Most Neurotic Collecting Habits?

[tubeway]

I keep hearing collectors here claim to be OCD about their game collecting / organization / storing habits, usually without giving particularly impressive examples of their behavior.

What's the most neurotic collecting habit or behavior you have or know of an acquaintance having?

Mine is saving the barcode stickers from new games and delicately peeling them off and putting them on the rear or inside of their case.

The most neurotic collecting habit I've heard of from an acquaintance is someone that individually sleeves every item inside of his boxed NES games. Even the foam brick and registration cards.

How about you guys?

[Family Computer]

sealed game collectors

[mobiusclimber]

Didn't we have a topic asking which way Master System and Genesis carts were originally facing in their cases (the implication being so the OP could turn all the games in that direction)? I would say that, definitely.

[VACRMH]

Probably my dislike of greatest hits games. I only buy them if it's absolutely necessary (like added content or a game only released in that format) Out of 1600 or so games, I think I own...3?

My friend is very picky about condition. It's funny because he's the only one I'll lend games to and vice versa. I remember when there was a PS3 promotion that you could get 5 free Blu-Ray movies by mailing in your receipt and the barcode from the back of the system box, he wouldn't do it because he'd have to mess up the box.

I'm sure I have other little habits, but none that are too bad. Oh, I do have to own the game in some format before playing it. Like I buy imports that have a translation patch just to either play them on an emulator or burn. I have so many unfinished games that it seems counter productive to play a game I don't own.

But then I buy the import...and don't get around to finishing it. Adding another game to my unfinished list... *sigh*

[Big Papa Husker]

Probably my dislike of greatest hits games. I only buy them if it's absolutely necessary (like added content or a game only released in that format) Out of 1600 or so games, I think I own...3?

I'm the same way. I HATE Greatest Hits/Players Choice/Platinum Hits. I especially hate the PS1 Green ones. I think I have 9 or 10, but that's only because they were $1-3 during the "Great TRU Clearance Sale of 2004/2005" where all clearance stuff was 90% off.

[calistarwind]

Alphabetizing is a must and all games must go back in their cases.

[Smashed Brother]

sealed game collectors

Heh...this.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Anything that involves mutilating box or artwork? I won't do it. Even if it's a free game.

[buzz_n64]

I think there's a step beyond sealed collectors. Collectors who must own every single variant of a game, no matter how insignificant. Text italicized, different seal of quality, different box, different manual...

[Emuaust]

Anything to do with grading and slabbing games along with sealed game collecting

[Emperor Megas]

I keep hearing collectors here claim to be OCD about their game collecting / organization / storing habits, usually without giving particularly impressive examples of their behavior.

What's the most neurotic collecting habit or behavior you have or know of an acquaintance having?

Mine is saving the barcode stickers from new games and delicately peeling them off and putting them on the rear or inside of their case.

I do that. I peel off the security sticker and stick it to the inside of the case. Of course I have to get it off in one piece, and I never mar the outer plastic of the DVD cases when I remove it. also save every receipt and usually store them inside the game cases as a time stamp of sorts.

I also use a seam ripper to open the sealed games cleanly.

Didn't we have a topic asking which way Master System and Genesis carts were originally facing in their cases (the implication being so the OP could turn all the games in that direction)? I would say that, definitely.

Yeah, that was me.

I also alphabetize all of my media, and try to separate/arrange my consoles by brand and generation.

[cynicalhat]

I have 2 piles of cart based games. Those that have been cleaned and those that have not. Those that have not, are not allowed to be put in a console untill they have been opened, polished and cleaned. I also hate when people leave the games in the system when they are done playing.

[Gooch3008]

sealed game collectors

It's like buying a sports/muscle car and keeping it wrapped in plastic. Like I tell my wife, take it out and play with it!

[Atarileaf]

sealed game collectors

I keep all my game collectors sealed too. I hate it when the little bastards are running around loose.

[Icarus Moonsight]

How about paying more for 'free' stuff? Always found that interesting, in a WTF way.

[megasdkirby]

For me it's"

-Sealed Game Collectors
-Variant Collectors
-2nd Set of the Same System Collectors

[cheesystick]

Sealed collectors and minor variant collectors are a given. However, I met a guy online who would only buy a SNES game if it came with the original white Nintendo safety leaflet and Nintendo power advertisement. He said replacements from other games weren't okay.

Okay, maybe if you are founding a museum, I can see this, but how is this adding to your enjoyment of the game overall? I can sort of see where he is coming from, but a huge part of me sees this as way overboard.

As far as the "leaving the cart in" part of this discussion goes, how many of you actually take out the N64 expansion cart when you are not using it? How about detaching the model 2 Sega CD? How about taking out the Sega Saturn RAM cart or Pro Action Replay? I for one leave that stuff attached and I haven't had a problem in 15 years.

As far as carts go, I can't see it doing too much damage unless it is a toaster NES. Hell, as stated before, it might even help you with a Jaguar, Atari system, or just about any Gameboy system. You gotta keep that dust out of there.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Or completely dismantle their PCs every power-off.
Daughterboards are compressing pins... Can't sleep...

[Emperor Megas]

Someone mentioned not using the batteries that come with things; I do that as well. I never use (standard) the batteries that come shrink wrapped with things. Handheld systems, remotes, wireless controllers, etc., I always keep them wrapped up and with the original packaging.

They're often weird 'brand named' batteries that you can't purchase separately (batteries that say SONY for example). Even if they're a common market brand of battery like Duracell packed in with a device, I like to preserve them with the original box and packaging.

[cynicalhat]

[QUOTE=cheesystick;1802504}
As far as the "leaving the cart in" part of this discussion goes, how many of you actually take out the N64 expansion cart when you are not using it? How about detaching the model 2 Sega CD? How about taking out the Sega Saturn RAM cart or Pro Action Replay? I for one leave that stuff attached and I haven't had a problem in 15 years.

[/QUOTE]

this is why this thread is about neurotic behavior