Should you PROTECT your GAMES?! - Clear Cases & Game Protectors 

Always use protection kids !

I don't think bacteria is the right term for what Reggie is trying to describe. Nintendo connectors aren't germophobic. What I think he means to say is that humidity in the air can corrode the copper pins used to make contact between the cartridge and the system's connector, preventing the game from behaving properly.

You should've seen John Hancock's eyes looking at you when you were handling his Neo Geo games lmao. His face was looking forward but his eyeballs were all the way to the side looking at you LOL. He did not want to drop those things lol.

That Metroid:Zero Mission on the GBA is a thing of beauty. Perhaps the best metroid game i played

It's always good to see Reggie :) I use Shark Protector cases on mine. They're absolutely solid. Great video

I protect all my games with a Mossberg 500.

CONGRATULATIONS, M.J. ....Your so close to 300,000 subscribers! i subbed when u were at 110k..keep up the good work man! and thanks for the awesome videos

Always love your videos when both of you are in them! Always a nice chemistry! Great video and keep up the good work!

I'm going to go look up some cases right now, love your videos and thanks Reggie!

OMG Thank you sooooo much for linking Retro Game Cases! I can FINALLY get actual game boxes again for my older games! Thank you so damn much!!

Congratulations on being featured on watchmojo man! also, I think keeping the pins on cartridges stored face down on the shelf, and you should be fine. on cardboard boxes, definitely invest in some plastic cases if you want to preserve your games. disc based games should be perfectly fine in the cases they come in.

Thank you! Defiantly something a friend and I will be looking into for our collections.

Jason all you need is to find protective cases for your big box PC games, especially the odd shaped big boxed ones.... Good luck with that😀

Dayum im not even started to collect, and now i need protective cases :O

Thanks so much for the vid and links. This is exactly what I have been wanting to get for my collection.

Very informative! If you can not afford the heavy duty protectors, you can put your loose game carts in zip sandwich bags(50) it will keep dust and wetness from the game carts.. You also can use smaller zip storage bags(10) to put whole CIB(nes, snes, etc..) games in... You can get these bags from a dollar store... Later Guys!!

I gotta say, Reggie is my favorite guest. I would love to see an episode of 'I hate you' with reggie. And more duo pick ups! But anyways, great videos. Really enjoy them.

I really love these videos. Keep it up!

Great video. I've always made sure that nothing happened to the boxes and that is a very painful habit. For example, some friends or guests might suddenly grab a game or two from your shelves to look like you've mentioned and that is the worst. At first, I used to put the games I really liked in cigar boxes. The wood would protect the box even if you were to throw it on the floor. Then EB started selling these really thick but clear boxes for the SNES and N64. Sort of like a game version of the protective cases for old VHS tapes. Those are still my favorite. I haven't seen durable and shock proof ones like that since.

Happy to find a channel like yours Subscribed.

Ironically just yesterday I was looking into getting some plastic sleeves for my game Steelbooks (I don't use them to store games, I just display them) so they won't get scratched. It just makes sense to me that if I'm interested enough to spend my time & money collecting these things that I should be willing to spend the comparatively miniscule amount of money it takes to protect them.

I have a couple for boxed stuff, been thinking about getting more for my higher priced NES carts, but right now I just use clear clamshell cases for them.

An awesome idea!! I need to get these!! Thanks for the tips!!!

Reggie needs to show up at Retropalooza with Metal Jesus. Would be a great panel

Ah it has been too long since I last saw one of your videos, glad I'm back!

Awesome video! Please do a video next on the elephant in our game rooms: INSURANCE. What kind of insurance to buy? What companies? I'm sure a certain immortal collector has lots to say on the subject..

I love these clear cases. I use them for every original cardboard box I own!

Nice video! I just started using these myself recently as well even though I've been collecting for years. I never had any interest in the boxes, but couldn't throw them out. Now I have a way to effectively protect and display them. It's almost like you made this video specifically for me. What are the odds?

