It is more than a passion my friend, its an obsession. We as collectors need to preserve this equipment!!
We at NES Headquarters strive to turn games into like new condition. Polishing pins, taking stickers off, removing permanent marker (without of course damaging the casing), and so forth is part of our daily grind.
I see a trend of us in the US sending this equipment overseas by the truck loads. Once it is gone, ITS GONE!! 20 years from now, NES stuff may be real hard to come by. Keep your collections together and do not let go!!