Topic: Displaying game boxes

[Mop it up]

As we all know, games for Nintendo cartridge systems used to come in cardboard boxes rather than plastic cases like the fancy disc games of today. They're not good for storage and many people threw them away, making some of the ones for certain games valuable.

Because of their artwork, I want to put the boxes on display somewhere in my gaming room. They would really add the atmosphere. But they are delicate little things and I am worried about what could happen to them if I leave them exposed. They could get dusty or dirty, something could get spilled onto them, some clumsy klutz could trip and fall on them, etc.

What should I do? Should I keep the boxes stored away so they don't get damaged? Or is there no point in even having them if I'm not going to enjoy them?

[GoldenPhoenix]

As we all know, games for Nintendo cartridge systems used to come in cardboard boxes rather than plastic cases like the fancy disc games of today. They're not good for storage and many people threw them away, making some of the ones for certain games valuable.

Because of their artwork, I want to put the boxes on display somewhere in my gaming room. They would really add the atmosphere. But they are delicate little things and I am worried about what could happen to them if I leave them exposed. They could get dusty or dirty, something could get spilled onto them, some clumsy klutz could trip and fall on them, etc.

What should I do? Should I keep the boxes stored away so they don't get damaged? Or is there no point in even having them if I'm not going to enjoy them?

Maybe get a trophy case of sorts with a glass panel to keep them clean, maybe even cover them with clear plastic.

[Mop it up]

I've though about getting some type of display cases for my stuff but I don't think that's currently the best idea right now. Covering them with plastic wrap is a brilliant idea though, I might just do that. Thanks!

[Chozo Ghost]

Can you laminate them?

But in any case, if you keep the boxes dry and stored properly they will stay as good as new forever. I still have (or I should say had) a large number of SNES and NES games in storage and many of them still had their boxes, and these were still as good as when I got them back in the 90s.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I've though about getting some type of display cases for my stuff but I don't think that's currently the best idea right now. Covering them with plastic wrap is a brilliant idea though, I might just do that. Thanks!

Well if you seal them in plastic somehow (even a baggie that fits them snugly would work) the trophy case isn't necessary when it comes to keeping them clean, though you still have to worry about the klutzes knocking them over lol.

[UltimatePartyBear]

Storing them in direct contact with plastic is probably going to damage them over time.  Plastic isn't exactly inert.

I think a shadow box would be pretty cool.  You could have them up on the wall out of the klutzes' way.

[UncleBob]

Store the boxes in a nice, safe place and print out covers from TheCoverProject.net to display.

[Stratos]

I would suggest flattening them out and putting them in those plastic sleve pages that people will put comics in. Get the ones with holes and but them all in a three ring binder. Then have that on a stand in your room and people can browse through them.

Just an idea.

[KDR_11k]

Meh, these boxes are durable, I've got a huge pile of PC game boxes dating back to 1995 or so and they haven't shown much degradation.

[Stratos]

It depends on how much movement and abuse they get.

Though I know some older PC game boxes were built as if they were meant to be bomb shelters. Some of them were ridiculously thick and tough.

[Mop it up]

Can you laminate them?

Technically yes, but that would destroy their monetary value.

But in any case, if you keep the boxes dry and stored properly they will stay as good as new forever.

I want to display them, not store them.

Storing them in direct contact with plastic is probably going to damage them over time.  Plastic isn't exactly inert.

The boxes come sealed in plastic, are you saying that sealed games are going to get damaged over time?

Store the boxes in a nice, safe place and print out covers from TheCoverProject.net to display.

I'm too cheap to spend money on this. Plus that wouldn't look as nice as the actual boxes.

I would suggest flattening them out and putting them in those plastic sleeve pages that people will put comics in. Get the ones with holes and but them all in a three ring binder. Then have that on a stand in your room and people can browse through them.

I don't want to put them in a book, but using those plastic sleeves might work for hanging them on the wall or something.

[D_Average]

I'd say flatten and frame them, then cover the room with them.  Place each box in a simple black frame with a white background perhaps.  I'd be a lot of work, but I can see it in my minds eye and I think it looks pretty slick.

[bustin98]

The boxes come sealed in plastic, are you saying that sealed games are going to get damaged over time?

