Boxes: consider them essential to have?

[Ed Oscuro]

For myself, the answer is yes. I'll wait an extra month or year to get a console if I can get it in the original box. Of course, I kind of take things to extremes -- I don't believe in putting loose manuals with game boxes they didn't come in originally, even if it's the same game I also stay away from boxed systems that are ugly or beaten up as much as I can - my worst-off system box would be that for my SNES Model 2, and it's still very presentable (just a bit of roughness around the edges).

Of course a boxed system is worth more than a loose one, but that's not the reason I search them out (seeing how I always have to PAY more). I like looking at the documentation and the box design, and of course I like shuffling about the wall of boxes on top of my desk. Adds to the decor ;D

[chadtower]

I suspect I am like nearly all collectors in that it entirely depends on the system.

[maxlords]

I'll get a box if I can and I'll pay extra for it, but I don't consider it "essential". If I REALLY want to play a game, I'll get the game whatever way I can (excluding EMU).

[Qixmaster]

for me, it is completely necessary that i have boxes for all of my items, not just game systems. In an ideal world I would have all boxes for all of my systems and all of my games.

-Josh

[EnemyZero]

Thats a definite yes...most of my systems i have the box for...games..thats another story...the hardest games to find in boxes are nes, snes, n64, since there all cardboard and easy to have rip apart or what not...and i like having my games in ORIGINAL cases...also i cant stand Greatest hits, or platinum hits or players choice...i refuse to buy games with that symbol on it..it drives me nuts.

[jhd7]

It depends. I prefer to have boxes for all my systems, but only boxes for games depending on how I store/display them.

NES - definitely!
SMS - yes.
TG16 - no, but I want the jewel cases.
CV - no.
7800 - no.
2600 - no.

Jeff D

[sisko]

I put other, mostly because it depends on how extra much the box would cost. $5 maybe, $10 probably not.

Sure they look nice, and it raises the value of the unit, but the only place I have for them is closed up in a closet where no one can see them anyway.

[Speedy]

Hardware - yes! I love all those big boxes and stuff in my room
Games, only CD games i really need in box, i don't pick up loose CD's. Cartridges i will pick up loose, but if i can get the box for a little more i'll go for the one with box

[badinsults]

I don't much care if I have the box. The cart is the important thing.

[Ze_ro]

It really depends. If the box only ends up costing me a buck extra, then sure... but if it's a diffence of $10-20, then forget about it. The boxes I have are already taking up too much room as it is.

--Zero

[Tritoch]

To me the box is definitely the most important thing, other than the game itself of course. That being said, I don't have to have the box unless they're games I REALLY want complete (like most SNES RPGs) or have super-cool artwork.

For hardware, I always try to get a box with it. I won't pass up a cheap console just because it doesn't have a box though.

[Cmosfm]

As time goes by I see it as being more and more essential. It';s hard to stack some systems without messing them up....ever tried to stack 5 loose saturns.

[Stewie]

I'm probably the only one around that could care less about boxes for games or sytem, I'm all about the hardware and software

But then again, I don't have a lot of room either

[atari_overlord]

I have started caring about boxes a little more to keep my spending in check. I will pretty much buy any game I dont have. And there are tons I dont have. So I have come to the realization that I will be collecting for a long time and I have plenty of games to tide me over until I find that Blazing Lazers in box for cheap. Looking for boxes = finding less games every weekend = more money =girlfriend not setting me on fire while I sleep Sorry honey cant go to the movies I NEEDED these 40 unboxed sega games.

[PapaStu]

I went other because I am more worried about making sure that my games are complete more than i am about the systems.
Ive got the boxes to some of my systems (the newer ones), and mom tries to get me to throw them away... Loosing battle on her front. But i dont care if the systems that i have are "boxless" as long as they work.
Games dont come home unless they are complete.

[Kroogah]

I can trade boxes and manuals for games, so why keep them around? I like having my absolute favorite games complete, and ALL CD games complete. I can't stand greatest hits stuff either. What is with the color choices? "Look at my bright green PSX games, it proves how poor I am!"

[djbeatmongrel]

i say yes for everything after the 16 bit generation except n64.
yes for all wonderswan products.
everything else is optinional

[Famidrive-16]

I'm probably the only one around that could care less about boxes for games or sytem, I'm all about the hardware and software

same here. Hey, if I were to choose between a boxed or unboxed version of a game I'd get the boxed. But I know a lot of people just threw their boxes away anyways.

I've managed to keep all my game boxes. System boxes, however

[kainemaxwell]

For me its essential only for certain game sin my collections. If I can get them with the game great but I don't mind waiting to find them later. That's part of the fun!

[richmond]

If I plan on keeping stuff it must be complete! I have few missing boxes and manuals here and there right now and it tears me up inside thinking about it