Basements and classic games, Bad mix?

[Crazy Climber]

What do you guys think about storing classic games in basements. I know basements are prone to mold and other nasties. Basically my problem is this. I currently own SEVERAL classic games (as does just about everybody here) that I store in a large room upstairs but my basement is also stuffed full of about ten coin op's/pinball machines. I know it's selfish of me to take up TWO full rooms of the house for my game habit (and beleive me my girlfriend has mentioned it ) so I freed up a nice chunk of space in the basement for my consoles and cartridges. Before I move my games to there new home I'm worried about long term damage from the basement exposure. It seems like glue mottling and maybe even rust occuring from damp basement air could be a problem. My house is older so I'm sure theres a lot of dust down there as well floating around. Do any of you guys store your games in basements? If so have you had any problems with it or is there a way to protect them with out stuffing them in an air tight box? Any comments or suggestions would be very apprieciated, Thanks

[Lemmi]

well if the place in the basement has heating and cooling in it i wouldnt worry to much as every item i own is in my basement, along with my entertainment stuff and computer all in 1 room, but its in the only temp control room down here, its closed off from the rest of the basement which is cold all year round

 

and i have everything off the floor because occasionally (twice in the last 5 years, only VG mags i had in a box on the floor got ruined) it does flood down here but never over 5 inches in the deepest part, i also throw down remnant rugs too help with the dampness if there is any, and the floor is really cold in the winter

 

 

in short i havent had anything die on me in 12+ years of having stuff down here

and i havent heard of any nasty smells from the things ive sold to people on Atariage

[+remowilliams]

What do you guys think about storing classic games in basements. I know basements are prone to mold and other nasties.

As long as the basement area is relatively climate controlled (low humidity and heat) short of basement flooding you should be fine.

 

A humid basement will destroy stuff like that faster than you could imagine

[shadow460]

Oh, the fond days when my classic gaming collection was this size...

 

Those days seem to be gone.

[warmachine]

If you have a dehumidifier, you should be fine.

[SteveW]

Maybe put some packets of silica cells in your storage boxes to absorb moisture. Or possibly some cedar chips.

[Dusk2600]

I would not worry about it. i was once afraid to store in the basment. as long as u got a dehumidifer and a non leaky basement your fine. i got some games and game boxes in a storage space and its all fine, cold in the winter, tho it is ok in the summer

Edited August 16, 2006 by Dusk2600

[yuppicide]

If you get rid of the girlfriend you'd have more than two rooms to your collection. They'd all be heated and well-suited to your gaming habit.