GameCentral readers reveal whether they sell their old consoles to purchase a new one or if they're secret collectors and hoarders…
The subject for this week's Hot Topic was inspired by reader Up4Banter, and by readers Montgomery Burns and digdis121 offering to give their old 3DSes away to Inbox readers. It's a difficult question for any game fan, but we wanted to know what you do with old consoles and whether you actually still use them if you keep them? And if you get rid of them do you just sell them on or give them to a family member or charity?
Although many people were forced to sell them simply to afford a new console they also admitted regret at having to do so, with many trying to re-buy their collection later down the line. Others were avid collectors and regularly returned to play retro titles in their original form.
Never again
I've written in the past about my regret at trading in my Mega Drive to buy an N64, then trading that in to fund the purchase of an Xbox. I made a decision not to get rid of any functioning console again – my Xbox is boxed up in a cupboard just waiting for me to set it up for a game of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. I imagine I'd make an exception for a new version of a console (e.g. if I got a New 3DS), in which case I'd probably trade the original in or give it away.
I haven't had cause to upgrade beyond my Xbox 360 but I do seem to be building a collection of handhelds though: I have a 3DS XL but still have my DS just in case I want to play any GBA games on a backlit screen. However, I also have my GBA, partly because it runs on replaceable batteries, so if the battery in the DS wears out I can always play the games on the original device. I'm thinking so many moves ahead even I don't know my endgame.
FoximusPrime81 (gamertag/Twitter)
Sellers remorse
I used to sell my outdated and unwanted consoles to raise money and create space in my flat. In retrospect I wish I hadn't.
When I remember the times I got royally shafted by the amount paid for my gaming stuff in pawn shops, I realise I should have just boxed up the old consoles and games or given them away.
I've owned two GameCubes and despair now at my decision to part with them for insulting amounts of money. There are many games on that system I never got around to playing and would quite fancy trying today. Alas, I can't because acting on a silly impulse I sold the machines and their software.
If I remember correctly shops usually offer about a third of what they'll price your item up for. Or is it half? Whatever the reward is it's heartbreaking to hand over an often cherished machine or game and receive just a few notes in return.
These days I'm not quite as hard up, so no one gets the chance to rob me over their shop counter. I keep all of my consoles new and old. Any games I don't want I donate to my local Oxfam shop.
I think if you can afford to be generous, charity to the more impoverished is the right way to go.
msv858 (Twitter)
Final problem
I recently sold my PlayStation 2 and GameCube (plus games) after holding on to them for years. I did want to keep them for posterity but gradually came to the realisation that they were just taking up space and that I was unlikely to ever reuse them.
I regret selling the ‘Cube, mostly because I suspect I let it go for a song (not saying how much – just that my Gumtree buyer was at my house within an hour of listing it). I'd already bought my Xbox One a while beforehand, so the way I see it this was money off that console. I really wish Nintendo would release ‘Cube games on the eShop, though – I think they'd be big sellers.
So, right now I have a phat PlayStation 3 (repaired after Yellow Light of Death-ing) in storage in case my slim ever croaks; my Xbox 360 under the stairs (still undecided about it's fate); Wii in my son's room; 3DS (original model in Aqua Blue in immaculate nick) boxed up and ready to be relisted on Gumtree – tried selling it before Xmas but no interest. I also have an original Xbox – boxed and in perfect condition – that I can't seem to give away. Are these completely worthless nowadays?!
Hopefully, this (PlayStation 4/Xbox One) will be the last generation of games consoles (seriously, where can they go from here?) so the problem of what to do with the old one should be a thing of the past.
Karl S
PS: If The Last Guardian is cancelled, that's me categorically NEVER buying a PS4. Got that Sony?
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk
Case by case
I've done a number of things when my old consoles were superseded by a new ones. In the past I've sold them and put the funds towards the new one, kept them until new games dry up and simply given them away to relatives.
It depends on the console really and how much of a library of games I've built up for it.
