So you have a video game collection? That bookshelf set up to display your years of gaming? Your friends gape in awe of your dedication. One man, Michael Thomasson, would simply yawn. Thomasson has recently earned the Guinness Record for largest video game collection. 10,607 games to be exact.
I was a bit shocked when I saw this. Since I have kept every console and game I have ever owned, I thought I was stacking up pretty well. But Thomasson has games in formats I have not thought about, or even considered thinking about, for that matter.
“I have games on cartridge, laser disc. I have VHS-based games, cassette-based games,” – Thomasson
After reading this I, of course, googled “VHS Video Games” and learned about the Action Max console. Only in the 80’s… But as I continued to read about Thomasson and his collection, I learned that not only does he have the games, but all the consoles to play them on; even ones I had never heard about like the Casio Loopy and the Pippin. Google them. You will be impressed.
Although he has the record for the largest game collection, he hasn’t just saved every game he’s ever owned, or built his empire over the span of decades. He’s twice sold them all off: once in 1989 to buy a Sega Genesis, and again in 1998 to fund his wedding.
How did he rebuild? By buying two games a day on a $3000 yearly budget. Pretty impressive. He estimates his library’s worth at between $700,000 – $800,000.
Though his obligations as a father and Professor at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY have prevented him from playing every game in his catalog, he says:
“I probably get three hours of playing in a week… If I’m lucky.”
While that is a shame, he certainly now has a place in history since the previous record was held by Richard Lecce, at 8,616 games. His bragging rights and cred amongst his students is renowned, since he teaches 2D animation, game design and video game history.
So the question is now, are you plotting to overthrow Mr. Thomasson for the record? What is the one game in your collection you would never part with? I personally would never part with Phantasy Star Online for Dreamcast.
Image Courtesy: GOODDEALGAMES.COM
