After visiting a big (mixed) collectors exhibition, and then finding this site. I have decided that i would like to start a Game & Watch collection.

I have a few questions, and any advice from an experienced collector would be appreciated.

Quality - After looking at this site, and watching auction sites. I feel that paying the extra for a boxed mint, or near mint condition is the right way to go ? is this correct, or is it better to mix it up a bit depending on circumstances, price, availability...?

Where - Where are the best places to buy? Obviously online auction sites would be the most common, but are there other places not so obvious where they may be found?

Life & Storage - Ideally if i had a collection i would like to have them on display and functioning so that they can be enjoyed. Would this effect the life of the G&W? will they all eventually break down with time no matter what storage conditions?

Imitations? (Sorry i know this may be taboo on this site) Thoughts on collecting Bandai, V-Tech, DS mini classics.

Thoughts on Crystal Boxes

*edit - apologies if this info is already located elsewhere on the site, delete and direct me please if this is the case.

Hello coblos and welcome to the forum! :welcome:

It's always nice to see that the community of G&W collectors is growing )

coblos wrote: Quality - After looking at this site, and watching auction sites. I feel that paying the extra for a boxed mint, or near mint condition is the right way to go ? is this correct, or is it better to mix it up a bit depending on circumstances, price, availability...?

This is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong way to go. Some collectors prefer having the games boxed, others like them lose. Others want them in absolute mint condition.
On the other side it depends on the "size" of your wallet as well. ) Boxed and mint games do cost a lot more than lose games.

coblos wrote: Where - Where are the best places to buy? Obviously online auction sites would be the most common, but are there other places not so obvious where they may be found?

Besides auction sites, asking other collectors or visiting their sales thread in forums is a very good way to get games. I've never found a game on a flea marked or in a used items store (

coblos wrote: Life & Storage - Ideally if i had a collection i would like to have them on display and functioning so that they can be enjoyed. Would this effect the life of the G&W? will they all eventually break down with time no matter what storage conditions?

The games will not break down if they are displayed/stored in the right place:
- store them in a glass cabinet or something similar which closes tight, so no dust can reach the games
- no straight sunlight. Sunlight makes the color of the games and boxes to faint
- smoke free room
- normal room temperature (about 20°/22°C) and no or low humidity

coblos wrote: Imitations? (Sorry i know this may be taboo on this site) Thoughts on collecting Bandai, V-Tech, DS mini classics.

Other handhelds or mini classics are absolutely not taboo here. I even can set up a seperate forum for this topic if desired (as I did in the german forum ).
I like other handhelds as well, but I don't collect them. The reason is, that it would be endless... Did you see the collection of Linda Watson (scroll down to the bottom of the page)? Awesome! The pictures show only a very small part of her collection! I did collect mini classics, but haven't bought any for a long time now.

coblos wrote: Thoughts on Crystal Boxes

I don't like people who sell fake G&W items. A crystal box might be OK for storing the games, but not reproduced boxes (fakes!) like this seller does. I did never buy from this seller and I never will!


- Patrick

Thanks for the tips.

I think i will focus on mint in box, quality instead of quantity. I'm in no hurry. I like to tell myself that collecting is a good investment, and i feel that MIB will hold it's value better.

Your page of average monthly prices is very helpful. I have mucked around a bit with dynamic websites myself so i can appreciate the time and effort you have put into this site.

What is your definition of Quality A, B & C ?

I have been reading it as :

A = Mint in box
B = Used still with original box
C = Used no box

is this correct?

coblos wrote: What is your definition of Quality A, B & C ?

I have been reading it as :

A = Mint in box
B = Used still with original box
C = Used no box

is this correct?

Yes that is correct. This way the prices are more precise because I make a rough difference of the quality of the games.

But the prices still give "a very good idea" of what a game is worth - they can't be very exact. Because mostly inside the categories B and C there are still many different qualities possible. For example a game with quality B can be near mint or covered with scratches, the same goes for the box.

- Patrick

Um what is this?



:shock:

link to auction where i found this

This is a clone G&W from Russia, not a Nintendo game. Many G&W games have been copied in Russia, such as 'Chef', 'Mickey Mouse' and a few others.
But I know almost nothing about those games.

- Patrick