Category Archives: Buying Guides

Buying Guides for new Game Collectors – Learn about the hardware variants, controllers and best top 10 games to buy

Sony PS2 Buying Guide + Great Games & Hidden Gems!

Radical Reggie is back w/ a brand new Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2) BUYING GUIDE for 2024: Main Consoles, HDMI video solutions, Accessories + Best Games & HIDDEN GEMS! Do you still play or collect for the mighty PS2?!

As of my last update in January 2022, the top 10 best-selling PlayStation 2 games were:

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – This open-world action-adventure game from Rockstar Games became a cultural phenomenon, offering players a vast sandbox to explore and causing a stir with its mature themes and gameplay mechanics.

2. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec – Developed by Polyphony Digital, this racing simulator set a new standard for realism in console racing games, featuring a wide range of cars and tracks for players to master.

3. Gran Turismo 4 – The sequel to Gran Turismo 3, this installment further refined the series’ realistic racing experience, boasting even more cars, tracks, and improved graphics.

4. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – Another entry in Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series, Vice City took players to a fictionalized version of Miami in the 1980s, featuring a captivating storyline and memorable characters.

5. Grand Theft Auto III – Often credited with popularizing the open-world genre, GTA III allowed players unprecedented freedom in a sprawling, crime-ridden city, setting the stage for the series’ future success.

6. Final Fantasy X – This critically acclaimed RPG from Square Enix combined stunning visuals, a compelling story, and strategic turn-based combat, cementing its place as one of the most beloved entries in the Final Fantasy series.

7. Tekken 5 – The fifth installment in Namco’s long-running fighting game franchise, Tekken 5 introduced new characters, improved graphics, and refined gameplay mechanics, attracting both casual and competitive players.

8. Kingdom Hearts – A collaboration between Square Enix and Disney, Kingdom Hearts blended action RPG gameplay with beloved Disney characters and worlds, creating a unique and charming experience that resonated with players of all ages.

9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Hideo Kojima’s cinematic stealth-action masterpiece pushed the boundaries of storytelling in video games, offering complex narrative themes, innovative gameplay mechanics, and stunning graphics.

10. Final Fantasy XII – Another standout RPG from Square Enix, Final Fantasy XII featured a vast and immersive world, a complex political storyline, and a revamped real-time battle system that garnered praise from fans and critics alike.

Please note that sales figures may have changed, but these titles were among the best-selling games on the PlayStation 2 during its lifespan.

My Atari 2600 Game Collection (161 Games: Uncommon, $$$ & Hidden Gems)

Here is my entire Atari 2600 / VCS game collection. So many great games including popular, uncommon and expensive games plus hidden gems and more! The good news is most Atari games are dirt cheap under $10 and still a ton of fun to play! What are some of your best original Atari memories? Do you still have one?

The Atari 2600 holds a timeless appeal that transcends its original release in 1977. Its charm lies in its pioneering role in the home video game industry, fundamentally shaping the way we interacted with electronic entertainment. At the heart of its allure is its simplicity and accessibility. The console featured a joystick and a single-button controller, making it intuitive for players of all ages to pick up and enjoy. Its library of games, while limited by modern standards, offered a diverse range of experiences, from classic arcade adaptations like Space Invaders to imaginative titles like Adventure. This variety ensured that there was something for everyone, catering to different tastes and skill levels.

Furthermore, the Atari 2600 was a gateway to boundless imagination. Its pixelated graphics and bleeping sound effects ignited a sense of wonder and creativity, allowing players to envision grand adventures within the confines of their television screens. The concept of interchangeable cartridges was revolutionary, offering a level of customization and expansion that was previously unheard of in home entertainment. This not only extended the lifespan of the console but also fostered a sense of ownership and agency for players. Nostalgia also plays a significant role in its enduring appeal, as it evokes fond memories of a simpler time in gaming history, acting as a cherished relic for both seasoned enthusiasts and new generations curious about the roots of video game culture.

Sponsor: CLZ GAMES for cataloging your new and retro games. Check out Google or Apple app stores or https://www.collectorz.com for more info!

Sega Genesis Buying Guide + Best Games & Hidden Gems!

 

The Immortal John Hancock is back w/ a brand new Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) BUYING GUIDE: Main Consoles, Clone systems, Accessories + Best Games & HIDDEN GEMS!

The Sega Genesis holds a special appeal for gaming enthusiasts and nostalgia seekers alike. Launched in the late 1980s, the Genesis captured the hearts of gamers with its impressive library of games and advanced hardware capabilities. It offered a vibrant and diverse range of titles, including iconic franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, and Golden Axe, delivering fast-paced action, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay. The Genesis’s 16-bit graphics and sound were revolutionary for their time, providing a visually striking and immersive gaming experience. The console’s competitive edge against its rival, the Super Nintendo, fueled a spirited console war, with fans passionately defending their preferred system. The Sega Genesis continues to evoke fond memories of gaming’s golden era, making it an enduring symbol of nostalgia and an important chapter in video game history.

Commodore 64 Getting Started & Buying Guide 2024!

The Commodore 64 stands as an iconic symbol of the 1980s home computing revolution. Released in 1982, it boasted impressive capabilities for its time, including a 1 MHz processor, 64 kilobytes of RAM, and groundbreaking graphics and sound capabilities. Its affordability, combined with its capabilities, made it immensely popular among both gaming enthusiasts and home users. The system featured a wide range of software, from games like “Pac-Man” and “Donkey Kong” to productivity applications, contributing to its widespread appeal.

The Commodore 64’s influence extended far beyond its technical specifications. It played a pivotal role in introducing computing to a broader audience and fostering a generation of programmers and gamers. Its accessible design encouraged exploration and learning, sparking creativity in countless users and leaving an indelible mark on the history of personal computing. Even decades after its release, the Commodore 64 remains a nostalgic cornerstone for those who grew up with its distinctive beige keyboard and chunky design.

The PS4 is a SHOOT ‘EM UP fan’s DREAM MACHINE! 😍

There are so many great arcade-style shoot em ups (shmups) on the PlayStation 4. And many got a physical release! 

GAMES SHOWN:

Shikhondo – Soul Eater

Battle Garegga

Raiden V

Pawarumi

Ketsui Deathtiny

R-Type Dimensions EX

Psyvariar Delta

ESP Ra.De. Psi 

Dangun Feveron

Sisters Royale

Sine Mora EX

Dimension Drive

Caladrius Blaze

Jamestown+

Authentic or fake? Identifying Big Box Computer Game Shrink-wrap

“Big Box” computer game collecting has been around for decades, but has only recently joined video games as trading for increasingly crazy prices. Unopened games fetch the most money, but since shrink-wrap can be re-applied to an opened game, how do you know if your expensive software collectible is truly unopened and factory-mint? In this video, I share my knowledge of the properties of shrink-wrap as it pertains to “Big Box” computer games, and give you the tools to spot both original factory seals, as well as re-wrapped items. The Oldskool PC