First off, Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had a great holiday, were able to spend some time with family and friends and that 2010 has been good so far.

I had a great holiday. My family came in early so we got to spend a lot of time together and it was really nice seeing everyone. On top of some great time with my family, I got a lot of video games this year for Christmas, which is awesome, probably more than I've ever gotten in the past. The only downside is that most of them I knew about, I like getting surprises, so this was the only downside, but one I certainly can live with

The main reason I knew about so many of the games, I originally only knew about 4 games (which were the ones my mom bought me when she was here for Thanksgiving) but that all changed. My aunt and uncle were in Florida and came to visit me, in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our family has had a tradition every year where we each draw a name and then you buy that...

I knew the time had to come, but it was one of those things where I never expected it to happen when it did. Unfortunately, it happened for me last week. For the first time since starting CAG in June or July I don't have a single pickup for the week. Since starting CAG I have bought, at least, one game every week, but on the week of Black Friday I didn't have a single purchase, not even a bad one! I've been looking forward to last week for months, knowing that the deals were going be great and so many things I would probably want. Now, the week has come and gone and I didn't make a single purchase.

I don't know if my expectations were too high for Black Friday this year, if there just wasn't that much offered I wanted, or if I really didn't need anything to begin with, but this was the first Black Friday in several years where I didn't make a single purchase. I think it really was a combination of not really needing/wanting anything that was on sale this year and not wanting...

Dreamcast, that is!

If you read my blog last week you already know I'm looking into getting some older systems. Mostly systems I never owned, but I'm also looking to replace my NES that was recently sold (I'm thinking of get the FC Twin now instead of an actual NES because of the age of the NES and the problems they can have. Plus, I need a power cord for my SNES anyway, so I figure I could get both covered at once)

So anyway, one of the systems I'm somewhat interested in is the Dreamcast. My local Play N Trade has a few in stock, all in pretty decent shape, one with the box included. The console only ones are $30, I believe, and the one with the box is $40. I think $40 used is a little steep, but since they are in good shape I consider it to be an okay deal (I don't go to Flea Markets and garage sales, so used game stores are my main option) However, I did find a store online that is still selling some brand new Dreamcasts, now they are $100, but as you may...

Here's the final entry in this series of blogs

In this blog you will find some odds and ends I own as well as some of the things I'm planning to get in the future.

First off is my huge collection of Strategy Guides:



That's right, I have a bunch of them, in case you couldn't count them all, that's two I have always liked the look of strategy guides, but never really bought them. They look amazing, but they cost too much on top of the game, especially when most of the info can be found online anyway and I just don't have the space to store them. I'd like to try and start collecting some of the nicer guides, which is how I got started with these two. First was Super Mario Galaxy, I just liked the overall look and design of the book. Once I start playing Super Mario Galaxy, I will probably use this to go back and get some of the stars I missed. I bought Little Big Planet's strategy guide because I had some money left...

If you've read some of my past few blogs you are probably aware that I'm in the market to get a GBA SP or Gameboy Micro. Now, I just recently started buying games used and I'm stll getting accustomed to it. I don't mind games so much because I can clean them up, they are pretty easy to tell if they are working, in good shape, etc. and they aren't as costly, so if I were to have one that didn't work, my highest price paid so far was $10, which I don't mind.

I've found out that buying these systems new is hard to find, but also very costly. I was hoping I may get lucky and randomly find one in a store that was new, but so far that hasn't happened. So, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to buy used, I don't like the idea, but I don't think it is worth buying new, since I could buy three of the SPs, for example, for about the same price as one new one.

Anyway, I went to Gamestop, hoping to buy one. I was planning to find one that had the least number of scratches...

As promisted, I finally have a new blog, aside from my Weekly Pickups blog. Sorry it took so long and hope you enjoy :


Since becoming a CAG I learned that I wasn't the only person that didn't like shopping at Gamestop due to their policy on gutting and sometimes questionable business practices. For years I thought I was the one, or one of the few, person that didn't like the idea of gutting games. However, I learned quickly here on CAG that others feel the same way as I do.

When I was doing inventory all of my games I was also putting some information inside of each game case. Because of this I was looking at all of the manuals for the games. While I was going through all my games it made me realize something. I really, really, hate it when game manuals are in black and white. I mean, this is 2009, gaming has made huge steps and continues to progress and become more and more advanced each year, but we can't even get a colored manual? It is one thing to...

Okay, so the other day someone posted a blog about wanting a Gameboy Micro. A couple of years ago I almost bought one of these for my brother as a gift since they are so cheap (even though he doesn't game that much anymore, unless we are playing something together... but I know at least one person that would really have enjoyed it ) I ultimately decided not to because I had a regular Gameboy Advance and never liked the screen, it just reminded me too much of Gameboy Color, it was dull, didn't have much detail, etc. Since it just played advance games I figured it wasn't worth it and decided not to get.

