The ultimate guide to retro game collecting for beginners

Thinking about starting a retro game collection but not sure where to begin? Whether you want to relive your childhood, build the games room you’ve always dreamed of or simply experience classic games for the first time, there’s never been a better time to get into retro game collecting.

At first glance, though, the hobby can feel a little overwhelming. Which console should you start with? How much should you be spending? Where can you actually find retro games at a fair price? Is it better to buy original hardware, or would one of the many modern emulation handhelds be a smarter choice? Without a little planning, it’s surprisingly easy to spend more money than you need to.

Fortunately, retro game collecting doesn’t have to be expensive, and it certainly doesn’t mean chasing the rarest games or filling an entire room with shelves. The best collections aren’t necessarily the biggest ones – they’re the collections that reflect your own interests and the way you enjoy playing games.

I’ve been collecting retro games for many years and, through Blast Processing, I’ve spent countless hours researching gaming history, reviewing classic titles and exploring the hardware that made them possible. One thing I’ve learned is that there isn’t a single “right” way to build a collection. Some people love tracking down complete-in-box games, while others are perfectly happy collecting loose cartridges or using modern emulation devices alongside a handful of original consoles.

This guide is designed to help you find the approach that works best for you. We’ll cover how to choose a focus for your collection, how much you should realistically expect to spend, where to buy retro games safely, how to spot common pitfalls and whether original hardware or modern emulation is the better fit for your budget and lifestyle.

In this guide you’ll learn

• How to start a retro game collection without wasting money.
• How much retro game collecting really costs.
• Where to buy retro games and avoid common scams.
• Whether original hardware, FPGA systems or modern emulation handhelds are right for you.
• How to build a collection you’ll actually enjoy owning and playing.

Whether you’re hoping to rebuild the collection you had growing up or you’re discovering classic games for the very first time, this guide will help point you in the right direction.

On this page:

• Quick start checklist
• Why collect retro games?
• Decide what kind of collector you want to be
• Is retro game collecting a good investment?
• Research what you’re looking for and how much it costs
• Where should you buy retro games?
• Should you buy loose or complete in box?
• How should you actually play retro games?
• What equipment will you need?
• Common beginner mistakes
• Frequently asked questions
• Recommended resources

Quick start checklist

If you’re completely new to retro game collecting, you don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. In fact, I’d recommend starting small and learning as you go.

Here’s a simple checklist to get you started:

1. Decide what you actually want to collect.
Pick a console, generation, genre, franchise or other theme that genuinely interests you. You can always expand your collection later.

2. Set yourself a budget.
Decide how much you’re comfortable spending each month and try to stick to it. There’s no need to rush—you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find games in the future.

3. Research what things are worth.
Before buying anything expensive, check recent sales and prices on sites such as PriceCharting. Don’t rely entirely on a seller telling you that something is rare or valuable.

4. Start with one console and a handful of games.
You don’t need a whole room full of hardware to have a collection. Pick something you enjoy, find a few games and see where it takes you.

5. Actually play them.
This is the most important step! Make sure you’re enjoying the games you’re buying before you start expanding into other consoles and more expensive titles.

6. Let your collection develop naturally.
Your interests will probably change as you discover new games. Don’t worry about building the “perfect” collection from day one—there’s no finish line.

The best retro game collection is one that reflects what you enjoy playing, not the one with the most games on the shelf.

Why collect retro games?

There are plenty of reasons to start collecting retro games, but the best collections are usually built around enthusiasm rather than investment. Whether it’s reliving the games you grew up with, discovering classics you missed the first time around or simply enjoying the thrill of finding a long-forgotten gem at a market or garage sale, collecting is a hobby that’s as much about the journey as the destination.

One of my favourite things about retro game collecting is that every game has a story to tell. Some represent important milestones in gaming history, while others are fascinating because they tried something completely different or have simply been forgotten over time. Building a collection gives you an opportunity to preserve a small part of that history, while also creating something that’s personal to your own interests. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy making videos here on Blast Processing – there are always more stories waiting to be uncovered.

