We’re back in the UK for this mouth-watering collection belonging to another of our good friends from Twitter; Paul Darbyshire (@pablo_0151). Paul is not only a collector but also a talented blogger (http://crystal-blue-dreams.blogspot.com/) and a formidable expert on Japanese videogaming culture and anime. Enjoy the collection… but be warned, it’s big and there is a lot of scrolling involved!

The Collection

Click on images for titles and to enlarge

Super Game Boy — I always enjoyed seeing Game Boy games on the big screen

Game and Watch — Relics from my early childhood…amazingly still boxed!

NES and Advantage Joystick — The iconic NES plus the fantastic Advantage joystick.

Game Gear and Master System convertor — The battery munching Game Gear complete with Master System converter.

Neo Geo Pocket Color — SNK’s Pocket Rocket…cruelly underrated by all but the committed.

Double SNES trouble! Still my ultimate dream machine.

Mario Paint with the SNES mouse…oddly addictive.

Various controllers — A glimpse into my controller addiction!

Nintendo Scope 6 — The Super Scope, those ducks wouldn’t stand a chance with this!

Nintendo 64 — The N64 carried the hopes of millions, I still feel the anticipation even now.

Sega Saturn — As a fan of fighting games, the Saturn represents near perfection.

Sega Master System — Sadly I never played this much as a kid, so I’m making up for it now!

Sega Mega Drive — The SNES’ arch nemesis! A console I’ve grown to adore over the years.

Sega Dreamcast — Cut down in the prime of its life, still one of the finest consoles to ever exist.

NeoGeo CD — It may be big and slow but it’s still a Neo Geo…and I love it!

Atari Jaguar — Controversial and not that good, the Jaguar still has a place in my heart.

Car boot find of the year! An Amiga 600 for £4.

Sony PlayStation and PSOne — The PSX started out as a necessary evil but ended up being a true classic.

NegCon and JogCon — Namco analogue finery, a must for racing fans!

Dreamcast and peripherals — A DC family…all you need for hours of 128bit fun.

NeoGeo CD Boxed — The Neo CD in all its boxed glory!

SNK NeoGeo CD software — My prized SNK collection.

SuFami games — My burgeoning SuFamic collection…ever expanding!

WonderSwan Colour — Gunpei Yokoi’s last gift to the world. The fantastic Wonderswan Colour.

Game Boy Color — Boxed Gameboy Colour with obligatory light for after-dark play!

My most prized video game possession – a boxed Terranigma for the SNES.

N64 games — Selection of boxed N64 goodies.

SNES games — Where my childhood went part 1!

SNES carts — Where my childhood went part 2!

A recent purchase, at long last I own a Mega CD…looks superb.

NES Advantage josticks — The evolution of Advantage joysticks.

Q and A with Paul Darbyshire

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

Paul: My interest in video games probably started in about 1986 when my Dad first brought home a Commodore 64. I was only about 5 or so but I can still clearly remember being mesmerised by Bubble Bobble…and getting stuck on level 35 for months! Then the likes of Impossible Mission and Great Giana Sisters had me completely hooked and I never looked back.

What was the first games console or computer you owned and how old were you?

Paul: The first console I actually owned would be the Game Boy (although I have two Game & Watch units from before this) when I was about 9 years old. It may sound a little extravagant but it sort of changed my life and within seconds of firing up Super Mario Land I could feel that Nintendo magic. I have been a fan ever since.

What got you into collecting videogames, computers and consoles?

Paul: I think a lot of it stems from the fact that there were so many consoles and games I wanted to own as a kid, but as we all know you can’t expect your parents to splash out thousands every year on video games! As I got older my desire to play and own play this stuff never really diminished and I guess that’s why I collect it all now. I still get a thrill from playing something for the first time…even if it is from 1993!

Where do you source most of your retro purchases from (eBay, flea markets, car boots etc) ?

Paul: I’d have to say that it’s mainly eBay these days, although I’ve had some brilliant finds at car boot sales…an Amiga 600 for £4 and a Game Boy Colour for £3 being amongst them.

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

Paul: I think my most prized retro asset would have to be Terranigma on the SNES, it cost me £50 back in 1996. Not only is it my favourite RPG of all time but it’s worth a pretty penny these days and I’ve luckily kept mine pristine…not that I ever intend to sell it!

What is your favourite console or computer?

Paul: Well I am an unashamed Super Nintendo fan-boy so it would have to be that. I think my age at the time, coupled with the fact that the SNES (for me at least) represented the true golden age of video games means it’ll always rule my heart. I’ll never let go of the memories or feelings associated with grabbing my first feather on Super Mario World or (eventually) besting Rainbow Road on 150CC… for me the console defines everything that is great about video games.

Where do you want to go now with the collection?

Paul: I want more and more! To be honest, I don’t consider myself a hardcore collector or anything…mainly because I just don’t have that sort of money, but I’ll definitely carry on picking up bits that I like the look of or wanted when I was a kid. My ultimate aim is a Neo Geo AES but the next realistic targets are probably a Virtual Boy and a PC-Engine. The good thing is that there is so much amazing stuff out there; I don’t see myself getting bored any time soon.

Have you any tips for budding retro games collectors?

Paul: Don’t be afraid to dig around! You’d be surprised what you can pick up at a car boot sale or in a charity shop, some people just don’t know what they’re getting rid of. The other thing would be, don’t get put off if something isn’t in immaculate condition, for me video games are there to be played so even if you just end up with a battered old cartridge, it’s still a great addition to your collection.