So, after I read the blog I decided to look more into the Gameboy Micro, which is when I learned how great the screen is. Aside from it being really small and probably not having as much detail, it reminds me a lot of the DS screen, which is what attracted me to the system and ultimately got me to buy a DS Lite. So then, I decide to look into the collection of games for Gameboy...

Everyone was really helpful in helping me making the decision of what to do with the games I want. So, I thought I would turn to my fellow CAG's one more time. I find myself with yet another dilemma. This time, it involves when to get some games I want and from where. If you don't know already, I joined CAG to reduce the money I'm spending on games. Well, in a way I did, but I've really not been spending less, per game, yes I'm not spending as much, but overall I'm spending as much because I have bought so many games and things. So, I'm trying to decide what to do. Here are my options:

Option 1:
Toy's R Us Tuesday

Scribblenauts $29.99 with $15 giftcard
Mario and Luigi Bowser's Inside Story: $34.99 with $10 giftcard (would like to get the extra $5 but can't get over to Toy's R Us today to get the coupon)
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box: $29.99 and pay for it with the $25 in giftcards.

Total with tax: $76.14 (using $25 in...

I just got back from a quick shopping trip looking for some deals and while I was out I stopped into Toy's R Us to trade in a few games. Since this is new for Toy's R Us I thought I would post my experience. This is only the second time I've traded games, so I'm still kind of learning the ins and outs of everything, but thought others may be interested.

I went into the store and went straight to customer service. There was one person in front of me and they took a little while, so I had a little of time waiting in line, but nothing too long. After they left I went up and informed the employee I wanted to check the value for the trades.

From there he took my games to a computer where he started the transaction, before starting he took my ID and put the number into the computer from that. After that he scanned the games and told me the value for each one. Two of the game values matched what was given online and the third did not. The third game was Buzz! Quiz TV...

Okay, anyone that knows me well knows that I over analyze just about everything I do. For example, if I want to buy something I have to research it until I'm absolutely certain I want it, usually to the point that I am somewhat disappointed once I get it because I read so many great things about it. Even now, when I'm buying my games and getting good deals I analyze which sales I want to take advantage of, which games I should get when, etc. Because of this, my head has started spinning from all the games I've been purchasing and the deals I've been taking advantage of.

So here I am with yet another dilemma and so I'm turning to my fellow CAG members for suggestions. I have a bunch of games I got for really low prices just to try and see if I liked them, since I don't I want to trade them, so I'm looking into my best options and I'm looking for opinions. Here are my thoughts so far:

Goozex: I signed up and like the concept of the site but so far all of the offers...

I was having a somewhat hum-drum day today and then found this video via someone on Twitter. Being an animal lover myself I absolutely loved it and it put a big smile on my face. So, I thought I would share with everyone, hopefully it puts a smile on a couple more faces

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0-Sv...layer_embedded

I think that little dog is so cute, I feel sorry for him but he's just so cute you can't help but smile.

Hope you enjoyed!

Until next time

The other day I posted a blog about buying games in advance ( http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=10216 ). My biggest concern is/was buying some games I've found at really good prices and then holding them until Christmas to give as gifts. Right now, even with stores that have a 90 policy to return, Christmas still falls nearly a month out from the return date. When stores offer the 90 day return policy, I don't think too many would be willing to extend it beyond that point, because 90 days is a pretty decent amount of time.

So after posting my blog I got a few comments and they all said that I shouldn't really worry about it because it isn't too common to have an issue. I figured I was just paranoid (as I usually am) and went out and bought a few of the games I wanted to give as gifts. I was pretty happy knowing I got a decent start on my Christmas shopping and even bought two sets up headphones for my sisters that sold out almost as soon as they came in the first...

I read this article this morning: http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/p...ve-yet/1349289 and when I first saw the headline I was a little nervous I would end up buying it. Although I've tried to limit myself with my gaming purchases, it seems lately I've been buying everything I want and not really saving at all. So when I saw this I was worried it would really be something I wanted

Luckily, after reading the article I wasn't all that impressed at all. But, it did get me to thinking (as most articles do) if I could have anything I wanted, what would my dream gaming setup be?

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with my setup now, the main thing I would change is the TV my PS3 is on. It is a 54" Plasma and I think if I could, I would get something larger and probably not go Plasma. I like the picture quality, but in Florida it seems like the amount of hours without sun is so limited, it really limits the hours...

I decided at the beginning of the week to inventory all of my games. I figure it will be nice to have a nice, neat and organized list where I can run in, check what I have and be done. I'm thinking of possibly doing inventory on some of the other major items in my home as well, movies, cds, etc. as well as the appliances, TVs, etc. for insurance purposes.

