Remember this post about collecting video games from thrift stores?  Well here are some console, game, and peripheral specific tips:

1.  Nintendo NES – Avoid systems that are missing screws.  The chances are more screws are missing from the system and the tray is probably cracked.  Don’t expect the pin connector to be in good shape unless its clear that the system has never been used.  A “new in box” (NIB) NES is rare, but they do exist.

2. NES Advantage Joystick – the buttons on these sticks are notorious for sticking.  Even with gentle use they will stick.  The rubber membranes under the buttons wear out very fast.  Outside of collecting one of these to say you’ve ‘collected one of these’ pass on all NES Advantage Joysticks.

3. NES Max Controller – Finding an NES Max Controller that works is always a crap-shoot.  I’ve yet to find one that was in excellent condition that works.  Typically if I find one that does work it looks (or smells) terrible, or vice versa – new out of the box condition but doesn’t work.  You can swap the guts if need be, but otherwise avoid it.  It wasn’t that great of a controller – even if it was the precursor to the Dual Shock.

4. NES Games – I’ve yet to encounter an NES game from a thrift store that didn’t work.  Always clean the games – duh!

5. PlayStations (PS1s, PSones, PSXs, etc).  Unless you don’t have one already (who doesn’t?) avoid these.  There is one notable exception – mod chips.  If you want a modded system thrift stores are a good place to find them, however the spindles will often be damaged.

6. PSone LCD Screens – if it works take it!

7. SEGA Genesis – You’ll find plenty of Model 1 and Model 2 SEGA Genesis at thrift stores (I have 3 in my possession right now).  Make sure the expansion port has its cover (located on the otherside) and that the cartridge slot has its two ‘folding lips’.  As with any system shake it gently to determine if there are any loose or broken parts.  On the Model 1 don’t forget to use the slider on the headphone jack.  If its sticky then something has probably been spilled on the unit.  Avoid it.  Sticky = roaches.  Also the Model 2 power supply will not work on the Model 1 Genesis.

8. SEGA Genesis Games – Unless the game is complete I’ll normally avoid it unless its a particularly rare game.  You’ll often find cheap sports games complete in cases for cheap.  Don’t pass these up.  You can always reuse the cases.  If you have Genesis games with out a case, recycle the sports case, find someone you know who has the case with sleeve, then color copy the sleeve and then you’ll have an almost complete copy (sans the manual of course).  Keep in mind that many of the simpler SEGA Genesis games releaed early in its life had a fold out single page manual.  These are easily photocopied.

9. SEGA Saturns – Don’t buy unless you can try a game in it.  If the store doesn’t have games, try a Music CD.

10. SEGA Dreamcasts – same as number 9 above.

11. Gameboys, Game Gears, Lynx – make sure the unit doesn’t have damage in the battery component.  Make sure it has the battery cover.  Test the unit and ensure the screen works and isn’t cracked.  (Bring test batteries just in case).  Pay careful attention to the buttons – no ‘give’?  Avoid.

12. Disc Based Games (Any system) – as long as the disc is not scratched you should be OK.