PC Game Collector's Thread - Rooms of DooM

[phreakindee]

First off, I don't mean this as purely an e-penis comparison, but rather something more specific.

Who here is somewhat actively collecting IBM PC compatible, physical games?

I want to see some heavy hitters here. So often you see console collectors with hundreds or thousands of games and threads dedicated to such achievements. But the PC seems pretty left out, on DP and otherwise. I want to see some serious collections of computer goodness! Shelves of boxes with computer specs on the spines, stories of how you got started or why you collect them... Not necessarily just "well I used to and I have a few games"

I started collecting PC games seriously in 2007 after I got a somewhat steady job. I had maybe 50 games from over the decades prior but mainly just the common games like Unreal and Need for Speed 3.

Inspired by rooms of doom on here and a new found love for what I grew up (DOS/Early Win PCs) with I got the idea I needed more I guess and things were cheap so I started on my first real collection: Maxis games on PC.



I now own every Maxis title up through The Sims and most afterward, almost all in complete boxes, which was no small feat.

In addition I have right around 280 complete boxed PC games and around 400 discs and floppies in jewel cases or sleeves.
And I'm proud that the majority are hand picked for being awesome games and it isn't just consisting of every crapware disc I can get my hands on. The biggest problem is space to display this stuff, those boxes are huge! So most of them are packed away in a closet... hope to get a nice storage solution soon






And several hundred floppy disks unsorted, not pictured.

I am simply wondering... Who else is in a similar boat as far as collecting PC games in excess?

[FxMercenary]

Ill share.

[Jorpho]

Phooey, the pics in my old thread are all gone. Oh well, it was pretty modest compared to all this anyway.

...Aren't you missing the expansion for SimCity 3000, Mr. Phreakindee? I'm quite impressed by SimHealth, though. Are those two different versions? The boxed copy of Traffic Department 2192 also raises my eyebrows.

[phreakindee]

SimCity 3000 Unlimited and World editions are both on other shelves, they just weren't "big box" games so they are separate - along with many other Maxis titles (Full Tilt 2, Marble Drop, Zaark, Crystal Skull etc) that I do not yet have boxes to, just discs.

Yes, SimHealth did apparently have an alternative box, with a reflective silver logo. I don't know much about it, it is the only one like it I have ever seen.

And 2192 is another oddity. It was released as a "bargain priced" boxed game around 1996 by B&N Software, licensed from Epic - includes "Episode Alpha".

Phooey, the pics in my old thread are all gone. Oh well, it was pretty modest compared to all this anyway.

...Aren't you missing the expansion for SimCity 3000, Mr. Phreakindee? I'm quite impressed by SimHealth, though. Are those two different versions? The boxed copy of Traffic Department 2192 also raises my eyebrows.

[Kitsune Sniper]

That's a neat collection. I wish companies would sell games like this again, at least then the prices would be fine (instead of $60 for a DVD without a manual!)

[bgreenlee]

Awesome Collection.

Love the SimCity's. Is it a struggle to find these big boxes in good condition? (compared to console "cardboard" collecting?)

[phreakindee]

Both console and PC box collecting can be very challenging, but I'm inclined to say even more so for PC games. Mainly because they're so large.

I know when I was younger, my mother made me throw out so many of them because they took up all my closet space! I imagine many were in a similar situation, either being forced to due to someone's taste or due to space...you have the game, why did you still need the shelf box?

Condition usually isn't so bad, though I've seen some horrible boxes I've had to pass on. It seems that, generally, if someone's kept the box around they at least kept in storage so that it still looks nice years later. A big box may take up space but a smashed or torn big box is pretty much pointless.

[Trebuken]

I don't find too many older PC Games in boxes these days, but when I do I try to grab them. Even a some games I never would have considered back in the day look like trasures nowadays when I find them in their boxes.


I am approaching 500 PC games, half or so in box. I too had to pitch many boxes some time ago. The bigger loss to me was the many Commodore 64 boxes I pitched...

I started a collection of Games For Windows games a little more than a year ago and probably have two thirds of them. I think sub collections are the best way to go with PC Games.

Maybe I'll have pictures one day when I have a place to put them...

[Poofta!]

i collect PC RPGs. I have all the ones i sought out to find (you can read my list by click the mobygames link in my sig). all are mint/complete. im a huge fan of the 90s D&D games (post gold box/SSI). i have all of Black Isl, Troika games etc. i dont have pics because they are all in different locations throughout my room. the boxes are mint and fragile so i had to find perfect spots for them all and not just stack them in the corner of my closet. at one point i'll photograph and upload my collection.

while i dont necessarily miss big boxes for games (some were just as empty as today's smaller boxes) i DO miss [GREATLY] the big manuals and bonuses that came with some games.

[JapanesePeso]

Really love that Maxis collection. A lot of memories come back just from seeing those boxes.