Over many years have I spent thousands of dollars purchasing games, systems, peripherals and accessories.I've owned more stuff in my time than I know what to do with.I've sold it all, bought it all back, put it away and taken it back out.I can't even remember when I started collecting or what my first item was, which is a bit disappointing, to say the least.

I can say the majority of my collection is RPGs, though. I also have a thing for shooters, or SHMUPS as they're called.What is it that draws us in, the pretty colors, the neat packaging, the goal of collecting one specific genre for a console,an undying passion to have more than the next guy, or a twisted sense or just wanting stuff not necessarily needed?

Perhaps all of the above, who knows.Anyway, what drives you to collect? Are you a serious or casual collector?

Do you have fun with it or is it a pain at times? Do you collect items becuase of financial value or just to say you own it?

I'm picky with what I buy, so I spend less than 2 grand each gen

Never underestimate man's almost infinite appetite for distractions.

I love collecting certain video games. I used to try to buy as many games as i could but now i usually just rent games and purchase certain ones.

Like the topic creator i mainly collect RPG's and i'm pround of my copies of Lunar 2 CE, Final Fantasy 6 for SNES, FF5 for SNES, Diablo 2 Collectors Edition, Oblvion CE, WoW CE, Warcraft 3 CE and so on.

I say bah to collections. I just want the content, and I want to keep the content until I don't think it will be amusing anymore.

And I'm developing a real distaste for stuff that clutters and takes up space. That's why the Virtual Console kicks ass and this online distribution revolution is going too slow for my tastes.

I love collecting games. I'm currently working on the North American Release list of the Sega Dreamcast, 22 titles away from being complete. A good friend of mine and I both are into collecting. We have requirements for purchases to our respective collections.

1. Game must be purchased in the "wild". No online auctions or online vendors. You can find anything on eBay, what fun is pointing and clicking your way to a respectable collection?

2. Must be original title/packaging. No Greatest Hits versions. We've made some exceptions. If we think the Greatest Hits version is        significantly better, Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition is a good example of this, then its ok.

We stick by these. It's not about much we spend. It's more about a friend and I hanging out for the day, digging to the bottom of a discount bin to find a gem in a dirty pawn shop. We do it for the fun, nothing more.

Side Note: Best deal I ever found, Shining Force II for Sega Genesis, mint condition (Box, Instructions, Cartridge, and Registration Card) at Goodwill Donation Store for $3.99. Priceless.

I love collecting games and consoles as well, I have never gotten rid of any games abd I have even gone as far as to buy a game just to have it(used games most of the time), with no intention of ever playing it. Did that a few times.

anybody know how big a mario or final fantasy collection would be