Collecting can also be a great way to share gaming with other people. Introducing younger family members to the games you grew up with, setting up a games room for friends or simply pulling a favourite console off the shelf for a nostalgic afternoon are all experiences that digital libraries can’t quite replicate.

If your main goal is to make money, though, you’re likely to be disappointed. While some games and hardware have certainly increased in value over the years, predicting which items will become sought after is incredibly difficult. Prices can fluctuate, games are regularly re-released and reproductions have changed parts of the market significantly. In most cases, the time and effort required to build a valuable collection simply isn’t worth it if profit is your only motivation.

The good news is that you don’t need an expensive collection to enjoy the hobby. In fact, some of the most interesting collections I’ve seen aren’t the biggest or the rarest—they’re the ones built around a clear theme and a genuine love of games. That’s why the first decision you’ll need to make isn’t how much you want to collect, but what you actually want your collection to be.

Decide what kind of collector you want to be

One of the biggest mistakes new collectors make is trying to buy a little bit of everything. It’s easy to come home from a convention or spend an evening browsing online and suddenly realise you’ve bought games for five different consoles without any real plan. While there’s nothing wrong with having broad interests, deciding on a clear focus early on will help you spend your money more wisely and build a collection that feels much more rewarding.

The good news is that there isn’t a right or wrong way to collect. Your collection should reflect your own interests, not somebody else’s. Here are a few popular approaches to get you thinking:

Collect by console

If you grew up with a particular system, this is often the best place to start. Whether it’s the Sega Mega Drive, Super Nintendo, PlayStation or Nintendo 64, focusing on a single console lets you gradually build a well-rounded library without feeling overwhelmed.

Collect by genre

Maybe you’re a lifelong fan of fighting games, RPGs, shoot-’em-ups or arcade racers. Collecting by genre can lead you to discover fantastic games across multiple generations that you may never have considered otherwise.

Collect by franchise

Some collectors focus on a favourite series, tracking down every game, spin-off and regional release they can find. Whether it’s Sonic the Hedgehog, Resident Evil, Street Fighter or Spyro, this can be a fun way to build a collection around something you’re already passionate about. This also gives you the opportunity to branch out from games alone by finding related items, like comics or action figures, to add some variety to your collection.

Collect licensed games

Licensed games often get overlooked, but they can make for surprisingly interesting collections. Whether you’re interested in James Bond, Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or comic book adaptations, collecting around a licence can take you across dozens of consoles and uncover some genuinely forgotten gems along the way.

Build a complete set

Some collectors aim to own every game released for a particular console or region. While it’s certainly an impressive goal, I’d generally recommend leaving this until you’ve been collecting for a while. Complete sets can become extremely expensive, and it’s easy to find yourself buying games you have little interest in simply because they’re needed to tick another title off the list. They also require a lot of space!

Whatever approach you choose, remember that it doesn’t have to be permanent. Most collections evolve over time as your interests change and your knowledge grows. Starting with a clear focus simply gives you a direction and helps you develop good collecting habits before branching out into other areas.

Once you’ve decided what you want to collect, the next step is learning what those games are actually worth and how to spot a good deal.

Should you collect to make money?

With the price of many retro games increasing dramatically over the past decade, it’s easy to see why some people have started viewing retro game collecting as an investment rather than simply a hobby. Stories about record-breaking auction sales, sealed games being professionally graded and collectors paying eye-watering prices for rare titles have certainly fuelled that perception.

It’s hard to read headlines about a graded copy of the original Super Mario Bros. selling for more than $3 million USD and not wonder whether your own collection could one day be worth a fortune. When you compare stories like that with more traditional investments, it’s understandable that some people start looking at retro games as the next big opportunity.

However, I’d encourage you to be extremely cautious with that way of thinking.

Like any investment, retro games carry risk – but unlike shares or property, there is no underlying asset generating value. Prices are driven almost entirely by supply and demand, which means they can change surprisingly quickly. A sought-after game today might lose much of its appeal if it’s re-released on modern platforms, if collector tastes shift or if more copies suddenly become available. Likewise, plenty of genuinely great games have remained surprisingly affordable for years despite being highly regarded by players.

