In life it’s often hard to let go of the things you love, but in the world of video games…not so much.
After waiting weeks, months and years for that all important new title to come out, you rush to your favourite local gaming emporium, run home and play it until your hands refuse to move from the controller shaped form that you have forced them into. And then the credits roll, and it’s all over.
Sure you may then play the token multiplayer mode for ten minutes, or have a crack though the game again to mop up those last few achievements, but generally that’s when the disc is popped back into its case and thrown to the bottom of the pile while you move on the next game on your wish list. And more often than not, all of your previous games are used as a bartering tool for the new for your next distraction.
There are exceptions though, those few games that for whatever reason will never be traded in or sold and are destined to be part of your gaming collection forever. Be it a game you just keep going back to, one that everyone demands when you have chums over, or simply that it comes in too nice a box. Those select few become as integral to your gaming setup as the console itself.
Now everyone will have there different games and different reasons, but here for your consideration are a few of mine.
Damn, that looks pretty
Say what you like about most special editions, but every now and then there are the few that just are so special you can’t part with them. I have two titles very literally placed upon such a lofty perch: the original Bioshock, and Halo 3′s Legendary edition. The very fact that Halo was mentioned somewhere in the game’s title meant it was pretty much a shoe in that the helmet was destined to stay mine for all of time, but Bioshock didn’t have such an easy ride.
Bioshock, when originally released, came in three flavours: vanilla (just the game); a slightly classier vanilla which was probably made in Henley (the game in a steel box); and strawberry cheesecake (the game, steel box, and a rather lovely Big Daddy statue). I of course opted for strawberry cheesecake.
Now a lovely statue should be enough but as what followed was some of the finest hours I have ever spent gaming, there you have a game which I could never part with. Also it had that intangible “time and place” factor, but that’s just an added bonus.
What’s old is new again
One of the problems with any game, no matter how grand its scope, is that sooner or later you’ll simply run out of stuff to do in it. Eventually power sliding around London, no matter how lovingly created it may be, will become old; or saving the Princess, no matter how lovingly created she may be, just isn’t worth the effort. If only there was a solution…
Well thanks to the wonder of larger tubes pushing the the Internet around the world, there is: Down Loadable Content. Or “DLC” to those in the know.
An old game can seem as fresh as a daisy once a whole new world, map, song or set of characters has been added to it. And it’s this tactic that has lead me to keep going back to Fallout 3, all of the Rock Bands, and, once again, Halo.
While of differing levels of quality, Bethesda had exactly the right idea with each of the DLC packs for Fallout. After wandering the Wastelands for so long people needed a change of scenery. So instead of simply adding the different quests to paths already trod, we were sent to places as far flung as Maryland, Alaska and Space. And as far as I see it, this was key to keeping people hooked and, in essence, keeping hold of the game; keep things interesting and people will keep coming back.
Halo also did this with its selection of map packs ranging from recreating old hunting grounds to a fine selection of totally new and fresh killing fields. Adding a Forger’s best friend in “Sandbox” didn’t hurt the longevity either.
The king of DLC however is clearly Rock Band. With songs and track packs hitting every week it’s nearly impossible not to see something that tempts you to part with your stash of MS points. Plus with songs ranging from Spongebob to Slayer, there is a variety and depth there that helps to attract a wide array of players with all sorts of musical tastes. (Incidentally, I’d choose Spongebob every time.)
Play it again, Sam
Now in all fairness, this category should be the most important. After all, what’s a game if you have no intention of playing it?
I keep games that I know I will play again, but even then most will outstay their welcome or be overtaken at some point in the near future. However, some are just meant to be on constant rotation for all eternity: Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Rock Band and Halo. (Spotting the trend yet?)
Be it a day of solo gaming, a friendly gathering or a weekend long festival that is Halopalooza, RB and Halo sit on my shelf and just scream to be played. And I keep answering their call! As mentioned earlier, it helps that there is often a fresh selection of content to while away the hours, but even without these added trinkets there is more than enough stuff on the shiny disc to keep me occupied for many years to come.
Interestingly, it’s not only major titles like your Halos that I would never trade in, as there are a couple of games with a lot less renown that I would never consider getting rid of, and those are the 2nd and 3rd editions of Scene It. While they may not have the pizzazz of other games I may have mentioned, they do make a quiet evening in with a few friends much more interesting. Plus it helps that I seem to win this one most of the time, and, trust me, I don’t get to say that too much!
Right, that’s me out the way so now I throw it over to you. What games would you never
eeeeeeeeeeevvvvvvvvvvver consider trading-in/selling and why? I demand to know….!!
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26 Comments
Shadow of the Colossus (as it’s signed by Ueda, just like Pogo’s copy!),Halo stuff, Half Life stuff, Bioshock, a bunch of old PC games, Pro Evo 4, Gears 1 and 2… crikey, the list goes on.
There are probably more I would have added if I could have gone on for ever but I thought i should draw the line somewhere. I didnt mention stuff like Viva Pinata 1+TIP, Fable 2, anything I have from before Nintendo’s annoying Wii years and of course anything i own baring the name Tim Schaefer.
