Video Game Collecting

PedroGames.Com sent the three games for $5 from fiverr.com. Watch the video to see what he sent, and lets look at two cheap copies of Contra I got from another seller:

Two men dancing and twirling around a ring isn’t wrestling… its just… two men dancing and twirling around a ring.  I love Wrestling video games and I don’t know if it was because the WWF license fell into the lap of Acclaim that this sucked so bad; I hate to blame Acclaim for the quality of their games because they just served as the publisher and didn’t necessarily have anything to do with the development of many of the abortions that were released.  Or maybe they are at fault.  Who knows…

Anyways Wrestlemania for Nintendo NES started out with some awesome music and a cool title screen.  As you select your wrestler you’re greeted with even cooler music, and the music within the game is great.  But thats where the fun stops.

Bigger, Better, Badder?  Perhaps a bigger dissapointment, better then cancer, badder than… Anticipation?  The controls are non existent, and the AI is terrible.  Sometimes the computer will get stuck in one of the corners and will just twirl around.  It sometimes looks as if the wrestler is peeing on the missing audience.  Wrestling is a spectator sport and the louder and flashier it is the better…  Steel Cage Challenge is a much better wrestling game, but the crown remains on Pro Wrestling in the NES arena.

If you’re a collector of all things WWF don’t spend more than a buck for Wrestlemania.

Some excellent swapmeet finds were found today at the Broadacres Swapmeet in Las Vegas.  The morning started out slow with some clown selling an Atari with boxed games for $50.  He insisted they “were mint” despite the boxes being crushed and the layer of dust on everything.  Pass!  Wonder Boy for SEGA Master System would you believe SMS games were 3 for $5?  Lufia II for $8.  Dang!  The Dusty Diamond All Star Softball… $3 or two for five, thus the copy of Super Spike Volley Ball.

In the final minutes of two Nintendo NES lots on eBay I tossed out two ridiculous bids.  Both lots had ten games each.  Both had FREE shipping.  Grand total I won both for $15.50.  BUT WAIT.  I had an eBay bucks certificate bringing the total down to $12.59.  Seller has more than 1000 transaction with a rating of 100%.  DANG!  So this is what I won with commentary on what I will do with each:

Ikari Warriors – Own already trash can it
Kings of the Beach – Keep
3-D Worldrunner – Keep
Wrestlemania – Keep
Super Spike V-Ball/World Cup – Keep
Rushin-Attack – Own already trash can it
Tag Team Wrestling – Own already trash can it
Total Recall – Own already trash can it
Thunderbirds – Keep
Top Gun Second Mission – Sell
Winter Games – Keep
Silent Service – Own already trash can it
Ultima Exodus – Can’t remember if I have this one already or not.  I think I do.  If so trash can it
Videomation – Keep
SPOT – Keep
Smash TV – Keep
Pro Wrestling – Own already trash can it
RoboCop – Sell
Heavy Barrel – Own already trash can it
Iron Tank  – Own already trash can it

If anything this auction was totally worth it for SmashTV, 3-D World Runner, and Thunderbirds.  Thunderbirds is based on that ridiculous sci-fi puppet show from the 1960′s.  It looks like a decent shooter, and it has an opening that is awesome enough to make you crap your pants. 3D World Runner is the Space Harrier of the Nintendo, and SmashTV is SmashTV – I’d buy that for a dollar!  Or in this case $12.59

The internet will be a buzz with stories about the 25th anniversary over the launch of the original Nintendo NES.  And rightfully so.  Its not uncommon on the day of an important milestone people would reminisce about the event.  Typically this behavior is exercised on the anniversary date of disasters… Where were you on 9/11, when the Challenger exploded, Hurrican Katrina…

But the memory of the Nintendo NES is very different then from a disaster.  Its more like the memory of a close friend or family member.  The NES after all has brought nothing but joy to millions, and it will continue to do so for many more years to come.  So without further to do, here are some select memories/milestones I have about the Nintendo NES.  Enjoy.

The first memory I have that of the Nintendo NES was visual evidence in the form of a Gradius cartridge.  Prior to then the NES was a rumor more than anything else to me.  And some rich kid at school had brought it to show it off and I only got to see it at a distance.  I was familiar with the Super Mario Bros. arcade game, and I had heard bought this amazing game in almost identical fashion could be played at home.  Truly a sight to be seen!

