Boxed or not?

[dopey1]

Just bought a woody and am now trying to build a game scollection up.

But I am never sure whether to buy boxed + manual only, or go for the loose carts which are cheaper. What do you guys think - is boxed better?

 

Cheers

[Chris++]

You can't play a game if it's in a box.

 

Beware fetishing mere products, even if they're old. It could lead to a huge waste of money. You got into this hobby because you enjoy playing video games, right? Save your cash and buy stuff you can play, not display. There are so many ways of being creative and productive, so many more worthwhile ways to spend your money, that hoarding cardboard just for its own sake seems rather silly.

 

Hey, you asked.

[thx1138]

Well, I am only slightly ahead of you in the collecting stakes!

 

Got my spare woody and dupes on eBay right now. Personally, so early on, I just figure if I don't already have a game I keep it. I've still yet to decide about boxed games. I guess, a really nice boxed game is a keepr. But what about when the box is awful tatty? I understand your dilema, and haven't yet decided myself/

[Spirantho]

Boxed games are great for the more complex ones - you get all the instructions and stuff too.

For the simpler games, though, and the really common ones, you don't need them.

 

Myself, I like boxed games which are unusual. For instance, I have Combat boxed, but only the gatefold version. I also don't have Q*Bert boxed, but I do have James Bond 007 boxed.

My boxed Cakewalk is probably my best box though... I wanted that because how many other people have it, PAL or otherwise (Yes, Simon 'Womble', I know you do. )

[candiru]

If you really just want to play the games, don't worry about paying a premium for the boxes and instructions. Instructions are readily available online. If you want to go for boxes, make sure you've got room for them. Even though it might not seem like much now, depending on how much you get into it a video game collection can turn into a major space hog.

 

There have been other discussions about being a player or collector, but there really isn't a right or wrong way to enjoy the hobby. Hey, it's your hobby, make it fun for yourself and don't stress too much over it. I think a lot of the folks here fall somewhere in between player and collector.

 

Personally, I don't seek out boxed games. I buy them if I come across them and they're a good deal. It's a nice bonus, but mostly I'm just after the game itself.

[Cassidy Nolen]

It could lead to a huge waste of money. You got into this hobby because you enjoy playing video games, right?

 

You had to know someone would have something to say about this, right

 

I got into video games to play, that is true. As for the 2600, I got into it for completeness. Boxed games aren't an option, they are the only way I want a game now. I love a challenge; its the reason I do what I do. To me, boxes are the arcade cabinet equivalent. If I did not care what it looked like, I'd just have a MAME system and a fancy control pad. That cardboard means more to me than the game in some cases.

 

I think its great that this hobby has so many diverse collectors. It means nothing goes to waste.

 

Cassidy

[belty]

Loose carts only for me, and also just the games I want to play, when I've got all of them I might continue with the others, (well more than likely)

 

However exception to the rule, bought Star Raiders on Ebay last week, Mint In Sealed Box with Video Touch Pad (and Atari comic and advertising brochure in the box) for £5.99

 

It was a multi-sale buy it now the guy had nine, whereas people were bidding up to fifteen quid for just a second hand touchpad at the same time. Low and behold it arrived and it was brand new (but twenty odd years old) sealed and everything a real steal, his bidding ended with eight left. The Video Touch Pad needed to be forced in the Woody due to 'newness'.

 

Sorry gone off on a tangent, moral of the tale, was going to bin the box, but thought that would be a crime, so have kept it, to er... look at now and again.

 

(Before anyone says anything, I didn't mention it here because it looked too good to be true, I thought the ad looked a little shady, and dreaded the prospect of people been done then complaining that I sent them there, but it certainly wasn't shady, the seller was great, quick delivery and all can't fault at all. The guy has a web address if anyone want's to get one from him it's www.looted.co.uk can't vouch for private sales though this was bought through ebay).

[Dolt]

I've always had loose carts--I had to get to the point where I was never finding new games anymore (about 350 loose games under my belt at that point) before I started collecting boxes. I'm glad I waited. It's more fun to collect games and play; if you get to the point where you have a ton of games and you still want to collect, then start getting the boxes. They'll still be around (as much as they ever are), and you can always switch out the extra games you have to help fund it. Better to get loose games now and and have fun.

[Stingray]

Loose games for me. I want to play 'em. If I wanted something I could only look at I'd take a picture.

 

-S

[video game addict]

That cardboard means more to me than the game in some cases.

 

Care to trade me that Video Life cart, I'll let you keep the box,

[Rocko]

You can't play a game if it's in a box.

 

Beware fetishing mere products, even if they're old. It could lead to a huge waste of money. You got into this hobby because you enjoy playing video games, right? Save your cash and buy stuff you can play, not display. There are so many ways of being creative and productive, so many more worthwhile ways to spend your money, that hoarding cardboard just for its own sake seems rather silly.

 

Hey, you asked.

