Building your collection

[Anonymous No.5303231]

How do you guys go about building your physical retro collections in today's market?

I know "reseller scum" is a thing, but ignoring that, how have you gone about getting new games to add?

My area doesn't have a ton of flea markets (that sell games) and only one decent retro arcade that also sells games on the side.

What do you do?

[Anonymous No.5303235]

>>5303231
gamestop.com

[Anonymous No.5303242]

>>5303231
It was a mental breakthrough when I realized how unhealthy physical hoarding was.
Now I don't waste money, worry about counterfeits, or suffer through games with bad saving methods and framerates. I spend that time looking for cool new games to play, finding out about cool new emulator settings and romhacks that improve my experience, and actually playing games. I have more room in my house and don't have a mental attachment to physical objects. I still have some leftover cartridges I need to sell from my old days, but it sure is a relief having this new way of thinking.

[Anonymous No.5303247]

>>5303235
Well shit.

I've used them a few times, but swore off them when I ordered 20 GCN games for $200 and only got 10 cases (only 5 pf them were original).

Felt like I was swindled.

[Anonymous No.5303262]

>>5303231
I paid attention and bought everything around 2002 when I saw amazing software in pawnshops for pennies on the dollar.

[Anonymous No.5303263]

>>5303242
Did even read the item listing? it has this on almost all of their preowned "vintage" games.

[Anonymous No.5303269]

>>5303247
Did even read the item listing? it has this on almost all of their preowned "vintage" games.

[Anonymous No.5303271]

I'd like to collect, but since I don't have money I stick to flashcarts and burned discs.

[Anonymous No.5303274]

>>5303231
Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. A lot of times you’ll find idiot empty nesters who try to sell an N64 game for $50 because that’s what they saw on eBay, but if you have cash in hand you can usually talk them down to half of that. Sometimes less, if you’re buying multiple games.

[Anonymous No.5303287]

>>5303274
>cash in hand

I never understood this. What's the alternative? Pay them in monopoly money?

[Anonymous No.5303293]

I use a subscription service called retro game treasure. For $40 a month they send you 3-5 games each month in a single box.

You can enter in your collection inventory so you don't get repeats and you can tell them what systems you want games for.

They have a wishlist too but that's mostly for show unless you put down cheap games.

It's not bad though. Been with them for 3 years and have gotten good games. Even some boxed games, games with booklets, and one gba game which had never been opened.

[Anonymous No.5303301]

>>5303231
If you are just looking for retro games, then stop going to pawn shops and flea markets and video game stores.
The money you waste on gas to either find nothing/find overpriced garbage is rediculous. I saw this cuz I know so many rabid collectors that drive will drive hours away and hours back to go pick up a game and save 5$ over amazon/eBay prices.
That shits stupid. Just stick to the internet and buy shit slowly. One game every two weeks or one game a month and take the time to enjoy what you buy and actually play your games.

[Anonymous No.5303308]

>>5303293
That's weird, you use the exact same spacing and writing style as the OP. It's almost like this entire thread was created with the intent to shill RETRO GAME TREASURE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

Thanks for detailing how the service works with such care, anon, you are surely not a shill

[Anonymous No.5303312]

>>5303308
Jesus Christ. This shit is rediculous. MODS delete this fucking thread.

[Anonymous No.5303314]

>>5303308
I meant to respond to >>5303271

The service isn't building my collection fast enough so I was looking for other ideas.

[Anonymous No.5303316]

>>5303308
>>5303312

Wow. The autism here is palpable. You must be a fun person to be around.

Sorry for trying to continue a thread?

[Anonymous No.5303326]

>>5303231
Hey, great thread OP!

Personally, I use a subscription service called Retro Game Treasure (https://www.retrogametreasure.com/).). For $40 a month they send you 3-5 games each month, in a single box!

You can enter in your collection inventory so you don't get repeats, and you can even specify what systems you want games for.

They have a wishlist system too, but you probably won't get any unless you put down cheap games :)

Been with them for 20 years and have gotten good games. Even some boxed games, games with booklets, and one ultra-rare wonderswan game which had never been opened and had a $500 bill inside.

You can get started at this link: https://www.retrogametreasure.com/subscribe/196133184_Retro+Game+Treasure

[Anonymous No.5303329]

i have a job

[Anonymous No.5303336]

>>5303312
>>5303314
>>5303326

Get some sleep, man. You're crabby.

[Anonymous No.5303351]

>>5303287
Checks, or sometimes they have ApplePay.

[Anonymous No.5303356]

>>5303301

I keep seeing people posting their hauls from eBay. Is this a regular thing because I never see big lots or boxes of games. Always overpriced single games with like 1 picture.

[Anonymous No.5303360]

>>5303274
How often are you able to find these? I'm having no luck...do you search for specifics keywords or something?

[Anonymous No.5303381]

>>5303231
If you have no retro games or consoles at the moment it's not worth getting into. Even if you just try to pick up the essentials that literally everyone had back in the day it's going to cost you a shit ton. Just emulate.

[Anonymous No.5303401]

>>5303231
I used to peruse a pawn shop when I was living in a city, they generally had good games for reasonable prices. I picked up Tenchu, Tomb Raider 2+3, Die Hard Trilogy all for ~$3 each and I got Ghost in the Shell for $20. On ebay I typically buy any PlayStation game I've enjoyed for a maximum of $5 with the exception of replacing my copy of MML2 for $50. All my games I bought are CIB too which is great, I won't buy discs or no manual items.

I've noticed on FB market place and Craigslist everyone is getting a big head about what their retro is actually worth so good luck finding deals there. I haven't been to a flea market in years but I've heard some good stories about those too. If you're just getting into retro collecting try to find deals on video game lots so you can get started quick. Don't buy lots that are more than 10% sports games.

