Is Retro Game Collecting Dead?

Steve Migan writes: "Have we finally seen the end of retro game collecting as a hobby? This is a topic that has reared its ugly head on many gaming forums and YouTube videos over the course of the last year and has split the opinion of the gaming community in two."

[strayanalog]

No way. As long as there are games and people willing to play, then there will always be a fellow gamer (or completionist) wanting to own a classic or older title.

[InactiveUser]

Collecting in general is very often a waste.. of time, physical space, money. Especially if you're collecting junk just to make your collection bigger. Trophies/achievements are another gaming related example, padding numbers with bad games.. waste of time and unimpressive to anyone that can see you're padding with 1hr 99¢ garbage.

If you're actually using the products from time to time, and they're enjoyable/worthwhile/useful.. that's just having things that you use. If you have a bunch of junk, you're hoarding and it's unhealthy. Collecting is just early steps toward hoarding. Don't do it would be my recommendation for any form of collecting. Get only what you'll use and get rid of it when you have no need or desire to likely use it again any time soon.

[Protagonist]

And/but according to some of the collectors on youtube, it is not only the filler games that is the problem but indeed also "the valued games" because in the end they also become fillers as they only sit on the shelf as expensive prize/trophies and are not being played. For many of the collectors it is not the retro games itself that is exciting... but the hunt!

[Seraphim]

One could argue that any particular thing, hobby or mass acquisition of particular items is a waste. I've wasted countless dollars on cigars that end up being ash. A collection that vanishes over time so you can't even brag or show it off. As a gamer we are wasting our time. Why don't we go do something productive. See how that works. We could go on. To each their own. Some collect shoes, cars, watches, coins, cards, magazines, liquor, cigars, movies, music, plushies, action figures, vinyl figures, comics, etc.

I buy pretty much every game I play. yes it definitely takes up space and sometimes feels like a waste of money having all these games sitting around. Or even all these games out of sight that are tucked away in storage bins like the NES, Genesis, PS, GC, PS2 and a bunch of games for them. But it's something I enjoy; gaming and supporting the industry. I enjoy gaming, enjoy having played those games, having the ability, even if never, to go back and play them, etc. If you're looking to invest in something then collecting games probably isn't the best option. Though in the past I have sold more than a handful of games that fetched $120-300 for a standard PS game.

I certainly agree with collecting junk though just to pad your numbers. Same goes for those trophies. Purchase and buy what you enjoy. Or even buy something you want to support for whatever reason. But don't just buy any old game to say look at me, I have this, or to pad your numbers. Though the internet does make this easy to do and people are more inclined to this day in age. Keeping up with the Jones' and making sure to post what they have online for others to oogle over.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Exactly. Prices are going up because more people are entering the market. The rare titles have gone up on price (no surprise) but even the common-but-desirable
games like Zelda, Super Metroid, PS1 RPGs, etc have doubled in price too.

So I don't know why the author uses the term "dead". Prices going up is a sign of vitality for collectible items.

[isarai]

Nope

[uth11]

idk, I'm on a forum with a lot of collectors, and they've been complaining about how high prices have gotten for many retro things. that wouldn't happen if it was dead

[darthv72]

I gave up collecting for cartridge based systems. I'm finding way more deals on optical based games from Sega CD on up to current.

[Einhander1971]

Nope silly article

[ImportGamer3004]

What the hell are you talking about. Retro game collecting is getting bigger these days, and now with companies like retro-bit who will re-release Sega Genesis,Saturn & Dreamcast consoles with some modern features which include wireless bluetooth capable controllers while also allowing the owner of systems to use the original software. There's also gonna be original ports so use of original controllers is also possible as well. Therefore these consoles once released later this year will make NES & SNES classic seem like a joke.

[stefd75]

I hate to say this but i was a big retro collector however prices of games are just silly plus someone gave me a retropie with a 128gb card full of old retro games...and well I dont have the need to collect retro games anymore, because of this I was able to sell all the stuff i had as it was taken up space I just didnt have....kept the N64 the pi dont seem to be able to do N64 that well just yet.

[gamejediben]

Of course emulation will always be a thing but for the moment, emulation of 5th Generation games and later is very spotty. I would actually be surprised if the Sega Saturn is ever full emulated due to its bizarre architecture. This is one of the main reasons why Saturn games are so expensive.

