How to Organize Your Game Collection - Retro Bird 

"How to Organize Your Consoles and Controllers" will be done in a future video. Games played: Ghouls 'n Ghosts (0:11), Battletoads (0:28), Banjo Kazooie (0:41), Catrap (0:51), Thunder Force III (1:10)

I like how in the more recent videos, Bird has been adding a end gag, really adds a lot of character to the video.

Great tips, especially the date night tips. My wife will find a whole new appreciation for my video game collecting....

For N64 games, I use to put them into Disney movie cases with a homemade label on the spine, and the instruction manual on the front.

Labeling cables is friggin brilliant, dude. Good insight. I have young kids so the 'keep everything on display' approach is a quick path to destruction.

Love me some retro bird

I use an acrylic nail polish display to show off my Gameboy games. It’s 4 rows high and can fit exactly 5 cartridges across per row. It looks pretty nice and let’s me see all the artwork.

I jokingly said to my wife a couple months ago that I wanted to buy another house and use it as the "game" house. Great minds think alike.

I spray-paint the spines of all my game cases; colored coded by genre. The disks, however, I hang from a grid of nails on my wall--proudly displayed in neat rows and columns. Cartridges get heaped in a cardboard box in the back. It works for me and I'm known for my good taste.

I’ve really been enjoying your channel lately. So much quality content!

I place items INDIVIDUALLY into a ziplock bag. Usually a small bag for a cord. Usually a large bag for controllers, light guns, or power bricks. Get a big box of generic bags for cost efficiency. VERY nice because nothing ever gets tangled!

That Cassette holder for Genesis games is a cool idea! I have 5 areas I keep my games. I organize them by when the console came out and then in alphabetical order. I have a Drawer that I keep all my Nes, Snes, N64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Virtual Boy, Jaguar, and 32X loose carts in. I use a couple Cd towers and Cd holders for my Turbografix 16/Pc Engine games, PS1, Dreamcast, and Retro PC games. Finally I have 3 tall shelves. One of them has the last decade and up displayed; Wii U, Switch, and PS4 games. The second shelf has the 2000s decade displayed; PS2, GBA, Gamecube, OG Xbox, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3. My final shelf has everything from the 80s and 90s in it. Nes, Master System, Genesis, Game Boy, Snes, Cdi, Sega Cd, 3DO, Jaguar, 32X, Sega Cd 32X, Sega Saturn, Virtual Boy, PS1, Atari Jaguar Cd, and other Retro PC games.

I have a large collection (just passed 1200 games total) and I'm extremely organized. All games are separated by system and alphabetized. Systems are grouped by manufacturer and then ordered by generation (NES -> SNES -> N64). I have two game areas; the main game room where all the home console games are and my bedroom which is where the handheld systems and games are. Speaking of binders and trading card sleeves are really great for storing GameBoy games. Makes it really easy to find stuff even if it isn't very exciting to look at.

Small zip-loc bags are a great way to keep cables and controllers. Keeps them from getting tangled up, faster than using twist ties to wrap them up, and you can label the bags if it isn't obvious what the cable is for.

I think alphabetical order is overhyped for small collections, but specially for large ones. Alphabetical order is only useful if you know exactly what you are looking for, but if you don't know the name or you are not looking for something super specific, then it doesn't give you any information at all. Imagine if libraries put all their books from start to finish in alphabetical order, no they section them off by genre first and then in order within the genre. And if your collection is really huge and you want to be a pro, then you can have a list of all the games in alphabetical order that tells you in which section or shelf every game is. So you can have the best of both worlds

This guys on the come up. He'll be a big part of the community very soon.

You are hilarious, Retro Bird. I always know I’m gonna laugh when I see a know vid on your channel.

New to the channel, been loving the goofy comedy and laid back content you provide!

one of the best youtube channels for sure.

After few additions to my video games collection the time has come to reorganize it and i had an idea. I decided to group my games by game system and then in chronological order by release dates. It took way more time than it is worth, but man, am I proud!

Your cartridge display for the Genesis/SNES looks really cool. I’ll have to try it with my SNES collection. Looking forward for the vid that answers the one that has plagued me for a while - how to store controllers!

Nothing worse than filling up the allotted shelf with games for a specific console and having to slot the one or two new games you got onto the next shelf with a bunch of random stuff… makes you feel like either getting rid of a couple games so they still fit, or buying WAYYYYY more games to fill the next shelf, so those couple of stragglers don’t get lonely. 😂 (currently having this issue with PS3) I decided to sell a couple games I don’t care as much about, but we all know it’s only a matter of time before I buy more that I like and run into this issue again.. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Also, those plastic drawer/cart things on wheels.. ( you know what I’m talking about right??) are a great storage option for the cord hoard, as well as extra controllers and other peripherals 😉

Hat's off to you sir! I've always appreciated how nice your collection looks. You do a fantastic job keeping things organized and clean!