[Anonymous No.5303415]

>>5303231
You don't. I honestly find it very funny that people try to collect (and especially start collecting) in today's market, especially when flash carts exist.

You don't regularly really find cheap (or any) games anymore except non /vr/ games. Just basically get out and look at pawn shops, flea markets, garage sales, etc., but realize 90% of the time there is nothing there or it's "ebay priced".

The only advice I have is be patient or rich. If you even ask this question, chances are you're not rich as rich people are much smarter than us at putting their money to work, not living paycheck to paycheck and buying /vr/ items on payday when we're "n***er rich".

One thing you might have luck with is working out trades. I recently traded for 45 cib dreamcast games. I traded a 1070 graphics card which I had bought for $200. I'm good friends with the guy I traded with so this isn't entirely common, but he got said games trading a different video card to a stranger about 2 years prior. There are people that don't care about old games and would gladly trade them for something they would like as he did with the stranger dude.

Trading and bartering is where it's at, though it requires more "legwork". It's kind of all about finding the right deal at the right time.

People used to have a concept of "egg money", meaning they sold eggs from their chickens for extra money to buy things with. If you have skills or can change oil in cars, flip items, etc. Do that and use that "egg money" for retro collecting. Chances are you'll appreciate the money more and spend it more wisely.

[Anonymous No.5303429]

>>5303231
You don't. I honestly find it very funny that people try to collect (and especially start collecting) in today's market, then are upset that shit's expensive. It makes no sense, especially when flash carts exist.

You don't regularly really find cheap (or any) games anymore except non /vr/ games. Just basically get out and look at pawn shops, flea markets, garage sales, etc., but realize 90% of the time there is nothing there or it's "ebay priced".

The only advice I have is be patient or rich. If you even ask this question, chances are you're not rich as rich people are much smarter than us at putting their money to work, not living paycheck to paycheck and buying /vr/ items on payday when we're "n***er rich".

One thing you might have luck with is working out trades. There are people that don't care about old games and would gladly trade them for something they would like. I've had good luck trading pc graphics cards for retro stuff.

Trading and bartering is where it's at, though it requires more "legwork". It's kind of all about finding the right deal at the right time, as well as having some money saved so you can buy bartering items.

People used to have a concept of "egg money", meaning they sold eggs from their chickens for extra money to buy things with. If you have skills or can change oil in cars, flip items, etc. Do that and use that "egg money" for retro collecting. Chances are you'll appreciate the money more and spend it more wisely.

>>5303356
They are lying or posting multiple auction wins. Lots and such are almost non-existent anymore unless you just get lucky. Also, lots no longer save you much money. It used to be you might get $500 worth of stuff for like $150, now you might get $500 for $400-450. The problem is, once you have a collection, you don't need 75% of the stuff in the lot, so it becomes cheaper to buy individual items unless you like to trade.

[Anonymous No.5303436]

>>5303242

I'd agree with you except for having a physical console and a flash cart. It's all preference but for me, physical hardware on a television is a huge part of the experience.

The "pawn shop chique" look isn't one I like or want to emulate in my own home, nor is the "walmart video game case". I find these severely lacking good aesthetic and leading to stress or disorderliness.

[Anonymous No.5303445]

>>5303287

It means someone would gladly take $25 of real cold hard cash today for the item they are selling wo they can buy a pack of smokes, than wait 3 days to get $50, or possibly never sell the item.

Most people sell stuff to get money to buy different stuff. As such, sellers are often as impatient as buyers so they will take less money today over a promise of more money in the future that may never happen.

[Anonymous No.5303450]

>>5303326
Top fucking KEK desu.

[Anonymous No.5303489]

>>5303429
>censoring the dreaded n word
fag

[Anonymous No.5303490]

>>5303231
forget about gaming if you wanna do flea markets and swap meets, cause the parasites ruined it forever and that includes all the faggot apologist from the last 7 years, e-celebs and jaded fucks who hate both sides.

and shitendo doesnt help either by tracking down romsites like if they were kiddie porn rings while giving us all fucks of nothing with their garbage online service.

[Anonymous No.5303492]

>>5303489
nigger. Better? Pic related for keks.

[Anonymous No.5303576]

>>5303231
The same ways as before. It's funny because I never have problems finding stuff. Every time I go to the flea market I expect everything to suddenly be 10x more expensive like in all the stories here but it never happens.

>>5303242
>i had a mental breakdown because i'm too poor to afford the toys i want

>>5303262
I did as well but that doesn't help people who were still in diapers in 2002. But I do think having enough vidya to last several lifetimes helps curb any impulse buying at ebay prices urges

>>5303293
>9001/shill

[Anonymous No.5304121]

Honestly, wait a while and start collecting 3rd gen games when they come down in price. Overall prices appear to have peaked at the moment and there's little upwards pressure aside from the most expensive carts, which were always a case of hot potato.

Not many people under the age of 30 are interested in 3rd gen console games so there's real-world logic behind what i'm saying, and a couple of huge hoarders/collectors have recently moved to sell everything.

The same thing most likely won't happen to 4th gen, unfortunately.

[Anonymous No.5304159]

>>5303429
this is true. At least for those without local options, the best deals are going to be extra large lots ($1000+) that occasionally show up.

Also just asking co-workers and friends if they have anything works. people always have a few loose games they forgot about that they'll let you have for a few bucks. if they're into /vr/ too then they might trade you for new games or something else. I would rather trade a high value game to friends who will play it than some manchild on ebay who will put it in a class case.