Keeping those collectible boxes in great shape

[madman77]

I've got a number of Vectrex boxes in absolute mint condition, but I still want to play these games :) However, I'm worried about the frequent opening/closing of the box and retrieving the overlay from inside the box. I plan on keeping my eyes open for a multicart so that I'd rarely have to access my originals, but what are you guys doing for those collectible boxed games that you want to keep in mint condition but still want to play?

I was planning to take all the carts out (at least the good games I care to play), put them in baggies and keep the boxes elsewhere in safe keeping. Maybe store the overlays with the carts in comic book bags in case I want to use the overlay as well. Any tips? Thanks!

[Cambot]

How about storing the boxes empty in a safe place and finding a safe place for your games you think you'll be playing fairly often?

edit: On second glance, you did mention that. That's what I do. Actually, most of my play-oftens are Nintendo games, so I have a lot of duplicates.

[Ed Oscuro]

Be sure to keep the boxes out of the light, so they don't fade.

[Slimedog]

A lot of the collectible packaging on current games is a pain to open. Its nice looking on the shelf, but try getting Prey or Oblivion from box to console in less than 3 minutes. Without using a claw hammer. I keep an empty jewel case or two handy if I want to start any game that comes in something other than a standard DVD case.

[rbudrick]

Keep the mint ones minty and don't touch them....then buy some shitty loose copies of the ones you play most. The good news is, if the label is shit, you don't care on those ones.

-Rob

[Poofta!]

i play roms... but thats no solution if you wanna game on the actual hardware.

luckily most of my play-oftens come in jewel cases, or the genesis boxes.

[madman77]

Yea, the SMS/Genesis/MD cases were great for that type of thing. Too bad most cart based systems didn't follow that route. I'm just going to hold out for a Vectrex mulitcart so that I won't even have to remove or insert any carts.

[Mayhem]

Instead of the multicart, just get a VecFlash instead...

[incubus421]

I too just leave the game/cart out of the box when I am playing it often to help keeps my hands and wear on the boxes to a minimum.