Post-collection depression/crisis syndrome

[JapanTokei]

okay, this is a weird topic, but I know a few of us share this feeling, so I'm daring to start the topic...

I would like to ask those who are close to getting all their wants collected/completed... are you guys getting a weird feeling?
For me, I have been on a wonderful hunt of my childhood favorites for the last 8 months... now that I'm couple $Gs in and almost done, it kinda feels....weird.

I love playing the games, so I'm not the type that collected for the heck of it.. but there is a kinda feeling of --- ummmm... lesser excitement, esepecially when I see a rare/awesome title avail but since I have it already i dont get as excited..

I would like to now ask you guys - both old timer massive-collectors like Tats and recent massive haulers like Henry if they feel the same way 

[DragonmasterDan]

I don't have nearly as much Turbo stuff, but I collect quite a bit. I have a complete collection of one system. And am closing in on another with a rather huge library. And yeah, at a certain point it does lose that novelty, especially when you run out of space to display stuff and are forced to put things in boxes just to adequately store them.

[JapanTokei]

lol, that's exactly my situation Dragon!  living in Asia means small Apts.  Aside from my freq played games, all my goodies are inside a giant suitcase and closet... my daydream is to have a kick ass big gameroom like Sparkys once I get back to the States.

I don't have nearly as much Turbo stuff, but I collect quite a bit. I have a complete collection of one system. And am closing in on another with a rather huge library. And yeah, at a certain point it does lose that novelty, especially when you run out of space to display stuff and are forced to put things in boxes just to adequately store them.

[NecroPhile]

Amassing a sizable collection in a short period of time necessitates focusing more on buying and less on game playing, so it's not surprising that you have a bit of an 'off' feeling as it nears its end.  Don't despair, though, as now you'll have more time to play 'em all.

As for my own modest collecting, I get very little thrill out of buying games anyway, really only getting excited when I pop the game in the ol' Duo.  That type of thrill happily hasn't worn off - I still smile every time I start up any of my years old favorites (i.e. Soldier Blade).

[DragonmasterDan]

lol, that's exactly my situation Dragon!  living in Asia means small Apts.  Aside from my freq played games, all my goodies are inside a giant suitcase and closet... my daydream is to have a kick ass big gameroom like Sparkys once I get back to the States.

I have a storage locker and a closet with literally thousands of games, beyond stuff I frequently play almost everything is in boxes due to lack of space. I attempted to shelf every NES game to no avail, I ran out of space in shelving which takes up the entire wall. I'm within double digits of a complete US NES collection but when I ran out of wall space I greatly lost interest in finishing it.

[JapanTokei]

Necro - I do know that feeling... and Im not ashamed to say I get that smile even from games like the Oyasumi Neko Kun game.  There are simply amazingly designed games for the PCE! 

But yea, the "oh-smit, I found & just hunted down that treasure" feeling is waning off. 

I think I was overclimaxed  on this latest trip, landing Sylphie + Downtown Nekketsu + DoB + Bazzy and more in one week.... so the coming down feeling is very apprarent   

Amassing a sizable collection in a short period of time necessitates focusing more on buying and less on game playing, so it's not surprising that you have a bit of an 'off' feeling as it nears its end.  Don't despair, though, as now you'll have more time to play 'em all.

As for my own modest collecting, I get very little thrill out of buying games anyway, really only getting excited when I pop the game in the ol' Duo.  That type of thrill happily hasn't worn off - I still smile every time I start up any of my years old favorites (i.e. Soldier Blade).

[VestCunt]

I can relate to this feeling but it hadn't occurred to me before.  Tracking down the few remaining games I'm interested in is less exciting mainly because there are fewer places one can find games.  When I got back into the TurboGrafx in '97, the internet was a chaotic and wholly place and most games could still be found at random brick and mortar shops in "the wild."   Even in 2005, there were still sealed copies of Bonk 3 and Dynastic Hero lurking in obscure corners of the internet and there were enough undiscovered online vendors that comparing prices on Order of the Griffon was not only possible, but a good way to save some money.  Now, there are very few good deals to be found and my search for a handful of games has degenerated into checking the "newly listed" items on ebay once a week. 

