TOP 10 TIPS: 1 Network - Let People Know you are Collecting. Get on social media. 2 Be Knowledgeable - Learn to spot fakes! 3 Know how to Advance Search Online 4 Everybody going Right? Go LEFT! 5 Buy in Bulk - Sell off the Excess 6 Go to Expos - They can often be worth the flight & hotel 7 Buy in Parts - loose carts + manuals + boxes = CIB 8 Collect Imports when possible 9 Get to know store owners - They can be your allies 10 Be Patient have fun - You don’t have to be rich to build a collection
The shitty thing about collecting now and for the past 4-5 yes is that it has become increasingly popular. Everyone in their mid 20s-early 30s wants to experience that nostalgia and with that game prices have become rediculous! Games I've spent 1.00 or 2.00 now are 10-15 and that's just uncommons.
+MetalJesusRocks Can you do a video on how to play PAL games on your system or what to do since there is very little info out there for those of us who are just getting into PAL? I actually bought one recently called TechnoMage from UK and I cant play it but there are swap tricks out there on the net but I don't want to do that to my PS1 and burn it up. Please good sir :)
+GamingTaylor This is a very good point. For a while I was able to drive around 3 times a week to thrift stores and pawn shops, but not everybody would have the time or WANT to do that. Sometimes it is better to just bite the bullet and pay retail prices.
If I were a collector I wouldn't play the copies that I collect, but another copy of the game to be used for this purpose, or a digital copy, because CDs are extremely fragile and I would be afraid to get scratches on it or ruin it in an accident
Only buy games that you are going to play and have fun with. I don't see the point in buying a lot of shitty games that i am never going to play just so i can have a full collection.
+Serpico's Beard I agree. I need to definitely go through my current collection and get rid of the ones I haven't played in a while. I used to collect just for the sake of collecting, but lately I've been more about working all the time (around 40-50 hours a week at 2 jobs) and I don't nearly have the energy to game.
Spektrum I used to do that too but now i only buy games that i know are good. I collect for the PS2 and of course i picked up good games like Metal gear solid 3, Okami and Maximo but i'm not going to get games like Shadow the hedgehog and Cat Woman because they are garbage and i will never play them.
You have a nerd collecting metropolis. Funko Headquarters in Everette, Nintendo HQ Remond and Microsoft and Steven Bills. Additionally; Pink Gorilla in University of Washington District and International District.
I live in Oregon, and I don't know if other parts of Oregon are good for it, but retro game collecting is kind of garbage here. I think we've got around 3 or 4 dedicated game stores in the general area (including other nearby towns), and they're kind of crappy. Whether it be crappy selection, unfriendly atmosphere with a setup that makes you feel like they don't even want you there, marking up games to ridiculous prices when they really aren't worth the materials they were made with, or clearly not being in touch with what most retro gamers tend to want (putting their big price stickers right on the labels of cartridges and whatnot), pretty much none of them end up being worth visiting unless you're already super close by and decide that you want to deal with that stuff. ._. Pretty jealous of people that live in the Seattle area. Seems like a great place for retro game enthusiasts.
Great Video MJ. I have a few rules for my collecting. IMO it makes things easier for me on space and my spouse: Don't collect for everything under the sun: You only have so much space. I used to collect for NES, SNES, Dreamcast, OG Xbox, Gamecube, N64, Xbox 360, GBA, and DS. Anything I could get my hands on that was a decent deal I'd pick up. I got caught up in picking up games because they were sought after, rather than buying what I was actually going to play. Buy what you play: Pick up games that you know you're going to play, unless it's a $5 game you'd like to try. I don't know if other collectors do this, but if I don't think I'm going to play a game, I won't buy it. This leaves space for games I really do want. Don't Settle: I used to pick up a game every time I went to a local game store because if I didn't I felt like the trip was wasted. Now if I don't see anything I'm looking for I won't settle. Give me your tired, your poor: When it comes to Genesis games, most of the time I'm not a stickler for box condition or labels, as long as it doesn't look like it was nuked with a atomic bomb. Beat up games deserve a home too as long as they work. I recently pick a Comix Zone cart with a slightly damaged label over a pristine one because it was a few bucks cheaper. Sorry for the long post. Hopes this helps!
Tip 1 and 9 payed off for me, I collect NTSC-J Dreamcast games, I'm a regular customer at a local game store where I get my current-gen and retro games. I've been going to the store for years and got to know all the staff. I've told them recently that I am after Japanese DC games. One day I got a text from the boss there saying that a guy brought in loads of games and he has put them aside for me. So I went over to the store, went into their backroom and picked up 10+ DC games at a good price! Thank you Metal Jesus, You certainly do rock!
My advice is just buy games that you like... Collecting games is a nice hobby just don't go super crazy with it. Give yourself a limit, budget your money. You don't have to buy a completed Genesis collection if you like the Genesis. You dont have to get every NES game if you like the NES just buy the games you are interested in and move on. If the game you like is worth a lot of money just buy reproduction cart or download the emulation or just avoid it.
I would never buy a reproduction cart, you may as well just download a ROM then, but I agree with the rest. Don't buy games in a specific genre if you're bored by them, e.g. racing or sports games. Buy the games you want to play
Bad thing about reproduction carts like N64 you can't save your game if it's not an authentic cartridge. There's a battery on the inside of the cartridge that holds the saved data.
One thing also, if you collect for the DS a great option is the “discount” shelves at GameStop where the cartridges are put in those yellow paper CD sleeves. It takes a bit to sift through all the garbage games in those shelves, but you eventually come across some really good finds for cheap. For example, last week I did that and I came across Elite Beat Agents for $4 and Hotel Dusk: Room 215 for $8. For comparison, EBA is $34 on Amazon and Hotel Dusk is about $65. They were cart only, but you can find standalone boxes for each game for sale on eBay for only a couple bucks. It’s a very cost-effective way to collect for the DS.
+temujin9000 My basement includes this technology call "A Door". It's kinda common here in Washington State, but I don't think it's made it to all parts of the globe yet. Be ready! It can change your life! ;)
MetalJesusRocks HAHA LMAO XD BTW, MetalJesus, if your looking for Namco Museum DS, I got a copy that might be up for grabs soon. I'm trying to get a physical copy of Terraria for the Nintendo 3DS, with no real luck so far in terms of condition. Paid $40 for a physical from GameStop, and it was wasted because it was in poor condition and had another persons saves on it. It sucked going to GameStop. A bit of advice to fuel the collecting efforts, try 2nd and Charles if you haven't already, they got games galore in the $5 price range, and the games, even though they are used, come complete and in PERFECT condition.
#1 rule = only collect games you really want to play. This will save you a lot of time, money and space. I will never understand the mentality of collecting the entire game library for a console just to have all the crappy games collecting dust on your shelf.
I know this is 2 years later lol but I agree. I only collect what I want to play but I understand why people collect shitty titles as well. They want to have a complete collection. Saying you own every game released for that console is super appealing to some people.
You are right my friend a collector will collect evrerything about his interest and all their stuff, like accesories, skins, posters, figures, manuals, etc.. a collector has all the things that they think its important for his collection
I agree with the original post. You don't buy a game just to have it, you buy it to play it. I'm building a DS/3DS game collection right now, and recently got Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story for the DS and I'm loving it. I guess my point is: if you're going to buy a game for your collection, make sure you want the game.
@@MetalJesusRocks I want to collect PS1 games with box and manuals with a new condition but in eBay or Amazon each game has 100 to $400 so what can I do is there any way to collect PS1 games like new condition with a reasonable prices please tell me please
I absolutely agree with the entire list, specially #10. It is absolutely true that you don't have to be rich to build a collection. I'm a person of modest means, working one temp job to another with a minimal wage and my video game collection exceeds 600 games at the moment. It took years to get this many games but I call the stores and ask questions, wait until prices drop on games I want, and I shop around to make sure I'm getting the best deal.
Mine is more psychology, but collect for yourself, not just so you can show a photo on Facebook or Instagram of all the 'finds' you found and be that guy who gets a lot of likes and comments on those pics. You're more apt to buy stuff just for the sake of buying stuff.
I hope one day you will be able to do a game room tour with metal jesus rock. I thank you for all the video you have done with him and I hope you will do a top ten gems from the nes. it like a game that will stand the test of time like 5o years from now. there a game that nobody talk about is the game you had to use with the mat on the floor and have you ever used the mat for nes if you have would you ever play it on metal jesus rocks. that would be great I hope that you keep on doing hiden gems videos always .good bye from Mathew jeffs ont o thank for your cool words on youtub do more that all.
