Why I'm NOT a Sealed Game Collector
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- Опубліковано 29 лип 2024
- I know I may ruffle some feathers with this topic but I hope this helps generate some interesting discussion around sealed game collection, and also some PSA regarding certain game cart lifespans.
Let me know what type of collector you are & how you go about sealed games :)
General info about cartridge lifespan: hackaday.com/2020/12/03/game-...
Easy to follow article about 3DS and Switch self repairing XtraROM process: gbatemp.net/threads/nintendo-...
Nintendo Life Article about the Pokémon 3DS games: www.nintendolife.com/news/202...
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:23 Reason 1
02:15 Reason 2
03:39 Reason 3
08:16 Reason 4
13:24 Outro
Shelves featured in the background:
8-Tier Shelf With Circular Displays: amzn.to/3D0iU2A
5-Tier Corner Shelf: amzn.to/3pGBVnH
12-Tier Open Shelf: amzn.to/3JIhsWG
DISCLAIMER: I've listed US Amazon affiliate links in this description. This means that if you purchase a product using these links I may receive a small commission. No pressure to use these links but they are one way to help support for the channel.
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For those who may be curious about what my channel name means, it's a play on the magical energy technology system used in on of my favorite series: The Legend of Heroes/Trails/Kiseki games. Pronounced: or·bal·ol·o·gy :)
Please do NOT contact me with trade, sale, or gift inquiries. I have no plans to open a public P.O. Box for fans to send things to me.
The following are the only social media accounts I'm active on
Twitter: / orbalology
Instagram: / orbalology
It's interesting that people keep their games sealed until they play it! Personally, I open mine up right away cause I want to see what's inside (inner art, booklet, or a blank disappointment) but also so that there's zero friction when it's time for me to play. I take the cartridge out and put it in the carrying case so that I can easily switch between games. Also, people should claim the gold points on their new games!
My entire 3DS and system are all still sealed LOL - some of the values on these games is astronomical now, hurts to open some.
There's a special joy in opening a brand new game. I always get that childish wonder of getting something new to play.
The gold coins are a good point! I sometimes forget to grab mine in before the 1 year expiration 😅
Yep! I do a similar thing to, but mostly to add the game to my Switch home menu (so I can check for any patches that weren't on the game card) and then either play it right away or put the card in one of my card cases, but I still keep the case for the often cool art they have, and also for the theoretical increased resale value.
If it's a franchise I absolutely love, I might buy one copy to play and one sealed, but I open most games.
Like Emily, I don't view games as an investment... if I did, I'd sell my sealed copy of Etrian Odyssey III that I bought for $40 for $270.
I buy games because they make me happy.
Your content and the topics brought to the table are refreshing. It truly helps inspecting our deep thoughts about gaming, at least in my case. I don't have truly big revelations but it reminds me of simple things that are yet often forgotten. Loving this channel so far.
Thank you, I'm glad you've been enjoying the channel :)
You raise very good points on the speculative aspect to collecting and the potential challenges which should not be minimized! I do collect both new and CIB versions of games. Even though most of my games are sealed, I always focus on the games I enjoy playing. One of the measures I use when deciding between new and used is to compare prices between them. If the price is close between new and used, I always will buy new and sealed. If the price gap is large, then it makes sense to purchase used. Keep up the great work on your channel!
Well said. We collect out of love for the series. I fully intend on opening and owning a physical representation of a particular entry and showing it as part of history, and part of the collection.
I'm a new subscriber but I absolutely agree! I've started collecting 3DS games and I much prefer them to either be opened or for me to open them. So they can be played and loved!
As they were meant to be 😄
I need like 3 more 3ds games and I'm done makes 63 games now
Love this chill style of video, great content!
I’m guilty of collecting sealed games over the years that I still need to play but have bought digital for some of the same games when they digitally go on sale cheap.
As always a super awsome video. Glad to see that you are still enjoying your games. That makes me happy!
I recently found this channel and your view on different games is the greatest. Keep up the good work Emily!
Thank you, Alex!
Lots of great reasons you shared here Emily. Me personally, I’m also someone who prefers physical collecting. If I ever want to feel like I own something, I need to hold it, open it and take all of its contents in. The experience these days tends to be disappointing just to open a new game and just see a cartridge or disc amongst nothingness. Growing up in the 90s, I always want so much more when I buy a physical game these days.
