Collecting in Cleveland

So this past week I went up to Cleveland on a business trip.  It was my first time visiting there and it reminded a bit of Detroit.   I spent most of my time around the Rocky River area, but sadly didn't find much in the way of retro collecting.

The Entire GameCube Collection

Since I'm 'done' with my GameCube collection (meaning that there is nothing I particularly want anymore for that platform), I figured now would be a good time to post some pictures up of the collection.

This month in collecting - March 2011

It was a great month in collecting for me as I was able to finally bring one of my consoles, the Nintendo GameCube, to a collecting close.  I now have every title that I've ever really wanted for the GameCube, so...it's DONE!

Below is everything I picked up in the month of March.  As always, you can click the picture for a larger view.

Astonishia Story

I have been eyeing this game for I don't know how long.  Probably since it was release way back in 2006.  I kept skipping over it again and again and again.   Then I noticed that I was seeing it less and less and less.  So when I happened upon a nice, clean used copy, I picked it up.  I'm still looking for a new UMD as the disc cover is a bit beat up and looks like it might fall apart anytime soon.  So that's a bummer, but since I have the case and manual, finding a disc won't be as hard.

Collection Complete!

That's right!  With the addition of Donkey Konga 2, my GameCube collection is officially complete!

As of right now, every title that I want for the GameCube, I have.   That doesn't mean that I wont ever buy a GameCube title in the future, but as of now, there is nothing that I am looking for.

GameCube collection Complete!

Final Fantasy XII review

I finally got around to posting my review of Final Fantasy XII over on GamersVantage.  Go read it.

This month in collecting - February 2011

I went a little bit overboard last month in terms of collecting.  I tried to tone it down a bit this month, and I did for the most part.  Still, I did acquire a few games (I don't think it would be possible for me to not) so here's the rundown:

Click on the images to enlarge.

Me & My Katamari

For some stupid reason, I had decided a while back that I could put off getting this game.  I kept skipping over it and passing it by until one day I realized that I was no longer able to buy it new.  I searched high and low but to no avail.  My searches for a complete, used copy were fruitless.  All I'd find were disc-only versions; no case, no manual.  I searched for months until finally, this month, the King of All Cosmos hear my plea and I was able to find a nice clean copy for me to enjoy!

PS2 and GameCube Collections almost done!

So today I finally came across a pretty decent copy of Driv3r. I finally feel like my PS2 collection is almost complete.

As of right now I can only think of 3 more titles that I know that I want to add to it. Driver: Parallel Lines (also completing my Driver set of games), Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land, and Nobunaga's Ambition: Rise to Power. Of course I reserve the right to add to that list should I get the urge.

On the GameCube front I'm even closer. All I need is a good copy of Donkey Konga 2, and I'm done! Oh I could got buy a new one on Amazon, but I'd prefer to find it on the cheap.

Of course, getting and calling my GameCube collection complete is really tempting...

This month in collecting - January 2011

Well, I skipped December 2010 so too bad. Here's the damage from January:

Click on the images to enlarge.

Broken Sword II: The Smoking Mirror

This I believe was the only Broken Sword that I didn't have.  Strangely enough each of the Broken Sword games I have is on a different console.  I is on the Wii, II is on the PS1 (below) and III is on the Xbox.  That really bugs me.

2010 Game of the Year Awards

I was hoping to get this out a few days ago unfortunately I have been rather busy.  Better late than never, and it is still January so I don't think I'm too tardy with this.

I do things a bit differently than most sites out there.  Rather than hand out the awards for the games released this year, I hand them out to games I played this year.  So, here goes.

2011 Goals

I had some trouble reaching my goals last year.  Based on my performance from last year I've tailored some new goals for me.

1. Beat or Complete 50 games.  I hit 48 last year so I don't think this is too much of a stretch.  It'll require some work, but at the same time, it should be attainable.
2. For every 3 games I acquire, I must beat 1 game.  Last year I choked hard on this one.  My target was 2 to 1.  I didn't even come close, I was 4 to 1.  That's just pathetic.  The idea was that I was supposed to limit my acquisitions but the collector in me took over in many cases.  I've modified this to be a bit more reasonable.
3. Finish a Zelda game.  I tried to beat the original Zelda, but there was so much grinding to get gems so I could afford things that it got tedious.  Dungeon 5 was the real killer though, I just could not get past that one.
4. Clean up PC titles.  Last year there was a goal to finalize my inventory.  I finished everything except for the PC titles.  That must be remedied.
5. Beat all my SNES titles.  I only have 6, and I've already beat 1.  This should be doable.

Here's to a great 2011!  Game on!