I think a good tip at the moment is buy up the games on the last generation that you've always wanted to play but never got around to. The most those games cost is maybe $10. I recently sold all my PS3 games cause I knew I never would want to play them but then I realized how much I love the God of War games. Well I picked up the collection disks for how much I sold the three disks for. I've also finally got around to playing borderlands because I saw it and was $5 and the second game is was like $7. To be honest I probably won't buy new consoles now till the next generation is released. It almost seems like a pointless thing to buy and pay the amount of money these companies charge. When you can just be a decade behind and pay almost nothing.
yeah I completely agree. I think a big one, or at least for the past couple of years, is the Wii. I think those prices will only rise, but you can find a lot of good deals currently. Your point about the last generation of games is true, you even see a lot of triple A titles slowly (or quickly) price dropping mainly because of release on current generation consoles or low demand because everyone who wants a copy already owns a copy
+Capn Cummings Currently, PS3 is the best time to acquire games you missed out from last generation. Their deals on games and accessories are reasons why Sony is going to discontinue the system next year; this includes shutting down PSN.
+Nicomanism PSN isn't getting discontinued... our gamer tags are linked to them for PSP, PS3, PS-VITA & PS4... why would they do that? There are also more games for sale digitally for the PSP/PSVITA than were ever physically available and likewise for the PS3 & PS4 consoles as well. no PSN also kills your trophies as well
Only buy on Ebay when your desperate for certain games. If you live in the UK go on Gumtree, or Freecycle. Freecycle is a site for people who want to get rid of their old shit, and some guy gave me a broken Megadrive (fixed it) with 20 games. All of which worked, and it was free.
Tip 4 is the best advice I too live by. Go after the games that are off people's radar. Most collectors I know are not patient and want what everyone else wants.
I know as an emulation fan (just a poor boy, from a poor family with bugger all money) I'm not your target audience, but Metal Jesus (PBUH), I think I have become a disciple. I can't stop watching your videos. Thanks very much to you and the MJR crew for everything you do.
my biggest suggestion to anyone trying to collect video games is to be sure to wake up early and hit garage sales! it is amazing what people will want to sell for very cheap or even just give away
@@Super_Xaiyan687 I am in a more rual area so the best ways is the news paper/Facebook and just driving around early in the morning looking for signs! Good luck to ya!
Here is my first attempt at networking. I am looking for SNES, NES, PS1, and Sega Saturn RPGs primarily. I do buy and sell, and I have traveled from California to Seattle to conventions and local shops to browse. Collecting games has been a massive experience and throw back to my childhood, as well as given me the opportunity to share my childhood with my kid. I always get a kick out of Metal Jesus videos, so keep them coming!
I've been looking for Conker Live and Reloaded on Xbox, because Bad Fur Day is one of my favorite games ever, but $60 Canadian is too much for me, so I've held it off. Yesterday, my brother found it for $3 at Value Village and got it for me. Great video Metal Jesus! Keep 'em coming!
Great tips, the best tip honestly is networking as that just broadens your net. Getting to know other collectors and knowing what they like and need and vice versa is critical. I make trades with friends constantly and get stuff with them in mind all the time knowing I can use the games as trade bait. Also getting to know store owners is huge too b/c if they know you are a collector and become friends with them, they will give you better deals.
I've been collecting for over four years now- and its always Metal Jesus Rocks videos and site that always bring me back to foundational truths and center me. Perhaps his heavy metal zen of video game collecting is really what we all need!
Man, even though I'm only starting my collection, and so far am proud of what I have, every time I see your videos, makes my collection seem like shit lol
I agree completely with this entire video! My mother is part of my network lol If I tell her I'm collecting something she will be on the lookout while out at yardsales or wherever so goes. It's actually really nice. And I agree with you, I love the hunt of trying to find games out in the wild and then only paying $1-$5 for it knowing it's worth 10x that. It's really a satisfying feeling!
Love your videos! You’re one of the coolest, most wholesome and genuine dudes in the RUclips gaming community. Your videos have helped me so much with my own collection and youve really been an inspiration to me. Thanks for everything you do!
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know a tool to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost my login password. I love any help you can offer me.
I didn't really take your networking tip seriously but when i told my aunt i was in the retro game scene she gave me her snes and n64 w/ games controllers and boxes. Ill never doubt you again :D
Dude, you're the best! I've been collecting for a long time. And u taught me quite a few new things. So i wanted to say thanks for the great info and sharing your ideas and knowledge. And your right about being patient. Enjoy the games you've acquired until new ones eventually come around, bc they will.
Tip 1 is probably the strongest one, straight out the bat. I used to depend on eBay so much, but once I started letting people in my town know I collect retro games, asking about on SALE/ SWAP style groups, it's most definitely given me great scores, etc. I'm UK based too, so this just applies across the board if you really work at it.
Fantastic Video, Thank You! Another tip I've found as a new collector is, "buy the games you want to play first". What I mean by that is putting up the big bucks to get the games that you want to play, instead of buying fillers. It's like, "Quality or Quantity". I've found myself in collecting in general buying a bunch of games I like or filler games because I didn't want to drop big bucks on a game I love. But in the end buying a bunch of mediocre games added up to way more than the game I really wanted in the first place.
+Cryptorax Warp Zone in Dublin, OH currently has a copy of Deep Fear for the Saturn. You can find them online or via facebook. My favorite gamestore in central Ohio by far. Happy hunting!
The 1st tip is actually really helpful. When I was talking about how I wanted to get back into playing my old GBA games to my friend, my friend gave me his original DS because he didn't need it. I also asked my other friend for Gamecube games and she gave me her loose Gamecube games because she didn't have a gamecube to play them and I got games like Luigi's Mansion, Sonic Adventure DX, and Sonic Riders. I was going to get the Zelda Collector's Edition Promotional Disc but her brother wanted to keep it so he could sell it because he knew it was rare. It sucks how I didn't get it because I would die to have it but he was smart enough to sell it so it's cool how he knows about it.
The best tip. Don't be a hoarder... seriously. Then make a realistic list of the best games you wan't, and actually have time to beat in on lifetime. Then, only buy one game at a time, and not another until you beat it. You may also find a game you want in a bulk lot, and sell the rest. You might get it for free at a significant discount. The key is NEVER BUYING A GAME UNTIL YOU BEAT THE LAST ONE PURCHASED.
You are the man. I have been taking tips from your channel as far as collecting goes, and then I see a collecting how to video... priceless to me. Thank you for the pointers, and thank you for all of the videos. Keep them coming!!
+Jan Smolinski Another tip for you: I've been looking for Super Metroid for a long time, but it's very expensive. Not surprisingly, considering it's one of the most popular SNES-games of all time. However, I did find a very cheap copy of the Super Famicom-version on eBay. It won't play on an European SNES (where I live), but the box is very similar to the EU version, and I'll mostly just have it on display anyway. Plus, if I really want to play it, there are other ways. I could, ahem, download the ROM and play it on PC, or play it on an emulator console like the RetroN5. The point is you can save a ton of money by thinking a bit outside the box. You just need to consider why you are getting the games in the first place. If it's just for display, does it matter if you can play it or not?
***** Exactly, and that brings us to anotehr tip. If you are serious about collecting retro games, do the crazy thing and start collecting for both last-gen and current gen. Yep, XBone, PS4 and Wii U, and even PSVita and 3DS. You can already get a lot of current-gen games dirt cheap today, but what will they cost in a decade? Modern games will be retro games one day, and if you are serious about being a retro game collector, you'll thank me in 20 years. :-)
+ChrisRedfield no, they won't it's pretty unanimous among retro collectors that 7th gen and up won't be as sought after like 6th gen and older. I can list the things most people look for on X systems because they are either A: popular, B: rare or C: an RPG, especially for SNES, PS1 and PS2.
I have been collecting for about 2 years and I love it!! I moved from Spokane over here to SeaTac and there are a lot more pawn shops and theft stores and I find some crazy good stuff on the cheap. My most favorite tip that you said was get connected with the community and the reason why is because I have never thought of it and it's a really good idea. Thanks Metal Jesus you do Rock!!
MNMXD well that'st rue but for the collector that doesnt mind taking them out of boxes its the same figure too which is cool. Just another way to get them
I really want to thanks you for this guide,I have just started collecting some things after the summer and following your tips I have already got some consoles and games without spending too much money,there are really good bargains out there and I have discovered that even here in Italy a retro game collector can pick up good things without using ebay (retrogame goods are really overpriced on ebay). You are the best MJR.
Living in Switzerland sucks in this regard. Theres 1 retro shop where I have to drive 40 mins and that's it. I mostly have to purchase my stuff on the internet etc. and Ebay sellers can be dicks sometimes.
Good tips man! 👍 My tips to start: - Concentrate on 1 or 2 systems, or a brand. - Buy only what you REALLY like. You won't have enough space or money otherwise. - Be patient and don't be frustrated. You collection will grow on the long run.
It's crap here in England. Not really and 'pawn' shops as such. A few 'cash converter' shops sell the odd PS1 or PS2 game, but they are even more pricey than on eBay. Aside from that you've got CEX - Games which look like they've been strapped to the bottom of someone's shoes whilst they've done a round-the-world hike...
