So, you want to start your own retro game collection. It’s an admirable task, but starting from the ground up can get difficult. There are many things to keep in mind and some minor details that can easily be overlooked if one isn’t careful.

Let us at Mega Cat Studios give you the tips needed to start your own collection! As avid retro gaming fans, we’ll help you build up your retro library.

Know the Value

Before you start, always learn the value of what you intend to collect. Rarer items go for more, and prices go up exponentially if they’re limited edition or hard to get. The condition of an item also influences its price—items in their packaging, untouched and still pristine, will sell more than dirty, banged-up secondhands. 

Courtesy of Glenn Cartsen-Peters

Once you’ve identified what you’re willing to collect, do the research required to avoid paying for more than an item’s worth. The last thing you want to do is pay for more than an item’s worth!

Learn the History

A collection is meaningless if you don’t value its history! Much of its value comes from knowing its circumstances, so learn what you want to collect whenever possible. You’ll not only learn more about your collection, but you’ll also be able to assess its value better once you know more about it. 

Find Reliable Sellers

After you’ve decided what you’ll buy, scout around for some sellers! Reliable contacts are hard to find, and you’ll want people who you know are true to their word. Retro game collections can get pretty expensive, and the last thing you want is to meet a scammer or someone looking to pawn off reproduction items as authentic.

Haggle the Price

Once you’ve found someone you can trust, always try to haggle down the price. People will be lenient on pricing if you bargain with them respectfully. Buying in bulk also helps, and while you can’t haggle everything down, lowering the price of already expensive items will save you a pretty penny in the long run.

Courtesy of rupixen

Store Safely

Of course, your retro collection is meaningless without a safe place to store it. Glass cabinets, sealed boxes, and display cases are all part and parcel of the collecting experience. Keep them away from dust or moisture, and clean them now and then to preserve their quality. Nothing messes up a retro console or cartridge more than dust or water, so be sure to keep them in a safe place whenever possible.

Courtesy of Patrick Schneider

Spend Within Means

Above all else, never spend more than you can afford. Having a collection’s great, but maintaining your collection while under crippling will never end well. Don’t lose sight of what’s essential; always be frugal, even when buying your favorite retro collectibles. It might suck passing up on a great deal, but collecting is a long-term hobby, and there’s no need to rush. Your collection will fill with time. All you need is to be patient and wait for the right opportunities.

Here at Mega Cat Studios, we take retro gaming seriously and are always glad to share this hobby with others. If these have proved helpful, be sure to check out our website, and check out our own collection of games inspired by the classics! Meet like-minded enthusiasts like yourself, learn to grow your own collection, and build the build it up one classic game at a time!