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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."
i'm sure a lot of people are in my situation. I have over half a dozen CD spindles full of backups of music, games, data, etc. For now, they're in a cardboard box I added a makeshift shelf to. The problem is that they're a bit unorganized. Any categories I apply to them have to have contents in increments of 50 (or 100, depending on the spindle). The only solution I've found in my price range (I'm looking to spend under $100 for ~1000 CDRs) are those huge binders. I already have one that I use to cary around music. I figure I can get 5 200 CD binders for ~$20 each. I'm not sure how organized I could keep those, as adding a CD in the middle would mean rearranging every other CD in there. Does anyone have a cheaper solution that procides more flexability? Some home made project would be cool, but something commercial might be easier.
This probably has something to do with me nearing 30 years of age, but I no longer have an urge to hoard all of my old games. I still play my Gamecube and PS2 quite frequently, putting many hours into some games even after completing them.
Now, when I am thoroughly convinced that I have gotten all the enjoyment I need from a game, instead of keeping it around, I take it down to the GameStop in the mall and trade in for store credit.
Usually I do this with two or three games at a time and walk away with either a new game or a couple of used ones.
Other than the games that I play on a regular basis, I'm starting to keep some of my games in the garage now. On one wall hangs my gardening tools and on the other I've attached steel shelfing to the wall. I live in a moderately humid climate so to prevent the games from going mouldy and keep bugs out at the same time I keep the games in air lock bags which in turn at placed inside covered storage boxes.
If you go to Walmart, you can (well, idunno about you, but if I go to Walmart, I can) pick up some "CD Wallpaper." There like sheets from a CD Binder, only bigger (20 discs about) and they fit nicely on your wall, take up no space, and are pretty stylish too (if you have the right type of friends ^_^).
Whoever mentioned the drawer full of GB games was right on. OK, it's not very organized at all, but it does make a great way to store all your cartridges (GB or otherwise) that you (gasp) DON'T have the manual and box and little cloth map thing for.* Underbed storage containers work good for this too, because a bunch of NES "tapes" will fill a drawer rather quickly. This also will work for old peripherals and the like.
For the rest of your collection (the games in nice shape) you'll obviously want to keep them stored better. I'd suggest one of the rotating cube/towers mentioned in the article, but try and get one that doesn't rotate on the top - that way you can stack up multiple cubes and put your Mortal Kombat figures on the top. ^_^ These fit nicely in corners.
Well, that's all I got. Hope that "helps" or whatever. ^_^
* Oh, and about those cloth game map thingies - I SWEAR I'm gonna make a quilt outta those sometime. ^_^ Goodnight everybody...
If I had a legitable way to keep my genesis and older systems shelved... I probably would have kept it.
I find myself selling games back to Gamestop just because I don't want to keep too many games lying around collecting dust.