The thing that has definitely changed for me is that I do less quality gaming as my collection gets larger.  Part of it is because I find it harder to justify staring at a TV now that I'm thirty, but I think the creepy thing about collecting is that it makes gaming more work.  I beat the most games back when I had just one or two systems sitting on the living room carpet with controllers permanently attached.  Playing a video game meant turning on two power switches and putting in a cartridge.  Now I have eight systems and a stereo connected to my TV:  NES, SNES, N64, SMSII, Genesis, Turbo Duo, TG16 (so I don't wear out the card port on my Duo), and SuperGrafx (so I don't wear out my Mirai adapter).  Preparing to play a game goes something like this: "OK, Turbo Duo, let's see...TV input set to line #2 - check.  Stereo receiver on TV3 [analog] - check.  Madcatz System Selector set to #4 - yep.  OK now which one of my three Tennokoe bank cards do I have Loom saved on?  Oh shoot...I'll need my hucard converter to use the Tennokoe Bank before I can play the game."  Not to mention the fact that picking out one of 250+ games takes some time, as does wading through a drawer full of controllers.

Another big hidden cost of collecting is the fact the more stuff = more maintenance.   Because of our hobby I've learned how to solder (not necessarily a bad thing), bought several specialty screw bits, two replacement lenses, wire, capacitors, electronics cleaner, and spent countless hours learning how to keep my two Duos, three TurboExpresses, and TG16-CD running.  Fun as it is, I'd rather not worry about broken systems, faulty Turbotaps, and junk controllers.  It's no wonder that playing the combat simulator on N64 Perfect Dark for 30 minutes a week is the extent of my gaming these days.

[DragonmasterDan]

I can relate to this feeling but it hadn't occurred to me before.  Tracking down the few remaining games I'm interested in is less exciting mainly because there are fewer places one can find games.  When I got back into the TurboGrafx in '97, the internet was a chaotic and wholly place and most games could still be found at random brick and mortar shops in "the wild."   Even in 2005, there were still sealed copies of Bonk 3 and Dynastic Hero lurking in obscure corners of the internet and there were enough undiscovered online vendors that comparing prices on Order of the Griffon was not only possible, but a good way to save some money.  Now, there are very few good deals to be found and my search for a handful of games has degenerated into checking the "newly listed" items on ebay once a week. 

The thing that has definitely changed for me is that I do less quality gaming as my collection gets larger.  Part of it is because I find it harder to justify staring at a TV now that I'm thirty, but I think the creepy thing about collecting is that it makes gaming more work.  I beat the most games back when I had just one or two systems sitting on the living room carpet with controllers permanently attached.  Playing a video game meant turning on two power switches and putting in a cartridge.  Now I have eight systems and a stereo connected to my TV:  NES, SNES, N64, SMSII, Genesis, Turbo Duo, TG16 (so I don't wear out the card port on my Duo), and SuperGrafx (so I don't wear out my Mirai adapter).  Preparing to play a game goes something like this: "OK, Turbo Duo, let's see...TV input set to line #2 - check.  Stereo receiver on TV3 [analog] - check.  Madcatz System Selector set to #4 - yep.  OK now which one of my three Tennokoe bank cards do I have Loom saved on?  Oh shoot...I'll need my hucard converter to use the Tennokoe Bank before I can play the game."  Not to mention the fact that picking out one of 250+ games takes some time, as does wading through a drawer full of controllers.

Another big hidden cost of collecting is the fact the more stuff = more maintenance.   Because of our hobby I've learned how to solder (not necessarily a bad thing), bought several specialty screw bits, two replacement lenses, wire, capacitors, electronics cleaner, and spent countless hours learning how to keep my two Duos, three TurboExpresses, and TG16-CD running.  Fun as it is, I'd rather not worry about broken systems, faulty Turbotaps, and junk controllers.  It's no wonder that playing the combat simulator on N64 Perfect Dark for 30 minutes a week is the extent of my gaming these days.

I can totally relate to the lack of finding stuff in the wild. Part of the reason I don't have as much Turbo stuff as other systems is the fact that I so rarely see anything in the wild. And on the few occasions I do it's usually copies of Bonk 1,2 or Keith Courage which I already own

[SignOfZeta]

I've never known this problem because I collect a lot of different stuff. G1 transformers, Gundam, Laserdisc, records, Matchbox, PlaMo and GK (mecha figure, and automotive). I'm also into making music so I have gear relating to MIDI, bass guitar, turntables, etc. Then there is my car, for autocross and track days, which is what I spend most of my money on now. For games I collect PCE, SS, DC, GBA, DS, NGP, WS, with a little bit of GC, PS2, and Wii.