Did you write this Mapoo? If so…yay! I have to agree with you, Viva Pinata TIP, Bioshock and Fabel 2 are definately destined to stay on the shelf for years to come!
I miss my snes light gun. I think it’s in a basement of one of my families homes.
@Rhi McFee- Yeah its all me, although you did help a little when we had the Fable fun times.
@Pogo- Wasnt the snes light gun actually a MASSIVE SNES BAZOOKA??
@Everyone- Add Left 4 Dead to the list too
I would never ever get rid of Bioshock, Oblivion, COD with all them Zombie Fellas and Animal Crossing DS.
I hope Bioshock 2 and Alan Wake will add to that list this year. Yumms.
My PC games that i defend to the death (Bauldurs Gate, Dark Forces[1,2,3,etc], HalfLife [all], Doom and more)
Xbox games (Amped, Masseffect, Rockband[forwards compatability!]
PS2 (Metal Gear series, Resident evils)
This could be a long list and i havent gotten to the retro games yet… i think if its a passion it easily becomes a collection when your talking about quality titles. This topic makes me smile…alot!
Agreed with Joe. I’ve still got all my snes/megadrive/nes/neo geo/mastersystem/ saturn and the mighty Dreamcast collections from my retail days!
Having had to sell all my previous consoles *slaps head in doh fashion*, out of my existing games that have survived my whole time in Cheltenham I have Black & white, the half lifes, Deus Ex, WOW only because I still get the urge to jump back in every now and again and most likely L4D 2 as I still have a huge amount of mileage to get out of it.
I wouldn’t get rid of my copy of a much-loved book, so I don’t see any reason to part with System Shock 2 or Planescape Torment. I even have an original boxed copy of X-Com: Enemy Unknown, from when game cases were REAL cases; it’s much loved and superseded by the Steam version but it’s still beautiful.
Aside from the game copy’s, there’s the fluff surrounding it that I can’t chuck. Just looking at The Dark Wheel reminds me of the hours I spent playing Elite and all my plans to buy and sell the universe.
PLanescape is THE BEST of the black isle RPG’s, can’t find a copy for love nor money!
You are in luck my friend. The rights issue got sorted out and it’s available from Amazon for the low-low price of a tenner: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plane-Scape-Torment-PC-DVD/dp/B002TOKQIG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1263388051&sr=8-1
Talking of black Isle, i remember playing a game called ‘shadow of the empire’ or something?!?!?!? i WANT IT! I just remember the soundtrack as a kid- loved it. Any ideas?
Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn? by Black Isle
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire? by Lucasarts
any help Pogo?
Do you remember what sort of game it was, or what system it was on?
It’s not those im afriad majikel. It was a PC game, a turn based stratagy. with like wierd 3d animations that would pop up when units attacked eachother. It was a modern day sort of war game. ahhh memories! thanks for the help though boys!
Would it be Battle Isle 3 – Shadow of the Emperor? You can find a reference to it on Wikipedia.
Jagged Alliance?
THATS THE ONE! Battle isle 3- good work gentlemen!
Marvellous! I loved those games, the logistic aspect of the strategy was so tricky though. I think you can find copies of it on eBay, there was a Platinum Collection of everything Blue Byte did but I’m not sure it’s sold anymore.
The first game I brought for my new shiny PS3 – Motorstorm for replay value (still have not actually got round to buying the second one!)
LittleBigPlanet for the DLC and online created levels – I also just love the old platform gameplay, which just has to be played at times!
Fallout3 / Oblivion – Just because of the shear amount of content and story! I’m not sure I will ever complete them! (I may have to trade in Fallout though to get the game of the year edition!)
On a side note does anyone else think they are never gonna trade in a GTA game because of the fun of driving around and blowing things up……and then a few months down the line you are so sick of it you have ended up trading it in? (or left it at the bottom of a big pile of games never to be seen again – which is what has happened to my copy of GTA4 which I have not even completed!)
p.s AWESOME SITE BTW
Ah see, my GTAs were the exact opposite, I’ve gotten rid of them all except IV. Although to be honest I kinda regretted getting rid of my original copy of III.
Re-purchasing games never quite feels the same somehow.
every now and again i get the urge to return to Grove Street, Stillwater too…
It was all about Vice City for me.
Please now also add Bioshock 2 to the hallowed list, the special edition is just so lovely!
Oddly enough we [gamers that is] will be hanging on to many more of our purchases in the not to distant future if many a publisher has their way. Why? They don’t like us trading in ‘their’ games and feel they’re being shortchanged by a constantly growing pre-owned market.
How are said publishers going to go about making sure we keep our games longer? DLC. DLC that requires you either a) Own a new copy of their latest IP or b) cough up extra dough if you want to add the DLC to your pre-owned copy. As you can imagine this hasn’t gone down to well with many gamers who need a pre-owned market to be able to trade in their old titles for new and, more importantly, games retailers for similar reasons.
Anyhoo, I’m with Manny. Shadow of the Colossus gets my vote.