Cex is awful😂 There is a cash converter in Birmingham where I live and it’s not the most attractive place either. Theres plenty of retro gaming stores though. Luckily there’s a few in my area!
I got some great deals in pawn shops when I was in England a year ago. Nothing special or rare but games that I wanted at less than a quarter of their eBay prices
in my experience pw3uk no but i can only speak for small towns in cornwall. look in places like cex, cash converters and game stores. I find a good chunk of what i buy in market stores so check them out to.
I'm from Australia and a lot of the PAL games you speak of I had as a kid... Needless to say my STUPID self got rid of them when I became a "sports jock" in my late teens/early twenties. Just didn't care at that point. Now I'm 38yo and kind of just decided that I want to surround myself with in a room with my old consoles and games (which all I have left is my Sega Dreamcast, X Box 360, and a bunch of games for nearly EVERY console). Dude, your channel has inspired me to get RIGHT back into it and replace my sporting trophies with the ONLY trophies I EVER really cared about. I think you what I'm talkin' bout
Super helpful video, thanks. I appreciate your kindness. I think you're right about making friends with store owners and other collectors. It doesn't do any good to get so competitive that you push people away, like some game collectors do. It helps to have a support network of people with similar interests. :)
Huge tip for finding retro stores: I travel a lot for work and magic the gathering. One thing I do is use Google Maps and search for "Video Game Store -gamestop -redbox -walmart" and check my route to my destination. Just like what MetalJesus said with the negative operator, it will subtract those stores from the search results so you just get the good stuff. I've been doing this for about a year and I've found dozens of stores/flea markets and gotten to meet and visit gobs of cool stores I would have had a hard time finding otherwise. You can also do this to find pawn shops and thiftstores but I have horrible luck finding good pickups there.
Speaking of networking. I recently acquired my first Gamecube and immediately took to Facebook to see if any of my friends were interested in getting rid of/selling their old games. I didn't have a ton of luck with the Gamecube, but one of my friends messaged me and eventually offered me an old box of games he had in his basement for $50. In it was a working NES (after I replaced the cartridge slot connector), SNES, Sega CDX, and several games for each system, including Zelda for the NES, Dune and Dune CD for the Genesis, and my favorite, Snatcher for the Sega CD. If I hadn't made the post, he would have never known I was a collector.
Paying it forward and helping fellow gamers and collectors is by far the best way. Bartering I find to be one of the best ways to get a game you're looking for.
I want to say one thing about tip #10 I don't buy from game shops but do buy from thrifts and yard sales/flea markets. 2 of my prized pieces are a twisted edge complete and a sealed polar express for gba. They are not expensive at all but I found those at a yard sale and it's hard to come by finding sealed games around here! Thanks for the extensive tips metal Jesus. ROCK ON MAN!
Networking and the buying in bulks is what helps me most. Especially networking is a very mighty weapon (not only for collecting games but in all areas of life).
I'm kind of bummed. I can't imagine how depressed 163 people at this point that disliked this video. I am sorry you are so miserable. I wish life was better to you.
The tips of networking and getting to know the store owners has served me well too. When I was collecting the older Pokemon games, I went to Facebook and my friends just up and gave me the ones I didn't have. I was looking for Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories so a friend of mine can experience the first 3 games without getting a PS3 or a PS4. I got to know the owner of a retro store in the area and they called me when they got a copy in.
+MetalJesusRocks I use to own the Dreamcast when I was 16 and sold it to a friend. Should have kept it, it was a bad mistake. Basically starting without any games for the console. I want the popular titles but looking for the best deals. Any recommendations on great games to own?
100% agree about the network. Got so many games and systems from friends, friends of friends, family, colleagues guys I do karate and judo with, people on facebook ... I leave flyers on shop noticeboards too
buying and selling big lots is how ive got my Switch collection for basically $100. started by buying cheap Switch console and game bundles to just keep single games like BOTW and Mario Odyssey, etc. then selling the console only and/or remaining games for the amount I bought it for or more and then found a nicely priced big bundle with the 4 or 5 good games i had, kept the Switch console and sold the games individually. now I have a boxed Nintendo Switch with Neon and Grey joycons, a Pro controller, a carry case and 6 amazing games that basically cost me less then $100
Awww shit dogg. Good luck! Thats a pricey one for sure. I stopped with that console 5 or 6 years ago. Some of my favs are skies of arcadia, eternal darkness, baiten kaitos origins, and the resident evil series. They also fucked up the mega man collections. The jump and shoot buttons are reversed. Patience is key with that console. Also they can't really be cleaned which is a pain in the ass.
Heroic Defeat I agree with the mega man part they really fucked up with mega man but Really the only reason why I want a game cube cause they have really good sonic games
I enjoy the fact that I was able to figure out most of these on my own. So all I can say is I highly agree! I'm not personally a full on collector but use these principles when buying stuff I'm looking for.
As a European, I'd *never* recommend PAL releases of pre-2006 games. They're fucking *garbage*. At least if you're planning on actually _playing_ them and not just have them sitting on a shelf. Every game that would normally run at 30 frames per second in the NTSC release, runs at 25 fps in the PAL release, and a game that would run at 60 fps in NTSC, runs at 50 fps in PAL instead. And believe me, those 5 or 10 frames make a *HUGE* difference. All this is due to the difference in utility frequency, which is 60 Hz in the US, and 50 Hz in Europe. The music is also slowed down due to this (you can hear the difference here ruclips.net/video/nSSYo0npMhA/видео.html). Furthermore, the image is usually squished and stretched to fit the wider ratio of 576i. No. Just... No. Now, certain sixth-generation games (PS2/Xbox/GC) *do* support 480p which gets rid of all these issues, but don't count on it, check the Wikipedia lists: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_2_games_with_HD_support en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_games_with_HD_support en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_GameCube_games_with_480p_and_16:9_support Having said that, feel free to import portable games and post-sixth-generations games (if they're region-free or if you have a PAL system), these ones are A-OK.
+Yoshinatsu Ryou True, that is sad. But the trick is, unless you had an experience with NTSC, or just saw it in action, you really don't know the difference. You're getting used to what you have. Also, I don't have a FPS counter integrated into my vision, so it's not easy to see less frames, but maaan, when I found out about emulation, and then tried to play Sonic or Streets of rage on my Megadrive, I just couldn't, because music slowdown for me is insanely obvious. But it only affects chiptune music, if you have games with CD audio, it runs at the same speed in any version.
I’ve noticed it with guitars too. You want your first one so bad, end up buying another... and people are like, “oh you like guitars...?” and are just happy to find a good home for theirs. I skipped a generation and went from XBOX to PS4 three years ago, and friends who are now upgrading have been lately giving me everything I missed, a PS3 and 360.
i think its important for people who collect primarily online, to NOT limit themselves to just one site e.g Ebay. there are loads of sites out there, just type ps2 games etc in google and scroll down a bit. this has helped me a whole lot. Thanks for the vid man it was very incitefull, awesome as always.
+Nerven1986 Pawn Shops / Brokers in the US are places you can take your personal belonging and trade them for a cash $$ loan for a very high interest rate. If you don't repay the loan in full with interest by a certain date, the Pawn Shop sells your stuff. They tend to be places where tools, video games, music instruments, movies, TVs, jewelry and everything else is sold
+William Hughes They have been described as that...or you could say they provide a service that is obviously needed in the marketplace. Interesting fact: Pawn Shops loan more money than all the banks of the US combined!
I was a collector of comics, figures, cards, pins, posters for 11+ years (1992-2003). Now I collect retro video games since 2010 to the present. As a collector, we all discover and make our own plans as to how we can get what we love and the number 10 of your list sum set up for collecting. Thanks! ( #10. Be Patient have fun - You don’t have to be rich to build a collection )
Took your advice and started buying into PS3 about a year ago,noticing now some of the prices are slowly raising on certain games. So now i'm buying into hidden gems while RPG prices go crazy. "Going left while everyone else goes right". Up to 105 games now for PS3 and iv'e spent a fraction of current pricing. Rock on.
Agree 110% with #1 (well, all of them really but especially #1.) Some of the best items in my collection were simply donations from friends who knew I collected and just wanted to give it a good home instead of throwing it away and going through the hassle of trying to sell it. As for #4 - it definitely worked out well for me. I love the Colecovision (my first console) but since it's off a lot of people's radars, I've gotten a lot of great Colecovision items for next-to-nothing.
MJR hit the nail on the with be patient and have fun tip, Anyone with the cash can just go out and buy what they want, but if you take your time source the games for a lower price over a longer period of time I feel you value that collection more as it has taken a lot of time and effort to accumulate, as opposed to clicking buy on e-bay and setting no reasonable limit on spending just to have a collection, those kind of collectors get bored a few years later and move on to collecting something new..............and plus finding great deals on games is always fun.