Physical media can be quite disappointing these days especially with all the minimal packaging & reliance on patches for the games to work correctly. Truly miss the 90s/early 2000s too in this regard.
Loving the background! Also I'm definitely in agreement with all your points - I always prefer to open my games even if I don't play them right away
Thank you! And glad to hear you also can relate haha.
It's amazing to see how quickly your chaannel has grown in such a short time. You handle yourself so professionally too. Keep up the excellent work!
It's because she is a looker, nothing too crazy but her facial features are easy on the eye, I came to see if there were any comments like that around, but not so far, which is nice
I just noticed the same thing 😮 apparently only hit 5k like 3 or 4 months ago and now it's quadrupled and I found the channel even longer before that I think
It's probably good practice to open your games to make sure they're not pirated, too. I bought a brand new copy of Ace Combat 7 from Target. It had the Y-fold seal and looked like it was fresh from the factory. Nothing suspicious at all. It sat on my shelf for probably a year before I finally got around to it. And get this, it came up as Madden! Someone had thrown a printed label over the Madden disc to make it look like AC7. It had been so long, there wasn't anything I could do about it. Honestly, I'm kind of amused that someone went through all that trouble to pirate Ace Combat of all games!
Whoa that’s pretty wild! Sorry that happened
Yep! I've seen videos where similar things happened but targeting Apple hardware collectors.
In both cases, I believe the scanners try to prey on collectors who keep product packaging sealed.
Back when it came out, the bundled Ace Combat 5 code was selling for $40+, someone probably took it and resealed it
@@Lavitz
That reminded me of a news story of many people buying a physical copy of a game in order to get access to an exclusive demo that wasn't available on the console's digital store.
@@kbhasi I’d be so mad if I bought a 1st gen iPhone, kept it sealed, only to resell it for a pretty penny now and it be a counterfeit
I’m so glad I found this channel! I try if I can to buy a new game at different times of the year. From it being a year old or older on the cheap. But I always have to open them and have them installed to see it work! Keep the great content coming!
Thanks, I'm happy to hear you're enjoying the content :)
I don't know how I ended up here in your channel but I've been enjoyed it so much so far. And like you, the only games that are sealed, are the one that I haven't had the chance play it yet.
Great video~
Thanks, glad to hear you've been enjoying the content so far! :)
I had never thought about the lifetime of cart-based games, thanks for the heads up and links to those resources!
My pleasure, I'm glad I could help spread awareness about these potential issues!
Always enjoy your analysis, great job covering different angle to the situation. I personally don't keep anything sealed because I want to use them, but ultimately do what makes you happy :).
Thanks, I appreciate it!
I'm with you. Some games stay sealed til I get around to playing them, but that is the extent of it! Lovely video, Emily!
Thank you Jay :)
Hi there! You have the same philosophy as I do when it comes to sealed collecting; I may have sealed games in my collection because I haven’t gotten to playing them but it’s not my intention to keep them sealed! I enjoy your content as I’m a new subscriber and plan to start watching some of your older videos to catch up! Thanks for the great, down to earth content! 😊
one of your videos popped up on my home page and im really enjoying your content! love listening to these while drawing
Thanks, glad to hear you're enjoying the content :)
This is why I'm not a financial channel lol. But when I was talking about the S&P500 I meant to say the annual return averages 10% (when historically looking back in 10 year increments).
I would be very interested in hearing you talk finance! I could talk your ear off about that subject, but instead I'll just say I hope you already have some shares of GameStop tucked away to help facilitate future game acquisitions.
I will do you one even better. Looking back to the creation of the S&P 500. Even going back 60 or 70 years. Average is still around 10 percent a year :)
Such a well researched video about game preservation - and Loved the points on financial speculation - the video was so good! It’s nice to hear from another collector who enjoys what they collect and try to do so on a budget whenever possible. Sometimes I do end up seeing a physical copy of a game I own digitally come out later (indies like Hades) and I have to double dip lool but outside of that I definitely take your approach too
Another good one! Love the little touches you’re making to add some subtle style to your videos. I laughed at the little sound effect you added in for “not financial advice” 😂
I admit I definitely had a phase in my collecting journey where I was just buying anything I could get my hands on for speculation purposes. I’ll still buy something I find in person if I just happen to know it’s a screaming deal that I can use to trade up for something I want for my collection, but thankfully my days of trying to “side hustle” games for resale and general profit are done. I think what really broke me of that habit was when I started buying special editions and I couldn’t justify just letting them sit there with all of their goodies unexplored 😂
Thanks, Justin! Yeah it's always tempting to grab things for trading purposes or to resell to afford some larger purchases. But when doing say a cost benefit for a lot of this, I feel like a lot of folks don't consider all the 'costs' that may not be specifically monetary. And I feel you about some of those special editions taking up so much room (rent lol).
