any tips because im new at this collecting thing

The only tips I would give is that first figure what you want to do collect all the NES games like some of the crazys on here lol  ;) or collect a certain amount of games. I picked out around 150 NES games I want and have fun with then slowly over time buy some of the games complete and thats that. And save the rare ones for last you should not be buying a Bubble Bobble II complete your first months collecting.

Try getting them boxed/complete since alot ppl who collect carts will eventulally want the boxes and manuals. Just my 2 cents on this.

You'd definately want to make up your mind about complete vs. loose first, some people don't care about boxes and manuals and loose carts are by far the easiest to find.

If however you have a just the slightest interest in complete games, go for complete from the beginning as it'll save you a lot of trouble getting rid of the loose games.

Keep in mind though that it takes a lot more searching and money to collect CIB's ....  

Buy in bulk lots!!!!  It is so much cheaper per unit that way and you can find some great lots out there.  Then once you have a good sized collection you can sell/trade your dups off for stuff you need.
~~NGD

At some point, you're probably going to want to get a game off of ebay.  Observe the following tips:

1) Read the auction completely at least four times.  Take notes if you have to.  

2) Ask questions.  If you can't see the back of the game cart, you'd better ask to make sure it's not covered in sharpie or rental crap.

3) Check feedback.  We have a list of really good and really bad transactions in a thread on this board.  Examine other auctions like yours to see if the buyer was satisfied.

4) Limit your liability. Use PayPal so you have a chance of recovering your money if something goes bad.

5) Check on NESWorld first.  It's farily likely a reputable member has a duplicate of whatever you're looking for, usually for a better price.


Good luck!   :)

My suggestion is take collecting slowly and unless you have a job where you have tons of extra money lying around dont try and build your collection fast. In my years of collecting Ive seen to many people spending way to much money getting in over their head then selling off what they bought.

Exactly what wrldstrman said don't start over spending trying to make your collection in 2 months relax look for deals and make trades good luck!!!!

yeah I agree. Take your time. I stopped playing video games for like a year and then decided to collect some again. I have a list of 330 games I am going to collect ranging from NES, SNES, N64 and Gamecube. However I will only spend a max of about 50 dollars a month on some rare months a hundred. But I am starting to tone it down. Point is Take your time you will find better deals out there. And make trades etc.

If you do plan on collecting cart only.  Look me up, I can help if you are looking to buy in bulk.  Probably around $2 a cart (shipping included) for most common to semi common games.  

Bryan

A few tips

If you do collect cart only, don't hesitate to pick up boxes and manuals if you find them in the wild.  They become excellent trade bait to CIB collectors like myself and can net you carts you need via trade.

Collecting the entire NES library becomes overwhelming at first.  Pick out subsets to collect or make a list of game you'd really like to have.  Example of subsets:  Koei, Capcom, black box games, series (megaman, TMNT, etc).

Bryan

yeah sometimes if I have not played a game and dont know if its good or not I will do some online research but most of all buy the loose cart somewhere for 1-5 dollars if I like it I will get it complete and keep it in my collection if not I will sell/trade it. And if its a really bad game i'll put it with some other bad games or dups I have and sell/trade in bulk.

Good idea, i would start like that man.

I've been hearing tat some people have been having problems collecting from  PayPal  lately due to fraudulant people on eBay.  Buyer Beware.