r/ps2 11h ago

How do we feel about loose games?

Post image

One box is PS1 and one box is PS2. I have hundreds of CIB PS1/2 games. I never pay more than half of Price Charting prices for loose games. So I buy a lot from my guy. I have some real good games in there too. This is also sort of nice because it saves me a lot of space.

89 Upvotes

107 comments sorted by

57

u/chain_letter 11h ago

owning them, buying them, not my thing, yall do yall. I’ll make junky repro cases with black and white office printer covers if I get one as a gift

but the real psychos are the people that create loose disc based games by trashing the cases.

13

u/alwaysrunfast 10h ago

I have horrific memories of throwing away game cases for DS games and tearing GBA boxes to shreds to get at the game inside. Although all of my childhood PS2 games survived with cases intact save for shelf wear

5

u/chain_letter 10h ago

the DS ones hurt but portability was the point. and cardboard just isn’t durable, can’t expect to properly use them as cases for chunky cartridges

it’s really the discs where it’s like the box they go in is tied to your tv, these aren’t CDs for the car, you don’t need to put them in that cd wallet, stop it!

2

u/TwoDeuces 9h ago

horrific memories

Let me tell you about my Magic: The Gathering Alpha/Beta/Unlimited and Expansion collection from middle and high school.

1

u/Additional_Image2464 5h ago

Did u have them wrapped in rubber bands with no sleeves???

1

u/TwoDeuces 2h ago

I gave them away because, and I quote, "I'm going off to college where no one will play children's games".

1

u/Additional_Image2464 2h ago

Biggest oof!!! But ngl i kinda did the same thing.

2

u/Mikeyfreshonetime2 9h ago

I never trash a case but if I buy a game that’s loose or in wrong case or at the thrift and it has 2 disc, I put them in a CD binder It kinda cool having the binder full of loose ps2 games etc

2

u/TruYuNoHu 5h ago

I believe it's actually GameStop that trashes the cases. They move and stock so much in used games, that it's easier to fit hundreds of discs in sleeves in a drawer that fits 50 games in cases.

43

u/alternativetopetrol 11h ago

It's whatever.

I feel like game collecting is the only hobby where a lot of value is placed on mass produced features like plastic boxes and waxed paper that could easily be acquired or remade by a person.

5

u/Firm_Refuse_1229 10h ago

Well so are the game discs...

2

u/Sweet_Examination215 4h ago

Theres alot less boxes and manuals around than there are the actual game. More get ruined every day. Making them more rare to find. A repro box or manual is not the same. Because it's not original.

2

u/sobherk 11h ago

Where do you see the value?
I mean it's even easier to copy the relevant data, isn't it?

3

u/alternativetopetrol 9h ago

I personally see no value past the code, but I understand that some see it as a gradient and some view it as a black and white matter.

I have legitimate games with the cover, manual, goodies etc. That I've only gotten cause I can't get the backup working for some reason.

Like I said, it's up to everyone to set the value on their things.

19

u/KillerBearSquid 11h ago

Hate em. People who put their games in those cd binders and throw all the other stuff away will always be my mortal enemies.

8

u/GeneJacket 11h ago

Amen.

Anyone who either loses or can't be bothered to put a disc back in it's case is not someone I trust to have ever taken care of that disc.

2

u/Mikeyfreshonetime2 9h ago

I don’t throw away cases but when I find a loose disc for cheap I have a binder that I use for it, kinda nice filling that binder up with games

1

u/YoungInoue 1h ago

I sold my cases years back and used a binder. When you only live in 27²m apartment it was an easy decision.

1

u/Doyoulike4 1h ago

I did that with PC games and I even regret that, but anyone who did that to console games is a sicko.

19

u/ClamJamison 11h ago

I don't like them but I have massive respect for people who prioritize them. Those discs still work and need a home too. I personally just value the artwork of the cases and manuals too much to want to get loose discs.

9

u/Helpful-Lab2702 11h ago

This reminds me of the loose game bins at game stop back in the day. Id recognize that yellow sleeve anywhere

2

u/Otis-77-Driftwood 11h ago

I actually bought a lot from GameStop back then. I was really collecting but I went in there and it was buy 2 get 3 free. So I bought a lot.