[Coury] Good stuff! I open every game I buy, whether I'm gonna play it right then or not. I don't care about investment, I just care about checking them out and playin' them. I also don't buy many special editions because giant, weirdly shaped boxes annoy me so much. I do make exceptions for game games/series that I really care about, like Ys and Wonder Boy games. Sometimes I'll keep a game sealed when I already happen to have a digital version, like with Metroid Prime Remastered - but it doesn't happen often..
Your background is looking AMAZING! Love to see it 🎮
Thank you!! :)
Retro Rebound sent me here! Looking forward to watching the channel grow
I feel so seen by this perspective! I've always felt this way. I want my stuff for me. Not for the resale value. Not for the pristine, shelf-sitting clout. I want a thing that is mine, that I can use, but that I can also proudly see on my shelf as a part of my collection. If someday I want to sell it, it'll sell a bit cheaper. It is what it is.
I buy my games for me, I don't resell, but I love having sealed copies of my favorite games, it simply enhances the nostalgia, I have doubles to play.
@@RetroDeath @RetroDeath totally fair and I'm happy that that makes you happy! But I can't say I find sealed games nostalgic, or correlated with my nostalgia. Playing games is nostalgic for me. OPENING a new game is nostalgic for me. As a kid, a never let my games sit plastic wrapped on a shelf. I'd open them up and use them and that's where my fond memories derive from.
@kylemccoymusic4202 Never had sealed games as a kid, back in the day even owning multiple games was a luxury.
I’m the same way! I love showing my games and being able to open them myself. Nothing is more exciting for me than opening a new game 😊
It really is thrilling to crack them open & see what's inside :)
Thank you for sharing those articles and getting this info out there!!!!!!!! Love you for that!
Thank you for sharing that one on Twitter about the XtraROM process - it was super helpful!!
@@orbalology Glad more peeps are hearing this. Jay was scared, too. Glad you're getting it out there.
Thanks for this great video. I'm currently collecting games for PS4, 5, Switch and 3DS and I didn't know about the cartridges issues. I will have a look on those articles.
Love your haircut! Your doing a great job on your sites! Keep up the great work!
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Shelf life is very important to keep in mind. My North American copy of Alpha Sapphire has stopped working sadly.
I love your background!!!! Cant wait to see it finished. This video was very interesting to watch. I have similar opinions to you. For example, i love opening sealed games. It give me a small high lol. Especially, CE. Cant wait for the next video :)
Thanks Erica! I'm really excited to share how the shelf's come together soon. Hoping to film it within the next couple of weeks :)
I had no idea about the Alpha Sapphire/Persona Q corruption and those are games I enjoy quite a lot (along with other game carts) so this was an formative video! Thank you
Hi! Nice video! My collection is around 50/50 sealed/open every week I enjoy 1 or 2 games but sometimes I get more games than I can play and some take the backlog for longer that I would want, its all fun having something new to unbox every now and then 😉 Happy collecting!! Loving the Ys shelf
Falcom is ❤
Wow. I stumbled upon your channel a couple of days back and was wondering if you ever touch on this particular topic.
Had to post this before I even start watching the video 😆
Your love for video games is inspiring
I'm glad youtube recommended your channel
Welcome!! :)
Your collection looks amazing!😊
Thank you so much!
Thank you for the cart info! Great video 👍
I have honestly never thought of myself as a collector as I tend to buy to play. I buy disk versions of some series because I have done since the first one. eg. Atelier. However, I looked at how many physical editions I have recently. Its around 1000 (and have played them all). So apparently I am a collector. However, recently I have bought a lot more digital editions simply because of space. Keep up the great and interesting content!