I would have to be a a lot richer than I am to ever deplete these hobbies. I'm nearly 20 years into PCE and I might have half the games I want, maybe.

So, diversify, is what is what I'm saying. Sure, obey the PCE, but have a life too. Then you'll have something to fall back on.

[TheClash603]

I've never known this problem because I collect a lot of different stuff. G1 transformers, Gundam, Laserdisc, records, Matchbox, PlaMo and GK (mecha figure, and automotive). I'm also into making music so I have gear relating to MIDI, bass guitar, turntables, etc. Then there is my car, for autocross and track days, which is what I spend most of my money on now. For games I collect PCE, SS, DC, GBA, DS, NGP, WS, with a little bit of GC, PS2, and Wii.

I would have to be a a lot richer than I am to ever deplete these hobbies. I'm nearly 20 years into PCE and I might have half the games I want, maybe.

So, diversify, is what is what I'm saying. Sure, obey the PCE, but have a life too. Then you'll have something to fall back on.

Perhaps the first time I ever agreed with Zeta...  there's so much good stuff out there, you can definitely find more to collect.  PLUS!  You can always go back and play the games you already collected.

[nectarsis]

The only "depression/crisis" i have anymore is the hoarders/resellers/asshats that have gouged, and boosted the game prices to unprecedented heights.

[JapanTokei]

Vestcunt - i share the same feeling sometimes - I also grew up with some MegaDrive games so I bought a few games here and there + a in box system.  To play that is a pain, as I need to switch it b/t my Duo/PCE setup.  Honestly with how awesome Steve Snake's Kega emulator is , I wonder sometimes why I ever bought the MD setup... but there is just something so much more satisfying with the original hardware pumping the bits.. even if the MD mandates playing with those crappy mono-speaker setups. 

I can relate to this feeling but it hadn't occurred to me before.  Tracking down the few remaining games I'm interested in is less exciting mainly because there are fewer places one can find games.  When I got back into the TurboGrafx in '97, the internet was a chaotic and wholly place and most games could still be found at random brick and mortar shops in "the wild."   Even in 2005, there were still sealed copies of Bonk 3 and Dynastic Hero lurking in obscure corners of the internet and there were enough undiscovered online vendors that comparing prices on Order of the Griffon was not only possible, but a good way to save some money.  Now, there are very few good deals to be found and my search for a handful of games has degenerated into checking the "newly listed" items on ebay once a week. 

The thing that has definitely changed for me is that I do less quality gaming as my collection gets larger.  Part of it is because I find it harder to justify staring at a TV now that I'm thirty, but I think the creepy thing about collecting is that it makes gaming more work.  I beat the most games back when I had just one or two systems sitting on the living room carpet with controllers permanently attached.  Playing a video game meant turning on two power switches and putting in a cartridge.  Now I have eight systems and a stereo connected to my TV:  NES, SNES, N64, SMSII, Genesis, Turbo Duo, TG16 (so I don't wear out the card port on my Duo), and SuperGrafx (so I don't wear out my Mirai adapter).  Preparing to play a game goes something like this: "OK, Turbo Duo, let's see...TV input set to line #2 - check.  Stereo receiver on TV3 [analog] - check.  Madcatz System Selector set to #4 - yep.  OK now which one of my three Tennokoe bank cards do I have Loom saved on?  Oh shoot...I'll need my hucard converter to use the Tennokoe Bank before I can play the game."  Not to mention the fact that picking out one of 250+ games takes some time, as does wading through a drawer full of controllers.

Another big hidden cost of collecting is the fact the more stuff = more maintenance.   Because of our hobby I've learned how to solder (not necessarily a bad thing), bought several specialty screw bits, two replacement lenses, wire, capacitors, electronics cleaner, and spent countless hours learning how to keep my two Duos, three TurboExpresses, and TG16-CD running.  Fun as it is, I'd rather not worry about broken systems, faulty Turbotaps, and junk controllers.  It's no wonder that playing the combat simulator on N64 Perfect Dark for 30 minutes a week is the extent of my gaming these days.

