The Nuclear Option.

[Desh]

(As defined by my friend Scott) The nuclear option as it relates to collecting is getting rid of something you love or getting rid of a large part of your collection that took a significant amount of time to acquire.

I have recently been entertaining the idea of off loading a large chunk of my NES collection.  I enjoy and own many videogame platforms and only buy games I know I want or ones I want to try.  The only exception to this rule, for me, has been the NES.  I always thought it would be awesome to own the entire publicly released library.  I currently have a bit more than 450 of the NES releases. 

I have been fortunate to acquire a bunch of Genesis games that I have always wanted and realized I only have a handful more that I really want.  Breaking it down even further I realized there are only a handful more games I actually want for most of the platforms I play.

Since I was 5 years old the NES has been my go to console and I have always adored it.  I never realized that when I purchased a TurboGrafx console that it would actually rival my love for the NES.  This fact has caused me to play less and less of my NES.  I also have realized that there are so many NES games I own, that I will never play again.  These titles are all horrible games or games that just have low replay value.  Because of this I think I could slash my NES collection down to say 150 games that I really enjoy.  I could then use the proceeds of selling the other 300 carts to purchase the last few games I really want for the other platforms I own.

I'm torn on this because I have a lot of time and good memories in building that NES collection to what it is.  What are your guys' thoughts?  The answer seems clear but my NES collectarditis keeps making me second guess.

Has anyone else had a similar situation in any sort of collecting, and if so, what did you do?

[esteban]

Well, clearly, shed the NES games that provide no entertainment at all to you (for me, Jeopardy). You don't HAVE to make this high stakes.

[MrBroadway]

removed

[HailingTheThings]

Offer them here first and hold some raffles. Done. Problem solved.

[wildfruit]

I just had to do this with a load of blu rays and games as wife's business is not doing so well. But hey ho such is life. I'll get them back when I win the lotto

[synbiosfan]

I'm torn on this because I have a lot of time and good memories in building that NES collection to what it is.  What are your guys' thoughts?  The answer seems clear but my NES collectarditis keeps making me second guess.

Has anyone else had a similar situation in any sort of collecting, and if so, what did you do?

You will always have the memories

I sold a small amount of my collection this year due to being off work. The money came in handy and the majority of it has gone to gamers rather than flippers. It has worked out well.

My suggestion, sell the more common games but hold onto the ones worth something in case you need money fast or trade bait.

[BlueBMW]

I too have sold parts of the library and I havent regretted any of it.  I keep what I will play.  Occasionally Ill hold onto a few games for an odd system just to have some games for said system but thats usually only super odd / crappy systems like Nuon, cd-i, a-can, ngage etc.

[vexcollects]

I sold my entire collection in 2009 I think. I needed cash for something.

All my Atari Jag/CD, TG16, and 3DO stuff was sold off. I proceeded to buy it back last year...which has been fun, but also a big mistake at the same time. Prices sure jumped since I sold my collection. Still have not been able to replace a few items. I had Rayman CIB for Jaguar, and New Adventure Island for TG16 CIB as well. Those really jumped since I bought and sold them. Don't think I will end up replacing those....

But still, if you don't play those NES games and/or they suck, get rid of them. I use the "play/test with a buddy" method. Every other week I get together with a friend and we try about 10 games out from our collections that we have not played. If we don't like it in the first 30 minutes, its typically a sell/trade. If we like it enough, we will play it again in a few weeks. If it holds up, its a keeper. If not, its a sell/trade. We just played Double Dragon II tonight. It's a sell... 

[slinkyturd]

Double Dragon 3 was the only one of those I liked. They were too primitive in 1 and 2. That and too hard to be enjoyable. I was always more of a Streets of Rage or TMNT 3 kind of guy if I'm going for a side scrolling beat 'em up.

[esteban]

Double Dragon and its sequel on NES are total KEEPERS!

For your blasphemy, I must sic ABOBO on both of you.

[Desh]

Well, I input the launch codes.  I spent a good 6 hours testing every game I was going to get rid of and playing some I was on the fence about.  I have about 220 carts boxed up and ready to off load.  With all of the extra space I have now it will allow me to get all of my SNES, N64, Gamecube, PlayStation and Xbox stuff out of the drawers and on to the shelf where they deserve to be anyways. 

I think I am also going to go through each platform and make a definite list of all the games I still want so iI have something to shoot for. 

P.S. I'm keeping all 3 of the Double Dragons.  I played II quite a bit as a kid and still pop it in from time to time.

[toymachine78]

Double Dragon and its sequel on NES are total KEEPERS!

For your blasphemy, I must sic ABOBO on both of you.

Not just any Abobo, but GREEN Abobo!!!

[Necromancer]

Sell a bunch now and repurchase 'em all a few years down the road.  The cycle must continue.

[vexcollects]

Double Dragon and its sequel on NES are total KEEPERS!

For your blasphemy, I must sic ABOBO on both of you.

Abobo's Big Adventure I would buy in cart form, and keep. I will give DDII another shot before it goes on to the trade pile.

[Desh]

Sell a bunch now and repurchase 'em all a few years down the road.  The cycle must continue.

I'm not quite sure if I'll ever want to repurchase such gems as Bo Jackson Baseball, Palamedes or Shingen the Ruler ever again.  The only thing I will miss is playing shitty games with my friends for laughs.