Post by wafflerevolution on Sept 7, 2013 20:32:11 GMT
The Basics
Number of Systems: 19
Number of Games: 469 at time of Printing
When did you start collecting? Christmas of 1989
What was your first system? Nintendo Entertainment System
What was your first game? Super Mario Brothers/Duck Hunt Combo
When did you feel a tipping point from gamer to both gamer and game collector?
I guess I didn't really consider myself a collector, until the day came when I found myself buying a Panasonic 3DO. Then it kind of hit me in the gut and I told my fiancé, "I think I have a collection issue." Another real big tipping point was the day that I got my Mario & Luigi Tattoo on my arm. I know it is PERMANENT but hey you only live once and I am a game addict
That's pretty awesome. Has that tat been featured in EGM or on this site? It looks familiar.
No it hasn't, although I have thought about sending it in when they do the fan crazy sections. Trust me, it is totally worth it. Every person that sees it, loves it and has to ask me about. Maybe I will regret it when I am 75, but I doubt it.
Is there anyone specific that got you into gaming?
Yeah actually there is someone that totally started me on gaming. My Grandma watched me when I was little so my uncle was always around; he is only 8 years older then me. So when he was in High School, the Atari 2600 came out. He showed it to me, introduced me to some pretty sweet games and I was pretty much hooked from there.
What are your goals as a game collector, how have you developed them, and how do you feel about your progress toward them?
On Gamespot I keep a list of games I really want, but anyone who knows me knows that I strive to gain as many, if not all, Role-Playing games in existence. I think my goal has slowed to a steady stroll after realizing that RPG's don't lose value like sports games of every year. I mean, PS1 games are still getting $30-40 for most, even say "generic" RPG's.
How many games, systems, etc. are "enough"?
I don't really think there is a correct number for "enough." I feel as long as I have the extra few dollars to spare, a new game is worth it. I consider all my games treasures and each has a story of how and why I got it. It may sound cheesy but it is true.
What's your proudest moment as a game collector?
Standing in line to get my PS2 on the day of Launch, for like 15 hours.
What's your least proud moment as a game collector?
Standing in line to get my PS2 on the day of Launch, for like 15 hours. (Smiles)
Yeah the 2 year game drought for that system did not do much to help early adopters with their choice. Amongst your non-gaming friends are you proud of your collection or is it something you don't bring attention to?
Yeah people knew even back when I was in high school, 10 or so years ago now, that I was into gaming at a high level. I had several friends who were always into them and asked me what I got new. Now it is mostly a thing where the friends I have collect or at least game as much if not more then me.
What's your favorite part of your collection?
(Ponders) I think my favorite part of my collection and I have had a few compliments before, is the massive collection of Final Fantasy and Square Enix games. I think there are only a handful of Final Fantasy games I don't have. I will in time, whether for collection purposes or not. I am also a big fan of the Shin Megami Tensei series.
How many Final Fantasy games do you have? Which is the "rarest" or the one that was hardest to track down?
Hmm, hard to really say, I don't have much of anything that is really hard to find. If I had to pick something that was rare, I guess it would be FFXI with the Hard Drive and all the FFXI games sealed. I have 30 Final Fantasy games with about half a dozen to either come out this year or for me to just pick up.
What would you like to improve in your collection?
One area that's a huge area I would love to improve on is the "Next-Gen" era. I don't have a PS3, 360 or a Wii yet. I did have a Wii for 3 days until I sold it for $450. I am currently working on getting a PS3 and I will wait until Wii's are cheaper and 360's have also dropped. By the time I get enough saved for a PS3, they may have dropped as well. It is so hard to save when you're a rabid collector! I would also like to upgrade my Final Fantasy VII game to a non greatest hits version. That and the first kingdom hearts are the only two Greatest Hits I own.
You say you are working on getting a PS3, How?
Well if any of you guys have read my blog the last few weeks, you would read about my master plan!! Actually it's pretty simple; I have started to donate Plasma to gain some extra profit. It is kind of like giving blood, so they stick you with a monster needle. That is all we will say, but they pay good. For the first visit of the week you get $20 and the second of the week you get $35. So it equals out to be $240 a month if you do it the max which is twice a week. I figure if I go through all that pain, I deserve it!
Are you serious?