Totally agree on online buying. It's a great resource but nothing beats just holding off and finding a deal in your area. All about the thrill of the hunt.
Very good tips. Nice game collection you have there too! I would also like to add that anyone with a nice-size collection of video games should hold onto them. I collected games from 1997 to 2005 when I unfortunately and reluctantly had to sell my collection off and I still wish I had those games. Nowadays, the barrier is much higher to get games at a decent price for popular systems and it just blows my mind what is considered "rare" here in the present. I want to get back into it soon once I get more situated. The hunt, the cover art, the smell of brand new game manuals, using all of the different types of controllers, the custom installers that were embedded in physical runs of PC games...I miss all of it.
This is awesome. I'm a huge retro gamer and i collect for gamecube, PS1, and PS2. Gamecube game collection is rather small but PS1 and PS2 collection is slowly growing.
I love collecting and I do understand having patience is a must especially if you don't have the income. I don't have a certain system I look or want to collect just because I don't want to stress about getting those super rare and/or expensive games. Right now I have just been collecting PS3 games since you have get a lot of great games for a couple of dollars now.
Great video Metal Jesus! I've been seriously collecting for almost 3 years now, and I'm currently focusing on 360 and Wii titles. Some Wii games are getting super pricey/hard to find complete, and it gets frustrating at times, but at the end of the day I can sit back and be happy about how far I've come. (Over 200 360/Wii games combined!) Thanks for the tips and happy hunting! :3
+MetalJesusRocks these are very good advises and tips from a pro collector. It was real nice to see SEGA Retro Gamers Facebook group shown during the video. Thank you, it is much appreciated! Some of the tips I've been using myself to collect at very low cost are Tip#4 "Everybody going Right? Go LEFT!" ~ I've collected over 600 original Xbox games for the last 5-6 months costing me only a dollar or two for CIB games; combined with tip#5 "Buy in Bulk - Sell off the Excess" ~ During game hunts, always get CIB games that you know others may be looking for or that could help " auto-finance" your own hunts and even help you pay for some of those more expensive games; and also, it is also a great way to trade games with others to keep your network alive. Overall, the #1 tip is the best! Networking is key for collecting (and everything else such as looking for a new job). The more people know about you and what you like the more success you will have ~ participating in various events, shake hands with many people, exchange info, keeping in touch using social networks, help others find what they are looking for and many good things will come to you. Cheers!
These three could be pretty obvious to some veterans, but could be useful to many who are quite fresh in game collecting: 1. Some wireless accessories require receivers, double check before you made the purchase(you can always hunt for the receivers later, but some can be quite hard to be obtained on its own[At the right price]). 2. If the games you want to buy has sticker adhesives and whatnot, and it turned you off to buy it... Fret not! You can find something like Goo Gone or De-Solv-it to remove it. Tips: Goo Gone can be quite strong(since it has acetone) and might ruin the paper cover if you apply on it. Try buying something like De-Solv-it that doesn't have any acetone in it. (Also, don't rub too hard and too frequent or it will wash out the colors). 3. This is for region-free collectors like me(who travel between two countries) - This might be worth mentioning, but some DS games are DSi enhanced games. Meaning, it's region-locked if you try to play it on your DSi. The best way to tell if if the games are DSi enhance is by checking if the cartridge has "TWL-..." instead on "NTR..." written on it. However those games are still playable on normal DS and DS lite. It is best to bring either one of those devices around when you're hunting for some DS games overseas.
I travel around Indiana for my job, and I love making my rounds in each town I visit. I’ve found tons of diamonds in the rough (I also collect musical gear) with minimal time invested. Be patient to find what you want out in the wild. It’s worth it. I have so many stories where I chickened out of an eBay or Mercari buy at retail price, only to find it within the same week for dirt cheap (or even the same day; my copy of Klonoa 2, for example). Also, don’t be afraid to hit the pawn shops and ask for broken consoles! I got my first OG XB1 (with wireless controller and hookups) for $10 because it was “stuck in internet mode.” Of course, that isn’t a thing, so, as expected, there were no issues. I also got my Mario Kart 8 Wii U console for $10 because it had a cracked gamepad screen. $15 bucks, 2 beers, and 30 minutes later...
Makes me think of coin collecting which networking works so well especially when you have your go to store because they know you and sometimes give deals
Definitely agree with #10. Sure, I could buy most games on eBay, but it's more exciting to stumble upon that game you've been looking for in the wild. I tend to make it a priority to purchase games from local retailers to help them out as well. I haven't specifically asked them to set aside games for me yet, but I've shopped enough with them that they sometimes give me discounts.
Totally with you on the Imports. In trying to complete my Mega Man collection, I've found that Rock Man runs at circa 1/5 the price regardless if you're buying it here or from a Japanese seller. The tangential benefit of that pin adapter or PAL converter is being able to get and play games that were not released for the North American market.
TOP 10 TIPS:
1 Network - Let People Know you are Collecting. Get on social media.
2 Be Knowledgeable - Learn to spot fakes!
3 Know how to Advance Search Online
4 Everybody going Right? Go LEFT!
5 Buy in Bulk - Sell off the Excess
6 Go to Expos - They can often be worth the flight & hotel
7 Buy in Parts - loose carts + manuals + boxes = CIB
8 Collect Imports when possible
9 Get to know store owners - They can be your allies
10 Be Patient have fun - You don’t have to be rich to build a collection
+MetalJesusRocks Great video, love your channel
+MetalJesusRocks Tip 1 and Tip 9 are truth. Let others know that you're looking, for sure.
The shitty thing about collecting now and for the past 4-5 yes is that it has become increasingly popular. Everyone in their mid 20s-early 30s wants to experience that nostalgia and with that game prices have become rediculous! Games I've spent 1.00 or 2.00 now are 10-15 and that's just uncommons.
+MetalJesusRocks Can you do a video on how to play PAL games on your system or what to do since there is very little info out there for those of us who are just getting into PAL? I actually bought one recently called TechnoMage from UK and I cant play it but there are swap tricks out there on the net but I don't want to do that to my PS1 and burn it up. Please good sir :)
Easiest thing is to import a ps2 slim model from UK, you can use a cheap travel plug with no need for power converter. Do not a import Ps2 fat.
"no one is looking for psp games right now" instantly psp games go up by 50% haha
Step 11: Consider the cost of your time, don't spend all day trying to find deals and spend more time playing the games you own. :)
+GamingTaylor This is a very good point. For a while I was able to drive around 3 times a week to thrift stores and pawn shops, but not everybody would have the time or WANT to do that. Sometimes it is better to just bite the bullet and pay retail prices.
If I were a collector I wouldn't play the copies that I collect, but another copy of the game to be used for this purpose, or a digital copy, because CDs are extremely fragile and I would be afraid to get scratches on it or ruin it in an accident
I find myself falling into this. Good advice!
GamingTaylor lol says u who has around 12,000 games and I bet u haven’t played most of them
That step 11 is right one, only if you own already some games that you want to play/haven't play yet.
I have no intention on collecting games, I'm just fascinated by how you do it. It's like I'm seeing your process
Send me your games please. Thanks.
This guy seems like a blast to play a game with
He needs a video of eating cheetos and playing random shit pretending there is no cam. Show me how you game mj!!!!
Especially, 'Seaman' von Dreamkast. Das ist spiel der gute!!
like 7 minutes in heaven?
Only buy games that you are going to play and have fun with. I don't see the point in buying a lot of shitty games that i am never going to play just so i can have a full collection.
+Serpico's Beard I agree. I need to definitely go through my current collection and get rid of the ones I haven't played in a while. I used to collect just for the sake of collecting, but lately I've been more about working all the time (around 40-50 hours a week at 2 jobs) and I don't nearly have the energy to game.
+Spektrum I will buy if got anything great...
Spektrum I used to do that too but now i only buy games that i know are good. I collect for the PS2 and of course i picked up good games like Metal gear solid 3, Okami and Maximo but i'm not going to get games like Shadow the hedgehog and Cat Woman because they are garbage and i will never play them.
Quality over Quantity anytime"
+Serpico's Beard buying stuff that you are not gonna use is the definition of collecting
The number 1 tip for collecting retro games: LIVE IN SEATTLE
Redmond right here.
You have a nerd collecting metropolis. Funko Headquarters in Everette, Nintendo HQ Remond and Microsoft and Steven Bills. Additionally; Pink Gorilla in University of Washington District and International District.
Did anybody ever steal from you,from your collection
I live in Oregon, and I don't know if other parts of Oregon are good for it, but retro game collecting is kind of garbage here. I think we've got around 3 or 4 dedicated game stores in the general area (including other nearby towns), and they're kind of crappy. Whether it be crappy selection, unfriendly atmosphere with a setup that makes you feel like they don't even want you there, marking up games to ridiculous prices when they really aren't worth the materials they were made with, or clearly not being in touch with what most retro gamers tend to want (putting their big price stickers right on the labels of cartridges and whatnot), pretty much none of them end up being worth visiting unless you're already super close by and decide that you want to deal with that stuff. ._.
