I need help deciding what to collect...

[KAZ]

The Midwest Classic is coming up in May, I am very excited. I hope I have enough money saved up.

 

Ok, here's the issue:

 

If I could have the perfect atari 2600 collection, of course it would be to collect all the rarity 8's and below shrinkwrapped (if that's even possible), and have them all loose also. But reality is that I don't have the storage (or money) for that. So unfortunately, I must prioritize. This is where I could use some suggestions.

 

I've thought about collecting just all Activision titles, and nothing else.

Another possibility would be to collect the 50 best titles for Atari 2600, but by who's rating should I use? Is there an officially recognized 50 best titles?

I've thought about collecting all the rarity 1's, and nothing else.

 

 

You see, I've got to have some sort of organization to my collecting, otherwise it is just a bunch of chaotic mess of games.

 

What have others done when they have to prioritize their collecting. What's a good system?

 

 

Ultimately, I am collecting for 6 systems, I even discarded my sega genesis stuff in order to get organized.

 

I'm collecting for Atari 2600,5200, and 7800

I'm collecting for Nintendo 8 bit, 16 bit, and 64 bit.

 

Thanks for any suggestions. Oh yeah, I had a nifty idea to collect all the cartridges with numbers...like 01 space invaders etc.

[Blackbird]

I was thinking about this just a while ago. I finally decided that I'd simply pick out the 100 best games that I enjoy, and try to obtain them. I also added groups of certain games (both pitfalls, both river raids, all released swordquest games) as it gives the collection a little direction. Whatever works for you!

[Max-T]

Something else to think about might be to try and collect as many different controllers and accessories for the Atari, instead of focusing on all games. There are some really cool rare controllers like the M Networks Tron controller (looks just like the arcade's stick), and some neat accessories like the ROMScanner.

 

Also, it would be cool to collect Atari promotional items and vintage magazine articles, stuff like that.

 

It might also be interested to get a Sears Telegames heavy sixer and collect all the games that were made under the Sears name.

[homerwannabee]

My ultimate goal is to collect every comercially released game in NSTC format that is not a Homebrew for the atari 2600. I don't care if there loose or if they are boxed. As long as they are working and the label is in readable conditions. I don't really care about collecting for the other system's, The only reason I pick up games for other system's is for the trade bait

[Xot]

I want it all.

 

Seriously. If it's for the 2600, and I don't have it, I buy it. For me, it really is that simple.

 

I've made choices to neglect my INTY, Coleco, and NES collections in favor of the 2600. I don't even own an Odyssey 2 (must remedy this eventually). For most of my other systems, I go for games that I really, really *want* and *like* first and foremost.

 

I also tend to go through collecting phases, where I focus on one aspect until something grabs me and drags me into a new phase. For instance, I got a Vectrex in Philly this year so I'm in a Vectrex collecting phase. I'm sure once something else cool comes out for the 2600, I'll get dragged back into THAT phase, and then perhaps I'll score a box of Genny games at a thrift and get focused back into Genny/SCD stuff.

 

It all goes in cycles.

[kyle]

I'm like xot if i find a 2600 game in the wild and i dont have it i buy it. And i'm pretty lucky that i do find alot of atari games in the wild. As far as online buying and ebay goes i buy games that i think will be fun. I have over 200 different atari 2600 games and i dont plan to stop collecting anytime soon. KAZ If your not gonna collect as many 2600 games as you can get like the most of us then i would just buy whatever 2600 games seem fun to me make it simple.

[Max-T]

I'm sorry to flood the forum, but I really have a problem here. There are only two stores that I have which carry Atari cartridges. And 98% of those are common or very common. When I ask a clerk if they have anything for Atari systems, a lot of them have laughed right in my face.

 

Needless to say, such shops are not the ideal places to find VCS games.

 

So does anyone know of a good place to buy/sell/trade Atari merchandise in San Antonio, New braunfels, San Marcos or Austin?

 

Thanks very muc for your time.

 

Max

[NovaXpress]

Brother, just collect whatever you want to. This is a hobby, there are no rules. If you feel that collecting Activision is fun then go for it and have fun. If you wanna collect every game that starts with "D' then more power to you. If you wanna collect everything then your wallet has my sympathies but you'll have fun. It's all open to you. Your only responsibility is to have fun with it.

 

The only real advice to give is: don't try to compete with other collectors. Just because this certain guy has every 2600 cart ever made, that doesn't mean you have to want the same thing. Don't worry that someone else is collecting the "right" way. Don't worry if you paid more for a game than someone else. There is no absolute value for these systems and carts , they're worth whatever you think they are worth to you.

 

Or do what I do and live vicariously through a master collector. One of my closest personal friends is known around here as the MegaManFan and many of you know what kind of collection he has. I'd go insane and broke if I got the idea in my head to compete with what he's doing. As it stands now, I just wait for him to bring home the goodies so I can play them too (to whomever sold him that Turbobooster at Philly- thank you).