Dyniner (PSN ID)
Ain't nothing like the real thing
I've just recently had this happened to me: do I keep my old console or do I give it away? My first console was a Sega Master System 2 and completely loved it to bits, and I never knew what had actually happened to it and I had to re-buy one recently to relive my younger days, playing Sonic or Renegade.
It wasn't long back I gave away my PlayStation 2 to some family members and really didn't think about it till a few years when I wished I had kept it again to play on games I loved! I understand there are emulators but to me they are not the same! The sound of the music when a console is turned on, the feel of the controller!
And again at Christmas I was bought a PlayStation 4, which left me with the question what to do with the Xbox 360… a console like my past ones have given me many hours of fun, anger and a few choice words at times, but I have gone with my gut feeling to keep it!
I wouldn't like to say I collect them but I like to go back and play them from my Master System, original PlayStation to the Xbox 360 and invite friends around to play with me on them! And yes, I may have to buy a PlayStation 2 again!
Smithy1155 (PSN ID)
Worth remembering
I don't regard myself as a collector but I do own a PlayStation, a PS One, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, a Sega Master System, and Mega Drive and up in my loft I have a Grandstand Astro Wars, Pac-Man, Cave Man, and Fire Fox. I have also found a Nintendo Game & Watch called Greenhouse. I just have a big passion for gaming.
The thing is the people who work in gaming through the years have put their heart and soul into the business so why should we just discard their items as rubbish? Back in the day these items were cutting edge. I still feel a great sense of joy when I get these old timers out and have a blast down memory land. Many thanks to the people who made all these item possible.
David Reed
Just one more
This Hot Topic has appeared at a particularly relevant time for me as I've just received my (deep breath) New 3DS XL Majora's Mask special edition in the post. I've upgraded from an old 3DS XL and an original 3DS before that.
I'm a bit of a console collector and it used to be the case that I would keep all consoles when I upgraded; I've got multiple Game Boys, Game Boy Advances, PlayStations and PlayStation 2s, etc. In an age where even a handheld costs £200+ though, I just can't justify keeping the older versions of consoles.
Having sorted my data transfer to my new handheld, including a tense 10 minute period where I thought I'd lost everything, my old 3DS XL will be going on eBay to pay some of the bill.
I told myself that I wouldn't get yet another 3DS, particularly as I've still not got a Wii U, but when the special edition briefly became available again last week I just had to get it.
Matt Lawton (gamertag)
Catch up on every previous Games Inbox here
Collector and proud
I consider myself as a retro collector. I love collecting retro consoles and playing the games available. I've got a Sony PSP with 30 games. A Sega Dreamcast with 30 games, my PlayStation 2 is my biggest collection with 350 games – with the EyeToy and Buzz controllers plus all games associated with them. I've also got an interactive golf and fighting game made by Gametek. I just want to find a copy of Jaws: The Game and Shadows Of The Colossus to finish the collection off. If any readers can help I'd be very grateful.
I've also still got a Game Boy Advance with a few games. They are all prized possessions to me but the one that is my proudest is a Game & Watch Zelda game with dual screens, still in its original box. I still continue to buy consoles with having both an Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and their last gen sisters.
The only problem with being a retro collector/gamer are the new TVs. They are stubborn beasts that won't accept the signal from an aerial connection.
It's a hobby that brings me great joy. Finding classics at bargain prices. If any readers want to become a retro collector don't hesitate to start I'm lucky that my wife is letting me set up a game room when we move so I can have all my consoles set up and ready to play
Gary Humpage
E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk
The small print
New Inbox updates appear twice daily, every weekday morning and afternoon. Letters are used on merit and may be edited for length.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word 4Player viewer features at any time, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
If you need quick access to the GameCentral channel page please use www.metro.co.uk/games and don't forget to follow us on Twitter.
The post Weekend Hot Topic, part 1: What do you do with your old consoles? appeared first on Presshook News.