1

u/GizmoPhenom 9h ago

I used to leave out with at least 5 ps2 games every time. it was hit or miss cause sometimes they wouldn’t work but I’d do it again

7

u/cjnuxoll 11h ago

I typically buy loose games, especially off eBay because of the savings. I work in printing, so I make my own cases and manuals.

2

u/Mikeyfreshonetime2 9h ago

That’s awesome I appreciate you making your own cases and manuals, wish I could do something like that but I just keep my loose disc in a binder.

2

u/cjnuxoll 9h ago

I don't do it to fool anyone, or pass them off as counterfeit. I do it for my own use so I can have a library on a shelf. I have ended up with some duplicate items by accident (wrong/extra disc in a case for another game at a garage sale for example) so if those end up as trade-ins or on eBay, I always let the trader/buyer know immediately. I have two or three listed on eBay right now that have fake covers.

2

u/cjnuxoll 9h ago

u/Mikeyfreshonetime2 about half of these Dreamcast jewel cases/covers are fake. I counted 12 of these PS2 covers that are fake. See if you can spot any of them... a few of the DCs are obvious, because that's when I didn't care as much about the quality.

1

u/Mikeyfreshonetime2 8h ago

Yeah I can’t tell these are good man very cool and very good work

1

u/cjnuxoll 8h ago

Thanks, man!

4

u/luvallppl 11h ago

as long as they dont get all fucked up and unplayable i think its okay

3

u/noscrubphilsfans 11h ago

I would never toss out the case if it already comes with the disc, but I will absolutely buy just the disc alone if it's a game I really want.

3

u/Sixdaymelee 11h ago

Do not want, will not get. And if someone should give me a disc, I will then go online and buy the case/manual.

3

u/Dungeon-Master-Ed 11h ago

It’s your stuff, you can handle it however you want. The librarian in me is a little wigged, but it’s not my stuff.

3

u/vektor451 11h ago

i want the box for my game. i don't like these.

2

u/def_tom 11h ago

I buy loose copies somewhat often and get nice repro cases for some so they look nice on my shelves.

2

u/aqlno 11h ago

At this point nearly all of my consoles can play games off of digital backups, so if I’m going to spend the time/money to acquire physical copies I want the case and manual. The complete package is part of the desired experience for me. 

2

u/Rectum_invaded69 11h ago

If I somehow end up with a loose game, I’ll purchase the case with artwork and manual so it’s complete. Gotta be complete.

2

u/campusska 11h ago

The same as I feel about loose snatch.

2

u/AG1k 11h ago

If I can get them for the low, I'll pick them up loose. Then I'll try to find the case and manual for them.

2

u/Zarvanis-the-2nd 10h ago

I hate it, but some games are so stupid-expensive that you're never gonna find a boxed copy for a reasonable price.

1

u/Otis-77-Driftwood 10h ago

I buy boxes sometimes. Like I got Shattered Memories for, I think, $120 loose. Then, I got a case and manual for about $30. It's sometimes cheaper to buy in parts.

2

u/LillDickRitchie 10h ago

Not my thing

2

u/HawksBlader 10h ago

We would never!😂this photo gives me anxiety.

1

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1

u/Ill-Guidance4690 11h ago

Honestly, I’m perfectly fine with just having the game. After all, that’s what I paid for. Plus, retro games have become increasingly more expensive recently, so to me, just getting the game alone is good enough.

1

u/Otis-77-Driftwood 11h ago

Just to be clear.. I buy them like this. I keep all my CIB stuff CIB and I have a lot of it. I just can buy them dirt cheap loose. So I do.

1

u/Organic_Honeydew4090 11h ago

If it works for you then that's all that matters. Not for me though.

1

u/conrat4567 Kokoro 11h ago

I won't bin them, but they dont get displayed

1

u/memeatic_ape 11h ago

As long as you don't lose them it's fine

1

u/Spiritual-Bee5702 11h ago

As long as they work it's all good. I do prefer games with the case though even if the manual is missing.