[BlueBMW]

I've found that i spend more time acquiring games than playing them.  There is a thrill to collecting.  I guess its all about the journey and not the destination.

[TheClash603]

I've found that i spend more time acquiring games than playing them.  There is a thrill to collecting.  I guess its all about the journey and not the destination.

I think a lot of people of the early 80s generation grew up with baseball cards and video games.  Video game collecting in 2010 basically mixes the two hobbies.

Probably could make a fortune selling packs of NES and TG16 games with random Stadium Events and Magical Chase randomly inserted.

[BlueBMW]

I was born in 84 so by 91 or so I was pretty aware of video games (although I had very few, just PC Dos games and a NES)  I didn't really discover Turbo Grafx until high school.  Just happened to find a used TG16 with a few games (Keith Courage, Victory Run and Final Lap Twin) in a used game store for about $40.  After that the collecting ensued!  Then in 05 an ex-fiance insisted that I eliminate my video game collection (which i mostly did, save my Atari 800 stuff thankfully)  And so now over the last few years I've been rebuilding.  Its a lot of fun collecting the stuff I remember playing / having in the 90's and also discovering new gems that I missed, like the copy of Lords of Thunder I got in the mail yesterday.

[JapanTokei]

Clash that is a great analysis.  I defintely grewup with collecting sports cards and gaming b/t the SMS, NES/Famicom, then later TG-16/PCE.  I then quit and went to Emulators/PC and chasing chicks... but now have come back to full circle in my mid-thirties, to enjoy these childhood games once again. 

I've found that i spend more time acquiring games than playing them.  There is a thrill to collecting.  I guess its all about the journey and not the destination.

I think a lot of people of the early 80s generation grew up with baseball cards and video games.  Video game collecting in 2010 basically mixes the two hobbies.

Probably could make a fortune selling packs of NES and TG16 games with random Stadium Events and Magical Chase randomly inserted.

[SuperDeadite]

This is why it's better to go slowly.  Sure I could go to Tokyo, throw down a huge chunk of cash for all that I wanted, but then most of the game would sit in boxes for months.  What's the point?

This is why I go slowly, buy no more then 2 games at once.  This way I get good deals on stuff, and I actually devote a good amount of time to playing the games as I buy them.

[JapanTokei]

Good perspective for sure Deadite.

But if you wait to long, Tokyo's stock would be all pillaged after my recent raid and Henry's continued under-ground secret source bulk buyings + Tat's weekly Hardoff hunts

and wait even longer the $USD will worth less and less and next thing you know Yen-based PCE games will double in price... lol.  okay, we won't get into economics but I had to toss that in there with the USD:YEN rate down to 84..

This is why it's better to go slowly.  Sure I could go to Tokyo, throw down a huge chunk of cash for all that I wanted, but then most of the game would sit in boxes for months.  What's the point?

This is why I go slowly, buy no more then 2 games at once.  This way I get good deals on stuff, and I actually devote a good amount of time to playing the games as I buy them.

[SuperDeadite]

Reasons why I can wait forever:
1.  I am paid in Yen.
2.  Most of the good stuff was taken by me already anyway.  (Boxed Darius 3D Glasses for 3,500yen )
3.  Plus my PCE collection is more or less complete.  Not much else I actually want to buy.
4.  If I was desperate all released PCE games are easy to get if your willing to throw down the cash, protos
and a few Not For Sale items are the only ones you can't easily get, and Cychorider is the only one worth having
personally.
5.  Most importantly Osaka>Tokyo

[JoshTurboTrollX]

The only collection I've owned that had been close to completing was the Nintendo Virtual Boy.  lol- I think I had 16 games or something...

A few years ago I sold off my entire collection of video games.  Save the Nintendo Wii/ Dreamcast for the kids to play.  But My Saturn/TG/Nintendo(all)/CDi/Gens/MS/Atari etc etc were all sold to pay bills etc etc....

I went strictly emulation for a while for my retro gaming fix, and while it does seem to work short term,(all on a modded Xbox with 60gb HDD) It did leave an empty feeling inside.  I think half of the fun I had playing my video game collection was the actual cart, instructions, and packaging.  Along with the controllers and console, it just wasn't the same.  So in the last 12 months I've decided to start to recollect/play, but only if I can find GREAT deals.  And so far I've been getting back into the swing of things pretty well.