Pretty jealous of people that live in the Seattle area. Seems like a great place for retro game enthusiasts.
The number 1 tip for selling retro games...Go to gaming conventions in Seattle!
Great Video MJ. I have a few rules for my collecting. IMO it makes things easier for me on space and my spouse:
Don't collect for everything under the sun: You only have so much space. I used to collect for NES, SNES, Dreamcast, OG Xbox, Gamecube, N64, Xbox 360, GBA, and DS. Anything I could get my hands on that was a decent deal I'd pick up. I got caught up in picking up games because they were sought after, rather than buying what I was actually going to play.
Buy what you play: Pick up games that you know you're going to play, unless it's a $5 game you'd like to try. I don't know if other collectors do this, but if I don't think I'm going to play a game, I won't buy it. This leaves space for games I really do want.
Don't Settle: I used to pick up a game every time I went to a local game store because if I didn't I felt like the trip was wasted. Now if I don't see anything I'm looking for I won't settle.
Give me your tired, your poor: When it comes to Genesis games, most of the time I'm not a stickler for box condition or labels, as long as it doesn't look like it was nuked with a atomic bomb. Beat up games deserve a home too as long as they work. I recently pick a Comix Zone cart with a slightly damaged label over a pristine one because it was a few bucks cheaper.
Sorry for the long post. Hopes this helps!
Tip 1 and 9 payed off for me, I collect NTSC-J Dreamcast games, I'm a regular customer at a local game store where I get my current-gen and retro games. I've been going to the store for years and got to know all the staff. I've told them recently that I am after Japanese DC games. One day I got a text from the boss there saying that a guy brought in loads of games and he has put them aside for me. So I went over to the store, went into their backroom and picked up 10+ DC games at a good price!
Thank you Metal Jesus, You certainly do rock!
My advice is just buy games that you like... Collecting games is a nice hobby just don't go super crazy with it. Give yourself a limit, budget your money. You don't have to buy a completed Genesis collection if you like the Genesis. You dont have to get every NES game if you like the NES just buy the games you are interested in and move on. If the game you like is worth a lot of money just buy reproduction cart or download the emulation or just avoid it.
Good advice
I would never buy a reproduction cart, you may as well just download a ROM then, but I agree with the rest. Don't buy games in a specific genre if you're bored by them, e.g. racing or sports games. Buy the games you want to play
someday i wanna collect all xbox 360 games and consoles but only because i started on there
I agree. Especially when you consider that many of the really rare expensive games are actually pretty terrible games much of the time.
Bad thing about reproduction carts like N64 you can't save your game if it's not an authentic cartridge. There's a battery on the inside of the cartridge that holds the saved data.
One thing also, if you collect for the DS a great option is the “discount” shelves at GameStop where the cartridges are put in those yellow paper CD sleeves. It takes a bit to sift through all the garbage games in those shelves, but you eventually come across some really good finds for cheap. For example, last week I did that and I came across Elite Beat Agents for $4 and Hotel Dusk: Room 215 for $8. For comparison, EBA is $34 on Amazon and Hotel Dusk is about $65. They were cart only, but you can find standalone boxes for each game for sale on eBay for only a couple bucks. It’s a very cost-effective way to collect for the DS.
how do i network from the dark void of my basement?
+temujin9000 My basement includes this technology call "A Door". It's kinda common here in Washington State, but I don't think it's made it to all parts of the globe yet. Be ready! It can change your life! ;)
MetalJesusRocks HAHA LMAO XD BTW, MetalJesus, if your looking for Namco Museum DS, I got a copy that might be up for grabs soon. I'm trying to get a physical copy of Terraria for the Nintendo 3DS, with no real luck so far in terms of condition. Paid $40 for a physical from GameStop, and it was wasted because it was in poor condition and had another persons saves on it. It sucked going to GameStop. A bit of advice to fuel the collecting efforts, try 2nd and Charles if you haven't already, they got games galore in the $5 price range, and the games, even though they are used, come complete and in PERFECT condition.
Phone.
temujin9000 ssssssssocial MEDIA !!!!!!!!!! Lol
@@MetalJesusRocks So, Metal Jesus, How about if you have significant mobility issues? I'm not really a Facebook sort of person.
#1 rule = only collect games you really want to play. This will save you a lot of time, money and space. I will never understand the mentality of collecting the entire game library for a console just to have all the crappy games collecting dust on your shelf.
Narniak69 i agree. I wouldn’t want any more than 1000 games (on every platform including steam)
I know this is 2 years later lol but I agree. I only collect what I want to play but I understand why people collect shitty titles as well. They want to have a complete collection. Saying you own every game released for that console is super appealing to some people.
You are right my friend a collector will collect evrerything about his interest and all their stuff, like accesories, skins, posters, figures, manuals, etc.. a collector has all the things that they think its important for his collection
Think you mean average collector bc gamers actually play the shit out of games not collect items in real life
I agree with the original post. You don't buy a game just to have it, you buy it to play it. I'm building a DS/3DS game collection right now, and recently got Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story for the DS and I'm loving it. I guess my point is: if you're going to buy a game for your collection, make sure you want the game.
The immortal John Hancock approves of this message
+John Hancock I think you and I did a Panel once that was very similar in content, right?
+MetalJesusRocks yes we did, and I have done other panels like this as well for the past five years. Good info.
Fuck you
@@MetalJesusRocks I want to collect PS1 games with box and manuals with a new condition but in eBay or Amazon each game has 100 to $400 so what can I do is there any way to collect PS1 games like new condition with a reasonable prices please tell me please
"This is Billy Bob Tanley and I approve this message" - BBT Network
I absolutely agree with the entire list, specially #10. It is absolutely true that you don't have to be rich to build a collection. I'm a person of modest means, working one temp job to another with a minimal wage and my video game collection exceeds 600 games at the moment. It took years to get this many games but I call the stores and ask questions, wait until prices drop on games I want, and I shop around to make sure I'm getting the best deal.
The hardest part is walking away when a bunch of games are at decent prices.
Mine is more psychology, but collect for yourself, not just so you can show a photo on Facebook or Instagram of all the 'finds' you found and be that guy who gets a lot of likes and comments on those pics. You're more apt to buy stuff just for the sake of buying stuff.
Great point Riggs.
+John Riggs: RIGG'd Games UNFOLLOWED!
+John Riggs: RIGG'd Games I'm gonna take a picture of the lint in my bellybutton and post it on Instagram as my next "find" :)
MetalJesusRocks just found this 2 years later and im literally lmfao! But in all honesty Riggs is kinda right though.
I hope one day you will be able to do a game room tour with metal jesus rock. I thank you for all the video you have done with him and I hope you will do a top ten gems from the nes. it like a game that will stand the test of time like 5o years from now. there a game that nobody talk about is the game you had to use with the mat on the floor and have you ever used the mat for nes if you have would you ever play it on metal jesus rocks. that would be great I hope that you keep on doing hiden gems videos always .good bye from Mathew jeffs ont o thank for your cool words on youtub do more that all.
I think a good tip at the moment is buy up the games on the last generation that you've always wanted to play but never got around to. The most those games cost is maybe $10. I recently sold all my PS3 games cause I knew I never would want to play them but then I realized how much I love the God of War games. Well I picked up the collection disks for how much I sold the three disks for. I've also finally got around to playing borderlands because I saw it and was $5 and the second game is was like $7. To be honest I probably won't buy new consoles now till the next generation is released. It almost seems like a pointless thing to buy and pay the amount of money these companies charge. When you can just be a decade behind and pay almost nothing.
yeah I completely agree. I think a big one, or at least for the past couple of years, is the Wii. I think those prices will only rise, but you can find a lot of good deals currently. Your point about the last generation of games is true, you even see a lot of triple A titles slowly (or quickly) price dropping mainly because of release on current generation consoles or low demand because everyone who wants a copy already owns a copy
+Capn Cummings Check out Walmart's, theres a few by me that have 75% off last gen games.
Yeah I've been looking. Our's seems to be already out of stock.
+Capn Cummings
Currently, PS3 is the best time to acquire games you missed out from last generation.
Their deals on games and accessories are reasons why Sony is going to discontinue the system next year; this includes shutting down PSN.
+Nicomanism PSN isn't getting discontinued... our gamer tags are linked to them for PSP, PS3, PS-VITA & PS4... why would they do that? There are also more games for sale digitally for the PSP/PSVITA than were ever physically available and likewise for the PS3 & PS4 consoles as well.
no PSN also kills your trophies as well
Only buy on Ebay when your desperate for certain games. If you live in the UK go on Gumtree, or Freecycle. Freecycle is a site for people who want to get rid of their old shit, and some guy gave me a broken Megadrive (fixed it) with 20 games. All of which worked, and it was free.
