There is a big difference in price between loose cartridge games and boxed or complete in box(CIB) games and sometimes it is better to keep it loose, especially when you start out collecting.
I have bought quite a few boxed games during my collecting journey and I am quite happy to have them, there is something special about having a boxed or CIB copy of game, but when you start out I think it is better to collect loose cartridges instead. A new collector will more than likely want to try out many different games in quick succession, I know I did, and I think it’s better to keep your money for a variety of games rather spending that bit more to get a boxed game. For example, you could go to a local retro store and get a copy of Super Mario 64 for around €25 or you could get a boxed version for roughly €40. The extra €15 you are spending on the box could get you another unboxed game and now you have just gotten 2 games for the price of one. This just means that you get to experience more games at a reasonable price and you can worry about boxes at a later date. Boxes are readily available on line and can be purchased at a later date if you decide you would like to start collecting them too.
Another reason for sticking to loose games is that your collecting goals might shift and change quite a bit in the early days. When I started collecting I really liked the look of Super Nintendo games, then I thought Nintendo 64 boxes were better and then moving on to boxed Game Boy games and so on. Now don’t get me wrong, I love boxed games from almost all systems but some of the boxed games I had bought in the early days just didn’t appeal to after a while and I traded them in or sold them off. I still have a lot of boxed games from various systems and like I said, I am very happy to have them. After a few years of collecting, however, I now feel that I have a better guide on what I want to collect and thinking back on it, I wish I had spent less money on boxed games and more money on loose.
So when you are at the start of your collecting journey, try to stick with loose or unboxed games, after a while you will have a better grasp on what you want to collect and then you can take it from there.
Thanks for reading and good luck on your journey down the retro road,
Naoise.
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February 16, 2017 at 11:29 am
Thank you very much, I’m glad you agree. It’s definitely the way to go when starting out and then do as you did, upgrade to the box and manual as well. Thanks for reading.
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February 16, 2017 at 12:20 am
This is basically how I have approached the whole angle of collecting. I am totally a gamer first. Grabbing up loose carts gives me more variety. And during those play times there may be games that I favour and those are the ones that I have that urge to complete with box and manual. Great advice for any one that is starting out in retro gaming.
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January 22, 2017 at 9:14 pm
Thanks dude, I’m glad you liked it. I think it’s best to hold off on the boxed games at the start at least and stick to the loose carts or games and you can get more and spend less
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January 22, 2017 at 9:10 pm
Nice tip. I’ve just decided to build up my collections of games and wanted to go down the box route, but think I’ll go down the cart route for a hit, built it up then I’ll hopefully know what boxes I really want.
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January 19, 2017 at 6:26 pm
It isn’t THAT bad. But the controls are slippy, and the levels are too long. So you’re going to make a mistake sooner or later because of the controls.
Also, the levels are all hidden, and it is a pain to find them!
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January 19, 2017 at 6:25 pm
That’s cool, I suppose everyone has their own way! 🙂 I have never played Addams Family on the SNES, I am kind of curious about it now though ha! 😀
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January 19, 2017 at 6:21 pm
For me, I went for those big games when I first started out. So I did it the other way, spent big on big ticket games I’d replay over and over, and then started buying up cheaper stuff .
I was painfully aware games that I loved would be terrible now. Addams Family on SNES as an example…
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January 19, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Ye I do buy boxed games too, I think they are great. I just think when you start out collecting, it makes more sense to collect loose carts first. Also you are right about certain games, I would love to have a boxed version of Link To the Past 🙂
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January 19, 2017 at 6:14 pm
I try to get boxed occasionally, if it is a particularly good game like Link to the Past , Megaman X, or Turtles in Time I have spent the extra money of CIB.
Other than that, i just snipe eBay auctions, and get what I want for as cheap as possible. If it is a reasonable price, I’ll get the box. I won’t spend more than £30 for something with a box though, unless it is really important to me.
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