I've been collecting and playing NES since my childhood in the 80's. I became the deep collector I am today as far back as the mid 90's. Taking a few years off in the 00's, I have come back to finish off what I started a long time ago. It began w/ a few games as a kid. I then put together a near cart set about 10 years ago. And my plan now is to put together a mint CIB set of every licensed and unlicensed NES game ever made. So that's some 675 licensed, 100 unlicensed, and 5-10 major variants. With careful planning and many, many hours of researching, upgrading, buying, selling, trading, and gambling, I am getting real close to that life long goal.
My philosophy is to enjoy what you do; if you're not having fun then what are you doing? Be wise by acting quick when needed - the early bird gets the worm and slowpoke gets nothing; making a gamble from time to time - the bigger the risk, the bigger the pay off; focus on specific goals - you won't see me posting pictures of 5 copies of Mario World, 3 Super Scope 6's, a box for a 3DS, 10 Atari games, a broken PC joystick, or a stack of Japanese PS2 games. Focus one on specific console at a time. Your wallet will be empty in no time if you collect all the shit that you see regardless of what it is, if you already own 5 copies, it it even works, is dirty, or has any use in your collection. Too many people do this and they never get anywhere in this hobby; sell everything you don't collect or need; and provide pictures, proof, and documentation so that your mission does not look like a fictional fairyale, but rather a reality. Too many people "have this" and "own that", but they won't share pictures or proof. They are either lieing or have something less than what they say they do, otherwise why brag in the first place? The guy who gives this hobby his heart and committment will be the one who knows inside they have earned the distinction of having a good collection, complete or not - they'll know it's real.
Oh, and learn early on who the good sellers are on eBay. There's a lot of re-sellers who have everything you need but 9 out of 10 times it's in poor condition and they tend to not give good descriptions/pictures. I have bought many items from reputable re-sellers who said the item is "very good" but their interpretation of very good is way off. Just a head's up my friends!!
Enjoy!
Before I can do the mint CIB set, I have to slowly punch out a few odds and ends such as missing manuals and boxes or in a few cases, carts I need to fill my empty boxes as well as locating those rare maps and posters too.
Edit: January 2013 - Many of the pictures posted here early on have been upgraded AGAIN later in the thread. It's the cost of building a mint set. Upgrades, replacements, and weigh offs. It's a pain, but it's a necessary evil in this hobby.