 

 

 

 

AMEN! That is EXACTLY what I think! (I am not making fun of the collectors out there, you want to display the games (and probably still play them) where gamers dont need to wory about the boxes)

[jeepnut24]

Ultimately you are going to have to decide what you want to collect. The whole spectrum is here. From any loose cart not in the collection to only New in box only types. Me personally, I like loose carts and instructions. I enjoy popping in a new cart and trying them out for the first time. I also like being able to look up instructions in an actual manual. Some like the boxes and collect them. I say start with loose carts and get a good base going of games you love to play and then start branching out picking up the completes as the deals show up.

[ATARIPITBULL]

For me, its always a boxed 2600 game first. You can always open a sealed game and play it when ever you like and you will have all the paper work and manuals in the box and it will be worth more if you want to sell it some time down the road.

 

[otrfan]

I've gotten the majority of my games at thrift stores, so they're almost always loose. But it is nice to find a boxed game every so often.

[SS]

Boxed is nice when you can get 'em but I usually want to stretch my gaming dollars as far as they will go so more than 90% of my 2600 collection is loose.

[Mendon]

Whether I try for boxed games or not depends on the system. Since I don't collect for many systems I like the ones I collect for to be boxed and complete. As for Atari systems:

 

Atari 2600: I'm not trying to put together a complete collection at all but to just collect some games I really like. So for those I'm trying to get boxed, complete games.

 

5200: Not collecting at all for.

 

7800: Have an 90% complete boxed collection and I'd like to try and complete it some day as money allows.

 

Lynx: same as 2600; only trying for a few games I like but I don't care whether they are boxed or not.

 

Jaguar: Have a complete, boxed collection since it has a small library and was pretty easy to collect for.

 

Atari 8bit: no way I'd ever get a complete collection but I do collect alot of games & programs for it since its my favorite computer system. I'm sure I have well over 200 disks and carts.

 

Atari ST: again, no way I'd ever obtain a complete collection but I do have a lot of games for it, well over 300 I would bet.

 

Not interested in collecting for Vectrex or Coleco. Would like to finish my 85% complete Odyssey boxed/complete collection and my Intellivision collection is needing only 2 boxed/complete games to be finished.

 

I prefer boxed/complete but money does an awful lot of guidance.

 

Mendon

[KaineMaxwell]

Cart and manuals for me, might go for boxes for my Activisin carts later.

[wrldstrman]

I say do what is affordable for you.If you have the money to buy complete games I would buy complete games.also got to take how much space you have into account.Having the instructions is always helpful and the boxed game look nice displayed.If you are on a limited budget loose games are fine and take up less space.I would say just dont go in over your head trying to build a collection in a matter of months.It may take years and years to build up a nice collection.So I say do what you can afford.

[Malc74]

I'm a neat-freak, and all my childhood 2600 carts are still snugly in their boxes, so I definitely prefer boxed carts if I can get them. On the other hand, I won't turn down unboxed carts if I see them in a thrift store, I just prefer boxed ones, that's all.

[otrfan]

You can't play a game if it's in a box.

 

Beware fetishing mere products, even if they're old. It could lead to a huge waste of money. You got into this hobby because you enjoy playing video games, right? Save your cash and buy stuff you can play, not display. There are so many ways of being creative and productive, so many more worthwhile ways to spend your money, that hoarding cardboard just for its own sake seems rather silly.

Couldn't agree with you more.

[ANTHONY ATARI]

A COUPLE OF PEOPLE CAME OVER AND WERE IMPRESSED WITH MY COLLECTION. I BELIEVE THE BOXES HELP. THAT'S THE WAY THEY WERE SOLD - THATS THE WAY I LIKE THEM. BOXED WITH INSTRUCTIONS. I'M IN IT FOR THE COLLECTION / THE LOOK / THE RARITY. WHEN YOU HAVE THAT ROW OF GREAT LOOKING BOXES LINED UP, IT'S QUITE IMPRESSIVE. NOT EVERYBODY HAS THOSE ANYMORE. IT MAKES YOUR COLLECTION MORE COMPLETE AND CLASSY IN MY OPINION

[Cassidy Nolen]

 

 

 

Care to trade me that Video Life cart, I'll let you keep the box,  

 

I think I had better keep that one all together Already had an empty repro box, just did not feel right...

 

Cassidy

[Whisper]

Let's say I don't mind the box, but boxes result in a more expensive game and since this is my litle budget hobby... I only have 3 boxed games, 2 I got with a console and the boxes are VERY beat up (Combat and Missile Command, wow!) and I have a boxed Klax, just because it's such a cool game and I could get it right here at my internship address (it's a videogame store with also some retro stuff). for EUR 6. I also usually get my carts loose for storage reasons.

[thx1138]

I just don't like cardboard.

 

I tend to prefer boxed SEGA and loose Atari & Nintendo.

[jeepnut24]

Let's say I don't mind the box, but boxes result in a more expensive game and since this is my litle budget hobby...

 

I couldn't agree more with that statement. My other hobbies cost much more and they get me outside. Flyfishing and my Jeep.

 

I think the boxes are great and looking at a collection that is full of boxes is quite nice though. Seeing some of these collections that are shelves full of boxes are quite impressive.