This is the first post in a series featuring retro gaming collections from around the world and part of what we hope will become a regular feature on Retro Games Collector.

Occasionally in life you happen upon people that are both interesting and great fun to talk to. Australian Retro Gamer (real name withheld to maintain the air of mystery!) is one of a bunch of guys I regularly interact with on Twitter that fulfill both of those criteria and he is a mine of information on our beloved subject to boot. Over the months I garnered more and more mouth watering snippets of information on his collection and finally when intrigue got the better of me, I just went and asked him whether he would like to feature it here. Luckily for you he agreed and here it is along with a short interview with the man himself.

The Collection

Click on images to enlarge.

From top to bottom:

Atari 2600 Jr / Atari Jaguar

Hanimex 666T / Commodore Amiga 500

Commodore 64 / PC-Engine Core Grafx-II

NES, Master System, Saturn, MegaDrive / N64, SNES

GameCube / Game & Watches, Nano Arcade

Lynx, Nomad, Dingoo, GP2X, DS, PSP, NG Pocket, Game Boy, GB Pocket / Donkey Kong, Astro Wars, Galaxy Invader

C64 Paddles / C64 DTV

Dreamcast, Sony PS2 / Dreamcast Kiosk (project)

Nintendo Wii / Sony PS3

Jamma Arcade Cabinet

Q and A with Australian Retro Gamer

When did you become interested in video games and what was the first video game you played?

ARG: I became interested in video games when I saw an Atari 2600 on the shelves of one of our department stores. I remember looking at the box and thinking “Wow”. That was the earliest memory I have from early 1982. The first video game I played was Transylvania on the Apple II at Primary School (1982). It was a text based adventure game which fascinated me. I was hooked immediately on playing video games.

What got you into collecting videogames, computers and consoles?

ARG: I wouldn’t say I am a collector, I am more of an enthusiast. I like to play with all my video games gear rather than leaving it in boxes and never touching it. I do take care of my gear though. My dad always said “If you take care of your stuff, it will take care of you”. My Hanimex 666T and Commodore 64 are still in very good condition considering they are almost 30 years old. They haven’t skipped a beat.

I re-started my “collection” after I bought another Dreamcast (my first Dreamcast was sold to a friend, and I truly missed that console). After that, I got the bug to get the other systems that used to bring me such joy and pleasure as a kid. From there, it grew to then obtaining systems I always dreamed of having as a kid. The rest, as they say, is history.

Where do you source most of your retro purchases from?

ARG: Mainly eBay, but I do hit a lot of pawn shops and “Cash Converters” stores. Open air markets (Flea) and garage sales have been a source for games. There is also the Op Shops (goodwill stores like the Salvation Army) which have cheap gear. There is only one retail franchise here in Australia, called Game Traders, which I tend to grab a few games that are hard to come by (I usually wait when they have specials).

What is your most prized retrogaming possession and how much did it cost you?

ARG: The questions are now getting tougher ! The easy answer would be the Arcade machine, as it is the most expensive item I have – it was $1150. But for pure sentimental value, my C64 is my most prized possession.

What is your favourite hardware manufacturer?

ARG: Oh man, that is a tough one. I just peeked at the next question, and that one is even tougher ! They all hold a dear place in my retro gaming heart, from Commodore, to Atari, Sega, Nintendo, NEC, SNK Neo Geo – I love them all.

What is your favourite console or computer?

ARG: In regards to the consoles, I truly love them all equally, just like loving all your children. As for the computer, the C64 is numero uno !

Where do you want to go now with the collection?

ARG: I still have a number of systems (consoles and computers) on my “hit list”. So, the collection never stops.

Have you any tips for budding retro games collectors?

ARG: I know this is extremely hard, and I have fallen in its trap, but try and take the emotion out of finding that “killer retro game” or “console”. I know, nostalgia is powerful, but, if you make a judgement call based on emotion, you will overpay for the product – believe me, I have done this on a number of occasions. Take your time, and devote time to hit a few garage sales on weekends – you would be surprised what you will find.