It’s also worth remembering that the record-breaking sales you read about are the exception, not the rule. Most retro games aren’t worth thousands of dollars, and many never will be. The vast majority of collectors aren’t building museum pieces – they’re building collections that reflect the games and systems they genuinely enjoy.

I’m certainly not a financial adviser, so nothing here should be taken as financial advice. This is simply my perspective after years of collecting retro games and researching their history. If a game you love happens to become more valuable over time, that’s a wonderful bonus. But if you’re only buying it because you hope somebody else will eventually pay more for it, you’re probably missing the best part of the hobby.

How much does retro game collecting cost?

One of the biggest misconceptions about retro game collecting is that every old game is expensive. While it’s true that some rare titles now sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, they’re the exception rather than the rule. In reality, the vast majority of retro games are still surprisingly affordable, particularly if you’re willing to look beyond the handful of titles that dominate YouTube videos and “most valuable games” lists.

The most important thing you can do before buying anything is research what your chosen games are actually worth. Don’t assume that a seller is offering a bargain simply because they describe an item as “rare” or “hard to find”. Likewise, don’t feel pressured into paying inflated prices because someone tells you a particular game is an “investment”. Spend a few minutes researching the current market value and decide what you’re comfortable paying before you open your wallet.

One of the best resources for this is PriceCharting, which tracks recent sale prices for retro games, consoles and accessories. While no pricing guide is perfect, it provides an excellent starting point for understanding what people are actually paying rather than what sellers are asking. I still use it regularly as a quick sanity check before making a purchase.

It’s also worth setting yourself a realistic budget before you start collecting. Whether that’s $50 a month or $500, having a limit helps you make better decisions and avoids the temptation to overspend when a particularly tempting listing appears online. Remember, retro game collecting is a marathon, not a sprint. There will almost always be another opportunity to find the games you’re looking for.

Finally, it pays to have a rough idea of the genuine “holy grails” for the systems you’re interested in. You don’t need to memorise every valuable game ever released, but knowing that a boxed copy of EarthBound or Panzer Dragoon Saga is worth significantly more than the average title could save you from walking straight past the bargain of a lifetime at a market or garage sale.

Where should you buy retro games?

One of the best parts of retro game collecting is that you never quite know where your next great find will come from. While it’s tempting to do all of your shopping online, some of the best bargains still turn up in the most unexpected places. The key is understanding what each source provides and what you should watch out for.

Many of the options below are from the perspective of an Australian collector, but the vast majority will also be applicable to those living elsewhere in the world!

Facebook Marketplace

If I could only recommend one place for Australian collectors to start, it would probably be Facebook Marketplace. It’s full of people clearing out old cupboards and garages, often with very little idea of what they have. You’ll certainly come across overpriced listings, but there are still plenty of genuine bargains to be found if you’re patient.

The downside is that good deals disappear quickly, so it pays to check regularly and be prepared to act fast. Whenever possible, inspect games and hardware in person before handing over any money.

Cash Converters

Cash Converters (or ‘CASHIEEES!!’ if you are a Dankpods fan) can be surprisingly worthwhile, particularly if you visit stores regularly rather than relying solely on the online catalogue. Stock changes constantly, and while prices have generally become more in line with current market values over the past few years, it’s still possible to find the occasional bargain or stumble across games that simply don’t appear very often elsewhere. Buying in-store also avoids the postage fee, which can sometimes kill otherwise good deals.

One advantage of buying from Cash Converters is that you’re purchasing from a business rather than an individual seller, which can make returns or exchanges much easier if something isn’t working as expected. As Dankpods always says, “it’s like a garage sale with opening hours!”

eBay

eBay remains one of the largest marketplaces for retro games, and it’s an excellent place to track down specific titles that you’ve been searching for. The trade-off is that convenience usually comes at a price. Since most sellers know exactly what they’re offering, bargains are far less common than they once were.

Don’t be distracted by phrases like “rare”, “investment” or “hard to find”. Always compare completed sale prices before bidding, and remember that asking prices aren’t necessarily what people are actually paying.