I also mentioned this on my channel recently! They are pretty nice and are worth it! You don't want to damage 100 dollar games or even higher!

Good video. There's a retailer near me that sells 5-packs of NES sleeves frequently, and occasionally the SNES dust covers, so I buy those, but otherwise, I try to keep my carts clean as much as I can. For strictly storage, plastic totes and tubs work well to keep carts out of the elements, but if you're into displaying them or shelving them for easier access, this is definitely a good solution.

your videos are so exciting, and very informative :) thumbs up (y) Best Regards Erik from Norway!!

I use various sizes of polypropylene bags normally used for comic books and things like that. Inexpensive and effective.

I really enjoy watching your videos, keep it up! Maybe a Let's Play? Quick question, which system are you enjoying collecting/playing the most right now?

Great Video! Quick question Do you clean you own game cartridges. If you do you think you can make a video of how to do it properly.

Hi Metal Jesus, I´ve been watching your videos for the last couple of years. You were an inspiration for me. I finally managed to upload a video with my video game collection reaching the 1000 games milestone.

Thank you Jesus!!! I have a few boxed games and cry a little anytime I notice a new scuff.

Star soldier for 64 was a nutty game. What a throwback! This is a really smart idea guys, I'll try this out once a collection builds up.

I like that you can put your cartridge into it because I have mini games that I do not have the boxes but would love to protect the cartridge this is awesome man I like it

I need to get some of those protective cases for my Atari Lynx boxes. I have them in a large plastic storage bin, but they are still getting crushed by the surrounding boxes.

Thanks Reggie needed some info on these

These are a must for collectors. All my CIB games are in protective cases like these, even my 3DO games. Yes, there is a company on eBay that makes cases for those long ass 3DO boxes.

yup, i saw these at an expo and had to get them for most of my games!

Best thing you can do is keep your boxes, cartidges etc out of the god damn sunlight. I keep my n64 carts in a cigarbox.

You could use barrels with salt or vinegar.

Reggie is the man!

I have some for my boxed Super Famicom games too. They really do help with boxed games.

I like to use Bit Boxes for my SNES and N64 games. Nice art on the outside and enough room inside for the cart and manual.

I had no idea they made the protective cases for loose carts. For loose carts I just buy extra dust sleeves (you can find them on Amazon for NES/SNES/N64).

I had to get some for my super famicom in box games when I moved. Pretty awesome.

I'm more about protecting the boxes if they are in really good shape. Or, I should say, I'm about continuing to keep them in good shape. Worn boxes I'm not worried about. A good example is I bought a Star Tropics the other day. It's a common game, but it looked like the shrinkwrap was taken off and the box was never opened. Completely mint with everything inside. So, naturally, that immediately went into a NES box protector. I also like having Saturn and Sega CD games in box protectors due to the fragility of those cases.

I just ten of these myself for all my old Pokemon games. I've kept them in good shape, but it makes me feel better to have them in boxes now! I keep all my cartridges in another place though (for easier access, in fact, I just found the perfect DS storage for $2 in the Walmart craft section, I use that in combination with those mini drawers from another video for good storage with dust protection and easy access). That was only half of my GBA games though, so I may buy more (I ran out of space and have them carefully flattened right now)

I've got all my NES, SNES and GameBoy games in box protectors. It can work out quite expensive to protect all your games but it's worth it in the long run as there won't be any additional 'shelf wear' if they are displayed and stored in these protector cases. Personally don't have loose carts, Genesis or CD based games in protectors. Just boxed cardboard / Nintendo games. Like you say, when friends come over and my kids pick the games up to look at them, I'm not gazing over with fear of them dropping it or touching the boxes with sticky/greasy fingers!

Holy CRAP, just noticed your Dark Sun box! NIIIICE! :D #METAL

Agreed! Bulk is best bang for buck option. Great info MJR!

