The collector's guide

Starting a retro collection is easy. Stopping is the hard part. Here is what we have learned from a decade of grading cartridges in our shop — no gatekeeping, no jargon without a translation.

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Pick a lane (for now)

The fastest way to go broke is to collect “everything”. Choose one console, one genre or one era you genuinely love and build from there. A focused shelf of twenty Mega Drive games tells a better story than two hundred random loose carts.

Once you know what you like, the catalogue filters do the rest: pick a platform, sort through what we have, and check our Collections for themed restocks.

Tips

Start with the games you actually played as a kid — nostalgia is a reliable guide.
Decide early whether you want loose, boxed or complete-in-box copies.
Keep a list (paper counts) so you don’t buy the same game twice.

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PAL, NTSC and the Australian question

Australia is PAL country. Most consoles sold here run at 50Hz and play PAL games out of the box. NTSC games from the US or Japan are often region-locked and may need an adapter or a modified console.

Nothing wrong with NTSC — plenty of collectors prefer the faster 60Hz versions — but know what you are buying. Every listing in our catalogue states the region.

Tips

Check the region on the listing before you buy for an original console.
Some handhelds (Game Boy family) are region-free — great for mixed collections.
Australian PAL releases sometimes have unique box art or ratings labels, which collectors love.

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Reading condition grades

We use four grades: Sealed, Complete in box, Boxed and Loose. “Complete” means the game, box and manual are all there; inserts and posters are a bonus we mention when present.

A scuffed label does not change how a game plays, but it does change its shelf value. Decide whether you are collecting to play or to display — both are valid, and the price difference can be huge.

Tips

Loose copies are the cheapest way to play the classics.
Complete-in-box copies hold their value best.
Sealed games are for display — opening one is a personal decision we will not judge.

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Spotting reproductions

Reproduction cartridges are common for expensive titles. Tell-tale signs include labels with blurry print or glossy finish where the original was matte, the wrong screws, a board that looks too new, and prices that seem too good.

We open and inspect every cartridge before it is listed. If we ever sell a reproduction, it is labelled as one in big letters.

Tips

Compare the label with a known genuine copy in good light.
Check the weight — some repros are noticeably lighter.
If a rare game is suspiciously cheap, ask the seller to open it.

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Storage in an Australian climate

Heat and humidity are the enemies of cardboard, manuals and save batteries. A Riverina summer in a tin shed will warp boxes and fade labels faster than you can say “air con”.

Keep your collection indoors, out of direct sun, in a room that stays under about 25°C. Plastic box protectors are cheap insurance for boxed games.

Tips

Store cartridges upright, like books, not stacked in piles.
Use silica gel packs in storage tubs during humid months.
Save batteries last 10–25 years — plan for replacement on beloved RPGs.

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Budgeting without tears

Set a monthly budget and stick to it. Collections grow best slowly: the thrill of finding a game is half the fun, and patience usually gets you a better copy at a better price.

Our Sale page lists everything currently marked down, and the Gift Guide groups items by budget — handy when you want to treat yourself “on behalf of someone else”.

Tips

Buy the console you want first, then build the library.
Mix loose copies for playing with a few CIB treasures for display.
Follow our News for restock updates before big purchases.

Ready to start your collection?

Browse the full catalogue or dive into one of our collections.

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