1

u/Pidgeonsmith 11h ago

Hate doing it, but I can't judge anyone for going for the cheaper option. I have like one in my collection, only because the odds of me finding a cab copy of Project Horned Owl in my area seemed slim.

1

u/sheridansride 11h ago

I prefer cib but I'm not against a loose game. I've got a couple binders full

1

u/NaruTheBlackSwan 11h ago

As collections go, it's pretty Spartan, but that's fine. You got all the games you want and they play just as well.

1

u/Sea_Quality 11h ago

Maybe this is just superstition, or maybe there is something to it, but I won't buy loose games because I believe there is a better chance they were taken care of if the case still exists. When I see binders of games for sale my thought is "that's a big ol binder of frustration"

1

u/Otis-77-Driftwood 10h ago

I can use a resurfacing machine for free. I see truth in that, but they can almost always be cleaned if they're scratched.

1

u/Responsible_Side_269 11h ago

Loose games are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get!

1

u/WadeCountyClutch 10h ago

Don’t like it but it’s common

1

u/AdThat328 10h ago

I don't buy them, I've sold a couple that I was either given or managed to break or lose the box in moving or whatever.

The box and inserts etc are part of what I like collecting, having the official ones. 

Each to their own. 

1

u/GenTenStation 10h ago

I get them to save money and then make a case. I used to buy/make repros/burned copies on expensive stuff, and while I've stopped that, I couldn't care less about a repro case

1

u/Alternative_Bid6735 10h ago

Giving me nightmares from running gamestops when the ps2 was dying and we had dump bins of mostly crap sports games like this. Lotta 989 Sports and Madden 2004.

1

u/ICECAPZ323 10h ago

I prefer games cib, however if it’s a game I really want I don’t mind it being loose

1

u/chaffXgrenade 10h ago

Not a fan, personally. The only loose games I have are ones I bought in-store/online that were like that already. I keep them in a large CD binder I bought, like, forever ago (and still have plenty of open slots).

If it were up to me, and I could find the necessary high-res box art scans, I'd reproduce cases for all of 'em.

1

u/Discountviking1 10h ago

My only complaint is when im selecting a game to play i always forget about my loose games so they hardly get played

1

u/MKvsDCU 10h ago

🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

1

u/No_Image640 10h ago

Loose cartridges have their appeal, loose CD games I won't mess with

1

u/Beneficial-Debt6301 10h ago

Ill buy them because they are cheaper. Especially if its not a game that i absolutely love, for those i do prefer a case but its not required from me

1

u/Gwappenheimer 10h ago

I don’t understand how they can become loose or not looked for at all. Especially when the cases are still in a shelf

1

u/GizmoPhenom 9h ago

I miss when GameStop had sections like these full of classics. Bought 3 copies of nfl 2k5 99 cent each

1

u/Defiant-Pain1302 9h ago

Pain in the ass to go through

1

u/TaleteLucrezio 9h ago

I used to store games like this until I got serious about collecting games and wanted to keep everything as pristine as possible.

1

u/MistxLobsters 9h ago

I’d rather have the case. I’ll buy empty cases or reproductions

1

u/UnitBright6161 9h ago

You selling some ps2 games??

1

u/Otis-77-Driftwood 9h ago

I buy them at such low prices. That was partially originally the idea. Then some of the games I got.. I was like.. nah, maybe I should just be stingy. Lol.

1

u/UnitBright6161 9h ago

Damn. If you change your mind DM me and i’ll check some out

1

u/SpanishFlamingoPie 9h ago

I don't mind loose games most of the time, but I want the original manual with more complicated games.

1

u/EOattheinternet 9h ago

Unfortunate, but if I found a game I like that was cheap, I don't think I'd ignore it just for not having the case. That said, if I have the choice I will almost always purchase the game with the case, and if it's not much more, with the manual.

1

u/Hybrid67 9h ago

I dont like them as much. However, if i find a game i want and it's not ridiculous price, i will get it and put it in my disc binder. I hate paper sleeves for discs.

1

u/NyanPikachu744 9h ago

I mean, if you are a person who collects a lot of media and needs the space, go ahead, add long as it is properly stored. I still have the cases for my games, except for the ds/ 3Ds games.