1000!!! What a collection, that’s awesome
I would love to try out Lacrimosa of Dana! So cool to have a collector's edition. I have the same mindset as you! I find it more fulfilling to collect and hold onto games that mean something to you, or you know you will enjoy!
I think you'll love Ys VIII!! It's really one of the best action JRPGs, the combat is so addictive and intuitive :)
I got Lacrimosa of Dana physical today, amazing game!
It is awesome!!! One of my favorites in recent times!
I would honestly put Ys VIII up there with the likes of Final Fantasy VII, Dragon Quest VIII and Chrono Trigger as one of the greatest RPGs I've *ever* played. It really is that stinkin' good.
Ys is deeply underappreciated by the gaming community, which is a travesty given its gameplay is head and shoulders more fun than what the AAA scene offers nowadays. Ys VIII has characters you'll fall in love with, music that you'll rock out to, and gameplay that is consistently a blast to run around and play in.
If you can, always opt for physical copies of Ys games. They're more than worth collecting.
I always look forward to your videos, sometimes they make my day (:
Thanks for saying so, your comment made my day :)
Thanks for sharing another insightful UA-cam broadcast. I totally echo your thoughts! The only exception of a game that I have kept sealed is the PS4 Trails from Zero which was a a great gift someone gave me for Christmas. As I had already purchased the Trails from Zero Switch version (due to its unique game play capabilities) the PS4 (Christmas Gift) ended up being a lone sealed copy in my collection.
Totally support this mindset - I want to get CE's open and thumb through everything, it's why I bought it haha. Great video, Emily!
Thanks! :)
So many great points as usual; prices fluctuate, fads come and go, and not knowing what’s going on inside the case are all good reasons to just open what you have, at least at some point, unless you’ve decided you probably won’t want it anymore.
Speculators/resellers of course are buying for different reasons so the thrill of the gamble or just calculated speculation is its own thing, but us “curated collectors” in it for the fun of it have less reason to keep something sealed. I happened to stumble into a copy of Donkey Kong Country Returns for Wii still sealed at a thrift shop two weeks ago, for 20$, i'm not really planning to hook up my Wii anytime soon and I have it for 3DS so i'm guessing I will resell it, but probably for trade at a local shop since I don't really want to spend the time and effort to sell it on eBay
I could literally watch you talk about videogames all day😉
Your setup is looking nice!
Thanks!!
I appreciate your considerations here. For myself, it pretty much comes down to what sense of attachment I'm comfortable having with material possessions. Collecting games that I'm not functionally using *as games* makes me feel a little like I'm losing my mind.
Hi Emily! Okay, I just have to begin by saying you won me over the second I saw all of those Legend of Heroes figurines in the background. And... yep, there's Fire Emblem as well. Wait, we've talked about this before I think! Haha! I adore your collection, Emily. I've been picking up the First4Figures Breath of the Wild figures and, wow, they are incredible. Okay, getting back on topic. I totally understand and agree with you. Though I prefer buying digitally, if I were to double dip and buy a physical copy of a game, it would be to create a gorgeous display much like yours (like seriously, great job!). Collector's edition usually include wonderful goodies I simply must get my hands on and that means breaking the seal.
I collect in much the same way as you. I'm not in this for the resale value at all, and I intend to keep and display most of the games and collectors editions I buy.
It's nice to see other people doing that as well.
Love the channel! Keep up the good work
Appreciate it! :)
great topic! love your vids!
Thank you! :)
Your a true gamer those who keep their games sealed are mostly scalpers to try to resell them for a higher price which will never happen sealed makes no sense to pay higher games are sealed so the stores knows if you used to the games or not if sealed you can return them and get your refund back I got sealed games that I’ll open too one day
Curating games is fun. I play and collect the ones I enjoy. Your videos are always informative and interesting. Keep them coming.
Hey there, awesome collection you have! I just came across your channel and I immediately subscribed because so many of my buddies give me crap for opening up all my sealed games lol the argument I always give is "why NOT buy a sealed game to open it up and enjoy it?? Also like you, I'm not collecting for a financial purpose. I purchase games, action figures and anything in between to personally enjoy. Anywho, great content and keep it up.
hello again! I have both sealed and unsealed games. but yes I do intend to open the sealed games "one day." (These are great topics you bring up.) I do have copies of games (that bouble my collector versions) that I strictly buy cartridge/disc only, not complete. Great talking point, one day I when I'm ready to display all my games I will enjoy the nostalgia of opening all of them. my backlog will keep me well entertained in my retirement 😅
Cracking opening Special/Collector's Editions of games to look at the "things" is the entire reason to get them! Also, I think we have the same shelving.
