I like em dirty!
As I start my NES collection once again, I find myself missing something. Something I did not think I would miss, but which now, looking back, I found a great amount of satisfaction in.
And that something is... the filth.
Now allow me to back up a bit.
There was a time in the long, long ago when one could purchase a CIB that was, upon first glance, rather homely. It had stickers on the cart, residue on the box, and a film of dust all about, but underneath the items were generally sound (and blessedly cheap *glowers at eBay*). Yet with patience and a practiced hand you could restore it to some semblance of decency. A baby wipe for the box and booklet; some windex and a tooth brush for the cart; Goo-gone for the sticker residue; paper towels for all. The cart's contacts were always the most satisfying, as what once was tarnished and caked with filth was now gold and shining. Almost as if it were smiling at you in gratitude for a job well done.
Now I'm finding that if I desire a relatively decent box, I'm going to get something that has most likely been cleaned, tested, and placed in a box protector. Otherwise I'd have to settle for something that looks as if it's been dragged behind a car and sprayed with a hose.
Times change, I suppose.
Perhaps those days are gone forever...
But I can still gaze back fondly on those bygone times when polishing a turd actually revealed a diamond. *sniff*
And that something is... the filth.
Now allow me to back up a bit.
There was a time in the long, long ago when one could purchase a CIB that was, upon first glance, rather homely. It had stickers on the cart, residue on the box, and a film of dust all about, but underneath the items were generally sound (and blessedly cheap *glowers at eBay*). Yet with patience and a practiced hand you could restore it to some semblance of decency. A baby wipe for the box and booklet; some windex and a tooth brush for the cart; Goo-gone for the sticker residue; paper towels for all. The cart's contacts were always the most satisfying, as what once was tarnished and caked with filth was now gold and shining. Almost as if it were smiling at you in gratitude for a job well done.
Now I'm finding that if I desire a relatively decent box, I'm going to get something that has most likely been cleaned, tested, and placed in a box protector. Otherwise I'd have to settle for something that looks as if it's been dragged behind a car and sprayed with a hose.
Times change, I suppose.
Perhaps those days are gone forever...
But I can still gaze back fondly on those bygone times when polishing a turd actually revealed a diamond. *sniff*
Comments
https://www.ebay.com/itm/303160268221
As I start my NES collection once again, I find myself missing something. Something I did not think I would miss, but which now, looking back, I found a great amount of satisfaction in.
And that something is... the filth.
Please get some help. You are sick. LOL
I've had my fair share of cleaning previous rental NES games and while it is somewhat satisfying to clean them and make them look decent. I can't say I miss those times. The reason why you don't find many rental games anymore is because well...there aren't any rental stores left. Back in the late 90's/early 2000's stores were getting rid of NES, SNES, and Genesis games to make room for the new stuff. People bought them up in bulk for cheap and sold them. Over the years most people have cleaned them which means they are now harder to find. Some people even collect them.
I've become too picky over the years and would never accept a rental game now unless it was from my local rental store. Probably explains why I open sealed NES games. Nothing beats that minty fresh feeling
other than that all my carts are clean. No dirt anywhere, pins restored to work on first try and any label damage that can be repaired (rips/tears/lifting) will be restored.
Now if it smells like an ashtray forget it, a light bit you can get out using some stuff, but if you can smell it more than a few inches from your face hell no.
If it looks like I can physically restore something to a really good shape I'd be happy to say I actually owned for years in condition I'm game. I refuse to pay up for a clean copy if I can make it as nice as the clean one or nicer, someone lazy can pay the fee. I've learned plenty of ways to go about process, tools, and cleaners that can be used and I've cleaned up some seeming hot messes into quite nice stuff now and again so it's possible.
Now if it smells like an ashtray forget it, a light bit you can get out using some stuff, but if you can smell it more than a few inches from your face hell no.
I was never much of a turd polisher myself. I'll scrub a dirty cart but to go so far as removing marker, glue the label, etc. I just don't see the point. Once a turd, always a turd to me. I just assume let em keep their battle scars.
I think finding "filthy" items scratches that itch. You can't find many games that way but there are a whole lot of systems. I have piles of various types of Game Boys. I sell them off from time to time, but working through cleaning them up and fixing dead pixel-lines is just as satisifying. Getting a dead or dirty system with a lot is part of the fun.
But, regarding games, if I see something on a cart I know I can clean off, I've just not had a lot of time lately. There are still quite a few games in my collection with sticker residue or general grime. It's not hurting anything and I know when I have a lazy afternoon, I can just rifle through my GB games box and clean them up as I come across them.
I still wish I took before pics of the stickered up NFR Killer Instinct I had. 7 bucks and one hair dryer later, minty game!
Label swap?