Building a retro collection is a compromise: in terms of time, money and, above all, completeness. Some focus on one device, such as the Commodore 64, while others focus on one family of devices, such as the coveted Nintendo Game & Watch series of LCD games. And still others try to get all the variations of a console, such as all colors and special editions.
Jasmin Gerhardt from the Leipzig shop Retro Games advises: "You should start with everything that you had as a child - or always wanted to have - first of all, the restriction to a system, a topic or a decade makes sense."
Nintendo more popular than Sega
The Sega consoles are slightly less popular than Nintendo's, which also affects prices. The Sega Mega Drive and its predecessor, the Master System, are therefore good entry-level devices. But even older systems from the early days of playing are favorable, as the Viennese collector David Gschmeidler knows: Especially with the Pong consoles and really old video games and computers like G7000, Saba Videoplay, Interton VC 4000, Atari 2600 and Intellivision he feels a certain Downtrend, he says.
The explanation for this could be, firstly, that ambitious collectors have already covered it, and second, that these devices no longer correspond to the retro-zeitgeist and are sold again to more fashionable consoles such as Neo Geo, MSX, PC engine, FM Towns or to get X68000.
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There are often stalls at retro-meetings like DoReCo in Anröchte near Dortmund
Strong in the trend is Japan. "Japan always had the nicer illustrations on the packaging," says Gschmeidler. "Even uncut versions and side dishes are tempting, and many people who have previously collected PAL are moving away from their collections to switch to Japanese hardware and games." The hype is fueled by the popularity of Japanese culture, says the Viennese collector - through mangas, animes and conventions.
But a focus on Japan also has pitfalls. For consoles like the NES (called Famicom in Japan), Nintendo's homeland has seen significantly more games than in Europe. Sometimes they have no English or even German name. The Japanese characters have to be translated - and that does not happen consistently. Often the complete game is in Japanese, including the menus.
Full Sets: For Experts
The premier class in collecting is a so-called full set. Such collections include all games that have appeared for a system. You could collect all games published in German-speaking countries, all European PAL versions, all Japanese versions. Some just need the module, others want the packaging (which has often been lost just in games from the NES and SNES era) including instructions.
"Collecting, in my opinion, does not mean laying down lots of loose cartridges, it should include instructions and packaging," says Christian Corre of retroplace.com retroplace.com.
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By the sun bleached or more expensive misprint? Relevant forums and Facebook groups help with the answer
It makes little sense to want to build a full set for home computers. For them, freeware titles have been printed in magazines since the 1970s, and self-selling games have been offered via classified ads. For console games, however, manufacturers such as Nintendo grant licenses to publishers; therefore it can be determined relatively reliably which games have appeared for a system.
"If you want to collect full sets, systems with a manageable number of titles like Dreamcast and Nintendo 64 are suitable," says Jasmin Gerhardt. "However, it will quickly be expensive here, since many collectors are now doing this, and specializing in PAL or NTSC makes sense."
For David Gschmeidler, full sets are one reason for the sometimes dramatic price increase. "Top titles are getting ridiculously expensive," he says, "low-priced titles like children's games and advertising games, too." Because even they would be considered by full-set collectors and often appeared only in small numbers.
Databases help
Databases with fairly reliable information about the published games for a system offer the pages Mobygames and online games database (OGDB) with 200,000 and 120,000 entries. The USK database also lists games that have been published in Germany since the mid-nineties.
Krefelder Silvio Laute, operator of Retro-consoles.de, manages its collection with Retroplace.com. "There I have a good overview of my games," he says. "Everything is nicely sorted by system and also very handsome thanks to the cover art." You can add condition and other details to each of its games, such as damage to the package, and you will be notified immediately about wish lists that you can set up the game is offered in the marketplace. "
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On Retroplace.com you can create collections, search for games and offer for sale
Thanks to platforms like Ebay, offers can be viewed worldwide today. Nevertheless, hurdles remain. First of all technical: Not every game runs smoothly on every console. There are country barriers, different image formats (PAL / NTSC) and sometimes quite profane problems: Sometimes a US module does not fit in the dimensions of a European console.
Importing devices from Japan and the US have different voltages and need an adapter; in the UK, too, the power plugs look different. In addition to high shipping costs, possible customs fees and long waiting time, a missing CE mark can sometimes lead to the fact that you do not get an imported device. David Gschmeidler knows another problem: "It has often happened to me that consoles with a lithium-ion battery, such as the handheld Zodiac, are no longer treated and returned by Swiss Post in various countries."
Nevertheless, global trade is worthwhile, as the supply is considerably larger and often attracts lower prices. Thus, for example, many Famicom games can be purchased on Ebay for a few euros, which German dealers do not even offer.
