Most Neurotic Collecting Habits?

[Atariguy]

I don't like it cause it keeps the consoles connectors in a bent/engaged state.

I know that with springs, what wears them out is the change from compressed to decompressed state and vice versa, not simply compression, so I would think that leaving the connectors in a system in one state is actually better than changing that state when it isn't necessary.

[PapaStu]

Other than the graded-sealed route. What buzz64 said.

The variant collector is a scary monster. I know that Dangerboy and I are bad w/ PS stuff (i'm startin to get there with DS stuff too after having already done that with NGPC and DC), but i've seen a few NES guys who are hunting down all the various -REV versions of games and all the weird offshoots that those have made themselves to be.

[mobiusclimber]

Yeah, first time I heard about five screw and three screw I just went "people CARE about that crap?!"

[Aussie2B]

I alphabetize, and I save those stickers too when an opportunity to do so arises. Never got into the whole receipt-saving thing, although I do find it neat when one pops out of a used game I've purchased. Sometimes I save the outer plastic on games if it comes off really neatly, and I like to keep system packaging as close to its original state as possible (keeping twisty ties in the bags they came from and remembering what went in each bag). With handhelds, I wouldn't even use the batteries, even though I realize it's pretty stupid to keep them because they'll probably leak sooner or later.

Overall, I don't think I'm too terribly obsessive or anal, though, not compared to a lot of nutjob collectors out there. I'll joke about myself being OCD and others do too, but I think the people joking about it are probably the same people that are the least picky. Those who are super anal retentive about this stuff take it deathly seriously, and I'm sure in their minds they have very valid reasons that make any other action seem like a terrible decision.

[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.

[NayusDante]

When I can, I keep the shrinkwrap. For nice collector's edition games, it's usually easier to do because there's a box flap to cut around, so the wrapper never really gets taken off completely.

[Emperor Megas]

I always leave the shrink wrap on GBA games that have it. I just make a slit along the opening.

[Aussie2B]

I forgot about that one. I do that too. I remember I picked that up by reading about it online. It's pretty clever. Nice, easy way to keep boxes clean and mint. I just wish I had started earlier than when games in cardboard boxes started to get phased out (not that that's a bad thing). I have a few N64 games like that, a few GBC, most of my GBA, and every special edition PS2 or PSP game I've bought new.

[Dobie]

The variant collector is a scary monster. I know that Dangerboy and I are bad w/ PS stuff (i'm startin to get there with DS stuff too after having already done that with NGPC and DC), but i've seen a few NES guys who are hunting down all the various -REV versions of games and all the weird offshoots that those have made themselves to be.

I had a guy ask me about a Gyromite NES cart I had posted for sale on ebay--the one with the famicom adapter in it. He wanted to know WHICH VERSION the adapter was, because he was trying to get all carts with different REV adapters inside. I helped him out, and he eventually bought it, but initially I was like, . That was when I decided never to get into variants ever, for any system.

[cynicalhat]

having said that. i do like to keep CDs in the systems so that the dust hopeully collects on top of the CD and not the lens.

[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

[Smashed Brother]

Jesus. There's VGA-graded game collecting (as already mentioned earlier), and then.......there's this nonsense http://www.nintendoage.com/forum/mes...threadid=47993

Current-gen slabbed games that are 'uncirculated' (straight out of the delivery box and never stocked on shelves). These actually do sell, which shouldn't surprise us jaded gamers. Let me just say this; if you are explicitly looking for games in this kind of condition, you're sick in your head. Yeah, I'm judging you. People who pay premiums for this kind of stuff should just buy a horse and ride off into the mountains, far removed from civilization. Please.

[Dangerboy]

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...

For the record, I have 8 copies of Alundra, and 8 copies of Tomb Raider 1 (well...9 if you count the PSN Download), and I personally think the NES variant hunters are the psychotic ones.

As fer neurotic, variants aside, about the only thing I have left is the spine card with mah import neo geo cd games. No spine / obi? No sale.

[PentiumMMX]

As I've mentioned in the past, I'll never understand sealed collectors (Especially the ones who want them VGA-graded); after all, isn't the point of a game to be played, not sit on a shelf and collect dust on it's vintage shrinkwrap or hard plastic VGA case?

However, I do have one odd collecting quirk, although not from a gaming perspective; the fact that I own almost every version of Windows from 3.0 to 7. in fact, I find myself wanting a complete-in-box retail copy of Windows 2000, seeing as it's still my favorite version, and the only one in that group that I don't already own a legit copy of.

[Aussie2B]

Jesus. There's VGA-graded game collecting (as already mentioned earlier), and then.......there's this nonsense http://www.nintendoage.com/forum/mes...threadid=47993

Current-gen slabbed games that are 'uncirculated' (straight out of the delivery box and never stocked on shelves). These actually do sell, which shouldn't surprise us jaded gamers. Let me just say this; if you are explicitly looking for games in this kind of condition, you're sick in your head. Yeah, I'm judging you. People who pay premiums for this kind of stuff should just buy a horse and ride off into the mountains, far removed from civilization. Please.

What's bugging me is that, while I don't know much about VGA grading, shouldn't those score 100? How the heck is a game going to get any more mint than that?

[Smashed Brother]

What's bugging me is that, while I don't know much about VGA grading, shouldn't those score 100? How the heck is a game going to get any more mint than that?

I know absolutely nothing about the process either. I've never seen a game with a '100' score, but if one ever pops up, we both know that some misguided fool will empty their bank account to get that game into their collection to be perfectly angled up on a shelf or curio.