I put all my vinyls in clear plastic sleeves to protect the covers and I totally recommend protecting games as well - for those games who actually need protection sega games (mega drive, master system) came with a pretty good plastic case already so I'd say that is protection enough. same for DS and 3DS games for games where i have only the modules of (and maybe the manuals, but no boxes) I would simply go with drawers or chests ... a sturdy suitcase or briefcase will do as well ... maybe a showcase if the collection must be on display if there was any 1st party protective stuff for modules (black NES sleeves, gameboy module cases) i would try to get these or repros that keep the original look (a pack of 10 black NES sleeves goes for around 20 bucks on ebay, by the way) I think these clear cases you just showed make the most sense protecting cardboard boxes because cardboard boxes are like vinyl covers - very prone to wear and tear from handling. of course these cases can also protect modules from dirt & dust but the storing methods for modules mentioned above do this too. also, I am not quite sure if these thin plastic cases can really protect from moisture. moisture gets almost everywhere except for air-tight containers. if moisture is problematic then how about putting the modules in a big tupperware box together with a spoon full of kitty litter in a sock (kitty litter absorbs moisture and stores it away - thats why)

i use them for my cardboard Genesis and N64 boxes. They are cheap and work really well, nice piece of mind for a collector like myself

Don't know if its the same store but John Hancock mentioned one that has custom boxes for Lunar Silver Star Story Complete, and Lunar 2 Eternal Blue to protect your Working Designs goodness!

Awesome. I need to do this. What about an episode on insuring your game collection?

Lol "bacterias get on it and they don't play anymore" Love Reggie's choice of words...

Universal Game Cases are great as well. They accomodate multiple different cartridges and you can print custom covers made specifically for them.

For most of my NES, SNES and N64 I use repro-cases that snap shut, because I ofc didn't think about saving the cardboard boxes when I grew up (if only). However, I do use the ones in your video for many of my Game Boy and Advance games, even one for my Castlevania Symphony of the Night; they make them for PS1 as well ^^ For the most valuable of the lot though, like Vampire's Kiss (CIB) for the SNES or Turtles in Time (CIB) I go full acrylic display case; they're superior in every way to the thinner ones.

Back when N64 came out, there were hard plastic cases that you could buy for your games. They were the same size as the original cardboard and had tabs to hold the game in place and a memory card. I cut up my cardboard boxes to use as labels for the plastic boxes.

Protective cases are a must for snes and Nes games plus they make the boxes look so much better even if the box is tatty

I have a protector on my original boxed gameboy, and I may try and get them for LE PSP game boxes

I was surprised at just how good a fit the cases for the boxed games look - quite a few look as if they aren't in a box at all.

Love this channel always makes me laugh

I used to use a site to buy bulk plastic cases for my loose N64 games and manuals, Something like a bulk box of 50 clear cases+ shipping for $65. It was cool, but eventually I sold them all to a game store in order to work on my Playstation collection. I sold about 300+ games and 8 old consoles with controllers and accessories for around $1200 store credit. I could have done around $600 in cash, but $1200 store credit got me a good amount for what I was collecting. I'm glad I'm into collecting for one brand of stuff, than multiple. It got too ridiculous, to where I had at least 740 games for a span of 12 consoles. I now have a strict game collecting room for just Playstation (games, consoles, accessories, figurines). I still plan on buying proper shelving for my stuff, because currently it's sort of a mess. Once I get the shelving up, I'll try to make a room tour video. I can't wait to massively overhaul and organize my game stuff. I've already made a mock design in 3D of the shelves and labeled what each will hold. 8 Shelving units in total, with 18 slots for games and 28 slots for accessories/figurines. Sorry if it sounds confusing, but it will make sense when I show the video.

I have these for all 6 of my Turbo games but I also want one for my PS1 big box In The Hunt. These things are really nice.

where can i go to find these? do they sell online? i need to get some for my dvd's. i collect pro wrestling dvd/bluray/vhs and would like to protect them. especially my vhs videos. this is a great idea! thanks for sharing this

For my CD games, I just invest in several CD binders that can hold up to like 128 discs or so, and I keep the boxes around. For my GBC/GBA games I have these zippable pouch things where I can safely store all of them inside. Been using these for years and I have never had any problems with scratching on the CDs due to using the binders or bacteria getting inside the cartridges.