There is 0 results for anything I search on those sites my city is dead
iwilleatyopussy Yeah im an asshole.
If I can't find it in the wild then its just not meant to be!
kingmatt2563 You can get more scammed on gumtree
Tip 4 is the best advice I too live by. Go after the games that are off people's radar. Most collectors I know are not patient and want what everyone else wants.
I know as an emulation fan (just a poor boy, from a poor family with bugger all money) I'm not your target audience, but Metal Jesus (PBUH), I think I have become a disciple. I can't stop watching your videos.
Thanks very much to you and the MJR crew for everything you do.
my biggest suggestion to anyone trying to collect video games is to be sure to wake up early and hit garage sales! it is amazing what people will want to sell for very cheap or even just give away
What's the best way to find garage sales in your area?
@@Super_Xaiyan687 I am in a more rual area so the best ways is the news paper/Facebook and just driving around early in the morning looking for signs! Good luck to ya!
Here is my first attempt at networking. I am looking for SNES, NES, PS1, and Sega Saturn RPGs primarily. I do buy and sell, and I have traveled from California to Seattle to conventions and local shops to browse. Collecting games has been a massive experience and throw back to my childhood, as well as given me the opportunity to share my childhood with my kid.
I always get a kick out of Metal Jesus videos, so keep them coming!
Resellers: DONT WATCH THIS!!
I've been looking for Conker Live and Reloaded on Xbox, because Bad Fur Day is one of my favorite games ever, but $60 Canadian is too much for me, so I've held it off. Yesterday, my brother found it for $3 at Value Village and got it for me. Great video Metal Jesus! Keep 'em coming!
Great tips, the best tip honestly is networking as that just broadens your net. Getting to know other collectors and knowing what they like and need and vice versa is critical. I make trades with friends constantly and get stuff with them in mind all the time knowing I can use the games as trade bait. Also getting to know store owners is huge too b/c if they know you are a collector and become friends with them, they will give you better deals.
I've been collecting for over four years now- and its always Metal Jesus Rocks videos and site that always bring me back to foundational truths and center me. Perhaps his heavy metal zen of video game collecting is really what we all need!
Man, even though I'm only starting my collection, and so far am proud of what I have, every time I see your videos, makes my collection seem like shit lol
It's amazing how quickly your collection can grow. I've only been collecting a few years and I'm pretty happy with what I've already accumulated.
Being patient really is the best tip on this list. You might not always come home with something but when you do, its a gem for cheap.
I never knew that vertical line was called a "pike symbol"
Retreaux Nintendeaux pipe, actually :)
I agree completely with this entire video! My mother is part of my network lol If I tell her I'm collecting something she will be on the lookout while out at yardsales or wherever so goes. It's actually really nice. And I agree with you, I love the hunt of trying to find games out in the wild and then only paying $1-$5 for it knowing it's worth 10x that. It's really a satisfying feeling!
I've been collecting Wii, PS2 and PSP games over the last few years - some great stuff for next to nothing!
Love your videos! You’re one of the coolest, most wholesome and genuine dudes in the RUclips gaming community. Your videos have helped me so much with my own collection and youve really been an inspiration to me. Thanks for everything you do!
a fantastic video for rookie collectors such as myself. keep up the great work metal jesus!
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know a tool to get back into an Instagram account??
I somehow lost my login password. I love any help you can offer me.
@Titan Mathew instablaster :)
I didn't really take your networking tip seriously but when i told my aunt i was in the retro game scene she gave me her snes and n64 w/ games controllers and boxes. Ill never doubt you again :D
very honest tips.......not a lot of collectors do that by the way
kudos
As an 18 year old who hasn't really had too much experience but has ALWAYS loved 'retro' games, I found this highly helpful! Thank you MJR!
Thanks for the SRG shoutout! I changed my name last night to the vision of Metal Jesus.
"Legally"
Dude, you're the best! I've been collecting for a long time. And u taught me quite a few new things. So i wanted to say thanks for the great info and sharing your ideas and knowledge. And your right about being patient. Enjoy the games you've acquired until new ones eventually come around, bc they will.
I got a tip! If you are going to the game store, don't forget your pants!!! Thank you and good day :) Heroic Defeat approves this message ;)
#NOPANTS
Going in with no pants can often get you discounts as well.... but not the kind you are looking for lol
Tip 1 is probably the strongest one, straight out the bat. I used to depend on eBay so much, but once I started letting people in my town know I collect retro games, asking about on SALE/ SWAP style groups, it's most definitely given me great scores, etc.
I'm UK based too, so this just applies across the board if you really work at it.
Thanks for the sega group plug. We are a very knowledgeable group.
Fantastic Video, Thank You! Another tip I've found as a new collector is, "buy the games you want to play first". What I mean by that is putting up the big bucks to get the games that you want to play, instead of buying fillers. It's like, "Quality or Quantity". I've found myself in collecting in general buying a bunch of games I like or filler games because I didn't want to drop big bucks on a game I love. But in the end buying a bunch of mediocre games added up to way more than the game I really wanted in the first place.
Thanks for the tips!
Metal Jesus rocks , just wanna say your channel rocks man keep it up
I used your tips to get Panzer Dragoon Saga.
+Rodenknight Seriously? That's great news!! That game is still on my short list of must owns - Congrats!
+Rodenknight me too! But to get Deep Fear (instead Panzer Dragoon Saga) for Saturn.
+Cryptorax Warp Zone in Dublin, OH currently has a copy of Deep Fear for the Saturn. You can find them online or via facebook. My favorite gamestore in central Ohio by far. Happy hunting!
+Rodenknight nice ive always wanted to own/try that game since its release
Don't forget, 'Girls und Panzer' recommended by Melon Pan.
The 1st tip is actually really helpful. When I was talking about how I wanted to get back into playing my old GBA games to my friend, my friend gave me his original DS because he didn't need it. I also asked my other friend for Gamecube games and she gave me her loose Gamecube games because she didn't have a gamecube to play them and I got games like Luigi's Mansion, Sonic Adventure DX, and Sonic Riders. I was going to get the Zelda Collector's Edition Promotional Disc but her brother wanted to keep it so he could sell it because he knew it was rare. It sucks how I didn't get it because I would die to have it but he was smart enough to sell it so it's cool how he knows about it.
The best tip. Don't be a hoarder... seriously. Then make a realistic list of the best games you wan't, and actually have time to beat in on lifetime. Then, only buy one game at a time, and not another until you beat it. You may also find a game you want in a bulk lot, and sell the rest. You might get it for free at a significant discount. The key is NEVER BUYING A GAME UNTIL YOU BEAT THE LAST ONE PURCHASED.
I'm totally failing on that last point. I keep telling myself I'm just collecting right now lol
Collecting video games isn't hoarding
You are the man. I have been taking tips from your channel as far as collecting goes, and then I see a collecting how to video... priceless to me. Thank you for the pointers, and thank you for all of the videos. Keep them coming!!
Wow! That's a really helpful video. I will definitely try everything out!
+Jan Smolinski Another tip for you: I've been looking for Super Metroid for a long time, but it's very expensive. Not surprisingly, considering it's one of the most popular SNES-games of all time. However, I did find a very cheap copy of the Super Famicom-version on eBay. It won't play on an European SNES (where I live), but the box is very similar to the EU version, and I'll mostly just have it on display anyway.
Plus, if I really want to play it, there are other ways. I could, ahem, download the ROM and play it on PC, or play it on an emulator console like the RetroN5. The point is you can save a ton of money by thinking a bit outside the box. You just need to consider why you are getting the games in the first place. If it's just for display, does it matter if you can play it or not?
ChrisRedfield Thank you!
***** Exactly, and that brings us to anotehr tip. If you are serious about collecting retro games, do the crazy thing and start collecting for both last-gen and current gen. Yep, XBone, PS4 and Wii U, and even PSVita and 3DS. You can already get a lot of current-gen games dirt cheap today, but what will they cost in a decade? Modern games will be retro games one day, and if you are serious about being a retro game collector, you'll thank me in 20 years. :-)
+ChrisRedfield no, they won't it's pretty unanimous among retro collectors that 7th gen and up won't be as sought after like 6th gen and older. I can list the things most people look for on X systems because they are either A: popular, B: rare or C: an RPG, especially for SNES, PS1 and PS2.
bigslim7777 Good luck finding the PipBoy edition of Fallout 4 (mint condition, of course) in 25 years...
I have been collecting for about 2 years and I love it!! I moved from Spokane over here to SeaTac and there are a lot more pawn shops and theft stores and I find some crazy good stuff on the cheap. My most favorite tip that you said was get connected with the community and the reason why is because I have never thought of it and it's a really good idea. Thanks Metal Jesus you do Rock!!
what do you collect for?
