Another Retro Collective Europe member and another mind blowing collection of retro goodness. Jamiu has been gaming since the days of the NES and is known for his exceptional fairness and generosity amongst his fellow collectors in the collective. Jamiu is well on his way to his ultimate goal of collecting the full PAL SNES game library. Check out our interview with him below the collection photos.

The Collection

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Q and A with Jamiu Buir Balogun

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

Jamiu: Must have been Pac-Man or Space Invaders as my first games. My brother and I went halves on a NES and it went on from there. I remember my parents getting me a commodore C16 for Christmas and I had Rig Attack for it. It took me ages how to play it, but I when I did I loved it.

What got you into collecting videogames, computers and consoles?

Jamiu: I loved the worlds that you could play in. At first I was just a SNES guy until ’95 when I moved to Swindon and people were selling me their Mega Drives and other systems. I was buying collections keeping what I wanted then selling off the rest.

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

Jamiu: I have got a load from Facebook pages. It is lethal I tell you!!! Lol. I normally work late so finish and home by 11.30pm. A lot of people put their games up about then. I see them and get in first. I tried to give up buying games for lent. That lasted for about three weeks. From the 14th of March I spent over £1500 on games and systems. The best place that I get games from is Retro Collective Europe. The people on there are a sweet bunch. I have done some sweet deals with people on there.

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

Jamiu: Radiant Silvergun (£96) and Metal Slug with cart (£50) both for the Japanese Saturn. I had just got back from a trip to Japan and only brought 1 game while I was out there. When I got back I went on ebay and saw them on there. I was in a bidding war with a few Americans. At this time the pound was worth two dollars, so I could throw money at them.

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

Jamiu: I’m a Nintendo fanboy through and through. I went to New York and picked up a GameCube and Animal Crossing two years before it came out over here.

What is your favourite console/computer?

Jamiu: Favorite console is the SNES. She was not my first but she is the one I have had so many sweet times with. All nighters on Super Bomberman, Street Fighter tournaments, Super Mario Kart knockouts. Along with so many other games as well.

What console/computer have you least enjoyed playing?

Jamiu: I would have to say the 3DO as I don’t really have any sweet games for it.

The burning house scenario: which part of your collection would you save first?

Jamiu: I would get my home contents insurance first as some of my games have gone up to stupid money.

The Desert Island scenario: which one console and game would you take?

Jamiu: A SNES and Super Mario Kart. I have the game from all three regions.

Where do you want to go now with the collection?

Jamiu: I’m looking to get every PAL SNES game. It is gonna take me a while and a fair bit of cash to do it.

Have you any tips for budding retro games collectors?

Jamiu: A few. Always be honest! You are not alone in this hobby. Join groups like Retro Collective Europe which has some of the sweetest people!!! Let the people in your group know what you are after and they will look for it for you as well. Some of the best deals I have had on the facebook selling pages has been at night. People put their wares on about 11.30pm just as I’m getting back from work and I have picked up some bargains for myself and others. Oh and one last thing; let family and friends know that you are collecting. I have had some sweet stuff given to me by family and friends because they know I’m a gamer.