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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 call it the "self-proliferating directory" system.
Its based on a storage unit I call a "directory." A directory usually starts when I spill food on the carpet, and throw a book or something over it to cover it up. When I have something that needs storage, I put it on an existing directory.
The "self-proliferating" part comes into play when a directory reaches about four to six feet tall. By that time, it usually collapses, at which point I sort of shove it around until it forms several smaller directories.
Things that don't get stacked well are kept in a large directory between the couch and the wall.
I've never lost a thing using this system. It's all in this room... somewhere...
I find a lot of people store old video game collections on eBay...
Philip Sandifer's academic website
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.