The banana cameo was epic.

While not the most space efficient way, I like using the nail polish stands for displaying GB/GBC carts. I can see them all on risers, and can access them easy. I have the boxes stacked away on a different shelf. I also bought some cartridge stands to display my favorites for other systems, and then store other games out of sight if no room on the shelf.

Great video, so many unexpected laughs!! My tip is stay away from Ikea's Billy bookshelves and go with the Artiss CD/DVD media shelves. Easy to find on Amazon. Billy's are great for figures etc but I found the Artiss fit more games and had a smaller profile. Plus you can put all the left over shelves behind narrow cases so they sit flush. Anyway, hope you find your D64 cart ;)

This channel deserves more subs!

These are always very funny and thought provoking!!!

5:55 Thumbs up for the sims 1 dance lmao

I died with laughter at your comment "Cord Hoard"! ROFLAO I use a Pelican Case for mine that lost its ability to sub merge under water. I think I picked it up at flee market for $25 it holds "ALL" of my cords. TV, HIFI, Game console cords and backup Atari 2600 controllers.

This is one of your best videos yet! Great thoughts

This video speaks to my soul 😂 just re-organized my collection recently, pretty much dealt with everything you talked about. I recommend custom game cases for cartridge based games, as long as you’re not a complete set collector. They look great, help protect the games, and don’t cost nearly as much as original CIBs.

I really appreciate that I can store my GBA games in DS cases. The only problem is that I have to open up all the DS cases when I'm looking for a specific GBA game.

I really love your videos, they are my place to go when chilling out on video game videos

Cord hoard and cable labels are now my two fav rhymes 😂 great vid!

The bit at the end😂 I really needed that random jackassery it was absolutely hilarious. Love the channel !

5:17 this legit cracked me up haha

"It's date night baby! " that saying and a pic of you with your wallet would made a funny poster or T-shirt 😁😁😁

Your videos just keep getting better and better! Glad I found your channel.

Thanks for the tips! The end gag took me by surprise and had me dying, lol.

Deciding whether to organize by franchise or by console is tough. If older games were really cheap, I'd almost be tempted to get duplicates of my favorite franchises, just so I can have a few of my favorite franchises together, while also having all my games organized by console.

probably my favorite hack for my game collection: storage boxes as display risers. i only ever have 1 console connected at a time, and video and power ext cables are already run to the "active console" area, i just swap out what im playing with in the "active" area and never have to mess around behind the tv. each console is displayed in ikea kallax cubby shelves, and sits on a riser which is actually a document box i got from the container store. each box can hold its consoles power and video cables, as well as a couple controllers and some odds and ends. so whenever i want to use a system, i take it off the shelf, along with its paired storage box, and im set up in 5min or less. and with this solution, i never have to worry about how to store controllers or cables, because its already integrated into the display solution for the consoles themselves.

love the dk64 in the bananas lol, such a subtle joke

One of the funniest videos I've seen! Awesome work! :D

One of my favorite rambles on RU-vid

Hidden detail: the DK64 was hidden among the bananas, then the very next scene he’s playing an N64 with the banana controller 🤯🍌

Planning on spending some quality time with my cord horde tomorow.

I was thinking about my shelf recently and I went ahead and rearranged it in a way that I feel works better for me. It used to be organized by console, in alphabetical order. I felt that was kinda boring. Now, it's by box shape, then by game series. I mix my PS4 with XBO, DS with 3DS, along with Wii U, Wii, Xbox 360 and Gamecube. I only have a few GBA cartridges, so they just sit on the shelf. I feel this way is more fun and interesting to look at.

This is one of those challenges that I face, but manage with it. I use a Regular Corner Shelf and My PC Game Boxes take up a the most space. I currently have 8 Box PC Games with varying sizes and it's all a variety of different Racing Game Titles. The only games I have stacked on top of one another are my Shell Cases and Jewel Cases. I don't usually take these out, and I mostly leave them as is. I did recently use them to install onto my PC, and I'm glad I did. Installing all of em at once means I don't have to use any of Discs. I appreciated the ideas given in this video on organizing a Game Collection. I agree that it's important to keep everything organized as perfect as it can be. I love the humor, the fact you treat your games like a family is wholesome. I'm getting so many ideas from ya on how to treat Video Games 🤣

I love those recent little videos endings!

oh man! Good idea mentioning the cord labels, I've got 2 drawers full of bundled cables it's a mess.

