Collecting for the Original Game Boy

[newoldgamer]

Where should I start?
I currently only own a handful of games, which games are extremely common that I can use to bulk up my collection? How should I store them? Should I bother going for boxes? Personally I'd rather go with loose carts, as it seems to be much easier, and less of a pain to find more valuable games.

[newoldgamer]

Does anyone else collect for Game Boy?

[Spector]

I don't actually collect for the original mono gameboy as such, but I do have a group of old games from the time (1990-92) all basically in mint condition with the cardboard boxes also looking just as they did back in the day, so I'd like to say a few things: the machine itself was obviously the worst of the three handhelds of the early 90s but by far the best option on a practical level simply because you could play the bloomin' thing outside without the glare of the sun ruining the picture! They were pretty sturdily built too, and the cartridges are also of high build quality- I've never come across a GB cart that glitched or failed to load. Therefore the original games are well worth collecting, because they will function probably longer than you will!

As for boxes, it really depends - do you want to build a library, or do you just want to play the games on the original hardware? I always think the quality of the games should come first when collecting, and in the early days there were quite a few good titles, most noticeably classic pre-videogame crash arcade conversions like Asteroids and Defender. Some of these games come on two-for-ones, and if you can find them with decent labels , then I'd go for them. Here's an example:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nintendo-Game ... 416fd63b39
Sadly it doesn't come with the cart box, but it meets the three rules of classic game collecting - cheap, cheerful... and fun. If you watch Ebay enough though, you'll get it in the condition you want with the box/manual/case etc for a low price. So get sniping!

[newoldgamer]

Well, for me the collecting would be for my benefit, fun is right up there, I wouldn't be able to justify buying a bad game for a considerable sum of money. I had an idea of keeping the carts in the plastic cases you get, and storing the games in an organised way in plastic, stackable boxes. Would look a bit nicer and uncluttered.

[Combo-Breaker]

"Double Dragon" is a must.

[resident paul]

I found a list on Wiki if that will help?
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ga ... l_Game_Boy

[Spector]

If you need instructions to a game bought loose, you might find them here:

http://www.replacementdocs.com/download.php?list.21

[nokgod]

If you want a good way to store GB carts, try this:



They're the 9 pocket vinyl card protectors for pokemon and the like, in a lever arch file. Neat and tidy!

[newoldgamer]

If you want a good way to store GB carts, try this:



They're the 9 pocket vinyl card protectors for pokemon and the like, in a lever arch file. Neat and tidy!

Fantastic idea, think I have some of those in the attic, they'll look nice and tidy.

[Spector]

That is a brilliant idea! Should work with Lynx and (possibly) PC Engine carts too.

[snowkatt]

That is a brilliant idea! Should work with Lynx and (possibly) PC Engine carts too.

ds cards gba cards and umd 's too

[nokgod]

Don't use the cheap crappy protectors though, the plastic is very flimsy. Get the good quality heavy duty ones. I believe they're inert too, so over time they don't react with the plastics, labels, etc.

These are the ones i use and recommend:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-UltraPRO- ... 2a295d73a7

(auction picked at random as example)

[MRCL]

I do collect PAL Gameboy games, opting for CIB. Being in Switzerland, I have somewhat of an advantage due to some hard to find games being only released in Switzerland/Austria. Its not that easy tough to find CIB games, let alone mint ones. I've had some luck in the past with decent lots. Best one was when a retro gaming online shop closed down and auctioned off their stock, I got 50 brand new Gameboy games from that one. Such lots are very scarce, tough, so going with cart only will definitely be way easier.

There are 464 PAL Gameboy games, I reckon in the US there were a bit more than that?