Last fall I fell into a Saturn and 30+games for $50.
Been finding NES/SNES/ Genesis games randomly from local thrift/ garage sales stores all the time.
Picked up a Turbo Grafx unit for $19 off the bay.  (Mispelled auction TurboGraphix 16)
picked up a busted CD unit and a WORKING Turbo Power base for $15
picked up a Atari 7800 for $20 at a pawn shop a couple months ago.
Basically stole(not really) a TI/99a Computer/Retro gaming machine and 40 games for $20 at a local thrift shop.

And I think a few others, but yeah- not obsessing, and just taking things slow and finding GREAT deals is the best way to go.  I now own about 15 Turbo games, and am working on picking up a PC Engine DUO to play CD games.  I have a way to go before I get to the 150 game mark I was at when I sold out in 2008, I may never get there, especially with all the rare titles I owned at the time... but you never know. 

Most important thing is that I'm having fun collecting, and I'm not obsessing about having every rare or expensive game.  I'm totally cool with probably never owning a US copy of Magical Chase!!

just thought I'd share my experience.

[termis]

Yeah, I guess I can imagine the feeling. 

But my view on "collecting" (if you can even call it that) is a bit different, so I don't seem to have as much of a problem.  Video gaming, and in particularly retro gaming, have been about cheap fun for me.  I have other crap to spend big money on.  I mean, I just splurged $900 on some motorcycle gear the other day -- I probably spent less than that on video games in the past 7-8 years or so, including system purchases and all.  Majority of my gaming collections (mostly PCE, SS & DC) have been from hard-off "junk" sections and yahoo jp auctions, meaning most were purchased dirt cheap, with a few "splurges" at super potato or whatever (and even then, I'd rarely spend over 2500 yen or so on a single game). 

For me, part of the fun was buying these random little gems for a few bucks here and there.  And I can't imagine this pursuit ever ending (of course, the search would eventually go to a broader scope of systems), so I dunno if I'll ever feel the whole "not as excited" feeling, unless I get bored of retro games in general.

[DragonmasterDan]

The only collection I've owned that had been close to completing was the Nintendo Virtual Boy.  lol- I think I had 16 games or something...

Heh, I actually have a complete (and I mean boxes, manuals, and cart) US Virtual Boy Collection (and a few imports).

Most important thing is that I'm having fun collecting, and I'm not obsessing about having every rare or expensive game.  I'm totally cool with probably never owning a US copy of Magical Chase!!

just thought I'd share my experience.

Yep, there's no point in spending astronomical amounts on a single game especially if it's one you don't intend to play which is the case for most people. The most I've ever spent on a single game is 125.00 and it was for a game I wanted to play. Part of the fun of collecting is finding things on sale or getting good deals on stuff, the most expensive game I own (and one of the most expensive games in general, NES Stadium Events) I found for $3.99. Part of the fun of collecting is the sport of finding good deals.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

Another good tidbit on being retro gaming frugal is on Amazon.com!  They usually have a certain amount you can spend and then you get free shipping.  We order from time to time off the site, so its a really sweet deal.  I actually was doing some birthday shopping their a couple weeks ago, and I had spent $40.  The items I had in total would be $55 with shipping, but if I spent an additional $10 I would get free shipping.  I then found a used copy of Cosmic Fantasy 2 (Disc, black CD case, instructions) for $10!!  So I actually saved $5 by adding a great Turbo CD game to my order!!

HUZZAH!!

[ZachSpears]

i usually collect a bunch of stuff i want and then get rid of it all just so i can start collecting it again later on... it's been a vicious cycle.

[SignOfZeta]

I agree with Super Deadite. I can wait pretty much forever. If these games were going to dry up and become totally impossible to find they would have done so by now.

The reality is that all of this stuff is actually easier to find than it ever has been. A popular example would be Sapphire. This game was almost impossible to find when it was released, even if you were in Tokyo the day it came out. Now...how many people will sell you this thing, today even? A lot. And Sapphire is pretty common compared to some of the super rare non-releases. Sure, maybe the shop wants $1000 for it, but at least they have it. Try getting prototypes when they are new if you didn't work for Hudson or Famitsu or someplace with access.