Next I remember a Target store having rows and rows of Nintendo games.  They were on those vid-pro cards where you can flip the label and read the description and view the screenshots.  It was incredible.  Before then it always seemed that video game cartridges were just sold in stacks.  The colors were amazing.

PlayChoice 10.  The “Pay For Play” NES.

I had a friend in Junior High who had Track N Field II.  I didn’t realize how badly the game sucked until I’d own a copy two years later.

December 9th, 1990.  More than 5 years after it’s launch I finally get my first NES.  I bought it from a Sav-On’s drug store.  Desert Commander and Track N Field II was purchased next.

Almost at the end of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles after weeks of being defeated time and time again my grandfather drops the house phone onto the power adapter of the Nintendo effectively ending the game.  It would be almost two decades before I’d try the game again.

January 27th, 1991.  It was a Sunday.  Super Bowl Sunday.  I was reduced to playing my new copy of Guardian Legend on a 5 inch black and white TV screen. Stupid football.

Walmart became a good source of cheap NES games including SkyShark, Zelda 1, and Punch Out.  Kmart yielded Skate Or Die.

1997: Saw a Nintendo NES with Super Mario Bros 3 in a pawnshop for $35.  Seemed ridiculously over priced.

1998: In California Thrift stores saw piles of NES accessories.

2001:  While in Laughlin a Famiclone catches my eye.

2002: My interest in the Nintendo NES was rekindled after playing the abomination Grand Theft Auto III.  This is entertainment?

2005: Built an NES PC – regretted mutilating the shell.  Will NEVER do that again.

2009: Started actively collecting NES Games

May 2009: Started Www.VideoGamePriceGuides.Com to get more accurate prices on Nintendo Games.

Spring 2010: Surpassed 200 Nintendo games.  Started buying NES games exclusively in lots for the purposes of reselling

Summer 2010:  Went to the Classic Gaming Expo.  NES Lives.

Fall 2010: Nintendo NES turns 25 years old.

Yes, I’m still playing Rolling Thunder and trying desperately to obtain Rolling Thunder 2 for SEGA Genesis.  Both of these games are fantastic.  But why should I rehash what journalists of the past have already written about?

Researching a review of a game around the time a game is published is a very interesting read compared to someone reviewing a game two decades after it’s release.  Its too difficult to compare it to other contemporary titles.  So enjoy these two Rolling Thunder reviews, the first from The Milwaukee Journal – Mar 13, 1990, and the second from the Kentucky New Era – May 13, 1992.

Click the pictures to enlarge…

Screw the Nintendo Advantage Joystick with it’s sticky buttons, and unresponsive controls.  Who wants that when you could have a custom built Nintendo NES Controller featuring any game of your choice.  This is my first stab at an arcade stick for the Nintendo.  It features a real arcade joystick and buttons.  Its nearly complete, and when it is finished I’ll post photos for all to see.  Click for a larger photo!

Caztro72 (real name Anthony) is an avid “YouTuber” who often posts videos showing his video game finds from various thrift stores. With great enthusiasm he parades the items he’s purchased, how much they cost him, and an estimate of what they are worth (from Digit Press). Clearly he has obtained a wealth of knowledge and experience thrifting so we’ve reached out to him to gain his insight and advice.  Enjoy…

How long have you been using thrift stores for video game finds, and do you recall what the first gaming item that you found?
I’ve been using thrift stores as a means of finding classic video games since GameStop dropped the 8 and 16-bit bargain bins from their stores. This may have been 8 years ago! I believe the first thrift store game I found was Starship Hector for the NES.

How frequently do you visit thrift stores and do you have a specific routine in looking for items?
I usually visit a thrift store once a week, sometimes on a Wednesday morning or Thursday afternoon. I believe the middle of the week is the best time to search these stores as most product from the back rooms have been processed by then and are available for sale. I tend to check behind the main counter before I search the sales floor as most thrift shops consider video games too valuable to be left alone on the regular shelves.

What item are you most proud to have purchased from a thrift store and why?
Hmmm…tough question. I found a Namco Arcade Joystick for the PS1 for 7 dollars at the Unique Thrift Store (my main thrifting store). That was an unusual find. I don’t know who would have donated that stick as they are uncommon and are compatible with PS2. Yes, I’m proud to have found that particular item! LOL!

What about regretful purchases? Do you have any of those?
Oh my! Yes! My collection has gotten to a point where I accidentally buy doubles of games I already own! Just recently I found Shadowgate for the NES at a Salvation Army Thrift. I purchased it thinking that I didn’t own the game. Turns out that I did. Oh well! LOL!