Right now I'm just using an Excel spreadsheet while I look into finding a better program to use. I'm planning to switch to get a Mac down the road , so I'm thinking I may wait to buy anything until then and get the Delicious inventory thing, or something like that. I basically just included the name of the game, a picture of the game, the date purchased/received, price paid, date solved and then columns where I can put the information if I sell it, including the date and price received. I also decided to throw a UPC code in there. I don't really know why, but now that I'm a CAG making UPC's is just fun and I...

I've come to the realization recently that I'm getting old. The worst part, every time I realize I'm getting old, I can hear my parents telling me I would be just like them some day. I always figured I would be like my parents someday, but I just didn't think it would be this soon, but I am becoming more senile than I ever thought I would be

I first came to this realization after moving to Florida. Now, I was one of the few people that actually liked living in a small town. I liked being able to get to most places I needed to go in about five minutes time (your Wal-Mart, K-Mart, restaurants, Staples, gas stations, Wal-Greens, CVS, etc.) but, if I wanted to have more options and variety just about any store I wanted to go to was about a half-hour but usually not more than an hour. I also liked the small town environment. The town I was from was small enough that you could see someone you knew just about anywhere you went, but not so small that everyone knew each others...

I was thinking the other day about how much fun I've had being a CAG and the excitement of being able to buy something I really want for such low prices. This got me to thinking, am I really a CA with everything

After asking myself that question, I got to thinking. As far as video games go, it is more or less justifying my gaming habit than a need to get games cheap. I would still buy a game I have to have even if it was at a high price (for example, I will probably end up buying Toy Story Mania at full price. This is a game I really want, I'm a huge fan of Toy Story and also a collector, but I also know this is a game that will likely drop quickly, especially since Amazon has already dropped the price over $10. However, I also know that Target is going to be offering the game with "Collectible 3-D Packaging" and if the package looks good, then I will have to get that one. Not knowing how long they will have that particular case, I may end up buying the...

If you have read any of my other blogs, you probably already know I'm addicted to smilies. I don't know what it is, I really don't, but something about them just makes me want to use them, all. So, I thought it would be fun to see how many of them (hopefully all) I can use in one blog, so here it goes.

I was thinking about what makes me a happy gamer ( ) and a really happy gamer ( ) today. I love finding new games that I enjoy and it is always great to find games that you never knew about and try and love. There are games that make me and games that make me (not really ) and always games that make me and a few games at the end that make me to the makers. The emotions that video games provide are easily what makes me enjoy games and what also makes me a happy gamer.

Sometimes I don't even realize all the emotions involved with gaming. But when I look at what is all involved in gaming just to get an idea, it is amazing...

My second day of vacation is turning out to be very good, so far.

Didn't get to sleep in this morning, my dog decided one day was enough. Not a big deal though since I wanted to get up early to get some games anyway. Would have been a little nicer had I not stayed up all night playing games.

First thing I did when I got up was check that Gamestop hadn't updated prices on the games I was wanting, they hadn't. I deliberated going to Gamestop to try and pick them up, but really didn't think I would be able to get it and didn't want to go over anyway. I figured I'd wait it out and see, I didn't need the games that bad anyway.

I pretty much refreshed the page about 1000 times today. Talked to my brother on the phone a little bit and told him about it, he went in once and the prices had just dropped (around 1:15pm eastern time for me), little frustrated, but I figured he found it and I was happy so to him!

Placed my order and despite...

My first day of vacation is almost complete so I decided to write about it.

I started off the day by sleeping in a little, it felt good once to get up after the sun and lucky for me my dog decided it would be a good day to sleep in as well.

I didn't do too much early in the day, mostly just watched some of the shows in my DVR, couple good ones, nothing great. Watched a movie and had some pizza for lunch... yummy! instead of (sorry, always wanted to use it and didn't know what to use it for and yes, I'm addicted to smilies and board at the moment!)

Played some more Wii Sports Resort this afternoon and I'm still loving it. I've found several events I'm totally addicted to, love the Sword Dueling, Cycling and Table Tennis. No games that I really don't like, but definitely have found my favorites already. Still trying to get used to the motion plus, I think it is coming, slowly, but surely.

Spent some time shopping online,...

This is my first blog, so hopefully it won't be too bad.


I thought for my first blog I would write a little bit about myself and also tell about my first CAG moment. Here it goes!


A little bit about myself... I've been gaming for a good portion of my life now and started gaming during the days of NES. Over the years I acquired a few more systems, but have always been a big fan of Nintendo. Though I've been an on-again-off again gamer for a few years I've gotten back into gaming and have become much more serious with it. I'm not a hardcore gamer in the games I like, but I do put a good amount of time into the games I play. I try to keep up with the changing world of gaming and I do okay, but once and a while fall behind with everything that is happening.


I consider myself, somewhat, of a video game collector. I keep all of the games I buy and have not traded any of games yet and have never sold any of my systems...