And the stuff will always be there because nearly all super collectors eventually dump all their stuff: see Roy Vegas.

If time made games harder to find then stuff like those Caravan Bomberman HuCards would have totally dried up ages ago, but there is almost always one on eBay.

[Roy The Sunderer]

One of my biggest regrets is getting rid of my games over the years. I've always taken care of my games and they can sometimes be tough to find complete and pristine for a decent price. I started collecting games for older systems again just a few months ago. My G.I. Joe collection sacrificed itself for the gaming cause and I'm glad I'm picking up these older games again. Searching for deals can be difficult but rewarding, it's great to find games at good prices. I have yet to find anything good at Goodwill or Salvation Army, but I'll keep checking them out because you never know when you'll find a gem or two.

[JapanTokei]

Roy - glad to see you back in the game-hunts.  I hope that nice collection of TG system + loosey hueys I bought from ya didn't set you back too much and/or duplicates you had    btw I still haven't picked it up.... I need to stop by SF soon.. grrrrr.

One of my biggest regrets is getting rid of my games over the years. I've always taken care of my games and they can sometimes be tough to find complete and pristine for a decent price. I started collecting games for older systems again just a few months ago. My G.I. Joe collection sacrificed itself for the gaming cause and I'm glad I'm picking up these older games again. Searching for deals can be difficult but rewarding, it's great to find games at good prices. I have yet to find anything good at Goodwill or Salvation Army, but I'll keep checking them out because you never know when you'll find a gem or two.

[Roy The Sunderer]

Hi Tokei. Those were doubles, so my collection wasn't affected. The Turbo collection is still growing, I'll have 6 more games in the collection next week. It's tough trying to focus on one system, there are still so many good games to pick up for the Dreamcast, Master System, Nintendo 64, etc. I enjoy all of my consoles and obtaining the games is a hobby that will keep me occupied for many years. You probably have a ton of goodies waiting for you in SF, don't you?

[blueraven]

Completion, Tokei is the end of a quest. Some people have a harder time than others regrouping and starting anew.

Playing and beating every PCE/Turbo game is how to beat the depression. Counter your accomplishment with an uber-accomplishment!

[Sparky]

Yeah, I guess I can imagine the feeling. 

But my view on "collecting" (if you can even call it that) is a bit different, so I don't seem to have as much of a problem.  Video gaming, and in particularly retro gaming, have been about cheap fun for me.  I have other crap to spend big money on.  I mean, I just splurged $900 on some motorcycle gear the other day -- I probably spent less than that on video games in the past 7-8 years or so, including system purchases and all.  Majority of my gaming collections (mostly PCE, SS & DC) have been from hard-off "junk" sections and yahoo jp auctions, meaning most were purchased dirt cheap, with a few "splurges" at super potato or whatever (and even then, I'd rarely spend over 2500 yen or so on a single game). 

For me, part of the fun was buying these random little gems for a few bucks here and there.  And I can't imagine this pursuit ever ending (of course, the search would eventually go to a broader scope of systems), so I dunno if I'll ever feel the whole "not as excited" feeling, unless I get bored of retro games in general.

Well that saves me typing my thoughts!!! yep i am with you there man... 

The hunt, cheap fines, great people i have met and traded with and being a lucky frucker, i just never tire of it or get down and out about it.

With a shrine dedicated to my goods i am in it for the long haul and yes i agree you have to be patient... my god, slow the fuck down... blowing your load all at once would leave ya feeling spent!!!

hell if i am going to pay $300+ for Dynastic hero... a burned copy with some super slick art work works just fine for me right now, until i do find it for cheap and oh i will!!!!... also loving the pce equally as much so i am covered for collecting/gaming for life

I've never known this problem because I collect a lot of different stuff.

hey look zeta said he collects? hahahaha... you collector you <<just razzing ya dude..hugs!!>>

[_Paul]

Does anyone else have dreams where you walk into some random shop and spot rare/unowned PC Engine games hidden away somewhere? Or is it just me?

[JapanTokei]

Blue - I can't agree more.  I have started that new quest!   
I beat Tenchi o Waruo in one shot the other day - I love that game.  Was attempting to do the same with Double Dragon 2 last night but I got my ass kicked... I wish that game has a save feature.

