Big Box PC Game Collecting

[xsive]

Originally Posted by Flamin Joe

Haha yeah, when I get into things I do tend to go all out. But in this case, the original Monkey Island is just one of those games which stands out in all the my years of gaming as being the best games I've ever played. It had a big influence on me when I was younger.

Besides, if you really want a new copy of Monkey Island thesedays, unfortunately that's what your going to be paying! They are very rare.

I know what you mean I but I still find it weird to pay so much for a game. Or any other collectible. Most of the fun I derive from collecting games is hunting them down for next-to-nothing prices and doing my best to restore them. Also, playing them

Anyway, I know I can always fork out a huge amount and have anything I want. But it kind of defeats the purpose of having such a hobby

[Flamin Joe]

Originally Posted by dirkmirk

I bought Spear of Destiny about 5 years ago on ebay for $7 delivered, no other bidders, I would love an original boxed copy of wolfenstein 3d but after seeing what Doom sold for I doubt its feasible, heres a cd-rom version for that sold for $150 http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....#ht_500wt_1287 Not sure if the original 3.5" version had a different box or not.

I love the Commander Keen advert in the box! Probably one of my all time favourite shareware series. Apogee made some awesome games.

I just did a quick look on Amazon for Wolfenstein 3D and yes it's not cheap. I hate it when sellers actually know the value of the game! $199.99 for the 3.5" disk version used or $228.43 for a new copy.

On a side note, $50 picks you up a new copy (CD-ROM edition) of Spear of Destiny. You did well!

http://www.amazon.com/Wolfenstein-3D...841658&sr=8-11

I bought Air Combat Classics mainly for secret weapons of the luftwaffe and its expansions, this was one of the first games I heavily played and was always intrigued by those expansion packs but never saw them or played them, I dont have the 200 or so page booklet for swotl not sure if its only in the original stand alone game.

Hmm, that's interesting. I don't have that one yet, but from what I've seen the only manual it should come with is a "Air Combat Classics" manual which I assume covers all three games plus expansions (see the Ebay listing below). You've got what looks to be the original game manuals for BH1942 and TFH but no Air Combat Classics manual. Hmmmmm...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LucasArts...item3f165b722e

FYI with the SWOTL manual, there was two different prints done. The early releases had a proper bound manual just like TFH, but later releases (including the CD-ROM edition released by Software Toolworks) included a cheap stapled copy.

You cant beat old box art, they really packaged the game as a whole experience.

This. It's amazing looking back now how much value for money you got from a game. Thick bound manuals, additional booklets, trinkets, cloth maps, audio CD's/Cassette Tape's, they had the lot standard. These days you have to buy a "Collector's Edition" for twice the price before you get anything like that, and sometimes the quality of the items leave a lot to be desired.

[Flamin Joe]

Here's one for the Wing Commander fans. Wing Commander 3 Premier Edition factory sealed.

I'm quite stoked I managed to pick this one up. Apparently this edition is fairly rare and from what I've seen out there, this is the first I've seen in new condition. Others I've seen for sale are either missing the big box or missing the included Tshirt which I assume would of been worn to death by the original owner! And when I say big box, I literally mean big box! This thing almost gives the Skyrim Collector's Edition a run for it's money coming in at 34x34x8cm.

Saw it listed on Amazon for cheaper then what it was when released so I knew I had to grab it!






From what I've read, apparently there were only 2,000 of these produced however Origin/EA never gave official numbers so I don't know how close to the truth that is. Regardless, the numbers would of been somewhat limited as it wasn't available in store as you had to order it direct from EA.

This is one game were I really wished I didn't get into collecting sealed games, as it's packed with heaps of extra's which I would love to check out. For a game released in 1994, this "Premier Edition" puts a lot of Collector's Editions we see today to shame as it includes (so I've been told):

35mm Film Canister
WC3 TShirt
"Behind the Scenes" CD
"Behind the Scenes" VHS
Soundtrack CD
1995 Origin Calendar
WC3 Poster
Wing Commander: "Fleet Action" novel by William R. Forstchen
"Warbirds" fold out poster with diagrams of all the Terran and Kilrathi fighters in full colour (standard editions had a black and white copy).
And of course the game.

Like I said I'm stoked to have this one in my collection. *Must resist temptation to open*

[xsive]

Originally Posted by Flamin Joe

Like I said I'm stoked to have this one in my collection. *Must resist temptation to open*

Damn; nice find!! Why do you want to keep it sealed? Do you view it as an investment?

[Flamin Joe]

Originally Posted by xsive

Damn; nice find!! Why do you want to keep it sealed? Do you view it as an investment?

Thanks! No not really. First and foremost I just enjoy collecting these old games from my early gaming years. In a way, getting a vintage game still factory sealed is like taking it straight out of the past. The box, the contents (to a degree) is just like as it was 20 years ago.

Also it's about the rarity. You can go just about anywhere, Ebay, Amazon, web forums, game trading sites, flea markets, op shops, cash convertors etc and pick up used games by the box load. Sure not every title, but you know what I mean. Still sealed games of this era are harder to find, and when you do find them getting them for a bargain can be even harder! So I enjoy the hunt of picking up these rare games and getting them "cheap".

But lastly (and this may sound a little corny) I hope that in some small way I'm helping to contribute to the preservation of these vintage games. They really just don't make games like they use to, and I'm not just talking about the game itself. The packaging, the artwork, the contents. It's all sadly missing in this digital download age. All the better for it's preservation if it's still sealed.

[broccoli]

How can you tell that it's the original seal and somebody hasn't re-shrinkwrapped it? Do they have labels across, like Microsoft software boxes?