Got a few on ebay for the Boxed GBA games. They make them look great

There are protective cases for older Pc Big Box games? Specially for the old SSI games like the Gold Box Series?

To those who don't know, Retro Protection (linked in the description) and on Ebay is selling cartridge bags as well. I like the boxes a lot, but the cost was too high for me personally. The bags protect the games and also make superficial scratches on the labels less noticeable. They also make bags for dvd cases and cd cases which are really nice for boxed games.

thanks for the links - here in New Zealand I've never been able to find these boxes retail OR online locally. So I'll buy a shitload all at once offshore :-P

There's also "bit box" boxes from Stone Age gamer they are amazing and I refer them to NES and SNES boxes

I have some nes and SNES and Atari 2600 games and GBA and a GBC games. and a couple of years ago I was at a store and a N64 full box and console and the controllers but I never got to check it out but it was the first thing I saw in the store.

Worth mentioning considering the protective cases, that one should buy cases made from PET plastic. There are cases made from PVC plastic too. PVC will change its color (to yellowish) due time and sun exposure due degradation and that discoloring may affect cardboard as well. PET plastic cases do not degrade due time and sun. Also PET plastic is usually acid free (manufacturing process do not use acid) and PVC may not be. The acid used in manufacturing the case will affect cardboard's surface rather quickly.

Think you should do a video on big box pc games, which is an debated area on how to actually protect them btw

I love these covers. Ialaso use them for my steel book blu rays

an alternate method is to get Universal Game Cases, very cheap and you can modify the case to hold whatever type of game you want, then you can get custom labels on the web and boom, you have a case that's as solid as a Master System or Genesis game box.

I've already got a couple of protective cases for N64 games. But I need to get more for the rare and fragile Genesis boxes in my collection. I am struggling to find a box that will fit the Okami HD release for the PS3, it's just a tad bit wider than a N64 box. 137x175x28mm.

I actually got the idea to start doing this from John's videos!

I bought about 30 clear cases for each of my system collections. I only box the rare or sentimental boxes. To be uniform I guess I should get them for all the boxes but I don't see much fun or point in having Madden 64 and such in nice protection. I protect the ones I love!

On the topic of protecting your collection, What do you do for insurance? Do you have a separate policy to schedule your collection?

videogameboxprotectors also have SNES big box protectors that would work for your big Earthbound box

I put all my GB and GBA games in a trading card binder, it works pretty well!

I remember Blockbuster having there boxes in protective cases like these.

wow why haven't I done this also is clear cases look great there is no sarcasm they actually look really good

Any luck finding the cases for big box pc games? There's so many different shapes and sizes I'm guessing no one makes them?

So close to 300k subscribers!

I recently bought some from RetroProtection.com because they offer irregular sizes for collector's editions! They're still missing plenty, but I was happy to put a box around some of my weirder shaped ones like the Fire Emblem Fates or Bravely Default CE's.

I know this is an older video, but good info, never gets old. Question? Do they make those for standard game cases? Ps2 -Xbox would love to put my unopened games in something thanks "you rock"

is it possible to do a buying guide for the Nintendo 64 since we see mouch of the 64DD, or will it be to obvious with the games?

love u guys! keep rockin!! 🎮😆

Reggie is the man! One of my favorite guests on the channel MJR!

Is there one for the Super Mario Maker Box that comes with the idea book?

I use plastic protectors on my boxed NES, SNES/Super Famicom, N64, Amiibo's, Megadrive, Gameboy, DS & 3DS. Its expensive but cheaper than having to replace a few rarer games if they get damaged.

I want these for boxes and games

I wish I had those cases. When I finally decided to start selling games, I found the games I had owned were either missing stuff or the boxes had been damaged.

Well what about sleeves for nintendo games? I know it basically only protects the pins and not the sticker but it's better than no protection, right.