Local retro gaming stores

If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated retro gaming shop nearby, it’s well worth becoming a regular customer. Prices are often a little higher than private sales, but you’re paying for the convenience of being able to inspect games before buying them, ask questions and support a local business that shares your enthusiasm for the hobby.

Many stores also buy and trade games, making them a great place to gradually refine your collection over time. A great example is The Gamesmen in Sydney who run a curated Retro Games Museum, as well as selling a variety of retro items at reasonably good prices.

Gaming Conventions and Expos

Events such as gaming conventions, pop culture expos and collector fairs can be fantastic places to browse large numbers of games in a single afternoon. They’re also a great opportunity to meet other collectors and compare prices across multiple vendors. These sorts of events are a little less frequent here in Australia compared to other parts of the world, but we still have our fair share such as The Game Expo in Melbourne.

That said, don’t assume convention prices are automatically bargains. Vendors know they’re selling to enthusiastic collectors, so it’s still worth doing your research before making larger purchases.

Gumtree

While it isn’t as popular as it once was, Gumtree can still occasionally produce excellent local deals, particularly for larger items like CRT televisions, arcade cabinets or bulk collections that are difficult to post.

Collector Communities

Collector groups on Reddit, Facebook and dedicated retro gaming forums can also be excellent places to buy and sell games. Members are often knowledgeable collectors themselves, which can make transactions smoother and descriptions more accurate than general marketplaces.

As with any online purchase, take sensible precautions and use payment methods that offer buyer protection whenever possible.

No matter where you choose to shop, the same advice applies: be patient, research prices before you buy and don’t feel pressured to purchase something simply because it’s in front of you. Another copy will almost always come along eventually, and waiting for the right one is often part of the fun.

How do you know if a game is genuine?

As retro game collecting has become more popular, so too has the market for reproduction cartridges, counterfeit games and replacement packaging. Counterfeit games are much more common for some systems than others. Nintendo cartridges – particularly popular Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and Pokémon titles – are frequently copied, while other platforms are affected far less. It’s worth understanding what you’re buying, particularly if you’re spending a significant amount of money.

The good news is that most sellers are honest – in my experience, anyway! The bad news is that not every seller knows exactly what they have, especially when they’re clearing out old collections. A little research before making a purchase can save you a lot of disappointment later.

Reproduction cartridges

A reproduction (or “repro”) cartridge is a newly manufactured copy of an older game. Some are created so people can play expensive titles without paying collector prices, while others contain fan translations or games that were never officially released in English.

Personally, I don’t have a problem with reproduction cartridges if they’re clearly sold as reproductions. They let people experience games that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive. The issue only arises when someone tries to pass one off as an original.

If you’re paying original game prices, always check that the cartridge, label and circuit board match what you’d expect from an authentic release.

Counterfeit games and fake labels

Some counterfeit games are far more convincing than others. Common warning signs include poor-quality labels, incorrect screws, unusual cartridge colours or circuit boards that don’t match genuine copies.

This is particularly important for games that command high prices, as they’re naturally the most attractive targets for counterfeiters.

If you’re unsure, compare the game with photographs of a genuine copy or ask experienced collectors for a second opinion before committing to the purchase.

Replacement boxes and manuals

Not every box or manual that accompanies a game is original. Modern printing technology has made it much easier to produce replacement artwork that looks surprisingly convincing from a distance.

That doesn’t necessarily make these items dishonest—many collectors buy replacement boxes simply because they want their shelves to look complete. However, they should always be advertised as reproductions or replacements rather than original packaging.

Resealed games

Factory-sealed games have become highly sought after, particularly following the rise of professional grading services. Unfortunately, this has also led to some games being rewrapped in plastic and presented as unopened originals.

Unless you have considerable experience with sealed games, I’d recommend treating expensive sealed copies with a healthy degree of caution. Buying from reputable sellers and understanding the characteristics of genuine factory seals can significantly reduce the risk of an expensive mistake.

Sealed games are typically the hallmark of an expensive collection, so it’s even more important to be aware of the risks before you spend your money.