Fantastic video. You just earned a new subscriber.
Holy cow 🐮 I have quite a few sealed games that that is good for thought. I have been selling some, it’s a gradual process. Thanks for the vid. You’re good presenter
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Another great video Emily. The nintendo switch is the first system where I double dipped in both digital and physical games. I love the convenience of having all my games on one system, BUT lol I also like looking at them on my shelves 😅 I might have a problem. But I agreed with your outlook on collector's items.
Thank you! Yeah the convenience with double dipping can sometimes be too tempting haha.
Have been following you for a while now, but i totally agree with your viewpoint of how you're supposed to go about collecting things.
It's also really weird to see your new Trails shelf all the time (in a positive way), looks nearly the same as mine..
I love your video Emily. You made excellent points on the financial situation of gaming. You're wonderful & beautiful as always. So for my collecting, I used to collect about 20 games for each said consoles in case my roms or Ever drives break down or do not work. I want to have a copy of physical games I like. For collecting I am with you on you should collect to have them & display them. Yeah 100% agree with you that collecting just to sell them is a huge hassle. Like selling games online. You have to take a pic of them, make sure they work like you mentioned, list them & then wait for somebody to buy them off you. It's much easier buying because you don't have to go through those hassles. I really loved your point on the financial advise.
Exactly, financial speculation is never something I want to get into while collecting. These games are pieces of art meant to be actually interacted with! I say, play the physical games you buy!
Emily is a real gamer who actually plays her games. Respect! I only have sealed games because I don't have time to play them. 😅
Haha, yeah I have a few still sealed but those suckers are going to get opened eventually 😂
I'm in the same boat! So many games release nowadays compared to back in the day.
I love the Ys VIII PS5 edition, I have to save up and find that soon! Absolutely agree with pretty much everything you covered, especially as an avid stock trader myself.
There’s something magical about opening and playing all the games in your collection, and I find it personally is a crucial part of the hobby. I really enjoy discussing the games when people visit and handing it to them to open up themselves, whether it be to read the manuals or check out the artwork. Nothing against those that like to keep their copies sealed though 😃
Kinda strange but it took me a while to find ys 8 for ps5. It sold out quickly at best buy and from my experience, only select gamestops have had it. Considering it just came out at the end of last year on ps5, this has been frustrating to try and find.
@@douglassmith9445 That’s super annoying. It’s weird stock wasn’t more plentiful - I really think companies should do more legwork and track demand for each region. They’d end up making more money, and making the fans happier!
I used to be a sealed collector for the purpose of reselling for profit, but I stopped doing it because unless you have a very large stock of said game, the time = profit is just not worth it, and there are better ways to invest your money. (Plus I have been burned more often than not buying games and seeing it not increase in value). Aside from a very small % of games, most don't increase in value more than 2x what they originally cost. Plus it takes close to a decade or longer for those games to reach that price.
So if you bought a game for $50-$60 new and that game sealed is now worth $200. That's not a very big increase when you realize it took 8-10yrs (or longer) to get to that price. So when you think about it, waiting 8-10yrs just to profit a measly $140 is an extremely ineffective way to invest money.
I say just buy what you want to play and either sell it down the road, or better yet, let your kids inherit it all from you in your later years (if you plan to have kids). That seems like a way better investment.
Really like your views on collecting. We seem to have a similar mindset. Subscribed 👍
Thanks, I appreciate it :)
You always have great video ideas! I corrupted my original Pokémon Blue game when I was younger so my copy is pretty much worthless now. At least I still have the original box and instructions lol. I always buy collectors editions to enjoy all of the cute goodies inside. Keeping them sealed is no fun to me 😊 Love that you have all the same Ys collectors editions as me! The Ys VIII CE is such a gem 💕💕💕
Have you tried replacing the internal battery? That might help.
@@35infinite it should cause removing it for a few minutes would delete any save data. Also you can use a USB to Game Boy cart device to delete the save if you have one.