So many ways, to each is own...this is how I like my own games 🎮

I currently use my childhood dresser to store my games. I have a PlayStation drawer, a Nintendo drawer, and a cabinet to house my consoles that aren’t plugged in. Cans display then like I want but it works with my space.

More than anything you are a brilliant comedian. As a side note, I don't organize games by alphabetical, I order them by publisher, and series importance. Sort of feels like Smash Bros character select screen.

I keep my Game Boy and Game Boy Advance collection in card sleeves inside a binder. That's essentially making the most out of both vertical and horizontal space and gives a fun way to organize your games.

I watched this vid with my mom and she said "you should tape your TV remote to your forehead" to me. I always misplace the darn thing. I currently have nearly all of my video games in a plastic container. I'd love to organize them on shelves nice and neat like books. I like the idea of a video game library. Though I do understand alternative ways of displaying games and always appreciate the effort as well as the personal touch it gives.

I do a hybrid. I group them by consoles, and obviously alphabetically but theres an exception to the rules. If it's part of a series, even if the names are different and alphabetically they shouldn't be next to one another I overlook it for the sake of having the sequels or series together. The Legacy of Kain/Soul Reaver series for example. Another thing I look out for is release order as well because alphabetically it could be correct but not the release order so that's another exception I make.

Hey awesome you also bundle up your cords, ziplock bag and label them and then out them in a bin. Perfect cord hoard strategy

Those are some great suggestions, need to get myself some of those N64 holders since they look awesome!

Great vid, thought provoking and informative.... For me the standard has to be each console collection grouped together on a shelf unit and it then has to be in alphabetical order. Always worth fine tuning the collection to get rid of The things that don't matter to you...might just be gold to someone else 😉

Years ago I got some old pear crates from a grocery store. I have those and finished pieces of wood to lay horizontally for some extremely cost efficient and not terrible looking game shelves.

I had many Xbox games I was holding onto for no apparent reason.. Well one day I needed room so I trade all that crap in and got a CIB FF2 and I don't regret it one bit. Now I got more room and I got a very good game!

I think all of us need a " Game House!"

Those are great storage ideas!

For NES, my favorite way is to stack them horizontally inside of dust covers, this way you can read the labels without tilting your head and pull them out without having to move anything.

Great vid. Thanks bud 🙂

I keep mine pretty simple. I have a guest room that I changed into a game room since I never used it otherwise. I have two shelves on one the right side of the room and two on the opposite end (yes, my windows are blocked, but sacrifices must be made). The two shelves on the right I organize all my console games first by console generation, then by console and lastly alphabetically, and work my way down. For the two shelves on the left, the first one, I have all my handheld games displayed in the same way as I mentioned above. The second shelf on the left is where I keep all my consoles organized by generation once again. Near the entrance to the room there's a closet that I use to store any excess games for any console that can't fit on the shelves anymore (and if I don't like them as much as the ones on display already). This setup works so well for me because in the same room towards the back end, I have my CRT and 2k TV ready to play whatever I want in the same room. Unless it's on my PC that's in my bedroom, but you don't really need space for your steam collection, haha

Anybody else who have games on their shelves & you don't play them? I have an idea for retro games. Just keep the top 10 games you love for each console & try to emulate as much as you can & keep that on your pc. Also buy ever drives for each system you own.

I swear, I have almost as much fun organizing games as I do playing them. :-) I do like your Genesis game setup -- it really does show off the front labels nicely. How stable are they standing up? It looks like they might fall down like dominoes if you try to take a game out. Some things I've had luck with: - For GB / GBC / GBA games, I put them in 3-ring binders with archive-safe 12-pocket plastic pages more commonly used for coins. They're just barely the right size for these carts, store a lot, and you can have an end label on the binder to find them. - As others have noted, nail polish display stands are great for putting games on display. I use one for irregularly-shaped portable game carts that don't fit in binders (GBC games that use AAA batteries, Codemasters Game Gear games, etc.). - Plastic protector boxes are great for loose cartridges -- they will help you stand SNES and Genesis games on their side, so you can see the end labels on a bookshelf. I put the N64 end labels on these boxes rather than the games themselves. - To my surprise, plastic protectors for cardboard boxed games can actually make a slightly worn-down box look cleaner. They seem to hide the imperfections and reflect light, making them look shiny and new. Good luck to everyone organizing and displaying your games!

Ahhh you left your DK64 in the kitchen with your bananas!! 3:15

This one was satisfying 🤘

Loved the Cord Horde part as my son is one. Me I just throw them out & yep that bites me in the butt. Like my PS4 with no power cord right now. Who's fault is that? Me! Way to go me! This year my Video Game Toys have to move somewhere else like my Banzai Bill, Goomba, Red Shells & Green Warp Pipes all have to find a new home away from my cartridge collection. My kids are all ready calling dibs on some of my video game figures. It doesn't look as cool, but it sure does free up a lot of space to add more video games in the future!