Trust Your Research

One of the best ways to protect yourself is simply to research before buying. Compare photographs, check recent sale prices and don’t be afraid to ask questions if something doesn’t seem right. Most genuine sellers will be happy to provide additional photographs or information.

Finally, remember that authenticity only really matters if it matters to you. Some collectors are perfectly happy owning reproduction cartridges so they can enjoy otherwise unaffordable games, while others only collect original releases. Neither approach is right or wrong—the important thing is knowing exactly what you’re buying and paying a price that reflects it.

Should you buy loose or complete-in-box?

As you start browsing retro games, you’ll quickly notice that the same title can often be sold in several different conditions. Some listings might include only the game itself, while others come with the original box, manual and any promotional inserts that were included when the game was first sold.

There’s no universally “best” option here—it really comes down to what you want to get out of your collection. In most cases, the more complete a game is, the more expensive it will be.

Condition	What’s included	Best for
Loose	Game cartridge or disc only	Players looking for the most affordable way to build a collection.
Boxed	Game with the original box (contents may vary)	Collectors who enjoy displaying their games without paying top prices.
Complete in box (CIB)	Game, original box, manual and any included inserts (cards, posters, etc.)	Collectors who want games as close as possible to their original retail presentation.
Sealed / New	Factory-sealed and unopened	Experienced collectors or those specifically interested in high-end collecting.

If you’re just starting out, I’d generally recommend buying loose games wherever practical. They’re usually much more affordable and let you experience a wider range of titles without exhausting your budget. After all, the game itself is exactly the same whether it comes in a cardboard box or not. Just be sure to check the condition of the disc or cartridge before purchasing it. A scratched disc or a cartridge with a dead save battery can quickly turn an exciting new addition to your collection into a disappointing afternoon.

That said, some systems naturally lend themselves to collecting complete copies. Original PlayStation and Sega Saturn games, for example, were sold in sturdy plastic cases that are relatively easy to preserve, while many cartridge-based systems used cardboard packaging that was often thrown away by their original owners. As a result, complete boxed copies for consoles like the Nintendo 64 can command a significant premium.

Personally, I think it’s worth being selective. If a particular game has sentimental value or is one of your all-time favourites, spending a little extra for a complete copy can make perfect sense. For games you’re simply curious to play, a loose cartridge or disc is often the smarter purchase.

Sealed games are a different story altogether. While they can be fascinating collector’s pieces, they’re generally aimed at experienced collectors and often attract prices far beyond what most beginners will be comfortable spending. Unless collecting sealed games is a specific goal of yours, I’d suggest focusing on building a collection you can actually enjoy playing.

Ultimately, there’s no prize for having the biggest collection or the most expensive one. Buy the condition that suits your budget, your display space and the way you want to enjoy your games. You can always upgrade individual titles later as your collection grows.

How should you actually play retro games?

Starting a collection is one thing, but how do you actually play your retro games? There are plenty of options available, each with their own pros and cons. It’s worth taking a few things into account before you start buying hardware, such as how much space you have to dedicate to retro gaming and how much you are willing to spend on things other than the games themselves.

Here are four approaches you could consider when planning your collection.

Original hardware

There are many people who will swear by the authentic experience provided by original hardware. It’s a fair point, especially if your intent is to create a nostalgic space for yourself to enjoy the sorts of games you played when you were younger. Imagine a corner of your house dedicated to a Nintendo 64, with four controllers and a series of your favourite games from childhood ready to go for some classic split-screen multiplayer.

It’s a lovely thought, but there are some significant challenges to overcome if you want a setup like this. One of the first things you will encounter is the hardware required. You either need to find an old CRT TV with the appropriate connections for your console, or find a way to connect your old consoles to a modern TV. There are a few solutions here, ranging from cheap adaptors all the way up to specialised hardware like the RetroTINK, but all of them require some extra forethought and money before you can even play a game. This gets even more complicated if you want to have a few different consoles hooked up at the same time!