Sorry to hear about your corrupted Pokémon game! Stinks when that happens and it's not just a simple battery fix :(
Great and reasonnable reasons. I am a collector with a large portion of sealed games, especially collector's edition, and yet I do think there is a big problem with sealed games: you can't be sure all the content is present and not damaged, and if it is actually factory sealed or cleanly resealed. Can be factory damages, missing/stolen content, used codes,..
For Switch standard games it's easy to check if cartridge or bonuses are present, but for CEs..
And the day you decide to actually open it like 4 years after buying it, you may get a surprise, and 0 chance of customer support..
Very interesting video. I am not collector and don’t think I ever will be, but i do buy physical on consoles to resell later to recoup my costs.
I do have Collectors Edition of Celeste on Switch that is sealed as I wanted for decoration on my shelf, as I really loved the game after playing it digitally. it’s value has shot up and now it’s left me at crossroads on if I ever should open it up. I didn’t buy it to sell on, but I like the option to sell and that’s kept me opening it up.
But knowing that game card has lifespan makes it even more of tougher choice. I don’t want the game to go to waste.
Thanks for info
I don't envy you on your decision, but I'm glad I could help spread awareness about Switch cart lifespans.
Couldn’t agree more. I think my nostalgia and love for physical ‘stuff’ when getting a new game, whether it’s a special edition or actually has something included in the standard packaging, will always trump the idea of keeping it sealed solely for retaining value.
I still have a lot of special editions still in the shrink wrap through! Let’s just call it delaying the unboxing experience, because you can only do it once. :)
The shelf is looking awesome btw!
Thanks! I'm hoping to film a shelf tour this weekend :)
!!! Thanks for telling us about PQ. It's the only themed console I have and one of the best games I played and I want to make sure the cart lasts a long time.
I tend to keep my games sealed until I play them. I do sometimes sell sealed games if it allows me to buy a couple of open or used games to replace it. I've used this to build most of my handheld gaming collection on a budget. Really enjoying your channel and sound advice on game collecting and RPGs as well
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Great video! Sometimes the only way to verify a game is not a used “reseal” is to open it, especially if you purchased the sealed game secondhand. I collected a lot of sealed games for GameCube, and finding aftermarket resealed games (even with the folded-edge factory seals) advertised as brand new was a real problem.
I've seen some people report discs completely missing, either due to quality control issues or resealed theft. But even more reason to open your games.
Wow, super cool! We have similar collecting modalities. I only buy games I intend to play someday. Games were meant to be played.
This video should be in the top 10 of all video game players/collectors, amazing! I have been asked this question for decades and these are almost my exact responses. I am the same in that I only buy what I like and want to play but that has lead to a massive back log dating back to the 90s with the PS1 era. I still have a few PS1/PS2/PS3/PS4 and PS5 games that are sealed but only because i have yet to play them. People laugh and say why do you buy them if you never play them? It's called life and it sometimes gets in the way. I can't play games 24/7. I intend to play all my games and I will some day. The other reason is that with the games I buy, JRPG, Adventure, etc they tend to not be available for long or go WAY up in price so I have learned to buy them when they are out and cheap so I don't miss out on these great games. I can't believe this is the first time I have seen your channel. It's fantastic. New sub here for sure. Keep up the good work.
Love your reasons. As a collector just do what best works for you. I only keep sealed the games I know 100% have value. Other then that, I to only buy what i like.
I absolutely agree! I just love to open up special editions and look through artbooks etc., because thats why I bought them. I dont feel like I really have the artbook, if I am not able to touch it,because its still packaged lol 😂
Greetings from Canada. Subscribed. I'm also one who doesn't keep things sealed. I particularly enjoy opening my collector editions, though if the box allows it, I will leave a portion of the shrink wrap on as a sort of "protective wrap" from scuffs and other things (kids fingers, cat hair, etc). I also am one who doesn't do reselling, and since 2016, I don't trade in any of my games either. If I purchase a game, it's here to stay.
I agree with a lot of your points! Not really a sealed collectors either. Great video!
It’s good to know I’m not alone lol
I have to open my games and display the collectors editions! Like you said, I’m not in it for the $$ just the love of the hobby. If I buy a game or especially a collector’s edition, then I love that game.