Do you have limits on what you collect and why?
I tend to limit myself in terms of money. Collectors are usually frugal by nature. I try not to buy cartridges over 5 bucks. I also never buy PC games. I just don’t find them collectible. I’m really just a console guy! (Sorry to all you PC fans out there! LOL!)

You seem to have a mixture in gaming tastes, from old to new. Do you have a preference of retro gaming over modern, or vice versa?
Great question. I have a preference for retro more than modern. I started going back to 8 and 16-bit games just as PS2, Xbox, and GameCube were leading the revolution. Long, drawn out story lines, and 3D graphics just don’t make a game for me. I enjoy simple 2D gaming that you can pick up and play with not a lot of commitment. I also prefer the simple 8 and 16-bit ditties over today’s orchestrated music.

What are your thoughts on classic games being re-released on modern consoles like the PSN? Do you feel it diminishes the collecting hobby?
Tough question. Well, I think retro downloads keep the classics alive. So in that respect I am in favor of Virtual Console and the like. And let’s face it, many gamers aren’t going to search out original hardware and software to play the classics when they can just download. True collectors will always search out the original carts no matter what. So these downloads are a nice alternative that I don’t think hurt the hardcore collector.

If you had to pick just one what is your favorite all time video-game?
That is a tough one! I would have to go with Taito’s BUBBLE BOBBLE. I think it captures the essence of what a video game should be. Simple play mechanics that require an amount of skill to master, coupled with dozens of levels, quirky game music, fun game play, and lovable characters!

What made you decide to start talking about your classic games collection and thrifting experiences on Youtube?
I had originally created a YouTube account to upload a video from my vacation in Europe. Then I started to see gaming channels that other people had created. Echo036 in particular had inspired me to start talking about my video game collecting habits. Love his channel!

What gaming websites do you frequent?
I’m not much for surfing the video game sites. I actually subscribe to Nintendo Power, Playstation Magazine, The Official Xbox Magazine, and Game Informer. I like print!! But when I feel like surfing I check out Digital Press’ site and IGN.com.

Is there anyone you want to do a shout-out to?
Big shout out to Echo036! He was the first guy to comment on my earliest videos! And his channel inspired me to build mine! http://www.youtube.com/user/echo036

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
To all my subscribers out there I humbly thank you for all your support!! Happy gaming!!

I want to thank Caztro72 for sharing his time with us.  Check out his YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Caztro72

RoadBlasters for Nintendo NES was one of the treasures I took home from the Classic Gaming Expo. This isn’t the first time I’ve owned the game as I remember buying it new when it first came out.

The game is a port of an arcade game and can best be described as rad racer with guns (or can be considered a point of view version of SpyHunter with fuel challenges). You have a rally point you must meet prior to running out of fuel. You can pick up green or orange orbs that will give you more fuel. A weapons… jet… will supply you with upgrades.

Some of the upgrades include an ‘UZI’ which is just a rapidfire machine gun. Cruise Missles vaporizes everything on the screen included the armor cars. There is also a turbo upgrade which temporarily increases the speed of the car.

As long as you complete each rally with some reserve fuel you’ll continue to the next stage. When using your gun your point multiplier will increase as long as you don’t miss your enemies. You can only go up to x10 which rewards you with 10,000 bonus at the end of the rally.

RoadBlasters is a sound arcade port. Some of the enemy cars are a little drab but the speed of the game makes up for it.

I was having a reasonably bad day today, and what I thought would be a silver moment was the confirmation that RoboCop 2 for Nintendo NES was waiting for me at my post office.

What better way to left off some steam by killing thugs! I’ll make those virtual crooks pay! Yeah.. uh.. ok.

The game sucks. It doesn’t feel like RoboCop at all. He is disproportionate, glides when you let up off the controller and cannot retreat when necessary! That’s right, just like the Original Super Mario Bros. as the screen scrolls you cannot go back. Which forces you to repeat the stage if you missed an item.

The Hogan’s Alley-esq shooting gallery is unnecessary.

DataEast got RoboCop perfected with the arcade version… how they turned the Robo franchise to crap is beyond my understanding. I looked at the credits at MobyGames.com and it seemed the original version was created by Japanese producers where as this pant load was created by either the American or the English.

It’s simply awful.