Started playing Go-Go Birdie Chance today.  Great game.  I was just playing the solo-golfing mode and found it amazingly fun and relaxing..  Glad I picked it up when I had the chance.     And also thought about beating R-Type but am too spent today to attempt that... (weather was 41 C today at Shanghai... yet my wife's Japanese wife-club dragged all us hubbies/friends and had a BBQ at the hottest damn day. I think I got heatstroke ).     

Playing and beating every PCE/Turbo game is how to beat the depression. Counter your accomplishment with an uber-accomplishment!

Roy - yes, I really need to visit SF soon or my buddie will likely toss out all those packages he is kindly holding for me 

Hi Tokei. Those were doubles, so my collection wasn't affected. The Turbo collection is still growing, I'll have 6 more games in the collection next week. It's tough trying to focus on one system, there are still so many good games to pick up for the Dreamcast, Master System, Nintendo 64, etc. I enjoy all of my consoles and obtaining the games is a hobby that will keep me occupied for many years. You probably have a ton of goodies waiting for you in SF, don't you?

[Ceti Alpha]

I started my TG/PCE collecting almost three years ago to the day in 2007, and when a couple games I'm waiting on arrive I'll be at 78 games. I don't ever really expect to ever fully complete my PCE collection, but completing the TG collection of games is definitely more attainable. I like the slow approach to collecting because I get to play the games as I get them, though I still have a lot of games I still need to play. My main goal is to get a 50% clear ratio on pcedaikasusen and go from there. 

[Sparky]

Does anyone else have dreams where you walk into some random shop and spot rare/unowned PC Engine games hidden away somewhere? Or is it just me?

hahahaha... i do have these day dreams!!!

There is this old run down place on my way to my parents cottage way up north, that has the biggest and crappest looking yard sale going for the last 5 years on these random weekends... always wanted to stop in as i have dreams of me finding a box of Magical Chasees and other goodies all waiting for me!!! ... even got as far as daydreaming who i would give them to for cheap... hahahaa

I guess i better stop in 1 time

[blueraven]

Blue - I can't agree more.  I have started that new quest!  
I beat Tenchi o Waruo in one shot the other day - I love that game.  Was attempting to do the same with Double Dragon 2 last night but I got my ass kicked... I wish that game has a save feature.

Started playing Go-Go Birdie Chance today.  Great game.  I was just playing the solo-golfing mode and found it amazingly fun and relaxing..  Glad I picked it up when I had the chance.     And also thought about beating R-Type but am too spent today to attempt that... (weather was 41 C today at Shanghai... yet my wife's Japanese wife-club dragged all us hubbies/friends and had a BBQ at the hottest damn day. I think I got heatstroke ).    

Playing and beating every PCE/Turbo game is how to beat the depression. Counter your accomplishment with an uber-accomplishment!

Good stuff

I started my American collection in 2001 (Duo, 7 games, tap, Arcade Card), then sold everything in 2004 to pay my rent. I've been collecting PCE seriously for about as long as ceti; but I tend to stay away from teh American games. Of course I've found a few hueys in my travels, but I'm only collecting PCE because it keeps things simple. I don't have the storage or the drive to collect anything else.

[DragonmasterDan]

Does anyone else have dreams where you walk into some random shop and spot rare/unowned PC Engine games hidden away somewhere? Or is it just me?

Yeah, I have had those dreams on many occasions, usually it's Turbo/PCE and Neo Geo games, then you wake up to see that those games aren't in your collection after having visited a store in your dreams and you're quite disappointed for the rest of the morning.

[Turbo D]

Does anyone else have dreams where you walk into some random shop and spot rare/unowned PC Engine games hidden away somewhere? Or is it just me?

lol, I get those quite frequently. I hate waking up and not having the games though!

[Tatsujin]

Lol. just had discovered this thread.

But I do not know humains, I'm still way too far away from a complete collection to split my head about such things

Just this much as an add, I still do enjoy it a lot ;)

[NecroPhile]

Does anyone else have dreams where you walk into some random shop and spot rare/unowned PC Engine games hidden away somewhere? Or is it just me?

It's been a while, but I've also had such dreams. 

[Tatsujin]

Does anyone else have dreams where you walk into some random shop and spot rare/unowned PC Engine games hidden away somewhere? Or is it just me?

It's been a while, but I've also had such dreams. 

The reality doesn't allow me such dreams