I like to think people can see a piece of me in my collection and what kind of games I love.
Initially, I only wanted to have sealed copies of games I adore just in case something happens to my Switch and the digital version I bought (day one or later on sale) is lost forever. The Switch has been out for much longer than expected so it makes sense that collectors adjust their acquisition methods, or even prioritize less important values they wouldn't normally care about. I have a used Japanese copy of Astral Chain and a sealed UK copy of Young Souls I would have liked to have as collectors editions because not only are they great games from those regions, the way the layered artwork on the transparent slip cover is integrated with the box art looks so nice (and deters the need for an aftermarket transparent collectors box).
Not to throw shade on 'Wonderful 101' by Platinum Games but I hope more deserving titles receive lenticular slip covers. If I had that game I wouldn't mind parting with it to be graded and forever cased because I don't see myself ever playing that game, lol. A couple overpriced indie games I missed out on and PREY they get another physical release are: 'Darkwood' and 'Guns, Gore, and Canoli 1 & 2'. Congrats on that last banger video, to shadow drop another so soon - you spoil us :)
Great video, I didn't know about sealed games getting corrupted. It is a bit sad to thing about that the electronic media is ephemeral. But I guess all things come to and end.
Well I like to buy used games and keep collector’s editions sealed that way I don’t have to deal with buying digital… but you’ve made some valid points. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
The start of your video I 100% agree lol I tend to take at least an hour or sometimes two hours a night to play a game. I've spent two or three weeks playing through a game that way but it makes it so much more enjoyable and memorable.
I just came across your channel, maybe about 1 week ago. It’s surprised me quite a bit on how many points you touch on the 3
Videos I watched that hit the nail right on the head with my own views. From collecting to playing based on nostalgia. Plus Your taste in games is impeccable. I’m not sure if your taking suggestions on future videos. But I would love to hear your take on acquiring collectors editions. I missed out on Xenoblade 3 collectors and Tears of the kingdom pre order. I have a hard time buying from scalpers.
I can look into making a video on this topic! It does seem like collector editions are becoming more difficult to secure nowadays which is a shame. But for TotK I would recommend checking the stores on release day in case there are extra copies. They sometimes have new stock available online too depending where you're located that they release right before or after launch.
Great video!! Keep the good content!!
Thank you! Will do! :)
My biggest unboxing regret was the Zelda Phantom Hourglass DS Lite. Got it sealed for cheap years ago, opened it to look at it, never played it.. now it’s worth well over $1k sealed and just a few hundred CIB 😅
thanks for the video and your detailed take on the subject.
i never understood why someone would collect sealed games other then for financial reasons, it's fine if someone wants to do it but I don't view them as a video game collector but more of a speculator.
also just saw the views on your last video and that's amazing
👏👏👏 Reason Three is the best reason for collecting. We do it because we want to. It's a hobby, not a business.
Cool to hear your thoughts!! I only buy games with intent to play, usually used but if I end up getting sealed I open only when I'm ready to game. There's a small handful I plan keeping sealed (eg 999 and Project X Zone 2) just cuz I know they've already gotten pricey. I didn't mind finding another way to play in order to keep them sealed (if u know what I mean lol) :)
I'm a fan of opening my games to play them, also love the stuff in background. 🎮😊Marcus
I totally agree with your philosophy. I’ve been collecting for over 25 years now, and while I have a lot of sealed games in my collection, I’ve got a bunch that I have opened too. I like to keep the games sealed until I get around to them, just from a preservation standpoint. I also don’t see them as an investment, but I have to admit, if I ever found myself in a really tight spot, I have a few games that could probably unload to get me out of a hole in a pinch.
So yeah, I don’t have any problems with anyone who collects differently than me; but I do have to criticize some people who merely look at games (particularly sealed games as just an investment - especially when they get mad because “us gamers” aren’t moving the market in their favored direction.