Totally serious, money can be hard to come by at times and I figure what better way to do it then this. May sound silly but if I am passionate about it, I will have my PS3 in 2-3 months.
And I suppose it's helping people who need plasma too. What would you like to get rid of in your game collection within the next year?
Hmm that is a tough question. I don't normally get rid of games that I have simply because there is probably a reason why I bought the game to begin with. Unless I see a cheap deal on a game I already have, then I will buy it and sell it for profit.
What do you think was your best deal while game buying?
Oh wow, hard question to say the least. A few that stick out to me for a couple systems:
Gamecube: The Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition for FREE!
Playstation 2: SMT Digital Devil Saga Deluxe Edition Factory Sealed for $45 and Nocturne for $51
SNES: Chrono Trigger Complete (box & everything in it) for $30
And so many more, I don't buy a game, especially off Ebay or Amazon until I do my research and don't go buy the first thing I see on the auction list.
Those are excellent pick-ups. What do you feel is the most valuable and/or rare item in your collection?
Well the 4 I just mentioned above are pretty high up there for me. Certain games are more valuable to me since I like them so much, such as FFVII, FFX and few others. Also a system that I love and is pretty hard to find for a reasonable price is my Sega CDX.
What item in your collection do you feel you overpaid for?
I guess the biggest thing that I feel I overpaid for was my PS2, it dropped in price fairly soon and I bought it the day of launch for $299 I think.
What do you feel is the strangest or weirdest item in your collection?
Well up until about a month ago, I had a Lunar Silver Star Story Complete Promotional Hand Puppet Doll thing mint in package. But I really had no use for it and it was kind of strange, so I sold it.
How much did you get for it?
I think when I bought the game it came with it, and I also got the guide with it, and the game is Mint with everything in the Omake Box, and I paid $50 for it. I sold the doll for $14 including shipping, so I came out sweet on the deal.
What item(s) do you not have in your collection that people are surprised to hear you don't have?
There is the "Next-Gen" thing again. So many of my friends that I haven't seen in a while or something just cannot believe that I don't have a 360 or a PS3 especially, the Wii doesn't seem to be a big hit around here with the older couple of my friends.
Where/how do you store it all?
Half of my collection is in several big totes that I keep in a closet. Every two weeks or so I dig it out and add or go through it. That way, I don't have to worry about wear and tear on them and it keeps my two little ones away from them. I also have a huge stash of them in my clothes closet. You basically can't even get clothes in there.
Is there anyway you'd ever stop collecting?
Short of a terrible illness or something with my children or fiancé, no way! It's a big part of who I am and someday when he is old enough my son is going to have one hell of a nice collection rub into his friend's faces.
Do you have a funny story about your collection?
Hmm funny story, I can't really say anything specific. My Uncle sometimes comes to my place, he lives about 3 hours from me, and randomly freaks out with all the stuff I have. He is a big collector too. He has a big flat screen TV in a special closet he made to be just right for his games. He is crazy.
He should join this union, he'd fit right in. Have you ever had to move your collection to another house? What was it like?
Actually I still live with my parents so, no I haven't...... alright just kidding. Yeah I have moved it 3 times so far. The totes I have are split up into games and systems. The one with systems has a PS1, Xbox, Saturn, 2 SNES, 3 NES, Gamecube, 3DO and a CDX, so it is so damn heavy it took 2 guys and a few beers to lift it. The game tote wasn't much better but we were prepared for it.
If you're significant other told you no more games, what would you do?
It depends, I love my fiancé and if she wanted me to slow down or stop collecting for a time being because of a crunch of money or something, I would totally be down for it. If it was because she was sick of all the games we would probably have to have long talk over dinner and flowers. (Smiles).
What percentage of your games are still sealed?
I collect games because I want to play them; they are fun to me so that's why I collect. So the percentage of the games I have sealed is pretty low. Sealed games right now I have is the FFXI hard drive and expansions and the SMT Digital Devil Saga Deluxe package, these are purely for collection purposes.
What percentage of your game have you actually played? Completed?