I luckily have room for more games than I need, in a finished basement, so everything is on shelves. I also have large ziplock bags for each system, for power and AV cords, like you showed.

You organize your games beautifully dude. Looks enticing. I have no games on display. Most of my physicals are for consoles that either are no longer in my possession or no longer functioning properly. So these games just sit in my cabinet of disarray (well, one of 'em). Maybe someday I'll get a display happening. But in the meantime I'm pretty happy with having my (emulated) retro games organized in Playnite, alphabetically, sitting alongside my modern games. Looks pretty sweet imo. Does it lack character? Absolutely. But I like that I don't have to spend more than 5 seconds to find what I want to play. Also there are no cables to fiddle with. Just load up 'n' play! :D Keep up the quality content. You'll have a million subs before ya know it!

I love keeping my game collection organized by console , franchise and genre. I do make exceptions like having Puyo Puyo 1 and 2 for the PlayStation 1 next to Metal Gear Solid for the PlayStation 1 which also is next to other games. Cool video. ^_^

Forgive me, Bird, for I have sinned. When I was in college, living in small spaces I had no room for stuff and I didn't yet care about collecting. I threw away most of my Gamecube cases in favor of keeping my games in those 12 disc holders (you know the ones).

I taped my Sega Saturn Magic Knight Rayearth to my head. Fixed one problem. Created a whole other problem..

Enjoyed that 😁

Great video 👍🏿

Umm, I built a giant 2 storey shed in my backyard so I can keep one of my summer cars in there and work on engines and stuff during the warmer months... my three year old calls it "daddy's other house" lol. I suppose I could convert it into a sweet retro chill pad in the future.

I organized my collection by franchise up until a couple years ago. It drove the wife crazy, lol. I've got a video coming out tomorrow on game shopping, and couldn't help but notice some of the overlap in your video, lol.

Great tips. I’m in the middle of total renovation of the game room and am excited to build it back up from scratch. Have you seen the video of the rich Aussie who filled his entire house with games and had to build a new house for his family? actually happened...

I now have the goal of obtaining a "Game House", though to be fair it'll like be a cottage / cabin. Personally I had great ambitions for organizing my games when I moved in with my wife, but that's been a project & a half as running the lighting & general organization took a back seat to other things we both wanted to get done. It's something I plan to focus on getting done once I can get a break from disposing of mountains of snow on a weekly basis.

Great tips there :D

3:15 Donkey Kong 64 spotted.

LOL I've actually sold Paper Mario (for N64) cause I didn't have any space in my drawer for it. What a mistake on so many levels... man, you touch upon the most esoteric topics and I love it

My video game collection is small ,but well organized and I also have to keep cataloging my cartridges, CDs and yes the digital

17 liter really useful boxes are perfect for storing DVD case games.

You made me laugh so hard watching this video. 😂

Hey I have two copies of DK64! The wife is also a video game nerd.

What a legend

I have a game room but 90% of my game packed in boxs.i hope to display one day..keep flying bird

I organize my games by system and genre. A lot of people go alphabetical by system but I like having my Horror, fighting, ect titles all in one quadrant lol

I only have one shelf and room for that only. I recently took one of your pieces of advice and sold an old game or two. Now the only problem is: I've been on a retro game buying spree for handheld games! Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, and DS games. My solution for storing them? The Russian doll method. I have boxes, with other boxes and containers that house games inside them. Whether it's my old Madcatz GBA game and console case that holds up to 3 games or some nifty little treasure boxes I found at a Dollar store, I always have perfectly sized containers to store my games in. All of my Gameboy games have Nintendo plastic game cases as well. I just need one more box to store those in I think :D

As a Kid, I got Mario Kart 64 with my N64, Years later I wanted to play the game again, so I asked my Mother where the game was, she told me that she sold the game to "People who would use it a whole lot more", I told her that Mario Kart 64 was one of my Favorite games, She told me another reason she sold it was because it was in a storage container in the garage, and not in my Room, (Which was were my games were kept at the time). After that episode, I never let my Mother go anywhere near my games.

Im more about shelves galore. Im collecting them all ps1-ps5 so i believe this is the best way

agree with the cable tips. but i have cables that ill never need use ever but just in case lol

Just sold my Earthbound SNES for big money 💰 Looking at getting more because I miss it Great tips 👌

I like the way you display your cartridges 👌⚡ neva seen that 🎊🎉 you're different just like me ✨😎✨ The best space saver of them all 👐 only buy games you actually want to play 😜

That Donkey kong mixed with the bananas :-D