On Videogame Storage Solutions

Thanks to GameSpy for its article discussing a variety of possible ways to store an extensive videogame collection. The author points out: "The more video games you buy, the more storage space you need to keep them all. You'd think this goes without saying, but a lot of people don't give it much thought until their bedroom's paved in CD cases, piles of NES carts have transformed into makeshift tables, and ... is that an Intellivision peeking from the fridge?" He goes on to suggest that "...the ability to maximize vertical space and the ability to adjust the height of individual shelves" is most important for game storage, and "a more modular approach: stacking plastic drawers" is advisable for "boxes of controllers, cables and lightguns."

No, no, no

[fredrikj]

The best storage solution, by far, is keeping everything on a hard drive. Unfortunately, game companies won't allow us this convenience.

Emulation saves the day

[Anonymous Coward]

This is one of those cases where Emulators rule the day. I've been collecting massive ammounts of games for a long time, and it got to the point where it was just too much.

I was able to snag almost all the ROMs for the games I had on all my systems. This allowed me to store them all on one micro-ITX based PC and move all my physical carts to boxes in the closet for storage. Now I can enjoy my entire collection through one small system, but still drag out the physical collection whenever I need the feel of the original controllers in my hands.

If you're against emulation in general, I recommend a good, solid, bookcase. You can stack them all in order up against the walls and on other shelves, but it's a major pain to constantly have to dust them all off. ;)

Re:I'm having a similar problem...

[Pantheraleo2k3]

*raises hand* Go to Staples and buy CD sheets, a binder, and some tabs. CD sheets are 8.5x11 sheets that hold CDs. Divide up the binder with the tabs, then keep the extras in the back. Easy. Cheap. Painless

A Simple Solution....

[Q-Mont]

....Is to just keep the good games. I have a lot of video games, but this time around with the classics, i just bought the good ones. With the new ones, i just try before i buy. There aren't, in my opinion, enough truly great games to be worried about how to store them.

Re:No, no, no

[Ziffy]

If you're the kind of collector who would have enough junk to warrant a special storage solution, you probably value owning the solid physical objects that the game was originally packaged on and with. Keeping everything on a hard drive wouldn't appeal to a serious collector.

I'm far from a serious collector, but I'm proud of what I do own - I wouldn't want to part with the physical pieces of my collection, especially the more valuable games like Sin & Punishment and Bangai-O (N64 version). Having the roms of those games just wouldn't be the same as owning the actual thing.

Games as a service

[BlindMellon]

This is one reason why I was looking forward to the launch of the Phantom console. As I understand it, all games were to be purchased and downloaded without any hard mediums. Thats ducky with me. With broadband and gaming, apps as services makes sense for a variety of reasons- including eliminating the stack of game boxes clogging my shelves.

Does spelling count?