Retro game collecting has become a serious passion for many of us. There’s a thrill in hunting down old titles, finding hidden gems in garage sales or flea markets, and carefully organizing a collection that feels like a tribute to gaming history. But no matter how long you’ve been in the hobby, mistakes happen, sometimes small, sometimes costly. Over the years, I’ve learned that even experienced collectors fall into traps. And for new collectors, it’s even easier to make some of the classic errors that can ruin the fun or drain your wallet.
In this article, I’ll share the top mistakes retro game collectors make, drawing from my own missteps and the stories I’ve heard in the community. Whether you’re just getting started or deep into the hunt for complete-in-box classics, avoiding these errors can save you a lot of regret, and a lot of money.
Not Setting Clear Goals for Your Collection
One of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is diving in without knowing what they want to collect. I’ve seen people grab everything from NES commons to obscure PS2 imports just because they were cheap or available. But after a few months, they realize their shelves are a mess of unrelated titles, and they’ve spent more than they intended.
I made this mistake by grabbing random cartridges at conventions. They were nostalgic, sure, but most didn’t hold up in gameplay, and I didn’t have any attachment to them. Now, I focus my collection on SNES RPGs and Game Boy Color oddities, which means I enjoy every title I buy, and my shelf feels more like a curated gallery than a thrift shop bin.
Set a goal. Do you want to collect a full set for one console? Focus on sealed games? Only go for stuff you loved as a kid? Once you answer that, the rest becomes easier, and cheaper.
Ignoring Game Condition and Authenticity
If you’re new to the hobby, it’s easy to get excited by finding a rare game for a decent price. But one of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is ignoring condition and authenticity. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone spend real money on a fake or repro cartridge thinking they scored a deal.
Check the label closely. Make sure it matches known authentic prints. Open the cartridge if you can, especially on more expensive games, and look at the board. Screws, fonts, and even sticker gloss can tell you a lot.
And don’t forget condition. A copy of Chrono Trigger with a sun-faded label or battery corrosion may still work, but it’s going to have way less value long term, financially and emotionally.
Overpaying Out of Impulse
Retro collecting isn’t a race. But the fear of missing out leads many people to impulse buy, especially on social media or auction sites. That’s one of the top mistakes retro game collectors make, spending top dollar on a game they think will disappear or skyrocket in value.
I’ve been guilty of this too. I once paid double the average price for a loose copy of EarthBound because a streamer mentioned it was becoming rare again. Two weeks later, I saw three local listings for half the price.
Use price tracking tools. Check sold listings. Be patient. The retro market fluctuates more than people realize. Unless it’s a true holy grail that rarely appears, there’s almost always another opportunity.
Neglecting to Research Variants
Not all copies of a game are created equal. Some have different label artwork, different publishers, or even different region coding. One of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is grabbing what looks like a great deal only to find out they bought the wrong version.
A good example is Tetris on the NES. There are unlicensed versions, licensed ones, and multiple regional variants, and each has wildly different value. Research before you buy. Use comparison photos, check serial numbers, and ask questions.
The more niche your collection goals are, the more important this becomes. If you’re after black box NES games or longbox PS1 titles, even a minor variant can mean a big difference in price and desirability.
Ignoring Repro and Fake Cartridges
One of the most frustrating parts of modern retro collecting is dealing with fake cartridges. There are more repros floating around now than ever before, and they’re getting harder to spot. One of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is failing to check if the game they’re buying is real.
Reproduction cartridges aren’t always bad, but they should be clearly labeled. The problem comes when sellers list them as genuine. I once picked up a “rare” SNES cart online that turned out to be a $10 repro with a convincing label. Lesson learned.
You can protect yourself by buying from trusted sellers, asking for board photos, and comparing them to known authentic versions. Tools like comparison guides and forums can help, especially for high-value games.
Overlooking the Cost of Accessories and Storage
It’s easy to focus on the games, but a complete retro setup involves more than just cartridges and discs. One of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is forgetting how much accessories, cases, and storage solutions cost.
