The collector’s guide
Every collection starts with one game you cannot stop thinking about. This guide is what we wish someone had told us when we bought our first dusty cartridge at a Canberra garage sale.
01Decide what kind of collector you are
Some people collect to play, some to preserve and some to complete a set. Players care about working hardware and good copies; preservers want boxes, manuals and inserts; completionists chase every release for one system. None of these is better than the others, but knowing which one you are saves money and shelf space.
A good first goal is small and specific: “the ten games I played as a kid”, “every racing game on one console” or “one great game from each decade”.
02Pick a platform and learn it
Start with one system. Learn what a genuine cartridge or disc looks like, which accessories were sold with it and which parts tend to fail. You will spot a bargain — and a problem — much faster.
In Australia most classic hardware is PAL. Check that games and consoles belong to the same region, or plan for the adapters and display settings you will need.
03What to check before you buy
- Contacts: cartridge pins should be clean and bright, not green or black.
- Labels: tears, stickers and sun fading affect value more than you might think.
- Discs: light surface marks are normal, deep scratches near the centre are not.
- Batteries: many older cartridges save games on a small internal battery that eventually runs flat.
- Completeness: box, manual and inserts — write down what is missing before you pay.
04Storing your collection
Keep games in a cool, dry and dark place with a steady temperature. Australian summers are hard on plastic and cardboard, so avoid garages, sheds and sunny windowsills. Store boxes upright like books, and slip loose cartridges into dust sleeves.
Consoles like to be used. Switching a machine on every few months keeps components happy and tells you early if something needs attention.
05Keep a register
We give every exhibit an inventory number, and you should too. A simple spreadsheet with the title, condition, what is included and what you paid will help you avoid duplicates, insure your collection and remember the story behind each piece.