[Whisper]

Personally I collect only PAL games as my tv won't display NTSC. I do have some NTSC games though, but they either came with a console or were "buying mistakes" I just collect the games that appeal to me, the games that have a good gameplay or just a nice label on the cart. My main criteria is that it may not cost me too much, so I'm perfectly happy with a collection of rarity 1-3 games that I can have fun with playing. The nicer it is when you find a rarity 3+ game when you're not particularly looking for one.

[kyle]

Max-T i think there is a Austin gameing expo this summer?? Maybe the Al's can tell you more about it?

[Spirantho]

Collect whatsoever you like, it's as simple as that.

 

If you're like me, you won't be able to avoid getting odd lots that don't "fit in" anyway, so you'll end up collecting everything sooner or later.

 

For myself, I decided for ages to collect only released carts, no boxes.. but then I got the chance to get a boxed Cakewalk in a lot for 100 Euros....

Of course I wasn't collecting any protos.. but then I got a lot for 130 Euros with 3 prototypes in (2 Activision, one Space Robot proto).

 

Then I realised that it would be really cool to get the gatefold boxes for my heavy sixer...

 

Thing is, the collection will always evolve, as humans are like that.... you'll never be able to stick to just one thing, and this is a good thing. However, what you _can_ do is specialise. I'm trying to specialise in any released cart-only, plus unusual PAL carts with boxes, like the Video Gems boxes, as very few people have these. My immediate aim is also trying to get all the Atari releases with label variations, as it's really hard trying to get some of them (red label Dig Dug anyone? Didn't know it existed till I got one).

 

The point is, collect whatever makes you happy, but don't turn down other things because they don't fit in.. whatever you collect now won't have the same rules as what you're collecting a few years down the line.

 

Now, anyone got a Red Label Basketball...?

[ATARIPITBULL]

When I first started collecting atari 2600 games, I started off with the games I loved the most as a kid, games like Pitfall I & II, Raiders of the Lost Ark & Wizard of Wor and others, then I started collecting, like some others here have said, games that I did not ever play, but I started by getting all the easy to get games, then I slowly moved into the harder ones and boy do they start to cost more and more as you move up the ladder.

 

[KAZ]

I'm sorry to flood the forum, but I really have a problem here.  There are only two stores that I have which carry Atari cartridges.  And 98% of those are common or very common.  When I ask a clerk if they have anything for Atari systems, a lot of them have laughed right in my face.

 

Max

 

What does it mean that he "laughed in your face". Does this mean that he thought Atari was so old, that he implied that a person would be wierd for wanting such old stuff?

 

Or was it that he had gotten numerous requests for Atari stuff from other patrons? Or was the store totally sold out of Atari stuff because atari is cool to collect for?

 

Hmm, what did he mean

[Stingray]

I buy games that I think I'll enjoy playing. Call it collecting if you will.

 

-S

[jeepnut24]

I only collect NTSC loose and officially released for the 2600. We had a computer during most of the 2600's life so I totally missed out on it. Well owning one at least. My friends had them. So I really don't have a top 100 to try and collect. Right now Im trying to wrap up my Activision collection. I just find it fun to get a new game and spend an hour learning it and enjoying it. If its a blast, then Ill play it again and again. As a matter of fact, I have 4 new games waiting for me at home from UPS!!

[KAZ]

These are good comments, thanks for taking the time to write.

 

I guess it is not about perfectionism, it should be more about fun. I guess fun to me is having a well organized/groomed collection. Having my collection displayed in a nice way is cool too.

 

I suppose it is that I'm striving for something of a classic video museum in my own home.

 

I started my atari 2600 collecting by getting all the carts that my friend said he used to have. That gave my collecting a direction. The games were plenty fun to play too. I have completely mastered Asteroids, for instance, I have to literally shut the system off, for I never lose all of my lives to end the game.

[belty]

Well... it's interesting to see the insight of collectamania, this is my angle on it, I've got my 6 switch woody and two more for spare parts etc. I'm not really interested in games that honestly I wouldn't play.

 

I'd reccomend downloading the emulator on this site and the available roms (that's how I came across this forum) and playing every game from a to z. It's amazing how many you remember by doing this from back in the day.

 

Then make a great big list of games you will play over and over and constantly scan Ebay or same such internet device for these games.

 

You see my main criteria for a game is can I play it over and over whilst drinking Fosters and eating crisps. Loose carts any condition so long as they work is all I require.

 

I'm not interested in whether they are boxed or whether they have a high rarity level. However the rarity guide here is a fantastic way of determining how much I should pay for a game. BMX Stuntmaster, I really want that, knowing it's rarity level here I know I shall have to bid to high stakes to get it as it's few and far between.

