stupidlikeafox's Blogs

Signs you have a problem

Published: Mon 1 Sep, 2008 | 25 Comments
Tags: Shaq Fu, Virtual Boy, TradeMe, Les Schtroumpfs utour du monde

Did you know one in four Kiwis spend more money on their hobbies than their family? Well, considering I spend an average of $0.00 a week on my family, and much, MUCH more than that on games - I find that statement quite plausible. The worst thing is... even though I spend a bit, I used to spend a considerably larger amount. In fact, I used to actively "collect" games. Mostly Sega Master System (of course!) and at one stage I owned 16 different consoles, 121 *different* Sega Master System games and a white Japanese Sega Saturn. I don't even speak Japanese! Why would I own a bunch of games I couldn't understand? I don't want to learn Japanese - what do I look like? Donutta?! The only reason I had them, was because I *could*. And that's when I realised I had a problem...


^Ooo, Flash and Street Fighter II. Nice!

Game collecting can be an addiction - and like any addiction, recognition is the first step. Or was it denial? Meh. Unimportant. Recognition is *an important* step. So here's a few warning signs that you too could have a problem.

Duplicate copies
Usually a good indicator - you have multiple copies of the same game. This can happen a number of ways. You buy bulk game packages on TardMe for specific titles and the "other" games double up, you find a game you already have for such a bargain you purchase it immediately, or the game has different packaging to the copy you already have. IT'S CARDBOARD PEOPLE. That said, I have been guilty of all three...

You have a Virtual Boy.

Sure it looks like something awesome Death Star crew play on in their spare time... but it's crap. Real crap. Unless of course you enjoy buying batteries, strained eye sight and back problems. And not playing any good games. "But Mario Tennis is good!" No it isn't. SLAP! *Judging look of disapproval* It's just another bad tennis game. Only red and black.


^*SHUDDER*

Furniture
I mean games that are not actually played. If you have at least three boxes in the spare room labelled "(Your name here)'s gaming stuff - TOUCH AND DIE! Not kidding." or purchase games new and not actually play them? You have too many games. But you might bust out Shaq Fu one day? No, no you won't. And FYI - it sux. What do you expect when you cross basketball with fighting aliens?

You deal with krazy katz on trademe
Most collectors know who I'm referring to. And most collectors wouldn't be caught dead trading with him/her/both.
("Caught dead trading" LOL, as if you'd return from the grave, then purchase over-priced secondhand n64 games online...)
When you are forced to trade with kk, it means you're willing to sell your soul for completism.
"###RARE ON TRADEME###" loosely translates to "Only 3 other auctions of the exact same product on TardMe right now". D*ck.

Pay too much money on a game only because it's (actually) rare
Ok, another I'm guilty of. Sure I'm actually guilty of them all - but this was the worst of them. I spent $40 + *international* p & p for Alex Kidd in Miracle World. Sure I had it built-in. But I still bought it as it is one of the rarest SMS titles in NZ. Plus it was one of the last games I needed to complete my "perfect collection". ...Who would have thought at the time I was single?!

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