A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Retro Game Consoles

Are you ready for gaming? Collecting retro video game consoles is a thrilling and gratifying hobby that allows you a real chance to go back to the days of classic gaming and unearth hidden gems.

It is the perfect vehicle to rediscover the titles that you had missed earlier, while at the same time, enjoy your old favorites.

This guide will show you the basic steps that you need to follow to begin a collection, where to source retro games, different types of collectors, and major things to think about before starting.

How to Begin Collecting Retro Game Consoles

A retro game collection lets you establish your own personal video-game museum for maintaining important games and consoles and their accessories.

Retro game collecting has become more expensive since many people started participating in this hobby.

The following guide provides a basic procedure for starting your collection.

1. Define Your Focus

Your first step should be to select the retro games you want to collect while choosing the consoles you find most interesting among NES, SNES, Sega Genesis and Atari.

Choose specific game genres for your collection including platformers and RPGs as well as sports games.

Your decision should establish whether you want to build complete sets with original packaging and manuals or prefer collecting cartridges and loose discs or complete in box packages. Your collection will become enjoyable when you establish clear collection parameters.

2. Research and Educate Yourself

Spend adequate time researching the essential games that belong to your preferred console collection. The game collection building process for console systems can begin at IGN or game-focused wikis.

PriceCharting along with eBay function as price guide websites that provide valuable information about game values.

The Reddit community r/gamecollecting serves as an excellent resource for collectors because it contains experienced members who provide valuable guidance through their posts.

3. Set a Budget

Before collecting you should evaluate your budget limits for the collection.

The typical cost of retro games remains affordable but specific uncommon PC console games frequently sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The best approach to stay within budget is through proper planning.

4. Hunt For Sources

Look in every possible game source to find the best available prices. Hidden collectibles can be discovered in both retro game shops and thrift stores and pawn stores.

The online marketplaces eBay together with Mercari and Facebook Marketplace provide excellent buying opportunities.

You can find better selection along with price negotiations at gaming conventions and local swap meets.

5. Inspect Before You Buy

Examining a game before purchase requires you to verify its physical condition along with checking that the cartridge or disc operates without flaws.

You should be careful when purchasing rare or expensive games since counterfeits exist on the market.

Spending time on research lets you identify authentic items among others.

6. Organize Your Collection

Proper storage of your games will protect them while maintaining simple accessibility.

The use of shelves display cases stands as a solid organizational solution.

Maintaining a list of your collection through digital or paper documentation helps you stay organized and prevents you from accidentally purchasing duplicates.

7. Join the Community

You can meet fellow collectors through both online platforms and physical local gatherings or social media groups.

The combination of interpersonal discussion with others and tip exchange and experience acquisition from their perspectives enhances both the enjoyment and reward of collecting.

8. Enjoy the Hunt

The pursuit of video games through collecting goes beyond ownership because discovery remains the most exciting aspect of the process.

You should take your time to discover new titles while enjoying the process and making regular visits to revisit older games.

Where to Buy Retro Games?

It’s, in essence, quite easy to find either games or hardware to increase your choice. However, you should take care when buying from strangers.

Some good places to start include:

1. Game and pop culture expos.

2. Facebook groups.

3. Reddit communities such as r/GameSales.

4. Thrift stores and pawn shops.

5. Flea markets and garage sales.

6. Online forums.

What Type of Collector are You?

When starting out on a collection, it is advisable to have a focal point. Here are some great ways to pick a theme:

1. By System – If you had a Sega Master System growing up, then you might like to start collecting games for that console.

2. By Genre – If fighting games are your favorite, you could try collecting both classic and unusual titles across eras.

3. By Franchise – If you’re such a fan of Spyro, you could hunt down every Spyro game across the consoles.

Choosing a theme makes collecting much more pleasurable and easier to go about.

Things to Check Before Spending Big on a Retro Game

If you are about to spend a considerable amount of money on a game or a console, keep the following points in mind:

1. Condition

Look at the item, and if possible, the packaging. You would not certainly like to arrive home to find out that the game is somewhat broken or just unplayable.

This counts mostly in the case of CDs; scratches can render some of them unplayable.

If you really want a costly purchase, ask for a demonstration of how the game runs on a system before committing yourself.

2. Authenticity

Confirm that this is the real thing, not a reproduction, or a counterfeit.

A shaped cartridge, an unusual label, or multiple multiples for rare games offered from a seller would easily raise the flag.

3. Extras

Check for original extras, such as maps or stickers, if you’re purchasing the complete-in-box (CIB) version.

If the extras are missing, the price should be lower.

4. Payment safety

Be cautious when purchasing online. Use PayPal, if possible, to protect yourself when buying online.

Always prefer an exchange of money and goods simultaneously if buying in person.

Starting a retro gaming collection is a wonderful journey of nostalgia and discovery. Armed with this information, you will be ready to put together a collection of your own.

So grab controllers, put on your consoles, and retro gaming fun begins.