Reducing my video game collection

Over the last decade, I have collected quite a number of video games from BEMANI titles, Silent Hill, Metal Gear series, Winning Eleven series to Gundam titles. Over time, I accumulated too many games, too many that the games reached over the top of our apartment shelf. And by the way, not just game softs, I also accumulated video game controllers, soundtracks, and BEMANI related merchandise. You can see it on previous blog post from 2012 on how my video game collecting progresses.

My first photo in video game collecting (circa 2009)

There's a time that my Mother asked me to remove all of them because I am to hoard games and she don't want to see them clutter. At first, I ignored her, although, they are many, I always find a way in organized them and in some way she was able to accept the fact that my passion for collecting video games is intense. When I was 28 years old, I had this realization, the feeling that I am starting to outgrew them and starting to feel uncomfortable owning too many games. On that same day, I started to declutter them. My first attempt was a bit lame because I only disregard a few games (I think around 10 games) all are Gundam titles. I gave all my Gundam titles to a friend. A few weeks after, I tried again to declutter. This time, I declutter a lot of games such as Winning Eleven and Proyakyu (Baseball) titles. I handed it over to a friend.
On the third time, I was able to declutter prominent titles, such as Metal Gear and Silent Hill. I was able to sell it in an event which I earned a few thousands pesos. On my fourth declutter, I was able to donate it to a fellow video game collector who is living nearby. As for BEMANI merchandise and controllers, I am selling it in a group at Facebook.

My video game collection (circa Jan 2012)

While I am decluttering games, I am starting pile a number of game soundtracks, good thing I was sell it some of it right away. Aside from video games, I also sold my Gunpla kits to a close friend in cheap deal.

I also started collecting action figures, most of them are no longer in my possession (circa June 2012)

Currently, All I have are BEMANI titles (mostly from PlayStation 1 ~ 2) Artist albums from BEMANI (Some of them are for sale though), BEMANI actions figures, and a two Gunpla kits with a Jehuty revoltech figure from ZONE OF THE ENDERS .

Games I have in 2020

From what I have learned from this, It's good to be a collector, but collect on things that you are really passionate of. Being impulsive in collecting has repercussions in terms of household space, emotional and monetary stress. If you think its time to let go of your things; give it to a friend or better sell it. Right now, I am being selective, if I buy some thing; either I replace it on existing item or its for sale.

My soundtracks left

By the way, as of posting, Metro Manila is currently in Enhanced Community Quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic.

My BEMANI Collections!

   I have been playing BEMANI music games since I was in elementary and it has become a habit for me play in arcades and at home.

   I started to collect my authentic copies during my college years. My first game that I bought is a used Playstation version of DanceDanceRevolution 3rdMIX, since then collecting music games became my passion.

   Searching for these items is very difficult to find here in the Philippines. I have to look for a Japanese thrift shops within the capital or in nearby cities. Prices range from 50.00Php to 2,000Php or more depending on the physical condition of the item but asking for a lower price is possible.

   I bought my games from Ebay or from our local online shops and sometimes trades from other video game collectors. Currently, I have 56 BEMANI music game software's from different consoles and I'm continuously adding more.





























(My BEMANI Softwares in different consoles)


   While I'm collecting video games software's, collecting controllers is simultaneously necessary to purchase in order to play it appropriately. For example, beatmania game needs a beatmania or beatmaniaIIDX controller, because using the consoles' standard controller will give difficult gameplay. Though, there are some music games that the console controller can be use, such as DDR and the 5 or 7 buttons mode of pop'n music. The most expensive controller that I bought are the Arcade Style Controllers. I made an entry about ASC on my previous post .Click here.

(My BEMANI controllers)


   Aside from collecting video game and it's controllers, I also collect it's merchandises. Such Artbooks, Soundtracks, Figures etc.. Some of them are complete and loose items.

(My BEMANI merchandises)

   Collecting these things is a guilty pleasure for me, that sometimes almost half of my salary is allotted for collecting. Despite of that, I really love collecting. (^^)V!


                                                       THANK YOU FOR PLAYING!

KEYBOARDMANIA on keyboards.

I have been playing any available Bemani-related simulation like DanceDanceRevolution, beatmaniaIIDX, pop'n music and GuitarFreaks and DrumMania in our local arcade shops. However, how about the defunct bemani games like DanceManiaX, ParaParaPradise, DDR SOLO and the original beatmania? I know that some of them are still roaming around the arcade shops in different parts of the Philippines, but how about the most rare Bemani game like KEYBOARDMANIA?

KEYBOARDMANIA is a Keyboard simulation game from Konami using a Yamaha supported keyboards with 2 screens on each keyboards with wheel effectors on each side. KEYBOARDMANIA 3rdMIX is capable of Multisession link with other Bemani games like GuitarFreaks and DrumMania with a dozen of playable songs in Multisession mode. Click here for the Youtube link of KEYBOARDMANIA's Multisession

During my college years, I used to play a KEYBOARDMANIA 3rdMIX Arcade in Timezone Market! Market!. During those times the machine was in pristine condition. I play so almost everyday just to practice the game and my most played music is "DEAR MY FRIEND" by Every Little Thing . As months went by the arcade machine is starts to deteriorate, keys are sticky and sometimes chipped off keys, blurry screens, unresponsive effector wheels and the worse of all being smashed by High school punks. It's very unfortunate that my friend wasn't able to play the game due to that issues. Arcade management tries to fix the problems, until they finally decided to return it back to their warehouse for further repairs and never seen it again.

Months after, I decided to search for an another KEYBOARDMANIA alive, but the other KEYBOARDMANIA is also broken, located in Festival Mall Alabang, Muntinlupa. I decided to look for another options, until I found a PlayStation 2 version of the game.

(KEYBOARDMANIA CS with controller)

 

KEYBOARDMANIA has 2 consumer versions, the 1st and the 2ndMIX & 3rdMIX in one disc. The first CS version have the same interface with the 1st KEYBOARDMANIA unlike the second version uses the 3rdMIX interface. The PS2 version is not capable of multisession link but songs in multisession is playable.

 

I was able to practice more at home and manages to SS some songs on Light and Light + modes. Playing this game is like fulfilling my dream to play piano and most songs are classical.

 

Makes me wonder, Why Konami decided to end the game after 3rdMIX? and Why our local arcade operator didn't return the game to the Arcade parlor?  Nevertheless, this game is great and I will always play this game.

 

Photo: © 2013 Happy Fiesta Productions