This leads into the next issue – space. It’s not just the consoles themselves, but also the cables, controllers and games that need somewhere to live. And then there’s maintenance. These consoles are now several decades old, so sooner or later you are likely to encounter a controller that needs attention, a cartridge with dirty contacts or a console that simply refuses to cooperate. Cartridges can also need some attention, whether that’s cleaning dirty contacts or replacing the battery used for save data in some older games. If you are going to play on original hardware, you need to be prepared for some light maintenance to keep things humming.

Think of it like owning a classic car. Yes, you need to spend a bit of time in the garage keeping everything running, but there is a certain satisfaction that comes from the work. It also makes the drive on the weekend all the sweeter!

If authenticity and nostalgia are the most important parts of the experience for you, original hardware is difficult to beat. Just be prepared to spend more money, more space and occasionally more time getting everything working.

FPGA systems

If you like the idea of playing your games on something that behaves more like the original hardware, but don’t want to deal with ageing consoles and CRT televisions, another option is an FPGA system.

FPGA stands for Field-Programmable Gate Array, but you don’t really need to know what that means to understand the basic idea. Rather than running an emulator as software on a general-purpose computer, an FPGA system uses a programmable chip to recreate the behaviour of the original console at a hardware level. The result is similar to emulation in the sense that you aren’t using the original console, but the way it achieves that is quite different.

Products such as the Analogue range of consoles have made this approach increasingly accessible. They can provide a very close approximation of the original experience while offering modern conveniences such as HDMI output and support for modern displays.

The main downside is cost. FPGA systems are generally more expensive than software-based emulation, and you’ll still need controllers and games to use them. They also tend to be designed around specific consoles rather than providing one solution for everything. 

For most beginners, I wouldn’t consider an FPGA system essential. If you particularly value the experience of playing retro games on something that closely recreates the original hardware, however, they can be an excellent middle ground between a collection of original consoles and modern software emulation. They can be particularly attractive if you already have a collection of games and old controllers from your childhood and want a more convenient, modern way to make use of them without giving up the experience of playing on the original hardware.

Emulation handhelds

One key development in the retro gaming space over the past decade has been the rise of emulation handhelds. Companies such as Anbernic, Retroid and Miyoo have created a huge range of devices, providing a way to play retro games that is both nostalgic and convenient.

These devices use software emulators to recreate a range of classic consoles within a handheld form factor. This means you can carry a huge library of games in your pocket, with no need for messy cables, ageing console hardware or a bulky CRT. They also use modern memory cards rather than the original cartridges and CDs, so you don’t need to dig out your physical collection every time you want to change games.

Most of these devices run a customised version of Android or Linux, with interfaces designed specifically for browsing and launching your games. They also offer a wide variety of modern conveniences, such as save states and visual shaders, while the sheer variety of devices available means you can find something to suit almost any combination of budget, size and performance requirements.

I’d think of these devices less as a replacement for a physical collection and more as a convenient way to play it. You can still enjoy owning the original cartridges, discs and consoles, but having hundreds of games available on a device you can throw in a bag makes it much easier to actually play them. For me, this is a big part of the appeal of an emulation handheld: it turns a collection that might otherwise spend most of its time sitting on a shelf into something you can take with you.

There are a huge number of emulation handhelds on the market now, varying dramatically in form factor, power and price. There is no single “best” handheld, and the options are constantly changing as new devices are released. I personally own a Retroid Pocket 2+ and a Miyoo Mini Plus, both of which have provided me with hours of fun for a relatively low price.

There’s much more to talk about when it comes to emulation handhelds for retro games – far more than I can cover in this section. I’m hoping to eventually write more about them, but in the meantime I highly recommend checking out Retro Game Corps if you want to start exploring the world of emulation handhelds in more detail.

PC emulation

The emulation scene on PC has been active for a long time. In the early days, you would need to find the most appropriate emulator for each individual console, often bouncing between several different programs because some performed better than others with specific games. Influential emulators such as ZSNES, KGen and UltraHLE are great examples of programs that helped push the scene forward.

