NES Collectors - What do you consider a full set?

[InvadErGII]

I've seen a handful of discussions here and elsewhere about complete NES sets. While some consoles seem to have a universally accepted 'total' needed for a complete set (N64 comes to mind), there are a lot of different opinions on what constitutes completeness for the NES. I'm not really sure why this is. Most lists generally sit in the 750-780 range, but some are 100 or so lower (excluding non-licensed games), considerably higher (including all variants), or in the mid 800's (no idea).

I've been using Nintendo Age's "default" US list, which says there are 768 games. I'm not positive on the precise criteria of my list, but it seems fairly reasonable and comprehensive. It includes Stadium Events, but not NWC, presumably for retail reasons. Other inclusions/exclusions aren't as clear - it counts both the licensed and unlicensed versions of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and RBI Baseball, despite them being effectively the same. However, it doesn't count both versions of The Untouchables, which I believe are different games (albeit in extremely minor ways). It also doesn't count any Aladdin games except for Dizzy the Adventurer, passing off any others as 'variants' of other unlicensed stuff.

In the end, the definition is somewhat arbitrary, but it's interesting to see the varying standards. Why do you think there are so many lists? If you're going for this, what list are you using and why? Is there anything about a different list that would make it seem illegitimate to you?

[techwizard]

i think the problem is that it's a very subjective thing to define, when some people like you said will count variants or unlicensed, others don't count those at all. even on N64 where the number is usually fairly set there are a few games in there at least that some people might not count for a full set.

[Duke.Togo]

The NA list to my knowledge arrives at the 768 number by including all individual retail releases made during the life span of the NES. I've spoken about this on the show before, but I think the idea of a "complete set" is totally arbitrary. At best, defined subsets are the safest bet. US retail licensed titles is a nice, proper subset that can be completed. Outside of that, I doubt you'll get anything that all collectors would agree to.

[gbpxl]

677 for me. I only care about licensed games. If you want to count the 8-bit Xmas's, all the "repros", etc, that number will increase infinitely.

Of course, the Tengen, Panesian, Wisdom Tree, etc games are important as well but I think I would limit all the "unofficial releases" to games that were released during the NES's lifespan (1985 to 1995 or so)

If you want to count every single game that can fit inside of a NES and be played, your number is going to be insanely high.

[MaterialHandlerMike]

"My" full set, will probably end up being around 600, so halfway there!

[gbpxl]

"My" full set, will probably end up being around 600, so halfway there!

what about the other 77 licensed NES NTSCs, assuming the 600 you're referring to are such.

[MaterialHandlerMike]

The other 77 wont be included. Hence the "My" part. I agree with Duke, in the sense that a "complete" or "full" set is kinda arbitrary. Kudos to those who actually obtain all 677 games to get all of the licensed titles. My collection will likely never include the holy grail, Stadium Events, nor will it include a Color a Dinosaur, and many other titles. Too many other games on other consoles that I would actually want to play, to focus on completion of that library. Stadium Events would be sweet to own, just for bragging rights, but I would much rather own a ton of games that are more interesting to actually play, as well as own.

[gbpxl]

The other 77 wont be included. Hence the "My" part. I agree with Duke, in the sense that a "complete" or "full" set is kinda arbitrary. Kudos to those who actually obtain all 677 games to get all of the licensed titles. My collection will likely never include the holy grail, Stadium Events, nor will it include a Color a Dinosaur, and many other titles. Too many other games on other consoles that I would actually want to play, to focus on completion of that library. Stadium Events would be sweet to own, just for bragging rights, but I would much rather own a ton of games that are more interesting to actually play, as well as own.

that's a weird way of looking at it but whatever.

I also think that there could be a couple games that have gone by the wayside over the last 20-30 years, and we might never know the true number for what could be considered a full set. especially when it comes to unlicensed games. there are some very obscure unlicensed games out there that I never would know existed without the internet. And also, unlicensed is pretty broad. If a game makes 3 copies of a NES game is his garage in 1990, are those to be included in the unlicensed list?

the only way we can know for sure would be a list from Nintendo, saying every game it authorized on its system- we will never know how many unlicensed games there are if we include games that saw an extremely limited run

[Shadow Kisuragi]

Nintendo had "official" lists that were missing licensed titles, and "unlicensed" titles were sold at large retail stores and even Funcoland. The only "definitive" set were those with a Nintendo Seal of Quality, and even that's subjective with Stadium Events / Athletic World, pack-in carts, multi-carts, re-released titles (Punch-Out vs. Mike Tyson's Punch Out, Gold Zelda vs. Grey Zelda)... The list goes on. The "complete set" is whatever YOU decide is complete for YOURSELF.

For me? I'll always find a way to extend a collection, so it'll never be complete - including what I define as variants.

[gbpxl]

Nintendo had "official" lists that were missing licensed titles, and "unlicensed" titles were sold at large retail stores and even Funcoland. The only "definitive" set were those with a Nintendo Seal of Quality, and even that's subjective with Stadium Events / Athletic World, pack-in carts, multi-carts, re-released titles (Punch-Out vs. Mike Tyson's Punch Out, Gold Zelda vs. Grey Zelda)... The list goes on. The "complete set" is whatever YOU decide is complete for YOURSELF.

For me? I'll always find a way to extend a collection, so it'll never be complete - including what I define as variants.

In my mind, if you break a NES game down into 1's and 0's, any string of 1's and 0's that is identical to another doesn't count. For me, the 2 Punch-Outs and Stadium Events/Atheltic World are 2 different numbers on the list because to my knowledge, the gameplay is different, even if only in the most minute of detail.

[Shadow Kisuragi]

If that were the case, these would be different as well:
http://www.rfgeneration.c...nfo.pl?ID=U-027-S-02000-A
http://www.rfgeneration.c...nfo.pl?ID=U-027-S-02000-B

Cartridge is stamped with an 'A' on the warning label, indicating it has been revisioned (v1.1).
The manual for this version has also been modified with a Part # of NES-DQ-USA-1.
Version Differences
Title Screen
PRG0: "TRADEMARK TO NINTENDO"
PRG1: "TRADEMARK OF NINTENDO."
Battle Text
PRG0: "Thy Hit(s) decreased by ##"
PRG1: "Thy Hit Point(s) decreased by ##"

[gbpxl]

If that were the case, these would be different as well:
http://www.rfgeneration.c...nfo.pl?ID=U-027-S-02000-A
http://www.rfgeneration.c...nfo.pl?ID=U-027-S-02000-B

Cartridge is stamped with an 'A' on the warning label, indicating it has been revisioned (v1.1).
The manual for this version has also been modified with a Part # of NES-DQ-USA-1.
Version Differences
Title Screen
PRG0: "TRADEMARK TO NINTENDO"
PRG1: "TRADEMARK OF NINTENDO."
Battle Text
PRG0: "Thy Hit(s) decreased by ##"
PRG1: "Thy Hit Point(s) decreased by ##"

touche

[Crabmaster2000]

I would consider having all the games as a full set

[Shadow Kisuragi]

FWIW, I consider those versions of Dragon Warrior different games, but I have differing thoughts than many purist collectors since I'm also involved in speedrunning and other communities where these minute differences are documented. While I certainly think that most people would be fine with only one version of Dragon Warrior, I would like to know which version I own and have them separated in my collection.

[Duke.Togo]

I would consider having all the games as a full set

Sweet! I knew I could get Crabby into unlicensed, homebrew, and imports at some point!