New SNES collector, too late?

[Michaelington]

Hey guys.
Im thinking of starting to collect SNES games. Is is too late to start a collection now? I only have about 10 SNES carts at the moment. Where is the best place to looks for games? I know Ebay, car boot sales, charity shops. I live in Bradford, Yorkshire and last time I checked all the game shops round here for rid of there retro section. Would it be best to start with something more modern and easier to get hold of. Thanks in advance for replies!

[k1ngarth3r]

It's never to late

Are you collecting boxed or unboxed?

You could just collect the carts and store them in the custom snes cases you can buy with custom cover art.

Example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SNES-CUSTOM-GAME-CASE-COVER-SLEEVE-PAL-NTSC-/170837347098#ht_1550wt_922

[Michaelington]

Im thinking of going for boxed unless I cant get hold of one then go for cart. Thanks for the link for the custom art, will probably use these.

[Michaelington]

Can anyone in the UK advise me where the best place to get games apart from eBay. Are car boots/charity shops still a place to pick up games? Also to start my collection im thinking of picking up a SNES in decent condition with manuals/packaging. Would really like a sealed one but I dont have that kind of money.

[ewjim]

Gumtree is worth a rummage, there are a few people on there that simply want rid rather than making money. Can find sone bargains

[Niteowl 2010]

It depends on if you are going for a full pal boxed set. If so it is probably not going to be cheap or easy. I have managed to collect 38 complete snes games in a matter of around eight months, without going crazy and spending too much. My first six complete games were found in a skip at work, they were all good titles to boot, those were the first snes games that I had owned in about 10 or 15 years! I only plan on buying the games that I used to enjoy and anything that is a bargain or a classic that I missed out on first time round. I figure buying retro snes games that way will serve me well

[General_Norris]

The SNES is probably the most popular retroconsole and there's a bit of a "hype premium" on some games. Collecting boxed is more expensive than it is for the NES or other cardboax platforms so considering buying loose is a pretty good option. That said, if you don't get into SNES RPGs, most good games will have a fair price boxed.

Look for pawn shops and the like. You can find everything at ebay but even though it will be faster, it will also be pricier. It's the only way to get boxed games reliably, though.

[GregPandemic]

Never too late but to get them all complete would be wildly expensive, the SNES has became crazy recently. If you just fancy collecting a full set why not go for maybe the N64 or Dreamcast? Much more achievable at a fair price.

[Saibot]

Nothing wrong with collecting SNES games.

[hydr0x]

As others have said, unless you have a pretty good income you should consider going cart only. There are a few dozen SNES games that cost 150-500 EACH. As for carboots, gumtree etc. Just so you know, coming from Bradford you'll have some very tough competition as the (other) site founder and one of our more hardcore collectors live there

[ewjim]

As others have said, unless you have a pretty good income you should consider going cart only. There are a few dozen SNES games that cost 150-500 EACH. As for carboots, gumtree etc. Just so you know, coming from Bradford you'll have some very tough competition as the (other) site founder and one of our more hardcore collectors live there

FIIIIIIIIIGHT!

[Michaelington]

Wow, what are the chances of that. Guessing the other guys wont want to give away any tips of where to go round here. Thanks for all the replies. I am a lot more interested in the SNES so thats why I chose it having owned and used one. I think I would stick with Nintendo so may consider N64 or NES. Thanks again.

[Cauterize]

*being local, my lips are sealed* hahah

Welcome aboard and no, it is never too late. Whilst many of us on here have been retro gamers for over a decade, you can still pick up some incredible finds if you're quick, lucky, and patient.

If you had asked this question 5 years ago, I would have said boot sales are your best bet. Sadly as eBay has become very mainstream, just about everyone with common sense knows that you can sell games for profit on eBay, making the competition very tough.

You're quite lucky where you are if I say so myself. On the odd occasion I have popped over to Bradford, "Second Hand Shop like Cash Converters" (Word replacement due to complaint from said company) have had items such as Atari Lynx collections which I've bought from them without question. Just keep looking, be patient, and enjoy what you do find.

[Michaelington]

Thanks for your reply Cauterize.
I will have to look around Bradford town centre, I never go there because its such a dump!
Theres tons of charity shops so I'll have a looks in there and take a look in CEX and "Second Hand Shop like Cash Converters" (Word replacement due to complaint from said company). I remember Gamestation used to have some boxed retro games but from what I've read they no longer stock retro games. I might go to some car boots too.

[robertd]

hello,

I feel I should advise you here, Im quite a serious snes collector & have about 140 ish items, I dont think its too late at all, although many games ive had well over 10 yrs & my friends dad used to import & distribute them across europe so I had a really nice supply

I personally would just go for the games you want to play in cart version - I think ebay is your only realistic place if your new to collecting, youll find that they hold their value so I wouldnt worry about what you pay as they will probably be worth more in a year

Also ask your friends as youll be suprized what turns up, I got a selaed snes console this way ! & several mint games !, just ask around, word of mouth

good luck with the collecting

if you need any advice just give me a shout, have a look at my other posts for my collection

[hydr0x]

Your whole reasoning hinges on the assumption that anyone/he will eventually sell the games again. That is a severely flawed assumption. Collecting does not equal hoarding for potential increase in value. Collecting means amassing stuff. That he could potentially sell an expensive game for more money later on (not even considering that SNES is the current fad and might actually drop in value again) is completely irrelevant if he doesn't intend to sell, it also does not lower the actual costs now. You still need the money to even buy these, no matter if they will double in value soon or not.

[robertd]

Your whole reasoning hinges on the assumption that anyone/he will eventually sell the games again. That is a severely flawed assumption. Collecting does not equal hoarding for potential increase in value. Collecting means amassing stuff. That he could potentially sell an expensive game for more money later on (not even considering that SNES is the current fad and might actually drop in value again) is completely irrelevant if he doesn't intend to sell, it also does not lower the actual costs now. You still need the money to even buy these, no matter if they will double in value soon or not.

to be honest your right, I suppose its the only way I justify in my head spending such large amounts on the games

I think it would be un-realistic for most retro gamers to collect (or as you would say hoard) massive collections of snes games as I could never afford this & wouldnt have the space to store them all, I just pick & choose my games carefully, about 50% of mine ive owned for over 10 yrs+, the snes games will never double in value im just saying he can get most of his money back if he wanted so you can play free of charge or for a minimal amount so to speak if cash was an issue & evolve the collection (thats what ive done) as over time ive had games ive fell out of love with (the ones ive sold) & ones ive loved (the ones I kept) & its always nice to have new games although my collection is nearly complete now as im very happy with the items I have (this has taken maybe 12 + yrs)