I have been using EB Games, GameStop or Best Buy as a means for picking up some of my favorite N64 titles and later when the stores stopped selling those games, I moved my sights on the PS2. After large amounts of money on games over almost 12 years now, I was considering this week on how I either need to be more patient with buying games, buy more titles from used video games stores for much less than buying a new release. Then one of my friends mentioned something very simple and yet I hadn't capitalized on certain opportunities to save money by buying online.

Following my friends advice I went online to look at prices for FFVII, known for being one of the most definitive and overall best game in that series.

Knowing that this game would cost me more than any other in the series, I was still unprepared for this classic game to run at $60 all the way to $200. I will admit for now I cannot put Final Fantasy to rest without "finally owning this game."

I felt like a fool buying the FF12 release in October 2006 for around $50 as it now sells for a little less than half that. It is a good game that I enjoy and has brought new exciting features and vivid landscapes and even though I don't own a PS3 I eagerly await the next installment.

Unlike other games like it I find it frustrating that even other classic systems and games cost dollars while games like Earthbound with Nes and FFVII with Cloud will remain out of my reach.

Perhaps I can find it online...

Having just joined Gamespot today, I am very impressed with the amount of input the website allows you to have. Maintaining profiles is nothing all that new as people are used to many different genres, Facebook and MySpace just to name a few. Yet, Gamespot allows people to become a intelligent consumer by providing users with an opportunity to explore all possible avenues to make the best of their gaming experiences.

As I was racking my brain for any and all of the many video games in my collection. I realized something. I have spent over $1,000 on video games and this number has yet to be cemented in stone as I am still putting more games onto my profile. Even though I will get an accurate value of what my collection is worth based on what I add online, it still raises a question in my mind. It gives me a number value of what my collection is worth.

Is that based on the intial market price or what it sells for in stores today?

In any case I spend more money than I often should on video games. Some might argue that some of the games I own are not good enough to buy. I feel that people should buy games that make them happy. If someone dubs a game as a fanboy title that isn't accesible to the average gamer, as long as you are that fanboy you should buy that game because you want to.

Criteria for gaming reviews and scores have improved drastically over the past 5 years or so, yet gaming companies have no right to be upset certain magizines which write crtically of a game. If companies put out a bad product, more power for magizines for doing their jobs and letting the public know.

As even now gaming is evolving, I look ahead in anticipation of futher exploring and critiquing the gaming industry.