Controllers, memory cards, adapters, shelves, plastic cases, all of these add up quickly. And if you want to keep your collection clean, safe, and displayed nicely, you’ll end up needing sleeves, cases, and maybe even climate control in some areas.
I underestimated this in my early days. I had piles of loose carts with no protection. Now, I invest in Universal Game Cases and plastic bins with silica packets. Not glamorous, but it protects the collection from dust, sunlight, and humidity damage.
Trying to Complete Sets Too Fast
Completing a full console library is a dream for many collectors, but one of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is trying to do it too quickly. When you rush, you overpay, buy junk filler games you don’t care about, and miss out on better deals down the road.
Pacing yourself matters. If you want a full NES set, don’t feel like you need to buy ten commons a week. Instead, watch prices, pick up deals gradually, and enjoy the process. You’ll appreciate the collection more when each game comes with a story instead of just a receipt.
And don’t let social media pressure you. Seeing other collectors show off complete sets can be motivating, but it shouldn’t push you into spending beyond your means or settling for poor condition items.
Neglecting Digital Records
When your collection grows past 50 or 100 games, keeping track of what you have becomes harder than you’d expect. One of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is failing to catalog their games digitally.
I lost track of how many times I’ve rebought the same loose Game Boy game because I forgot I already owned it. Now I use tools like Google Sheets and apps like GameEye to catalog my collection. I track game name, console, condition, price paid, and notes about where I got it.
Having a digital record also helps with insurance, trade planning, and even just browsing your own collection when you’re out and about. It’s not fun to dig through bins to check if you own a game, better to search your phone in seconds.
Underestimating the Market
Retro games are fun to collect, but they’re also part of a volatile market. One of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is assuming prices will always go up, or that their collection will always retain value.
The market moves in waves. Some games stay hot, while others crash when re-releases or digital versions make them less appealing. Don’t buy a game just because you think it will be worth more later. Buy it because you want to play it, or because it fits your personal collecting goals.
There’s nothing wrong with hoping your collection appreciates, but it shouldn’t be your main motivation. Otherwise, you’ll end up frustrated when a “rare” game you bought drops in value due to a Limited Run reprint.
Storing Games in Unsafe Environments
Temperature, humidity, dust, sunlight, all of these can ruin your collection if you’re not careful. One of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is leaving valuable games in garages, attics, or damp basements.
I’ve seen warped cartridges, moldy boxes, and brittle plastic cases from poor storage. Invest in plastic bins with lids. Avoid direct sunlight. If you live in a humid climate, use dehumidifiers or silica packs. And always keep your most valuable items off the floor.
Proper storage keeps your collection safe not only from the elements but also from accidental damage. I’ve knocked over more than one game stack before switching to better shelving.
Not Playing the Games
It sounds obvious, but one of the saddest mistakes is collecting just to collect. One of the top mistakes retro game collectors make is forgetting to actually play the games.
We chase CIB versions, mint condition copies, or sealed treasures, and then they sit on shelves untouched. While there’s nothing wrong with valuing preservation, I think the real joy in retro gaming is in the experience. I regularly plug in my Super Nintendo, pop in old favorites, and even replay titles I never got around to as a kid.
Your collection should bring joy, not just look impressive. Play the games. Share them with friends. Make memories. That’s what this whole hobby is about.
Final Thoughts
The world of retro game collecting is full of excitement, nostalgia, and community, but it’s also easy to make mistakes if you’re not paying attention. The top mistakes retro game collectors make often come from rushing, failing to research, or losing sight of the reason they got into the hobby in the first place.
Collecting should be fun, personal, and rewarding. It’s not about having the biggest shelf or spending the most money, it’s about enjoying the process and building something that reflects your love for games.
Avoiding these common pitfalls won’t guarantee you’ll build the perfect collection, but it’ll help you make smarter decisions, save money, and get more satisfaction out of every game you add. Whether you’re chasing down rare imports or just trying to relive your childhood one cartridge at a time, learning from the top mistakes retro game collectors make can be the difference between frustration and fulfillment.