So, does anyone have $165k that they'd like to loan me?
EBay user reel.big.fish has offered his rather large video game collection (5700 games, 50 systems, and other rarities) for sale on the popular auction site. His asking price is $164,000 which, quite honestly, seems entirely reasonable for the sheer amount of gaming goodness that is contained in this listing.
From the listing itself: "Over 4000 [games] from Nintendo. The majority from the golden age of gaming (1980's - 1990's). Multiple complete sets from Nintendo and Sega. Arguably every single retail (on store shelves) game released from Nintendo between 1985-2000 is represented here. That's just scratching the surface with many more from Sega, Atari, Playstation, Xbox, and Turbografx. Including multiple systems (some modded), (every single N64 color variant) and custom hand built and painted shelves. Complete in-Box Mario and Zelda sets. I'm not looking to break this up; I'm selling as one amazing lot."
The listing has received 187 offers as of this morning, and it has only been "live" on the site for a day and half. HNGN has reached out to Aaron Norton (reel.big.fish, the seller) to answer a few questions about this amazing lot, and his reponses are below:
HNGN: How long have you been collecting?
AN: I've always collected something. From an early age it was pennies, rocks, keys, baseball hats and so on. Displaying and acquiring "collectable" items has always been part of my personality. I've also been gaming from a young age. I was never a kid who traded in games when I was done with them, I'd just stick them on my shelf. About five years ago, I discovered an online classic gaming forum. I was amazed at the amount of people who were still passionate about these dusty old systems and games. This really sparked my interest. From there I began searching out games online, at thrift stores and garage sales.
HNGN: Why are you selling now?
AN: I'm currently in the process of moving and my family is growing. My house is going up for sale very soon and everything collection-wise is already boxed up. I have the opportunity to build a new house but will most likely not be ready to move into that house for another year or more. In the meantime, I'm going to have a great deal of house-building expenses I thought what the heck, why not list it all?
One of two scenarios will happen. First, I get a good enough offer, sell the collection put the majority of that money towards the house expenses and leave a small amount for a new game collection. If that happens my next collection will be much smaller in scale/budget, mostly local garage sale and thrift store finds. Second, I don't get a good offer, then that's fine, I'll hang onto it and continue to enjoy it.
HNGN: Have you actually played all the of games in you collection?
AN: As for percentage of games I've actually played. It's hard to say, I'm sure I've played hundreds, but that still ends up being a small percentage of the collection as a whole. Sometimes it can be daunting task picking a game to play. I mentioned online retro gaming communities; these can be great for figuring out what to play. Many will hold weekly or monthly contests where a classic game is chosen along with a set of rules (example: one life, highest score, set time limit). Then everyone competes and submits their scores via picture or video. It's a great way to experience old games in a new way with a social aspect.
HNGN: What is your favorite game and/or piece in the collection?
AN: I have a painting above my TV called "No One Wants to Play Sega with Harrison Ford" and it's by a talented painter by the name of Brandon Bird. All his stuff is pretty amazing, it often involves 1980's celebrities in unusual situations. My favorite part of that painting is the disappointed look on Harrison Ford's face while he's standing in his socks.... he just looks so defeated, it's priceless and makes me laugh every time.
Another favorite piece would be the "Nintendo Zapper" Lamp, which is something I built. It was fairly easy to build. I removed the wires from a NES Advantage and Zapper gun. I then found a lamp and threw out the outer shell. Drilled a hole through Advantage and gun, fed the wire through everything and used hot glue as an adhesive. Then glued perler bead art for the lamp shade and I was done. I'm really happy with how it turned out.
HNGN: How hard is it to part with all of this?
AN: It's brought me a great deal of joy, so I would be sad to let it go...but I'm sure it will find a good home with someone who appreciated it as much as I did.
And for the hyper curious, there's an expanded group of photos of Aaron's entire collection to check out, a Google doc listing with its complete contents, and a video tour below:
