For the third installment of our popular new series of posts showcasing retro gaming collections from around the globe we stay in blighty. It is the turn of UKNESBoy to show us his fantastic collection of gaming goodies.

The Collection

Click on images to enlarge

From top to bottom:

Game Gear / MegaDrive games

SMS Converter & SMS games / Dreamcast

NES games / Boxed NES games

Game Cube & games / Nintendo 64 & games

Game Boy & games / NES Deluxe set incl. R.O.B. and Zapper

Atari consoles / Atari games

Q and A with UKNESBoy

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

UKNESBoy: To kill two birds with one stone, I first became interested in video games as soon as I sat down and played the very first game I ever did – Super Mario Bros on the NES. Every time I play the game now, and hear that oh so familiar level 1-1 music, it takes me back over 20 years ago stomping on my first goomba going down my first pipe! It blew my mind then and still does now, is a shining example of playability over a quarter of a century on. I also remember having a Spectrum and found the idea of playing games on cassette tapes confusing!

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

UKNESBoy: Was the NES aged 4, and remember the frustration at the red blinking light that occurred first with Double Dragon, and spread to other games. With no internet or YouTube back then, it was easy to assume it was a virus that had infected the carts, but if I knew then what I know now it’d be less traumatic! At that time had an old 286 PC which ran both 3 and a half and 5 and a quarter floppys, and just about run Windows 3.1, albeit badly.

What got you into collecting videogames, computers and consoles?

UKNESBoy: It started when in the summer of 2011, having cleaned out cupboards in an old bedroom, hidden away were 10 gleaming NES cartridges that had been sitting there untouched for nearly 20 years, and following that found ROB the Robot in an old box in the attic. Nostalgia played a huge part in starting the collection, and haven’t looked back since. But for whatever reason I couldn’t explain at the time, I kept every single console I owned, and has built up since then.

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

UKNESBoy: I try to shop at local shops as much as possible with 2 in particular, M&M Games in Croydon and X-Electrical in Hammersmith. However for choice and availability eBay UK has to be the first port of call, I would say 60% of my purchases are from there although am wary about prices. Have been unsuccessful with with flea markets and car boot sales but hopefully will change that this summer, carefully avoiding the resellers!

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

UKNESBoy: Has to be ROB the Robot, its been sitting in a cupboard for over 20 years, that looks and feels as though it has just come out of the original packaging, to me its priceless. Seems nothing I’ve bought recently is that good!

What is your favourite hardware manufacturer (Sega, Nintendo, Atari Commodore etc.) ?

UKNESBoy: I’d have to say Nintendo, they resurrected the home console market in the mid 80’s, without which the scene would look a lot different today. Their visions, and innovation, have ensured the market has kept growing, whilst giving consumers new ways to play games. True pioneers.

What is your favourite console or computer?

UKNESBoy: I can only echo the sentiment from the Australian Retro Gamer, its difficult to narrow a specific console, they are all an integral part of my childhood and development into the retro gamer I am today, but if I had to narrow it down, it would be down to the NES or N64 – I underrated the console at the time to my peril, is a fantastic machine with awesome games.

Where do you want to go now with the retro collection?

UKNESBoy: I’m still continuing my quest to collect every PAL NES game, after that I would like to build up the N64 and GameCube collection more, however would really love to start a SNES collection, it was the one console I never had that I would love to have had, the games looked amazing but never had the opportunity to experience that.

Have you any tips for budding retro games collectors?

UKNESBoy: Find one console that you are passionate about, and focus on that rather than being not as passionate over a range of consoles. I know that if I stopped collecting NES to start collecting another console, id forget about what I want to achieve and don’t want to lose sight of that. Don’t worry if at the start you are using eBay for your purchases you can find some great bargains but don’t pay over the odds for sentimentality, build up the collection and save up for those much-loved games that may cost a little bit more.