 

But that's me, to complete my system, what I'm really focussing on as opposed to cart box's and label types is a television of all things, I want an old late seventies portable TV that I can put ET, Star Wars and Gremlins stickers on the side as for me that's what it's about. When I see the type of Television in question I'll buy it. Weird isn't it, that's how collecting works.

 

I might get boo's for this, but I quite like battered carts, non-atari joysticks as it reminds me nostalgicaly how it was back in the day, but it makes it easier for me to collect. Top stuff.

[belty]

As a further note, my love for battered carts puts me off buying 'new sealed boxed etc' even if they are cheap. Today on Ebay I think it was Star Raiders was on in Mint Sealed Box but only had one opening bid, I was going to bid but then declined to bid, I thought what will I do with the box, all my carts get slung in a tub I then have to store the box as throwing it out would be a crime.

 

On this basis, if there are any UK collectors that want empty boxes, instructions etc I'm happy to give them away no charge if I ever get any through bidding on a cart. I only say UK due to postage costs, no form of discrimination. As I say it would be a crime to throw these out.

[Saikyo]

Just collect the rarest games first then whittle your self down to the commons!

 

(EDIT: belty playing the ROMS that you dont own in real life is ILLEGAL!

I know it's stupid considering their age and all!)

[sku_u]

If you consider yourself more of a gamer than a collector and like playing the games, I suggest downloading an emulator and as many ROMS as you can and trying each out. This way you can figure out which games you enjoy playing and which games you don't and focus on the games that you know you'd play. Most of the fun games are relatively easy to come by and affordable.

 

Like Xot, I also tend to go through a lot of phases when it comes to collecting. At the moment, I've been focusing on memorabilia surrounding some of my favorite games and on picking up the remaining rarity 9 carts I don't have.

 

For a few systems, like the 2600, Intellivision and O2, I'd like to have complete collections, including hardware and controllers, and am more of a collector than a gamer, but for most others, like the Jaguar, Genny, NES, Dreamcast and others, I focus on games that I like to play.

[Rob Mitchell]

As carts are hard to find in the thrift stores .. collect whatever you can find! (BTW: I have passed up on Combat and Tennis ... and 5200 Breakout and 5200 PacMan recently).

 

Back in the early to mid 1990s Atari carts were everywhere ...

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Max-T]

KAZ, I feel like an old man complaining about "those damn kids" who work at the local game stores, but yeah, a couple of them have actually laughed when I mentioned Atari.

 

I didn't take any offense by it -- if N64 and PSX were what I grew up with, I might have the same cavalier attitude. It's all good though. The more people who can only stand polygon-based gaming, the more carts there are for those of us who appreciate video gaming when it was truly revolutionary.

[belty]

Saikyo your quite right about using ROMS you don't own been illegal. I don't agree with software piracy, I'm a photographer and all my software for that purpose is 100% legal and registered on two machines those been Windows, MS Office, Photoshop etc.

 

However... I'm not going to lose much sleep over Atari ROMS as they are readily available and are not available new anymore (apart from homebrew those cases respected). Besides, the way I understand the law with this area, the ROM has to come from your own cart, even though this is obviously difficult to prove with digital data, but a slight variation between the two and it's infringement.

 

I play a game on the emulator, if I like it I then hunt down a copy, sat at the computer is not the real deal, cans of Fosters in front if the TV is.

 

I'm sure though, everybody has had at some point an album taped for them which is the same thing. I'm sure this piracy thing though has been rattled out many times though in forums.

 

Saikyo you are quite right though to point this out, because... well... it's true and has to be considered.

[Chickybaby]

Nova, yes indeed I know of the Mr. MMF that you speak of, as well as the Mrs. Truly Wonderful couple and if we lived close to them I would probably do the same! :wink:

As far as what to collect especially if space and/or money are a problem - I would start by picking a few favorite systems, narrow down your immediate focus.

I'm not saying not to buy games you like for all the systems but for the "serious" collecting. Use something like Cart Commander to keep a list of what games you do have. - Me, I would really like to have all US released games for is Dreamcast one day. I also look for kid's games as well as DVD's specially learning ones as hopefully we will have kids of our own... Right now z28 and myself are taking a "time out" from buying and enjoying what we have, unless some really amazing bargain "must have" comes along.

For our systems we colected favorite games - 2600, NES. I don't care about boxed games as I play them like crazy - it's also usually much more affordable to get loose games rather then boxed, since you can find them used often too. It also saves on space.

The 01 idea is pretty spiffy if you as me - it's original, you could get those boxed an keep the regulars loose. Or if you wanted a complete run of 2600 games start loose then later get boxed.

Decide what is important to you and go for it and most importantly don't forget to have fun!