Re: Import Q

From <xxxxxx@aol.com>
Date
> And as people were talking here about finding shrinked games, many 
>  mentioned I still have new, basically bought not to play but just as 
>  collectors status.  They have to be out there, it just finding them and 
>  seeing if someone is willing to part them, as for me you'll have to pry 
>  them from my kung-fu grip ;)

I have a largish collection (sitting at 1,054 today)...and I guess in a sense 
I could be a "collector" as I only buy stuff complete (no loose stuff) and as 
mint a condition as possible; however, I've never understood the collector 
who never upwraps his or her games to...um...actually play them (I know 
some).  It baffles me.  Given the recent drops in some PC Engine prices due 
to a seeming lack of concern (gamers are fickle), the value of some 
collections has spiraled down...even the sealed ones.  So what are you left 
with?  In some cases, once expensive games which are now about a fifth of 
what you paid.  In my opinion, the depreciation is no big deal if you 
actually play the games and get enjoyment from them.  At that point, though, 
what's the draw in keeping the shrink on?  Guess I'll never get it.  I game 
to because I like the hobby and I truly enjoy playing games, and I don't see 
the point in having a bunch of shrinkwrapped aging games on a shelf not 
keeping their prices with time.  They aren't like paintings you hang on the 
wall.  This is certainly a bad hobby for investors, unless you hawk your 
stuff when the price gets high.  But, then again, that's somewhat retarded 
because why would you want to sell something you enjoy?  I used to collect 
comics when I was younger until all of the so-called investors came in and 
ruined the hobby.  That's when I got out.  This happened with gaming 
also...and all of the "I demand shrinkwrap" weirdos came out of the woodwork 
hoping to cash in on the hobby.  I didn't get out entirely...though I sort of 
did for a few months...but it's the same perversion which I didn't like in 
the comic collecting field.  Once you take the whole purpose out of it, 
there's really no reason to do it.  I actually had some sick child ask me how 
Akumajo Dracula X played one time because they still had their sealed copy 
and refused to open it.  Mine was opened in November 1993, and I didn't have 
to ask people anything about it, as I've been "experiencing" it for over 8 
years now.  I've never once regretted breaking the shrink.