Retro Video Gamer

Metal Jesus has just posted a video that I think will be useful to many.  How do you catalog your collection?  I personally keep it all in an Excel spreadsheet and I take pictures.  I save it all to the cloud so it is available anywhere.  How do you do it?

[align=center:kpzi3tvy]HOW TO Catalog Your Games (//http)[/align:kpzi3tvy]

Just a basic google docs sheet for me, and thats out of date lol

I actually saw that video earlier and posted a response into the comments box. To paraphrase, I use GameFAQs database and an Excel spreadsheet. I like that there's a community attached to GameFAQs, but Excel is more flexible.

Great vid but I'm an Excel sheet man myself.

Excel is very practical.  I actually found a nice template online that I use to keep track of all my collectibles.  I also use Slice to keep track of all my electronic receipts. 

I look at my shelf. ;-)

Most of mine is in my log book that I built up many moons ago. This is the basis of what I am transferring to an excel spreadsheet.

I don't  :21:

Quote from: "Shadowrunner"I don't  :21:

When I started getting duplicates is when I realized I needed to have a list so I sat down and made it.  I have over 1000 games now too. 

For systems I use on-line sites where you can share the serial numbers. I also have several notebooks full of info. Good video and has some great ideas.

I use this:

http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/museum/games/ (//http)

Quote from: "deKay"I use this:

http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/museum/games/ (//http)

Awesome collection! Your GBA game list is especially impressive
Also interesting that you included digital games. I've never really counted them with my collection just because I don't have a physical item, but you still own them so I can see your point.

Very nice listing deKay!

Great list! Thanks for sharing!

Great list fella. Perhaps you could share some photos of you collection here?

I'll watch the vid later, now I'm at work. It's the first time I know about these sites.

I recently catalogued the Jaguar cart collection, I used Excel and divided the games in retail releases and post mortem releases, including there the few homebrews released on cartridge.
Also put the condition of each component of the game including a couple of cells to note if I have the registry card/publicity and the controller overlay, all in a value of max 10 and a final box for notes.

I'll do it too for the Jaguar systems, accesories, catalogs/merchandising and CD games.

After that I'll do good pics of everything.

This will help me to know what games need to be improved, I realized I need a mint/sealed AVP like there's no tomorrow... And a sealed Double Dragon V to prevent playing it again. :)

Hey Alberto, good to see you back!  Interesting how everyone seems to have their unique way of cataloging their collection.  You add a lot of detail!  I see that Excel is the method most people use, though, including myself. 

The Jaguar is one of my favorite consoles and I try to take care of the collection as much as possible, sometimes I think I'm obsessed with the conditions!

Nice to talk to you again Trek!

Quote from: "Alberto 2K";) 

Quote from: "Alberto 2K"Nice to talk to you again Trek!

Likewise! 

I now have 20 cart sealed games and another 9 with the seal opened by me.

Most of the rest are in very good/near mint condition with the exception of AVP which is 7-7,5/10 and DDV which I would say it's 6-6,5/10, it's the black sheep of the collection in every way! Also I recently realised the box of D2K has a slight sunfade on one side so I will need a box for it or try to convince |nferno who has it sealed in mint condition, lucky guy!!

That's cool.  I think most of my Jaguar games have boxes in great condition but few still have the plastic wrap. 

WTF! Laird is now Gone or is he really out of the game?

Quote from: "Alberto 2K"WTF! Laird is now Gone or is he really out of the game?

He left the site and changed the screen name to Gone. 

So he left the scene? Can't believe it!

Quote from: "Alberto 2K"So he left the scene? Can't believe it!

No, he left RVG.

Ok then, after 13.000 posts he must be exhausted, take a break Laird!!

Honestly, still haven't done one and should be doing one. Guess eventually it will be needed. Maybe will just start today!
I think Excel seems like the way to go, in all honesty. Tried Backloggery once and as much as it sounds fun, I prefer something much more concrete and straight to the point.

I tend to get a list in Excel of every release with company/publisher names plus I create a column for Owned and one for boxed. Place a tick in each as I get them. I'm not sure why I've just done it for years.

Quote from: "JuMeSyn"Honestly, still haven't done one and should be doing one. Guess eventually it will be needed. Maybe will just start today!
I think Excel seems like the way to go, in all honesty. Tried Backloggery once and as much as it sounds fun, I prefer something much more concrete and straight to the point.

It's always a good idea.  It keeps you from getting duplicates (unless it is something you have to have two of) and it is useful for insurance as well.  Having an inventory and pictures is always good. 