The bottom line is, games are meant to be played, just like comics are meant to be read.🙂
Often I buy games way more often than I get around to playing them. When I buy them new from retailers I don't open them unless I'm going to play them. The collecting community has a meme about a never ending backlog and I'm no exception to that. Sometimes years later I'll see that something I bought has gone way up in value. In general my ideal for collecting would be nice complete in box copies. What I've found many times is that often you can find a nice CIB copy for, say, $25; Then you'll see that there'll be a sealed copy available for $32.99. When I'm not planning to play the game right away anyhow I usually spring for the new copy when it's not much more expensive. With time passing you might find that the sealed copy ends up being worth MSRP and the CIB one remaining mostly the same price. In a way it's an investment but not really. What it allows you to do is sell your sealed copy and just buy a CIB one or open the game if the difference isn't worth the effort. Of course like you said you can also double dip.
Going out of your way to buy retro sealed stuff is an exceptionally expensive proposition these days so I don't see much of a point. Maybe if you have a favorite game you might want to have a sealed copy of it for display. For stuff that's available at retail I think it can make sense. Especially when it's part of a sale or clearance.
I've got what I expect to be a controversial opinion, but one I think makes sense, is that at least as it relates to sealed products and sealed collecting whether or not the game inside works is mostly irrelevant. At certain point in time, with enough of a price hike, sealed product transitions from a video game into a collectible. For example nobody would buy a factory sealed copy of Chrono Trigger on the SNES today with the intention of opening and playing it. It's totally financially irresponsible. You'd lose hundreds/thousands of dollars. The value now is just in the condition of the seal and the box. That's why tangentially relating to the topic I also don't think that grading sealed games is an issue either. Who the heck is going to look at a $200 CIB game or a $2,000 sealed copy and choose the sealed one to play? Understanding of course that the sealed price is driven up by such factors to begin with, but say it weren't, you would still be a fool to open up a $300 game when a good CIB one is $200.
Either way thank you for the video and interesting topic. Cheers.
Good video as always Em. 😀❤️I honestly don't really get the whole sealed collector thing. It can be quite expensive especially if you're going for older stuff. I do have a lot of games still though that I just never got around to opening. But there are some that I don't know if I can open just because the value is so incredibly high! Some of those would be Yo-kai Watch 3 on the 3DS and all of the Switch copies of Shantae sealed with the LRG slipbox. Other than that I have been feeling like I want to downgrade a lot of my collection and curate it more. Using what I can sell to purchase some of those games that meant more to me is a child/teen. Because like you said they did a much better job at preserving older games than they do now. It is quite concerning how the shelf life on modern games is so short. I guess it's making the whole emulation and hacking of your consoles and handhelds or picking up something like the steam deck a lot more tempting than ever before.
Another great video, Emily!: D Definitely agree with your points! I have, admittedly, quite a lot of sealed games, and I'm very happy and fortunate to have them! With that said, I don't intentionally buy games to keep them sealed, and to sell them in the future (like the point you made in the video, don't really care one bit at all about the price of these games). I intend to open up almost all of my games (having been doing that now recently hehe), with a few exceptions, and use the cartridges/CD's/etc. to play, and if it's a LE/SE/etc., use all of the goodies that comes up with it, from the conventional, like artbooks to soundtracks, to the outright silly (but awesome), like a bath sponge, tea cups, and the like XD
Thanks! Yeah after making this video I reviewed which games I still had sealed to start figuring out when I want to commit to an unsealing party lol.
Sounds like there will be an unboxing video in the future hehe, looking forward to it :D
Also, random, but when you said unsealing party, it made me of think of this song, ua-cam.com/video/PEdenXCAkWk/v-deo.html
UNSEALING PARTYYYYYYYY! XD
You are collecting how the games were intended to be owned. The contents were made to be read, touch , experienced and enjoyed. Words for any speculative people out there. Collect for yourself, not for others. :)
Hi Emily. I just recently subscribed as I’ve been enjoying your videos lately. You seem to approach game collecting in a much more relatable way than most UA-camrs. You also provide a lot of detailed information in your videos. And when I saw you were a fan of Dreamcatcher and Band-Maid, I knew I had to subscribe! Haha. Thank you for the effort you put into your videos. Keep up the good work.
Thank you! And I'm glad to hear you're a fan of Dreamcatcher & Band-Maid too haha. 😄
In regards to game cart and disc lifespans, keep in mind that nothing lasts forever. This same rule applies to hard drives for digital purchases as hard drives go bad, but I like to think that a lot of the stuff we buy could outlive us if properly stored.
"Love gaming" and "keep them sealed", don't fit at all at the same phrase! Games were meant to be played ♡
💯