+ethan keal I collect for any console.
The international tip is also very good for Amiibo collectors. The imports can be cheaper and play just the same
Most people just collect and look at them
MNMXD well that'st rue but for the collector that doesnt mind taking them out of boxes its the same figure too which is cool. Just another way to get them
I really want to thanks you for this guide,I have just started collecting some things after the summer and following your tips I have already got some consoles and games without spending too much money,there are really good bargains out there and I have discovered that even here in Italy a retro game collector can pick up good things without using ebay (retrogame goods are really overpriced on ebay).
You are the best MJR.
Living in Switzerland sucks in this regard. Theres 1 retro shop where I have to drive 40 mins and that's it. I mostly have to purchase my stuff on the internet etc. and Ebay sellers can be dicks sometimes.
Good tips man! 👍
My tips to start:
- Concentrate on 1 or 2 systems, or a brand.
- Buy only what you REALLY like. You won't have enough space or money otherwise.
- Be patient and don't be frustrated. You collection will grow on the long run.
It's crap here in England. Not really and 'pawn' shops as such. A few 'cash converter' shops sell the odd PS1 or PS2 game, but they are even more pricey than on eBay. Aside from that you've got CEX - Games which look like they've been strapped to the bottom of someone's shoes whilst they've done a round-the-world hike...
ItsJimmis cex selling SNES for £115
Cex is awful😂 There is a cash converter in Birmingham where I live and it’s not the most attractive place either. Theres plenty of retro gaming stores though. Luckily there’s a few in my area!
I got some great deals in pawn shops when I was in England a year ago. Nothing special or rare but games that I wanted at less than a quarter of their eBay prices
in my experience pw3uk no but i can only speak for small towns in cornwall. look in places like cex, cash converters and game stores. I find a good chunk of what i buy in market stores so check them out to.
Hey everybody listen to this cool dude, I've been collecting for almost 24 years and all these tips are legit, thank you MetalJesus for what you do!
30 years? Man... And here I thought you were in your mid twenties, you handsome looking devil you. :)
20s? lmfaooooooooooooo chilll
I'm from Australia and a lot of the PAL games you speak of I had as a kid... Needless to say my STUPID self got rid of them when I became a "sports jock" in my late teens/early twenties. Just didn't care at that point. Now I'm 38yo and kind of just decided that I want to surround myself with in a room with my old consoles and games (which all I have left is my Sega Dreamcast, X Box 360, and a bunch of games for nearly EVERY console). Dude, your channel has inspired me to get RIGHT back into it and replace my sporting trophies with the ONLY trophies I EVER really cared about. I think you what I'm talkin' bout
This is the best damn video youve ever uploaded.... just saying....
Brett Hicks psst..... hey Brett hahah 😂😂
Super helpful video, thanks. I appreciate your kindness. I think you're right about making friends with store owners and other collectors. It doesn't do any good to get so competitive that you push people away, like some game collectors do. It helps to have a support network of people with similar interests. :)
Shhhh, don't tell them about the PSP. I still have a lot to collect for it. ;)
Chris Redfield same man😂
Chris Redfield psp is a legend I need to start collecting for it.
Huge tip for finding retro stores: I travel a lot for work and magic the gathering. One thing I do is use Google Maps and search for "Video Game Store -gamestop -redbox -walmart" and check my route to my destination. Just like what MetalJesus said with the negative operator, it will subtract those stores from the search results so you just get the good stuff.
I've been doing this for about a year and I've found dozens of stores/flea markets and gotten to meet and visit gobs of cool stores I would have had a hard time finding otherwise.
You can also do this to find pawn shops and thiftstores but I have horrible luck finding good pickups there.
Goodwill Salvation Army Flea Markets.. Done
Don't forget the cheap dime store, Value Village.
Speaking of networking. I recently acquired my first Gamecube and immediately took to Facebook to see if any of my friends were interested in getting rid of/selling their old games. I didn't have a ton of luck with the Gamecube, but one of my friends messaged me and eventually offered me an old box of games he had in his basement for $50. In it was a working NES (after I replaced the cartridge slot connector), SNES, Sega CDX, and several games for each system, including Zelda for the NES, Dune and Dune CD for the Genesis, and my favorite, Snatcher for the Sega CD. If I hadn't made the post, he would have never known I was a collector.
Thanks for the tips.
Paying it forward and helping fellow gamers and collectors is by far the best way. Bartering I find to be one of the best ways to get a game you're looking for.
You're videos are so damn interesting. lol
I want to say one thing about tip #10 I don't buy from game shops but do buy from thrifts and yard sales/flea markets. 2 of my prized pieces are a twisted edge complete and a sealed polar express for gba. They are not expensive at all but I found those at a yard sale and it's hard to come by finding sealed games around here! Thanks for the extensive tips metal Jesus. ROCK ON MAN!
I like metal jebus.
medal jeebus
Networking and the buying in bulks is what helps me most. Especially networking is a very mighty weapon (not only for collecting games but in all areas of life).
I'm kind of bummed. I can't imagine how depressed 163 people at this point that disliked this video. I am sorry you are so miserable. I wish life was better to you.
The tips of networking and getting to know the store owners has served me well too. When I was collecting the older Pokemon games, I went to Facebook and my friends just up and gave me the ones I didn't have. I was looking for Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories so a friend of mine can experience the first 3 games without getting a PS3 or a PS4. I got to know the owner of a retro store in the area and they called me when they got a copy in.
I just picked up a Sega Dreamcast with two controllers for $25. Did I get a good deal @metaljesusrocks?
+Matthew Lentz That seems like a good deal to me! Now...what games are you gonna get for the Dreamcast?
+MetalJesusRocks I use to own the Dreamcast when I was 16 and sold it to a friend. Should have kept it, it was a bad mistake. Basically starting without any games for the console. I want the popular titles but looking for the best deals. Any recommendations on great games to own?
+Matthew Lentz he has a video where he talks about games to buy for just about every console. Check It out!
+MetalJesusRocks The answer is always skies of arcadia and dino crisis XD
@ C Ziggy, those two games are great titles but I'm really just being patient and waiting for a great deal.
100% agree about the network. Got so many games and systems from friends, friends of friends, family, colleagues guys I do karate and judo with, people on facebook ... I leave flyers on shop noticeboards too
can it be? I'm first!!
oh wait, I don't care :/
buying and selling big lots is how ive got my Switch collection for basically $100. started by buying cheap Switch console and game bundles to just keep single games like BOTW and Mario Odyssey, etc. then selling the console only and/or remaining games for the amount I bought it for or more and then found a nicely priced big bundle with the 4 or 5 good games i had, kept the Switch console and sold the games individually. now I have a boxed Nintendo Switch with Neon and Grey joycons, a Pro controller, a carry case and 6 amazing games that basically cost me less then $100
I'm starting my game collection
What console will be your first main focus?
Heroic Defeat game cube
Awww shit dogg. Good luck! Thats a pricey one for sure. I stopped with that console 5 or 6 years ago. Some of my favs are skies of arcadia, eternal darkness, baiten kaitos origins, and the resident evil series. They also fucked up the mega man collections. The jump and shoot buttons are reversed. Patience is key with that console. Also they can't really be cleaned which is a pain in the ass.
Heroic Defeat I agree
with the mega man part
they really fucked up with mega man but Really the only reason why I want a game cube cause they have really good sonic games
What ones are good? I wanna know if I have them lol. I know the sonic collection is only three bucks which is nice on the wallet.
I enjoy the fact that I was able to figure out most of these on my own. So all I can say is I highly agree! I'm not personally a full on collector but use these principles when buying stuff I'm looking for.
As a European, I'd *never* recommend PAL releases of pre-2006 games. They're fucking *garbage*.
At least if you're planning on actually _playing_ them and not just have them sitting on a shelf.
Every game that would normally run at 30 frames per second in the NTSC release, runs at 25 fps in the PAL release, and a game that would run at 60 fps in NTSC, runs at 50 fps in PAL instead. And believe me, those 5 or 10 frames make a *HUGE* difference. All this is due to the difference in utility frequency, which is 60 Hz in the US, and 50 Hz in Europe. The music is also slowed down due to this (you can hear the difference here ruclips.net/video/nSSYo0npMhA/видео.html). Furthermore, the image is usually squished and stretched to fit the wider ratio of 576i.
No. Just... No.
Now, certain sixth-generation games (PS2/Xbox/GC) *do* support 480p which gets rid of all these issues, but don't count on it, check the Wikipedia lists:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_2_games_with_HD_support
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_games_with_HD_support
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_GameCube_games_with_480p_and_16:9_support
Having said that, feel free to import portable games and post-sixth-generations games (if they're region-free or if you have a PAL system), these ones are A-OK.