Well percentage of games I have played is 100%. I have played every game in my collection at least one time to make sure it is in working order. How many have I completed is another issue. Being a RPG fan, most RPG's take 40 hours at a minimum, FFX and FFVII I have over 125 hours each into. So I will throw out a bone and say maybe, maybe 10%
Number of Systems: 19
Number of Games: 469 at time of Printing
When did you start collecting? Christmas of 1989
What was your first system? Nintendo Entertainment System
What was your first game? Super Mario Brothers/Duck Hunt Combo
When did you feel a tipping point from gamer to both gamer and game collector?
I guess I didn't really consider myself a collector, until the day came when I found myself buying a Panasonic 3DO. Then it kind of hit me in the gut and I told my fiancé, "I think I have a collection issue." Another real big tipping point was the day that I got my Mario & Luigi Tattoo on my arm. I know it is PERMANENT but hey you only live once and I am a game addict
That's pretty awesome. Has that tat been featured in EGM or on this site? It looks familiar.
No it hasn't, although I have thought about sending it in when they do the fan crazy sections. Trust me, it is totally worth it. Every person that sees it, loves it and has to ask me about. Maybe I will regret it when I am 75, but I doubt it.
Is there anyone specific that got you into gaming?
Yeah actually there is someone that totally started me on gaming. My Grandma watched me when I was little so my uncle was always around; he is only 8 years older then me. So when he was in High School, the Atari 2600 came out. He showed it to me, introduced me to some pretty sweet games and I was pretty much hooked from there.
What are your goals as a game collector, how have you developed them, and how do you feel about your progress toward them?
On Gamespot I keep a list of games I really want, but anyone who knows me knows that I strive to gain as many, if not all, Role-Playing games in existence. I think my goal has slowed to a steady stroll after realizing that RPG's don't lose value like sports games of every year. I mean, PS1 games are still getting $30-40 for most, even say "generic" RPG's.
How many games, systems, etc. are "enough"?
I don't really think there is a correct number for "enough." I feel as long as I have the extra few dollars to spare, a new game is worth it. I consider all my games treasures and each has a story of how and why I got it. It may sound cheesy but it is true.
What's your proudest moment as a game collector?
Standing in line to get my PS2 on the day of Launch, for like 15 hours.
What's your least proud moment as a game collector?
Standing in line to get my PS2 on the day of Launch, for like 15 hours. (Smiles)
Yeah the 2 year game drought for that system did not do much to help early adopters with their choice. Amongst your non-gaming friends are you proud of your collection or is it something you don't bring attention to?
Yeah people knew even back when I was in high school, 10 or so years ago now, that I was into gaming at a high level. I had several friends who were always into them and asked me what I got new. Now it is mostly a thing where the friends I have collect or at least game as much if not more then me.
What's your favorite part of your collection?
(Ponders) I think my favorite part of my collection and I have had a few compliments before, is the massive collection of Final Fantasy and Square Enix games. I think there are only a handful of Final Fantasy games I don't have. I will in time, whether for collection purposes or not. I am also a big fan of the Shin Megami Tensei series.
How many Final Fantasy games do you have? Which is the "rarest" or the one that was hardest to track down?
Hmm, hard to really say, I don't have much of anything that is really hard to find. If I had to pick something that was rare, I guess it would be FFXI with the Hard Drive and all the FFXI games sealed. I have 30 Final Fantasy games with about half a dozen to either come out this year or for me to just pick up.
What would you like to improve in your collection?
One area that's a huge area I would love to improve on is the "Next-Gen" era. I don't have a PS3, 360 or a Wii yet. I did have a Wii for 3 days until I sold it for $450. I am currently working on getting a PS3 and I will wait until Wii's are cheaper and 360's have also dropped. By the time I get enough saved for a PS3, they may have dropped as well. It is so hard to save when you're a rabid collector! I would also like to upgrade my Final Fantasy VII game to a non greatest hits version. That and the first kingdom hearts are the only two Greatest Hits I own.
You say you are working on getting a PS3, How?
Well if any of you guys have read my blog the last few weeks, you would read about my master plan!! Actually it's pretty simple; I have started to donate Plasma to gain some extra profit. It is kind of like giving blood, so they stick you with a monster needle. That is all we will say, but they pay good. For the first visit of the week you get $20 and the second of the week you get $35. So it equals out to be $240 a month if you do it the max which is twice a week. I figure if I go through all that pain, I deserve it!
Are you serious?