The modern age of emulation is very different, though. Rather than having to trawl the internet for individual emulators and constantly check for upgrades, there are now consolidated platforms and frontends that can take care of much of this work for you. Programs such as RetroArch, EmulationStation and Batocera can bring multiple systems together under a consistent interface, meaning you don’t necessarily need to launch a different program every time you want to play a game from another console.

You can run these emulators on most modern computers. While you can simply install everything on your main gaming PC, this is often unnecessary unless you’re interested in emulating much more recent hardware. For those primarily interested in retro games, a particularly popular option is to purchase a small, low-powered computer that can sit neatly beside your TV or monitor and provide a dedicated emulation experience. These sorts of computers can often be found second-hand relatively cheaply after being retired from corporate offices, making them a very cost-efficient way to put together a surprisingly versatile retro gaming setup.

It is still a little more involved to get started than some of the other options, particularly if you’re not familiar with emulation. Like emulation handhelds, PC emulation is also more about making your games convenient to play than making use of the physical collection itself. However, it can be a fantastic supplement to a physical collection, giving you a flexible and comfortable way to play a huge range of games without having to dig out the original hardware every time.

How do these approaches compare?

Here is a simplified comparison of how much these different setups cost, how hard they are to organise and what they are best suited for.

Option	Authenticity	Convenience	Cost	Setup	Best suited to
Original hardware	Excellent	Low	High	More involved	Authentic experience
FPGA	Very high	High	High	Moderate	Original-style experience with modern conveniences
Emulation handheld	Good	Excellent	Low – medium	Relatively easy	Portable gaming
PC emulation	Good	Very high	Low – medium	More involved	Flexibility and large libraries

What equipment will you need?

It’s easy to focus entirely on buying games when you’re starting a collection, but the games themselves are only part of the equation. Depending on how you plan to play them, you may need to budget for some additional equipment as well.

Storage is one of the first things you’ll need to think about. A small collection can quickly turn into a surprisingly large pile of cartridges, discs and consoles, so having somewhere sensible to keep everything will make your life much easier. Shelving is ideal for displaying games while keeping them organised, but don’t feel that everything needs to be on display. Storing games safely in boxes or cupboards is perfectly fine if space is limited.

You’ll also need controllers, particularly if you’re collecting consoles that you intend to play with friends or family. Original controllers can be surprisingly expensive for some systems, and older ones may need maintenance or replacement. Modern alternatives can be a good option if you care more about having a comfortable controller than maintaining an entirely original setup – companies like 8BitDo are a great place to start.

If you’re using original hardware with a modern television, you may also need an HDMI scaler or converter. Older consoles were designed for televisions with analogue inputs, and simply connecting them to a modern TV doesn’t always produce a great result. Devices such as the RetroTINK can provide a much better picture, although they can add a significant cost to your setup.

Alternatively, you might decide to embrace the original experience and track down a CRT television. These can provide excellent results with older consoles, but they are large, heavy and increasingly difficult to find in good condition. If you do go down this route, make sure you have somewhere safe to put one before bringing it home!

There are also a few smaller items that are easy to overlook. Memory cards and batteries are particularly relevant to some consoles, while a few basic cleaning supplies can be invaluable when dealing with decades-old cartridges, discs and hardware. A dirty cartridge contact or disc drive can sometimes be the difference between a game working perfectly and not working at all.

None of this means you need to buy everything before you start collecting. In fact, I’d recommend the opposite. Work out how you want to play your games first and then buy the equipment you actually need. There’s little point spending hundreds of dollars on specialist hardware if your preferred way of playing retro games is ultimately going to be an emulation handheld.

The important thing is to remember that the cost of a retro game collection isn’t necessarily limited to the price of the games. A little planning around your storage, hardware and accessories can save you a lot of money – and frustration – later on.

Common beginner mistakes

There are plenty of ways to approach retro game collecting, and there’s no single “correct” way to build a collection. However, there are a few mistakes that are particularly easy to make when you’re just getting started.

Trying to collect everything

It’s very easy to fall into the trap of buying games for every console, genre and franchise that catches your attention. Before long, you can end up with a large pile of games without really knowing why you bought half of them.

