HoshiChiri

I am absolutely not upgrading. I see this going one of two ways: 1- an optional upgrade that adds some function for those who want it, but has no effect on actual game use (as in, no games that require the upgraded model). I've never upgraded before (I don't own a single slim system), I'm not starting now. 2- the upgrade will make a notable difference, with exclusive games to the new variant- or at least massive play differences. In which case, I'm a lot more likely to break down and get a gaming laptop. Really, with dlc, day one patches, massive amounts of download-only games... if I have to add in hardware upgrades, why not convert and get the PC benefits with the hassles?

"Nobody wants X system games". Well clearly I do, or I wouldn't have mentioned it! (Usually comes up when I find a new place and discover they don't carry pre-crash systems). "Why would you/wouldn't you want the box? It's a box!" This one's funny because only half of my collection is CIB, so depending on what I'm buying I've heard why it's so vital to have the original packaging, or why it's a total waste of money. History lessons- "Oh, this game. Nintendo sued Atari over these you know. It all started..." Not gonna lie, I'm SUPER guilty of this. I do a lot of retro shopping with a friend who doesn't spend a lot of time online, and I don't often get to gush about the neat stories I find around. If I have a chance to tell someone the origins of the Cosmic Ark start field, I'm gonna! (I'm also grateful she's never told me to shut up, I probably deserve it.) "You could just emulate that and save the money, you know." Keetah.

I think the 3DSXL is worse because it's a non-standard cord. I can't use my phone charger on my 3DS, nor can I run to basically any drugstore to get a charger. It's still stupid all the way around, but the micro usb is easier to acquire. I have no need of a new controller, but I'd still love to see what Sony does if you contact them and complain about this.

I hope not many- a fun game is fun, whether you've got thousands of carts and systems around or it's the only one you've got, running on a PC emulator. I've made peace with the idea that games are my shoes. The stereotype says girls love shoes, not because they need new ones- just because they think they're cool. Doesn't even matter if they don't wear them more than once or twice a year. I'm fascinated by the physical game, hence the collection. I love the actual games too, of course, but I'll happily sit around dusting contacts and reading boxes without ever picking up a controller. I just wish I had more people to share them with- I do feel these things could stand to get properly played with a little more.

I'm shocked I'm saying this, but I'm interested. I'll have to crunch some numbers after work, expect a PM this afternoon.

I thought everything on the internet turned into a dick measuring contest. Go say 'recast' on a BJD forum and watch!

Since some of these posts reminded me about it, I picked up a copy of Jumping Flash the other day. It was one of those games I'd always look for browsing in the used game shops, but forgot about when I'd check around Ebay. It really is a lot of fun, I wish I'd bought It ages ago! It's also a great example of being willing to go out of your comfort zone... I typically avoid first person and tank-control games because I struggle with them a bit. Oddly enough, combining the two made the whole thing a lot more intuitive for me!

I think the only reason they can get away with it is because micro USB is such a standard now, they can safely assume you don't need a new cable. I have to wonder, though- what would happen if you wrote to Sony and complained? Would they mail you one for free? Perhaps a PSN code for 5 bucks to cover the cost? Somebody should try that and see if they react at all.

I'm gonna save the politics for the correct sub-forum, you're certainly entitled to whatever reason you choose to not use a company (I was just curious, personally.) I know the Amazon Marketplace is a lot more work, since there's not much incentive to have a detailed listing- but consider it anyway. Good sellers will answer your emails for additional information pretty quickly, and the vague listing-style can help you get lower prices from time to time. I got a complete-in-box copy of Bust-A-Move Pocket in amazing condition for half the going price of Ebay just a couple weeks ago.

I'm curious as to why you're against paypal as well, but it is required for Ebay. I suggest: 1- Telling us where you're located, in case someone is aware of a local shop you can try. 2- Amazon marketplace. You can use an Amazon giftcard balance to pay those guys. 3- Asking a friend with paypal to proxy for you. My fiancé dropped paypal after a fairly nasty fraud attempt, so they rare times he needs it I'm recruited to make the purchase.

What are you looking at for the Saturn stuff? (I'm sure it's well out of my price range, but just in case...)

Oh, I know- I've worked in a craft store for 13 years now. It still doesn't really justify a $100 zapper lamp, lamps are pretty simple and don't cost $40 to make. Especially if you're an upcycler already.

It's a little of both. They aren't going out of their way to buy specific things, but they aren't likely using stuff that they already owned. Usually it's 'dig around a flea market and see what's there.' In other words, these are the guys keeping the booths that want crazy prices (like 10 bucks a zapper) going because they just see materials & have no idea what the going rate is. There's a reason those are $75-100 lamps!

You're assuming the creators of this stuff are hardcore retro collectors who are trying to get greater value out of unsold/traded items from said collections. That's not really the case- these people are usually crafters first, looking through thrift stores/flea markets/ebay for items to 'upcycle'. If they're into gaming enough to intentionally seek out broken or damaged things for their projects, that's great. That's a good use of otherwise trash-bound items, and even helps keep up the value of functional gear for those who want/need it. Most of the time though, these are people buying 'videogame things' with no idea of what exactly they have, just an idea of how to hack it up into something else. Ever see the show Flea Market Flip? They typically have only the most basic idea what they're buying. I saw one where a couple guys got an old chop table with a big blade attached to it. They bolted the blade down and turned it into a desk... only to find out from a guy when they went to sell it that it was a particularly rare piece of farm equipment. They've doubled their money if they hadn't permanently altered it. I'm not sure they were able to sell it at all. Like I said, it's a minor irk- none of this stuff is so rare and historic that a few kitschy décor pieces are going to hurt any of us collectors. Doesn't mean I wouldn't feel a pang if I saw some guy who'd gutted out a heavy sixer to make a 'retrogame' desk organizer.