Totally serious, money can be hard to come by at times and I figure what better way to do it then this. May sound silly but if I am passionate about it, I will have my PS3 in 2-3 months.
And I suppose it's helping people who need plasma too. What would you like to get rid of in your game collection within the next year?
Hmm that is a tough question. I don't normally get rid of games that I have simply because there is probably a reason why I bought the game to begin with. Unless I see a cheap deal on a game I already have, then I will buy it and sell it for profit.
What do you think was your best deal while game buying?
Oh wow, hard question to say the least. A few that stick out to me for a couple systems:
Gamecube: The Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition for FREE!
Playstation 2: SMT Digital Devil Saga Deluxe Edition Factory Sealed for $45 and Nocturne for $51
SNES: Chrono Trigger Complete (box & everything in it) for $30
And so many more, I don't buy a game, especially off Ebay or Amazon until I do my research and don't go buy the first thing I see on the auction list.
Those are excellent pick-ups. What do you feel is the most valuable and/or rare item in your collection?
Well the 4 I just mentioned above are pretty high up there for me. Certain games are more valuable to me since I like them so much, such as FFVII, FFX and few others. Also a system that I love and is pretty hard to find for a reasonable price is my Sega CDX.
What item in your collection do you feel you overpaid for?
I guess the biggest thing that I feel I overpaid for was my PS2, it dropped in price fairly soon and I bought it the day of launch for $299 I think.
What do you feel is the strangest or weirdest item in your collection?
Well up until about a month ago, I had a Lunar Silver Star Story Complete Promotional Hand Puppet Doll thing mint in package. But I really had no use for it and it was kind of strange, so I sold it.
How much did you get for it?
I think when I bought the game it came with it, and I also got the guide with it, and the game is Mint with everything in the Omake Box, and I paid $50 for it. I sold the doll for $14 including shipping, so I came out sweet on the deal.
What item(s) do you not have in your collection that people are surprised to hear you don't have?
There is the "Next-Gen" thing again. So many of my friends that I haven't seen in a while or something just cannot believe that I don't have a 360 or a PS3 especially, the Wii doesn't seem to be a big hit around here with the older couple of my friends.
Where/how do you store it all?
Half of my collection is in several big totes that I keep in a closet. Every two weeks or so I dig it out and add or go through it. That way, I don't have to worry about wear and tear on them and it keeps my two little ones away from them. I also have a huge stash of them in my clothes closet. You basically can't even get clothes in there.
Is there anyway you'd ever stop collecting?
Short of a terrible illness or something with my children or fiancé, no way! It's a big part of who I am and someday when he is old enough my son is going to have one hell of a nice collection rub into his friend's faces.
Do you have a funny story about your collection?
Hmm funny story, I can't really say anything specific. My Uncle sometimes comes to my place, he lives about 3 hours from me, and randomly freaks out with all the stuff I have. He is a big collector too. He has a big flat screen TV in a special closet he made to be just right for his games. He is crazy.
He should join this union, he'd fit right in. Have you ever had to move your collection to another house? What was it like?
Actually I still live with my parents so, no I haven't...... alright just kidding. Yeah I have moved it 3 times so far. The totes I have are split up into games and systems. The one with systems has a PS1, Xbox, Saturn, 2 SNES, 3 NES, Gamecube, 3DO and a CDX, so it is so damn heavy it took 2 guys and a few beers to lift it. The game tote wasn't much better but we were prepared for it.
If you're significant other told you no more games, what would you do?
It depends, I love my fiancé and if she wanted me to slow down or stop collecting for a time being because of a crunch of money or something, I would totally be down for it. If it was because she was sick of all the games we would probably have to have long talk over dinner and flowers. (Smiles).
What percentage of your games are still sealed?
I collect games because I want to play them; they are fun to me so that's why I collect. So the percentage of the games I have sealed is pretty low. Sealed games right now I have is the FFXI hard drive and expansions and the SMT Digital Devil Saga Deluxe package, these are purely for collection purposes.
What percentage of your game have you actually played? Completed?
Well percentage of games I have played is 100%. I have played every game in my collection at least one time to make sure it is in working order. How many have I completed is another issue. Being a RPG fan, most RPG's take 40 hours at a minimum, FFX and FFVII I have over 125 hours each into. So I will throw out a bone and say maybe, maybe 10%