Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's....

adamzero

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.... no, not spouse.

Arcade games.

I've been thinking lately about the fact that when I see folks on here post up pictures of their games or something they scored over the weekend... I feel like, "Ahhh...I want that Galaga SO bad." Basic jealousy. Not in a mean way, where I think badly of the game's owner or something, it's more just me and my desires.

And it's crazy because I rarely feel like, "Wow, it's pretty neat that I have all these games myself... some of which I know some collectors would love to have in their possession. But it seems once I have a game, good, there it is... I kinda put it behind me, like checked off the list. It's not that I don't appreciate them... but I seem to focus more on what I don't have yet than what I've already scored.

It's the addiction to these beasts that feeds it... and it's not like I don't get super-excited picking up a new game, it's that once it's in the row & getting played with the rest of them, it's just the norm to have it.

I'm sure I'll get a Galaga...DK... DK Jr...even less-popular/grail-ish stuff like Kangaroo, Popeye, Playchoice... but in the meantime, it seems like I always want what others have, with maybe (at times) not giving enough props to my own stash.

Anyone else get like this?
 
And as a general word of advice/caution: While you strive to grow your collection in both quantity and quality, you should always be mindful not to let your reach exceed your grasp. Don't buy more than you can safely store and properly maintain. And once you've run out of space or your games start breaking faster than you can get them fixed, its time to start slacking up or making space for different titles. But that's just my philosophy. I could always be wrong.
 
i started out grabbing whatever i could,collected,fixed and sold,parted as necessary
( i played the role of arcade junkman a couple times taking all the crap left behind after a bulk buy.Alot of these were waterdamaged or converted then gutted, junk.)

Im glad i did becaue now i have alot of common parts "instock" sort of speak to fix new games with.

As i continued on my tastes got better, nowadays im only interested in dedicated machines or special builds. As i lost space it became apparent which games i would sacrifice to make more room and which ones were keepers.


Jealousy? eh,. it happens. Im never going to berich so im never going to own that rfm/afm pin, edot, etc. I do my best to enjoy what i have and be happy with what i have. But like a true collector, its never enough LOL..
 
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I think it is like this for any "collecting" hobby. For many, the enjoyment is in the actual obtaining of the item rather than a true joy of the ownership of such item. We enjoy our games, and play them, but it's about the thrill of obtaining a new game and the bragging rights that goes along with that.

I know for me, it's more about the collecting than the playing. My enjoyment is about the aquisition, fix up and putting it out for my wife, kids and friends to enjoy. Having the associated bragging rights (owning a prototype, low run game, etc.) is also a big draw for many of us.
 
Anyone else get like this?

I recommend anyone trying to get into the hobbie to get their GRAIL game first. Whatever it is, go out, find it, over pay for it and play the hell out of it, because once you add even that second machine it suddenly feels less special. (it goes from being your "everything" to your "first").

I'm actually nearing my "end game" where I have most of what I want, and that does make me both happy and sad. Part of it is the thrill of the chase, and I will miss that when I'm done.
 
After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true. - Spock, Amok Time

Now, I still love looking at them and playing them. But the fever of acquisition is always the best. Like a shot of endorphins.
 
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I recommend anyone trying to get into the hobbie to get their GRAIL game first. Whatever it is, go out, find it, over pay for it and play the hell out of it, because once you add even that second machine it suddenly feels less special. (it goes from being your "everything" to your "first").

I'm actually nearing my "end game" where I have most of what I want, and that does make me both happy and sad. Part of it is the thrill of the chase, and I will miss that when I'm done.

My Grail machine i'll never get..unless someone wants to give me a Star Trek:TNG pinball for free :D

so me getting my grail won't happen..and there is only 5 games in my lifetime i'd own..and one of them i HAVE owned..twice :D


StarTrek:TNG pin, TRON, Discs Of Tron, SpyHunter SD or UR, and Finally..StarTrek Stratigic Operations Simulator -UR or SD...i once owned 2 UR's. :)

then again..i was a tech in a arcade for 15yrs..so i've had just about everything :)

do i wish i had certian games some people find..OF COURSE! i think we all do..but i think i'll be happy with whatever god and the world says i can have :) everything else..is for Sharing :)

my stun runner and my Crusin World is enough work for me at the moment :D


so it doesn't hurt to want what ya see...it only hurts when yer deep pocket gets Shallow Quick ! :D


END OF LINE.


Daniel.
 
After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true. - Spock, Amok Time

Now, I still love looking at them and playing them. But the fever of acquisition is always the best. Like a shot of endorphins.

Yeah, this is spot-on.
 
I kind of miss the feeling of being bummed when I miss a deal, or seeing games that I want but don't own. I am going to buy a STTNG and an Area 51 this year, but there is no rush anymore. They are the last 2 that I really want, and it is kinda like waiting for payday. I look forward to it, but it is already going to happen, so no need to get too excited.

Any games after those two, I will have to weigh how much I want it compared to how much I don't want to make my garage more full. It will be at least a few years before I have more space, so I think I am about finished until then.

Enjoy that rush while it is there. That was a really fun time. This is different, but also nice. The rush you get from buying stuff creates a lot of work, so I don't miss that part. :)
 
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