+Yoshinatsu Ryou I've heard that. It's crazy that games were downgraded in your territory.
+Yoshinatsu Ryou True, that is sad. But the trick is, unless you had an experience with NTSC, or just saw it in action, you really don't know the difference. You're getting used to what you have. Also, I don't have a FPS counter integrated into my vision, so it's not easy to see less frames, but maaan, when I found out about emulation, and then tried to play Sonic or Streets of rage on my Megadrive, I just couldn't, because music slowdown for me is insanely obvious. But it only affects chiptune music, if you have games with CD audio, it runs at the same speed in any version.
I play many gamecube games at 60Hz thanks to my RGB cable and scart - HDMI converter
+nintendokings Hmm. Doesn't the SCART to HDMI converter add some input lag?
+Yoshinatsu Ryou It does, which would bother me, but filthy casuals don't care.
I’ve noticed it with guitars too. You want your first one so bad, end up buying another... and people are like, “oh you like guitars...?” and are just happy to find a good home for theirs.
I skipped a generation and went from XBOX to PS4 three years ago, and friends who are now upgrading have been lately giving me everything I missed, a PS3 and 360.
woud be awesome if Jezus was my dad we woud just be collecting together going to expos it woud be awesome
James Lenos How do you know he isn’t?
i think its important for people who collect primarily online, to NOT limit themselves to just one site e.g Ebay. there are loads of sites out there, just type ps2 games etc in google and scroll down a bit. this has helped me a whole lot.
Thanks for the vid man it was very incitefull, awesome as always.
What pawn shop mean?
+Nerven1986 Pawn Shops / Brokers in the US are places you can take your personal belonging and trade them for a cash $$ loan for a very high interest rate. If you don't repay the loan in full with interest by a certain date, the Pawn Shop sells your stuff. They tend to be places where tools, video games, music instruments, movies, TVs, jewelry and everything else is sold
+William Hughes They have been described as that...or you could say they provide a service that is obviously needed in the marketplace. Interesting fact: Pawn Shops loan more money than all the banks of the US combined!
+William Hughes yeah, -Pawn will be used highly on my searches thanks to Metal Jesus.
+Nerven1986 Pawn shops are essentially a bunch of 12 year olds sitting in a shop screaming "stupid noob"; at customers and shooting them with BB guns.
This is basically bullshit. It is a voluntary exchange of value and everybody involved has agency. That you think it is unfair is your own problem.
I was a collector of comics, figures, cards, pins, posters for 11+ years (1992-2003). Now I collect retro video games since 2010 to the present. As a collector, we all discover and make our own plans as to how we can get what we love and the number 10 of your list sum set up for collecting. Thanks! ( #10. Be Patient have fun - You don’t have to be rich to build a collection )
Well, I'm still a collector of most the things I mention before. :)
When I saw the title I knew it would be a must watch, and I am definitely glad that I did! Great chance to hear some tips from the best 😄
Took your advice and started buying into PS3 about a year ago,noticing now some of the prices are slowly raising on certain games. So now i'm buying into hidden gems while RPG prices go crazy. "Going left while everyone else goes right". Up to 105 games now for PS3 and iv'e spent a fraction of current pricing. Rock on.
Agree 110% with #1 (well, all of them really but especially #1.) Some of the best items in my collection were simply donations from friends who knew I collected and just wanted to give it a good home instead of throwing it away and going through the hassle of trying to sell it.
As for #4 - it definitely worked out well for me. I love the Colecovision (my first console) but since it's off a lot of people's radars, I've gotten a lot of great Colecovision items for next-to-nothing.
MJR hit the nail on the with be patient and have fun tip, Anyone with the cash can just go out and buy what they want, but if you take your time source the games for a lower price over a longer period of time I feel you value that collection more as it has taken a lot of time and effort to accumulate, as opposed to clicking buy on e-bay and setting no reasonable limit on spending just to have a collection, those kind of collectors get bored a few years later and move on to collecting something new..............and plus finding great deals on games is always fun.
I think it's really important to play at least once all the games you have. Thanks!!! Great video!
Totally agree on online buying. It's a great resource but nothing beats just holding off and finding a deal in your area. All about the thrill of the hunt.
Very good tips. Nice game collection you have there too! I would also like to add that anyone with a nice-size collection of video games should hold onto them. I collected games from 1997 to 2005 when I unfortunately and reluctantly had to sell my collection off and I still wish I had those games. Nowadays, the barrier is much higher to get games at a decent price for popular systems and it just blows my mind what is considered "rare" here in the present.
I want to get back into it soon once I get more situated. The hunt, the cover art, the smell of brand new game manuals, using all of the different types of controllers, the custom installers that were embedded in physical runs of PC games...I miss all of it.
This is awesome. I'm a huge retro gamer and i collect for gamecube, PS1, and PS2. Gamecube game collection is rather small but PS1 and PS2 collection is slowly growing.
I love collecting and I do understand having patience is a must especially if you don't have the income. I don't have a certain system I look or want to collect just because I don't want to stress about getting those super rare and/or expensive games. Right now I have just been collecting PS3 games since you have get a lot of great games for a couple of dollars now.
Great video Metal Jesus! I've been seriously collecting for almost 3 years now, and I'm currently focusing on 360 and Wii titles. Some Wii games are getting super pricey/hard to find complete, and it gets frustrating at times, but at the end of the day I can sit back and be happy about how far I've come. (Over 200 360/Wii games combined!) Thanks for the tips and happy hunting! :3
+MetalJesusRocks these are very good advises and tips from a pro collector. It was real nice to see SEGA Retro Gamers Facebook group shown during the video. Thank you, it is much appreciated!
Some of the tips I've been using myself to collect at very low cost are Tip#4 "Everybody going Right? Go LEFT!" ~ I've collected over 600 original Xbox games for the last 5-6 months costing me only a dollar or two for CIB games; combined with tip#5 "Buy in Bulk - Sell off the Excess" ~ During game hunts, always get CIB games that you know others may be looking for or that could help " auto-finance" your own hunts and even help you pay for some of those more expensive games; and also, it is also a great way to trade games with others to keep your network alive.
Overall, the #1 tip is the best! Networking is key for collecting (and everything else such as looking for a new job). The more people know about you and what you like the more success you will have ~ participating in various events, shake hands with many people, exchange info, keeping in touch using social networks, help others find what they are looking for and many good things will come to you.
Cheers!
These three could be pretty obvious to some veterans, but could be useful to many who are quite fresh in game collecting:
1. Some wireless accessories require receivers, double check before you made the purchase(you can always hunt for the receivers later, but some can be quite hard to be obtained on its own[At the right price]).
2. If the games you want to buy has sticker adhesives and whatnot, and it turned you off to buy it... Fret not! You can find something like Goo Gone or De-Solv-it to remove it. Tips: Goo Gone can be quite strong(since it has acetone) and might ruin the paper cover if you apply on it. Try buying something like De-Solv-it that doesn't have any acetone in it.
(Also, don't rub too hard and too frequent or it will wash out the colors).
3. This is for region-free collectors like me(who travel between two countries) - This might be worth mentioning, but some DS games are DSi enhanced games. Meaning, it's region-locked if you try to play it on your DSi. The best way to tell if if the games are DSi enhance is by checking if the cartridge has "TWL-..." instead on "NTR..." written on it. However those games are still playable on normal DS and DS lite. It is best to bring either one of those devices around when you're hunting for some DS games overseas.
I travel around Indiana for my job, and I love making my rounds in each town I visit. I’ve found tons of diamonds in the rough (I also collect musical gear) with minimal time invested.
Be patient to find what you want out in the wild. It’s worth it. I have so many stories where I chickened out of an eBay or Mercari buy at retail price, only to find it within the same week for dirt cheap (or even the same day; my copy of Klonoa 2, for example).
Also, don’t be afraid to hit the pawn shops and ask for broken consoles! I got my first OG XB1 (with wireless controller and hookups) for $10 because it was “stuck in internet mode.”
Of course, that isn’t a thing, so, as expected, there were no issues.
I also got my Mario Kart 8 Wii U console for $10 because it had a cracked gamepad screen. $15 bucks, 2 beers, and 30 minutes later...
Makes me think of coin collecting which networking works so well especially when you have your go to store because they know you and sometimes give deals
Definitely agree with #10. Sure, I could buy most games on eBay, but it's more exciting to stumble upon that game you've been looking for in the wild. I tend to make it a priority to purchase games from local retailers to help them out as well. I haven't specifically asked them to set aside games for me yet, but I've shopped enough with them that they sometimes give me discounts.
Totally with you on the Imports. In trying to complete my Mega Man collection, I've found that Rock Man runs at circa 1/5 the price regardless if you're buying it here or from a Japanese seller. The tangential benefit of that pin adapter or PAL converter is being able to get and play games that were not released for the North American market.