Having a focus doesn’t mean you can never buy something outside of your chosen collection, but it does give you a useful filter when deciding whether something is worth your money. You can always expand your collection later.

Chasing the expensive games first

It’s tempting to assume that the most expensive games must also be the most important ones to own. This is especially true when you start seeing lists of “rare” or “valuable” games online.

Don’t fall into this trap. A game being expensive doesn’t necessarily mean that you will enjoy playing it, and there are plenty of fantastic retro games that can still be picked up for relatively little money. Build your collection around what you actually like rather than trying to tick the most expensive boxes first.

Ignoring condition

It’s easy to get excited when you find a game you’ve been looking for and forget to check exactly what you’re buying. A scratched disc, damaged cartridge, missing manual or broken case can all affect the experience—and potentially the value—of a game.

Take a moment to inspect what you’re buying, particularly when you’re paying a significant amount of money. If you’re buying online, don’t be afraid to ask for additional photographs if the listing doesn’t show enough detail.

Buying because you saw it on YouTube

I’m obviously aware of the irony of saying this on a website about a YouTube channel, but it’s worth mentioning!

Retro gaming YouTube channels can be a fantastic way to discover games you might otherwise never have heard of. The problem is that once you’ve watched enough videos about a particular game, it’s easy to convince yourself that you need to own it too.

Remember that you’re watching someone else’s collection, based around someone else’s interests. If a game looks interesting after watching a video, add it to your list and do some research before buying it. You might discover that it’s exactly what you’re looking for—or that you’d rather spend the money on something else.

Forgetting to actually play your games

Perhaps the easiest mistake of all is forgetting what the collection is actually for.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your games as display pieces or taking pride in having a complete set but, in my opinion, games are meant to be played. If you have dozens of titles sitting on a shelf that you’ve never touched, it might be worth putting the collecting aside for a while and actually playing some of them.

For me, that’s ultimately the most important thing about building a retro game collection. The games should be more than objects on a shelf—they should be something you can sit down and enjoy.

Frequently asked questions

Recommended resources

There’s a huge amount of information available online about retro games, and it can sometimes be difficult to know which sources you can trust. The following websites are some of the resources I find most useful when researching games, hardware and the retro gaming hobby.

PriceCharting

PriceCharting is one of the most useful resources for checking the approximate market value of retro games and hardware. It tracks sales data and provides price estimates for different conditions, making it a good starting point when you’re trying to work out whether something is reasonably priced.

It shouldn’t be treated as an absolute authority—prices can vary depending on region, condition and the circumstances of an individual sale—but it’s an excellent way to get a general idea of what people are actually paying.

Consolevariations

If you find yourself becoming interested in the hardware side of collecting, Consolevariations is well worth bookmarking. It documents different versions, colours, special editions and regional variations of consoles and other gaming hardware.

It’s particularly useful when you discover that the console you have isn’t quite the same as the one you remember from childhood!

No-Intro

No-Intro is a useful resource for researching the different releases and versions of cartridge-based games. Its database is particularly relevant if you start becoming interested in game preservation or the differences between regional releases.

You probably won’t need it when you’re buying your first few games, but it can become a valuable reference as your knowledge of a particular console grows.

Redump

Redump performs a similar role for games released on optical media such as CDs and DVDs. Its database documents known releases and is particularly useful for researching different versions of games and their preservation.

Like No-Intro, this is probably more useful once you start digging deeper into the history and preservation of particular games.

RetroRGB

If you decide to play your original consoles on a modern television, RetroRGB is an excellent resource for understanding your options. It covers cables, video modifications, upscalers and other hardware that can help older consoles produce a better image on modern displays.

If you’re wondering why you can’t simply plug your old console into your new TV and expect it to look great, this is a good place to start.

Internet Archive

The Internet Archive is another useful resource for researching the history of games and gaming hardware. Its collection includes old magazines, manuals, advertisements and other material that can be difficult to find elsewhere.

It’s particularly valuable if you’re interested in the historical side of retro gaming, although remember that the availability of material online doesn’t necessarily mean that it can legally be downloaded or redistributed.