Starting to collect retro games

I decide to start collecting retro games. What system should i start with first?

Its becoming an expensive hobby. I started about 3 years ago and it just continues to get more and more expensive. I started with SNES which has skyrocketed. But lately have been enjoying gamecube.

If you are an rpg fan its hard to beat snes/ps1

Prices are going down for the most part.

SNES and Genesis is what I would recommend.

@ankor77: Yeah, I'm a big rpg fan. was thinking about ps1

I would consider a PS2 instead since it can also play PS1 games. And PS2 has some great RPGs as well.

Sega Genesis/Sega Mega Drive and Sega Dreamcast would be good to start. Nintendo NES and SNES and Playstations 1 and 2 are always good retro systems to begin with. Even the Original Xbox from 2001 would be a good beginng

But you could really go Retro with Atari systems 2600 or really chance it with the Jaguar or NEC's Turbo Graphx 16 which was a Japan hit, But ended up a niche console in North America.

RPG's is best on PlayStation one, PlayStation 2 and Super Nintendo. While Shoot them ups are best on Sega Saturn, sega Genesis, NEC Turbo Graphics 16, and PlayStation.

Platformers are best on SNES and Sega genesis. So it depends on what retro game genres you want to play. Sports sims were the best on Sega Genesis

So which Game genres interest you. Then choose the retro console that has the game you like.

@ryanweinmann: If you're going to target a specific console, maybe you could research some of them on youtube before you decide. Otherwise, if no specific platform is chosen, why not just buy anything retro you find affordable? If you remain patient, check local thrift stores for games, go to garage sales, maybe even pawn shops, you will find a lot of entertainment for pennies on the dollar over time, and once in a while a real gem will land in your lap. Spend some time learning what is out there, what is valuable, what is fun, and when you happen to find a gem hiding in a thrift store or garage sale, pounce on it!

I would say from 40% up to maybe 60% of my game collection came from garage sales or thrift stores.

My buddy just got copies smash brawl, mario sunshine and luigi's mansion, all black label for 1 dollar a piece CIB at garage sales.

@n64dd: That's a hell of a find, wish the sales around me would provide some fruit. Been pretty dry this year and last, 90% of my finds since Apr 2014 have been from the thrift, though I guess I don't go to sales as often, it's hard to motivate yourself to go when the results have been slim.

I think people are catching on.

@suicidesn0wman: I was just thinking about that. I got couple of thrift stores around me which I can go to. There's also a store about 40 min away that sales games but it kindred expensive depending on the game. I think I will start on ps1 first. If I find any other games at garage sales or thrift stores I will buy them.

Most cities in the US, will have a day set aside each month in the summer for garage sales. If you can get there early you can get some good buys.

You would be amazed with what can be found at garage sales. I found myself a complete collectors edition Ocarina of time for only 5 bucks! Also found DKC3 complete for 5 too. Great tip. Scout those things out.

Its expensive, i looked at games I used to own and they are pretty pricey.

As painful as the prices are, SNES, because it's only going to get worse from here.

start with what you like

Can't stress enough the benefit of checking local ads and searching thrift shops. I got a $50 NES that way. Two controllers and two games, and a $15 Mario World Cartridge.

@mdk12345: Wouldn't playing Dreamcast games that way wear out your lens faster though?

Yes. I don't know why people ignore this and just pirate everything left and right. You'll have to do very slow very high quality burns to minimize this risk.

@mdk12345: I thought about doing that before, but when I went to put my games on display, the burned DC games looked terrible on the shelf and made me feel like a terrible collector. I only keep the boot CD now to play imports.

It's just a matter of opinion, to each their own.

You can begin with Atari 2600. There are around 460 games together and basic game cartridges are not expensive.

If you want better games, what you can play and enjoy, I can recommand Nintendo NES, SNES, or GAME BOY.

I have for some reason started to collect Xbox 360 games out of pure coincidence. Bought 30 titles for like $25 and got hooked. Not particular RETRO in a sense, but 360 games goes for nickel and dimes now and i see it a nice way to get started into collecting.

SNES and NES games here home goes for $35. Classics goes for maybe double that.

I think ill get going on Game Boy games one day. The original first one. have a passion for handheld Nintendo´s

I just started collecting myself. Retro game collecting gets expensive very quickly lol.

I would say that a good system to start is the GBA!

Lot of good games... including main SNES ninentdo games.

Then, games boxes are still really nice. US or Japanese.