I'm a big retro collector and the space requirements are difficult but I also think of retro collecting as an investment. Many of the games I bought 7 years ago are now worth several times what I paid for them. Of course I also enjoy playing them. I missed out of so many great games back in the 90s and aughts and its a real pleasure to catch up on old classics while I wait for new releases. The summer drought of releases every year is probably the biggest reason why I still collect.

[MaxiPower90]

just bought a sealed copy of Golden Sun gor 140 quid. not dead lol

[Protagonist]

Not sure if you are being sarcastic? but that is the exact reason it is dead.

[gamejediben]

Just cause you can't afford it doesn't mean the collection scene is dead. Vintage video games are now undergoing what vintage comic books went through in the 1970's: Massive increases in demand and recognition. Soon most SNES games will be completely unaffordable to most people.

[UltimateOwnage]

I’m still building my SNES, NES and Dreamcast collections and have a very long list of titles I still hope to add to my library of treasured classics and originals that never saw sequels.

[Protagonist]

sigh... so you did NOT bother to read the article! The question is not whether there are gamers that still want to collect retro games but whether you can afford to! because as off late the prices of retro games has " tripled, or even quadrupled, in price due to demand."

Yeah you have a very long list you want to add... but will you ever afford to?

[Tross]

No. I mean, many retro titles have seen a digital re-release so people who want those games just to play them...can just do that. However, there are games that only exist in physical form and there are people who just like owning the original hardware and games and want to have the authentic experience. Oh, and people who just want the prestige of having a collection of retro titles, some of whom are crazy dedicated and may even be trying to complete a collection of games for a particular system. I don't see that dying out anytime soon.

[AnubisG]

Not for me. I collect PS1 games still and I don't see myself stopping.

[howiewowwee]

As long as there are nostalgic video game players out there retro will never die.

[Shuckylad]

Not for me! I’m currently searching eBay for Xbox 360 and ps3 games (they’re so cheap now) that potentially may be sort after one day.

[Derceto]

"Will Stupid Questions Ever Stop Being Asked?"

[CR7JUVE1897]

One of the systems that my parents couldn't afford when I was 12 was the Colecovision. I used to go to my local department store with my mom and play their demo unit until it was time to go home.

36 years later I finally decided to get one, and got the system, the 2 official expansion modules, 2 super action controllers and 11 games for 140.00 on Ebay last month.

Once I plugged that baby in, it was over. I was instantly transported back to my younger days. I then went and bought 15 more games, 2 brand new super action controllers, 2 original refurbished controllers, and just recently purchased a Super Game Module that will allow me to play the full versions of Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr, and a bunch of games both old and new that require it.

Long story short. I bought it to play it, and to give to my son when he gets a little older. Collecting is far from dead, when it is done from the heart.

[Doughhead]

I dont think so, I find a lot of old games all the way back to the Magnavox odyssey at garage sales and auctions. There used to be a retro store by me, but they moved out of the area. Finding stuff at Gamestop here is few and far between.

[Relientk77]

One of my best friends and I are game collectors

So no

[LoveSpuds]

I would love to have the space to collect videogames but I have nostalgia for the Commodore 64 and Amiga and they did not skimp on the packaging for those systems. I would need a warehouse to store all the games for those systems.

I love nostalgia and I think those feelings only get stronger as you get older.

[Rippcity]

I definitely think game collecting is dead or definitely dying. I had a huge game collection a few years back but sold it all to buy a PS4. Remasters, remakes, ports, virtual console and everything being available digitally basically sucked the value out of my collection. I spent way more money buying and owning the original cartridges/disks and at what cost? They end up looking terrible if you're playing on an HD TV and they are a huge hassle to tote around from apartment to apartment let alone maintaining the things. I finally made the leap to all digital and I will never go back. Now I can just bring my consoles and PC with me and still have all my games available without having to kill myself making sure the games are transported safely with all of their cases, art and everything preserved.

[jznrpg]

I collect RPGs (and go back and play a lot of them )but I can see why some people wouldn’t want to collect anything. I also collect ⚔️ . Prices suck so maybe some will drop so I can get some more for my collection

[chaos-emeralds]

I kinda collect the classic games but digitally. Stoked many of them are coming this month via xbox backwards compatibility. I probably have over 200 classic xbox games via digital. I always dip into them.