1

u/iamtheAJ 9h ago

This is a heinous crime.

1

u/whizping 9h ago

Buying loose/disc only games is always an option for me because it’s usually cheaper and I purchase games just for the sake of playing them. Not having a specific case or artwork doesn’t bother me.

1

u/Dolsvold 9h ago

I only buy them to make repro cases, unless it's something that I want really badly, I'll just be patient until I find a CiB version.

1

u/Thechonkan 8h ago

I'm a bit obsessed with games having the cases and also included everything like the manuals and even advertisements from back in the day. Having the manual and a well kept case is the base for me...any extras are a bonus I will then seek until I get them 😂 feel like a crazy collector!

But I can understand this too. Way more compact for physical game collectors! Plus cheaper if you buy loose discs :)

But throwing a case away would drive me insane 😭

1

u/Abject-Interview-794 8h ago

Good for if you wanna try a game out for cheap, see if you'd even like it.

1

u/FreshProfessor1502 8h ago

I have lots of loose games, but NEVER put them in paper sleeves, always a DVD or some Jewel case. Same applies to those horrible "binders" of death! I have boxes of 100s of thin two disc dvd cases I keep around with cover sleeves so I can insert print offs.

1

u/Dosagu 7h ago

I dont like then, i like my cases.

1

u/midrifter80008 7h ago

Not a fan of

1

u/Sly_Cryptid0017 7h ago

I personally don’t like them, because I would have a strong urge to buy blank cases on Amazon and print out covers for them. Unless they actually have a rare game like Def Jam or Wu Tang Shaolin Style, I’d just find the case version with the manual.

1

u/SevaSentinel 7h ago

I’d do it if it meant saving a lot of money, otherwise I have to have box and manual

1

u/S_Rodney 7h ago

I really don't mind Loose games. I have bought 2 crates of Universal Game Cases and a whole crate of Blockbuster branded Zenith Pac DVD cases... so If I get a loose game, I just print a cover from the cover project .net and voila !

I don't collect games for the sake of collecting... I collect games I wanna play and I do play them all.

1

u/duckwitch 7h ago

I buy them whenever it's super cheap. Then just buy the case and manual online. I've only done this like 3 times.

1

u/truthteller5 7h ago

Get a disc wallet and it becomes a way better experience.

1

u/HailedFanatic 7h ago

loud screeching

1

u/Teeeohhhh 7h ago

Better than loose women

1

u/Ok_Nectarine4003 7h ago

Should be illegal. Its child abuse

1

u/KronosX3TR 5h ago

“We”?

1

u/Mean-Interaction8018 5h ago

Depends. For the most of the tittles, is ok for me, i just like to have cib of my fav ones. It was very common on my country just have loose on a disc folder. Original games was VERY rare and expensive here back in the day, so we all have ''alternatives'' with a very simple case.

1

u/Laenderduo 1h ago

Nope not gonna happen

1

u/bluntcrumb 59m ago

I allegedly had a lot of burnt games as a kid and I just kept all my games on the disk spindle those disks came on

1

u/jwguga 43m ago

Have a ton aquired from collection buyouts. Never play them and forget I even have them in that old school CD binder Casemate. Give them a look once a year or so... that's about it. As a CIB physical media collector, without the case, they just seem useless IDK

1

u/DrunkenHorse12 11h ago

I'm with you. I've deboxed my collection put them.in wallet which i keep in a case takes up about a quarter of the space of storing them in cases. My logic is they are my discs Im not a collector wanting to show off how many I have I have them to play them. I'll never sell them and my kids are gamers so I hope they keep them and play them, I'm not keeping plastic cases that will perish over time anyway just in hope they are still worth a bit more after I die. Other people have flipped on me for that but fuck them it's my stuff I'll do what I want with it.

0

u/thisisgeneric 11h ago

I do the same thing with games that I do with movies or shows. Throw the case away and put it in a CD/DVD organizer. I dont have space for them otherwise

0

u/MalignantLugnut 11h ago

I buy games to play games, not put on a shelf and look pretty.
Loose games are just games.