Interview with Game Collector Michael Joyce
Saturday 11 November 2017
How long have you been collecting video games?
I've been playing since 1982, when my dad bought one of those plug n play tv games. You know the ones that had the stick bat tennis games like Pong? Course it didn't matter what sport game you played, be it tennis, football or hockey. They all looked the same. Ever since then I've been hooked. As gaming machines evolved over the years, I've grown my collection.
What system(s) are you collecting for at the moment?
Quite a few to be honest. PS4, Xbox 360, PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP (original), Xbox, Dreamcast, Mega Drive, Master System, SNES, N64.
Roughly how many games are there in your collection?
PHOOOO! That's a difficult one! I know I have over 200 games for the PS2 alone. I've never bothered keeping score to be honest. And there's no way I'm gonna try and count em all up now. I'm in trouble once I get to 10 when I've used up my fingers and thumbs.
Where do you keep your collection?
All over the flat. Got games on shelves, games in drawers, games in cabinets. I've even got a pile of games on the couch at present. They can bide there until I find somewhere to put them. It's a small flat. I'm pretty much out of free space. Might get to the stage where I have to throw out all the food from the kitchen cupboards and store some games in there. Well, gotta get my priorities right!
Favourite system you like collecting for and why?
Easily the Dreamcast. Back then Sega were developing so many original and imaginative titles. A few examples are Shenmue, Jet Set Radio, Space Channel 5 and Crazy Taxi.
Most embarrassing game in your collection?
ERRRR It has to be VIP The game for PS2. You know that crappy tv show that starred Pamela Anderson as the owner of a team of body guards? NEXT QUESTION. Less said the better!
Rarest/most valuable game you own?
I probably have to say Shenmue 2 as that is the game that has cost me most to buy at £60.
What do you think will happen to game prices?
They will keep rising. Plain and simple. DLC really annoys me as we already shell out a fortune for what is effectively an 'incomplete game'. The greedy developers then have the nerve to rerelease the game as a Game of the year or definitive edition which includes the original release plus all DLC. GREEDY, THIEVING SODS!!!
What's your favourite game?
That's a toughie. BORING ANSWER ALERT DANG DANG DANG!!! I've played far too many games over the years to name just one. I couldnt even give a definitive answer if you asked for a top 25. Sorry! Next question.
Where do you get your games?
Variety of places. Asda, Grainger Games, Cex, Argos, ebay, Amazon. And then of course there's always charity shops and car boot sales where you can find the odd gem.
Favourite console/system?
Dreamcast. No question. As I said earlier Sega made quite a lot of original and imaginative titles for this machine. Errrr, is it illegal to marry a Dreamcast?
What was your first video game memory?
See my opening answer in which I mentioned the tv game. It was quite a fancy one. It also had a light gun. I've been a gamer since 1982 when I was just 5 years old.
What one game that you don't own would you love to have in your collection?
Project Justice for Dreamcast. To find that would be my holy grail of games. I would give my right bo***ck to own that! It currently goes (and this is if you pick it up on the cheap) for £100 off ebay.
Lastly, do you have any advice for anyone starting out?
Buy a bundle with the console and a large selection of games. This works out far cheaper than buying individually. I mean you always get a few good games that you really wanted anyway in a joblot.
You can follow Michael on Instagram here.
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