I used to use an iPhone app, but when I switched to an Android device, the app didn't exist.  I did try a few more apps, but they were all flawed on one way or another.  Have exported to Excel, but I keep forgetting to update it.

Ok, my thoughts:

I have started a spreadsheet but I always find topics like this a bit frustrating. Let me explain, I am not knocking anyone but I always think of the poor chap who doesn't really know where to start and even some people who are experienced with computers don't always have the ideas for creating a database from scratch. On that basis, would a few of you mind sharing a screen shot or two and TrekMD, can you find a link to the template you mentioned please.

A picture tells a thousand words and we may be able help many members who are less technical. Maybe we can agree on minimum details (headings) and I am very happy to create some templates if decent ones don't already exist. The video is very interesting but the sites and apps referred to seem more geared to large collections. I am thinking of the little man here. Thanks in advance for any (visual) suggestions. This is a cool topic

OK, the template I found was something I found to keep track of DVD's; however, it can be easily edited to make it into a video game spreadsheet.  Heck, you can add even add more tabs and keep track of other stuff (that's what I did).  Below is a screen capture of the blank original template and I've added the file to the post so you can just download it here.

[align=center:38ws9v9s](http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag160/TrekMD/RVG%20Images/Template_zps19cc736b.jpg)[/align:38ws9v9s]

Thanks Trek, that looks ok and is a good starting point for anyone wishing to catalogue thier collection.

As it is quite basic, I will add it to my list of things to look at as I have some ideas for this.

What have the rest of you done? Especially with Excel as I am very interested in how others use spreadsheets for their collections. Incidently, screen shots can, of course, (don't mean to sound patronising) be "cropped" so as to exclude any details of your system eg the task bar, menus etc.

Has anyone tried Access? Here (//http) is a template from Microsoft which, at first glance, looks fairly good. I understand that many people steer away from Access though it is not such a bad programme once you get used to it. Certainly, I would suggest using TrekMD's spreadsheet template for first-timers but this does give us all another option.

I originally wanted to use Access but I didn't find a premade template.  That one looks like it would work well as it does include a lot more detail. The spreadsheet is more basic but, like I said, it can be edited and it is easy to use.

Quote from: "TrekMD"I originally wanted to use Access but I didn't find a premade template.  That one looks like it would work well as it does include a lot more detail. The spreadsheet is more basic but, like I said, it can be edited and it is easy to use.

Quite.

It should be noted with the Access template that it should be saved first and then opened, else you get an error

There's boxed stuff not for play.

Stuff in the living-room for play.

A new category is stuff for display since I'm prepping to make YouTube videos.  Boxed games like Action 52 and Princess Rescue, my Neo Geo and Turbo Graphics-16 etc..

There's one thing I don't believe I've mentioned.  The cloud is your friend with this stuff.  Once you have whatever file you use to save your listing as well as pictures, use free space from Google Drive, Box, or Dropbox to keep your stuff stored someplace other than your computer.  You can just keep your files in folders from any of those services on your hard drive and they will automatically sync. 

I use an excell Spreadsheet that I need to update

So, would anyone else like to share a screen shot or two of what they use as this helps others to see how a layout may be improved. Even if you only show headings, it all helps. Thanks in advance

I use an excel spreadsheet and also a collection app on my phone, just so I can make sure I don't buy duplicates.

Quote from: "stonemonkeylives"I use an excel spreadsheet and also a collection app on my phone, just so I can make sure I don't buy duplicates.

Ahh, what app is that? Sounds like a great way to get started with a small collection like mine or to break a larger collection in to manageable chunks.

It's called My Game Collection on Andriod, link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... 7Qb584H4DA (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tuyware.mygamecollection&hl=en&referrer=utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_term%3Dmy+game+collection+play+store&pcampaignid=APPU_1_ADX_VJevIYmE7Qb584H4DA)

It is handy for when I'm not buying a bundle but looking at individual games when I'm out and about as I can't always remember what I have.

That app looks good.  Can you import your list from Excel?

I've used Collectorz.com software for years. It has gone cloud now but I still have the client version which is very good.

Quote from: "TrekMD"That app looks good.  Can you import your list from Excel?

Not what I found as of yet [emoji29] They do let you import from collectorz though and a couple of others. Just none I use lol.

Yes, I was looking through the site and it doesn't show anywhere that they accept imports from Excel.  That sucks because I have over 1000 games.  Having to reenter them would be a major PITA.

I've tried the MGC app and it is good but I don't like having to search for the details. Clearly, these apps are very good for larger collections where you can simply scan in the bar code. However, as Trek said, if you already have a database then transferring it would be nice so you can try different programs to see which best suits your needs.