[Flamin Joe]

Originally Posted by broccoli

How can you tell that it's the original seal and somebody hasn't re-shrinkwrapped it? Do they have labels across, like Microsoft software boxes?

Good question.

Depends on the publisher. Origin games for example, have a system specs/barcode sticker which covers the bottom left hand side/back. Opening the box involves breaking that label. Also from experience I've noticed the particular shrink wrap they used has what's known as a "breathe hole". It looks like a circular tear in the shrinkwrap, but it's actually a hole purposely put in the wrap for air to escape during the shrink process. Not all publishers used that particular wrap as far as I know, but it's something I know is common to Origin games.

A good example of what I mean is the second pic I posted above of the back of the WC3 box. Look carefully and you'll notice a circular hole just below the "R" on "Tiger" towards the top of the box. It's always either there or the same position on the front.

Other games, like my copy of Airborne Ranger a few pages back, actually has an old system spec label stuck over the top of the shrinkwrap. I don't have any other Microprose games to compare with, but the label looks original and just like I've seen elswhere on the net.

But yes original shrinkwrap can be easily faked.

[broccoli]

Thanks. Yes, I can imagine there'd be an incentive to fake collectors' items if there is increased value in being unopened (or whatever).

[xsive]

Originally Posted by Flamin Joe

But lastly (and this may sound a little corny) I hope that in some small way I'm helping to contribute to the preservation of these vintage games. They really just don't make games like they use to, and I'm not just talking about the game itself. The packaging, the artwork, the contents. It's all sadly missing in this digital download age. All the better for it's preservation if it's still sealed.

Doesn't preservation involve more than just caring for historial artefacts, but also sharing them with newer generations? Keeping the games sealed runs counter to that objective. Even time capsules are designed to be opened

[Flamin Joe]

Originally Posted by broccoli

Thanks. Yes, I can imagine there'd be an incentive to fake collectors' items if there is increased value in being unopened (or whatever).

Definately. If you have a rare game which looks brand new, reshrinkwrapping it can easily see it's value to a collector skyrocket.

Originally Posted by xsive

Doesn't preservation involve more than just caring for historial artefacts, but also sharing them with newer generations? Keeping the games sealed runs counter to that objective. Even time capsules are designed to be opened

True but I like to think I am saving them from going to waste in some dusty warehouse or eventually ending up as trash. A lot of the sellers I purchase from don't specialise in games so to them it's just another item. At least this way it's going to someone who apprecaites it and for the time being it's in my possession, will ensure it will still be around in great condition.

Besides, it's not like I'm going to be opening up a museum any time soon. That's a project for when I win the next $70 million Lotto.

[xsive]

Originally Posted by Flamin Joe

Besides, it's not like I'm going to be opening up a museum any time soon. That's a project for when I win the next $70 million Lotto.

So, let me see if I got this straight: you don't plan on playing them and you don't, in practice anyway, plan on sharing them with others. Joe, you're a walking talking contradiction

Combine that with your comments earlier about not viewing sealed games as an investment either leaves me to think you just like having old shrinkwrapped boxes on your shelves. Presumably so you can look at them and imagine how cool their insides must be

[Flamin Joe]

Originally Posted by xsive

So, let me see if I got this straight: you don't plan on playing them and you don't, in practice anyway, plan on sharing them with others. Joe, you're a walking talking contradiction

Combine that with your comments earlier about not viewing sealed games as an investment either leaves me to think you just like having old shrinkwrapped boxes on your shelves. Presumably so you can look at them and imagine how cool their insides must be

You might have missed it (it's quite a few pages back now) but I said I have multiple copies of most of my games for the various types of media. So in regards to playing and looking at their contents, I can still do that with most of them, but not all of them as yet.

I do put a priority on getting sealed games, but that's largely because they are much harder to find so I tend to grab them when I can. But it doesn't mean I'm just going to buy the sealed copy and leave it at that. When I eventually get around to it I'll grab a used copy on different media to the sealed copy. For example with WC3, I'm planning on grabbing the "standard" copy used and some time down the track an open premier edition.

But there are times I won't get a new sealed copy and that's simply because there is really no point and no advantage in doing so. For example, some later games leading up to 2000 (which is about my cut off point at this stage), the "factory seal" consisted of just a round clear sticker stuck on each end of the box, no shrink wrap. The Dig (already have) and Afterlife (on it's way) are two Lucasarts titles which come to mind which this applies.

But I can see how you might get the impression I'm just collecting sealed games, but that's simply because I like to share the excitement I have in tracking down one of these games and at the moment it has been a bit of a focus. I'll have to share some of used games when I get around to it.

[TaXy DriVar]

I sometimes really miss the days of disposable income. Now my two year old disposes of my coins every day when I get home, straight into his money jar!

But one day when lotto is coming my way, I too will embark on a games garage of my own. Filled with Networked 386's, Arcades, and a display cabinet of old school originals!

[Segression]

Wow looking through this thread. Pretty much had most of the old games from about 1989 through to 2000ish ..when you could download alot easier =p

Its kind of a kick in the balls seeing how much some of these games are going for! A kick in the balls because i bet most of us at the time sat coffee cops on the box. crushed them. threw them out etc. Good nostalgia hit reading through this. Thanks to all for posting up their collections =)

[PrinceCharming]

Glad I kept my game boxes. Never knew there was a collector's market for them. Do people care for old PC game mags? I have literally tons of them. Probably over 5 boxes including console mags. A lot of old PC Gamer and PC Powerplay including issue 2. Don't want to keep them but don't want to throw them away as well.

Anyone want them?