will work. Does anyone else think that is a good plan?

[zektor]

Recently I have started taking real good care of my NES loose carts' I do this by useing a Q-tip to get all the dust off the outside and then puting then in zip-lock bags it works really well.

After reading what some of you said I have decided to take them out of baggies I want to keep them in there best condition possiable. So here is my new plan I think I will do this later tonight I will clear off my book shelve because I never read any of the books on there put the books in boxes and then I will dust of the shelve then I will but paper Towels under all of the NES games to make sure no dust from the shelve gets in them. I will change the paper towels weekly and dust regaulary I think that will work. Does anyone else think that is a good plan?

I wouldn't do that at all. Paper towels actually create dust. I would suggest using the high grade comic book plastic sleeves if anything. But, that is if you are going to obsess on the matter. Remember, these games have been most likely sitting around in dust/air for how long? Put them in nice clean sterilite cases/drawers, and continue your collection!