Yes. Unless the plastic is acid free archive quality, which I doubt the shrink wrap variety is. The plastic will degrade the paper underneath, causing it to discolor and become brittle. The plastic will also become brittle and start chipping away. Another thing I learned as a comic book store owner.

There is the right way to display the boxes and the wrong way. The right way involves spending money, the wrong way is anything that leaves them out to get dirty/damaged. If I were you, I would store them until you can create a way to safely display them. I like D_Average's suggestion as long as the boxes are not damaged by taking the box flaps apart.

[NWR_insanolord]

Genesis does what Nintendon't, plastic cases for cartridges (until 1994).

[Mop it up]

I'd say flatten and frame them, then cover the room with them. Place each box in a simple black frame with a white background perhaps.  It'd be a lot of work, but I can see it in my mind's eye and I think it looks pretty slick.

Yeah it sounds nice but at this point I don't know if I want to spend money on 60+ frames.

I guess I need to decide if I care about their monetary value or not. If I do then maybe I should keep them stored away until I can display them properly.

Genesis does what Nintendon't, plastic cases for cartridges (until 1994).

Too bad they cheaped out on the quality of the actual cartridges, systems, and controllers...

Unless the plastic is acid free archive quality, which I doubt the shrink wrap variety is. The plastic will degrade the paper underneath, causing it to discolor and become brittle. The plastic will also become brittle and start chipping away. Another thing I learned as a comic book store owner.

I hope that sealed collectors are aware of this...

[NWR_insanolord]

Genesis does what Nintendon't, plastic cases for cartridges (until 1994).

Too bad they cheaped out on the quality of the actual cartridges, systems, and controllers...

All my stuff still works despite the fact that I don't really take good care of it. It's not as solid as Nintendo's (non-NES) stuff but it works. The Genesis 6-Button Pad is still the best controller for 2D games.

[Mop it up]

Well lucky you. The controller ports on my Genesis broke so I don't exactly have high opinion of it. And I hated that 6-button monstrosity because the buttons were uncomfortable, shoulder buttons are the way to go.

That doesn't mean I don't miss some of the games though...

[NWR_insanolord]

Shoulder buttons are good too, but I've never found a way to hold the SNES controller that was anywhere near as comfortable as that Genesis controller. I've never played a game this way, you probably have, but a 2D game on the N64 pad with the left prong D-Pad would probably be amazing.

[Chozo Ghost]

I recommend displaying them in a bullet-proof glass case that is air-tight and filled with Argon gas. Argon is completely inert, so it won't damage your boxes the way oxygen and other gases might. This is how the U.S. constitution displayed when it isn't put in storage during the night. If its a good enough method for the constitution, then I'm sure its good enough for your boxes...

[UncleBob]

Store the boxes in a nice, safe place and print out covers from TheCoverProject.net to display.

I'm too cheap to spend money on this. Plus that wouldn't look as nice as the actual boxes.

For what it's worth, you can get nice, professional quality prints from Staples for 49 cents.  It may not look as nice as the actual boxes, but you can display the artwork (even for games that you might not have the boxes for) and not worry at all about the safety of your boxes.  A few frames and you're ready to go!

[D_Average]

I recommend displaying them in a bullet-proof glass case that is air-tight and filled with Argon gas. Argon is completely inert, so it won't damage your boxes the way oxygen and other gases might. This is how the U.S. constitution displayed when it isn't put in storage during the night. If its a good enough method for the constitution, then I'm sure its good enough for your boxes...

Mmmmmmm...Argon

[Mop it up]

I've never played a game this way, you probably have, but a 2D game on the N64 pad with the left prong D-Pad would probably be amazing.

You've never played Goemon's Great Adventure? The New Tetris? Dr. Mario 64?
There are 3D games that use the D-pad too, like Tetrisphere, ExciteBike 64, Doom 64, all of the wrestling games (I think), and some more I'm sure I'm forgetting.
It's weird, despite its bulkiness I actually find the N64 controller to be one of the most comfortable I have ever used.

For what it's worth, you can get nice, professional quality prints from Staples for 49 cents.  It may not look as nice as the actual boxes, but you can display the artwork (even for games that you might not have the boxes for) and not worry at all about the safety of your boxes.  A few frames and you're ready to go!

I guess if I care about the monetary value of the boxes I could do that, that would be cheaper than replacing the boxes if something happened to them. Although I'm kind of sad that would defeat the purpose of actually owning the boxes.