Off to the retro wallet
In addition to Ebay, Ebay classifieds and relevant Facebook groups, it pays to visit retrobooks that regularly take place in various cities, for example in Oberhausen, in Rosenheim near Munich or Hofheim am Taunus. It is advisable to appear there as an exhibitor - they are more likely to enter and can grab one or the other bargain before opening.
Too big purchases can reduce the fun, says Christoph Noll from the Kölner Laden Retrospiel: "I would also take my time collecting and not buy a hundred games at once - just because you can do it, it's no fun - only one thing at a time enjoy extensively and then the next one. "
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New releases for historical systems such as "The Lost Caves 12" for Commodore 64 are often only produced in short runs of 30 to 100 copies
Specialized shops like Retrospiel in Cologne, Retro Games in Leipzig and Funtainment (formerly Nippondreams) in Munich are not that many. Some collectors take long journeys for it. Because in these stores you are not only expertly advised and can bring games brought in payment, but also gets cleaned and tested consoles.
Cleaning agent for the restoration
The condition of attic finds is usually much worse. Therefore, it is advisable to create a hand in a new acquisition. The surface is cleaned with a normal household detergent and a soft cloth. For displays is glass cleaner.
Kitchen rolls should be avoided as they can cause minor scratches. If you unscrew the device, you can wash the case in the dishwasher. Against yellowing, the community swears by so-called "Retro Bright" method: A popular variant is to pre-clean the previously cleaned housing with developer cream from the hairdresser and Vanish Oxi Action and exposing the sun.
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Rarity: The Tele-Fever console from Tchibo was sold only for a short time. Collector Torsten Othmer from Grimma is one of the lucky owners
Especially with mobile devices such as LCD games and calculators, the battery may leak. The residue can be removed with a cotton swab or toothbrush soaked in rubbing alcohol or vinegar.
Basically, batteries should be removed from all devices that are not used regularly. After 20 years or more, batteries are also exhausted, which are permanently installed in a device; This concerns older PCs or home computers with an internal clock. The batteries can usually be replaced relatively easily.
Problems arise in retro consoles and home computers of the 80s electrolytic capacitors, short Elkos called. You will find them mainly in the power supplies and the circuits belonging to the power supply, where they provide clean DC voltages. Because these components work with liquid electrolytes, they age like batteries. They may leak or dry out, resulting in capacity loss and thus instabilities until the device fails.
Increase the life expectancy
Help with the replacement is provided by the retro community with instructions, friendships, and paid services. The inventor Andreas Jahn found out in a long-term experiment that regular switching increases life expectancy. He switched on a device more often, an identical model he just stored. In storage, the Elkos lost their capacity faster than in regularly used test equipment.
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Used batteries like to run out. With cleaning alcohol eliminates the impurities
The games sometimes require a refresher. Stickers on cardboard covers can be removed with a hair dryer; Clearing alcohol helps with the residues. Cartridges sometimes have batteries that save the game. Who wants to play about "Pokémon" on the Game Boy, should exchange the button cell contained therein.
Beware of counterfeiting
Especially with expensive modules, there is a risk of catching a fake - sometimes referred to as shy (reproduction). Repros are often indistinguishable from the original; Above all, a photo comparison with an original module helps here. Even on "still welded" is no reliance, since used games can be welded again.
There are various home remedies for musty or smoky packs, such as sealing the object with soda in a plastic bag or wrapping it in newspaper and sinking into cat litter.
For game consoles of that time, tube TVs from the respective time are best. Especially with the RF signal, modern TVs often can not do anything; some do not even have a SCART socket anymore. Well, there are adapters on HDMI; but a console like the NES with its 256x240 dots looks particularly pixelated on flat screens. If you want to play with a lightgun, keep in mind that it does not work with flat-screen TVs.
For TVs with two SCART sockets, often only one socket is RGB capable. In general, CRT TVs only support the PAL signal; NTSC is displayed in black and white. For import consoles, it therefore makes sense to select a screen that displays NTSC in color.
How to stow?
Unused consoles are in their original packaging. Here it should be avoided to connect cables directly with the filler polystyrene, since both can chemically react with each other. An alternative is air cushion foils for consoles: They protect against scratches and dust. In the form of small bags they are the perfect protection for small LCD games and modules.
Ideally, old devices that are not in regular use are always packaged. These are stackable plastic transport boxes that hold the device, controller and all the necessary cables.
You will only enjoy a collection permanently if you give it the necessary space and inventoried it in some way - even in an Excel spreadsheet. Instead of hoarding tons of games in moving boxes, you should get a sense of what games you own - and at best try them out.