For me, this sort of thing is kind of bothersome, unless the crafter points out somewhere that it's made of non-functioning gear. Because let's face it, there's less people with the know-how and drive to repair this stuff then there is broken gear. Some use is way better than a trash can. I don't like it when the items where working, though... because there's enough broken gear out there for people to source for this stuff! Why destroy more of a dwindling pile of functional vintage equipment when there's lots of already broken stuff to use? It's only a minor irk, though- I'm not gonna lose any sleep over the fate of a couple zappers. I also agree that, while these Zapper/Advantage lamps are much better than most, this stuff is almost always really tacky. The one I hated is in a sharpie project book at work... They spray-painted a grey brick Game Boy solid mint green (including all buttons and the screen) and wrote "don't hate the player" on it with a black sharpie. It's ugly, it's stupid, and I bet they didn't even check to see if it worked before they ruined it.

I don't have much experience with the more obscure pre-crash systems, so I can.t comment on that end. Based on what I've sat down and played- I'm gonna go with the Neo Geo Pocket Color. I impulse bought one recently, and I'm really incredibly impressed with it! It's extremely easy to hold despite the odd-looking backside, it's not too difficult to see despite the lack of backlight, the clicky-stick is just freakin' fun... it's a great unit. It's a little hard to parse the library- there's an awful lot of slot machine/casino game titles- but the good stuff is damn good. And surprisingly cheap! I got the console itself (in great condition, I might add) with Metal Slug 1st Mission and Sonic Pocket Adventure for $57. I spend more than that on single games for new systems. That's not even a screaming deal, either, just a decent one. Now, if only I could find a light for the thing, I'll be set!

For choosing what systems to add to the collection, it's a matter of 3 things: 1) Availability. Can I get said system? Nothing will spur my interest faster than seeing a new console available in my favorite local shop- to the point that I have to avoid going for fear of coming come with something new I don't really need. 2) Library. Can I find enough titles I want to warrant owning the system? One or two games doesn't cut it, I need to have a good selection in mind (usually at least 6-10 games after minimal research). 3) Space. Where am I gonna keep the system? I'm pretty picky about keeping my game collection neat, so I'm careful not to buy something I can't find a home for. As for what system I buy games for... really, that boils down to pure space right now. I go through phases of what system I buy games for- there's a big spike when I acquire a new machine of course, but after that I'm a lot more likely to buy for a system I have a goof amount of extra shelf space for. Considering I could keep buying for most any of my systems nearly indefinitely, it's just easier to focus on ones that don't require a big shift in my setup.

While there are more people getting into 'retro' gaming, the definition of what 'retro gaming' is has, and will, continue to change. Nobody but us is really rushing to have the pre-crash era systems, they've passed from their retro-chic window to just being 'old', and it shows in the pricing. I think the far bigger entity to take into consideration is the clone systems. Things like the Retron and TurboDuo/Trio/etc. mean that the games can now outlive their hardware, and more people than ever have the means to play these carts. More demand, with no way to increase supply, means higher prices. If the flashback 2 had just gone ahead and put on a cart connector, we might be seeing higher demand- and pricing- still now.

I'm genuinely not paying that much attention to the NX right now. I don't like focusing too much on rumors, being rumors and all. Nintendo's stated they aren't telling us anything yet, so I don't care much. They want me to get hyped, they need to give me a reason- not just more buzzwords. As far as my 3DS, it'll be around, as portables are quite easy to store. I generally don't like to get rid of my systems- I won't consider it unless having it is entirely unnecessary, and I'm not likely to do it until I know where it'll go if I do part with it. For example: I thought about getting rid of my Gamecube when I got my Wii, because it was backwards compatible with the GC. I hesitated because I didn't know anyone who wanted/needed a Gamecube, and I didn't want to just trade it in to an unknown fate. After a couple months, I found a Gameboy Player cheap and nixed the plan to get rid of the Gamecube because now I had a reason to keep it (as a Gameboy TV, basically.) When I got my Wii U, I did get rid of the Wii- I gave it to my parents for bowling and for my nieces/nephew to use when visiting. I know I definitely won't be adding an NX right away, unless it has physical games & a killer launch lineup- every system has at least 1 game worth owning. I can't possibly have every system ever, so unless I know I can build a library, I don't add to the collection. Except occasionally for portables. They fit better.

I have no idea! I've never found a good resource to try and figure it out- I took a couple pictures of it. http://atariage.com/forums/gallery/image/17570-20160503-1444541/ http://atariage.com/forums/gallery/image/17571-20160503-1445051/ I'm really not sure which knobs are original (if any). Dad says the wooden one, Mom says the plastic ones. I'd be happy with a period appropriate set of 4, but I don't know what the manufacture date is, so I'm stuck on that one.

That is a very cool find! Do you work old radios often? I've always wanted to get the knobs on Great Grandma's fixed, but I have no idea which knobs are 'correct'.