
Vintage video game collections hold the very essence of childhood wonder, adult nostalgia, and a vibrant slice of electronic entertainment history. For the devoted collector, care and organization are paramount. Our guide will help you organize, preserve, and showcase your retro game collection so your gaming experience can remain endlessly playable.
Assessing Your Collection
Before the aesthetically pleasing display and the meticulous storage planning, you must first contemplate the magnitude of your collection and the space you have to spare.
Take Inventory

Does your collection span multiple gaming eras and platforms? Or do you specialize in one? Cataloging your collection is a fundamental step in mapping out your organizational needs. Here’s how:
- Start Small: Begin by cataloging groups of games by platform or era, breaking down the task into manageable segments.
- Use Spreadsheets: Create a spreadsheet to track game titles, platforms, genres, and conditions. This helps in keeping everything organized and easily accessible.
- Photograph Your Collection: Taking pictures of rare or special edition games can be useful for insurance purposes or if you plan to sell parts of your collection in the future.
- App Assistance: Consider using a dedicated collection management app. Many are tailored specifically for gamers and include features like barcode scanning for easy entry.
- Backup Your Data: Make sure to back up your inventory list in multiple locations, such as on a cloud service or an external hard drive, to prevent loss of data.
- Regular Updates: Periodically update your inventory, especially after acquiring new games or parting with others, to keep your catalog current. And don’t forget to enjoy your collection while organizing it! Take breaks and play some of your favorite games. It’s important to balance the task with the joy and passion for gaming that brought you to collecting in the first place. So have fun and happy organizing!
Categorize by Console
Sorting your games by console ensures a coherent visual appeal and helps with easy retrieval when you need to grab a game quickly. Remember, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) cartridges won’t fit your Nintendo 64 console, and nothing drives a collector crazy like an incorrectly placed game.
Choosing Storage Solutions

As a second step, think about storage solutions. This isn’t just about neatness and security—it’s about ensuring your games can be displayed and accessed with ease.
Display Shelves for Gaming Cartridges

For the collector who also sees themselves as a gaming connoisseur, nothing beats the display shelf. Shelves allow you to rotate and showcase your favorite top-row games with pride, often becoming a centerpiece in your home’s aesthetic. They’re not simply storage—they’re a narrative arc of your gaming history.
Depending on the height and width of your shelves, consider breaking out each quadrant into different console categories or organizing your games alphabetically by cartridge type.
Floating Shelves

Space-conscious or minimalistic in design? Floating shelves are the understated champions of practical décor. They provide the perfect balance of function and form. They are the ideal solution for the vertically inclined stacker, ensuring your SNES or Sega Genesis titles are proudly on the show. Here’s how to turn your shelving into a gallery for your gaming artifacts.
- LED Lighting: Adding LED strips beneath or behind shelves can create a dramatic backdrop for your consoles, highlighting their form and function.
- Glass Shelves: For a sleek, modern look, glass shelves not only add a touch of elegance but also allow light to flow through, illuminating consoles from all angles.
- Themed Arrangements: Group consoles by manufacturer, era, or color for visually compelling displays. This thematic organization tells a story of gaming evolution.
- Vertical Stands: Utilize vertical stands to safely display consoles in an upright position, saving space and adding dimension to your setup.
- Custom Labels: Design custom labels or placards to sit next to each console, detailing its release year, technical specs, or personal anecdotes about what it means to you.
- Rotating Displays: Implement a rotating display for your most cherished pieces, allowing you to change up the focal point of your collection and keep the display dynamic.
- Protective Cases: Consider transparent, dust-proof display cases for particularly rare or valuable consoles, blending protection with presentation.
Wall-Mounted Racks for your Game Room
If your collection leans more towards a museum-quality exhibition, wall-mounted racks could be your answer. With proper spacing and fun strip lighting, these racks can turn your game room into a private arcade. Bonus points for organizing your games by genre or publisher!
Storage Bins or Boxes for Long-Term Storage (in a storage unit)

Not all cartridges are created equal, and not all may warrant a place on your eye-line shelves. For games relegated to storage status, air-tight storage bins in a climate-controlled self-storage unit provide undisturbed hibernation.
- Clear Plastic Bins: Ideal for seeing the contents at a glance, and stackable for efficient use of space.
- Climate-Controlled Bins: Perfect for sensitive items that need protection from extreme temperatures and humidity.
- Under-the-Bed Storage Boxes: A great solution for making use of otherwise wasted space; these are often slim and easy to hide.
- Acid-Free Storage Boxes: Especially important for preserving the condition of vintage game boxes and manuals.
- Compartmentalized Cases: Useful for separating accessories or smaller handheld games, keeping everything organized and easily accessible.
Protecting Your Collection

Retro games, in their original form, are susceptible to the sands of time as the plastic casings of these games can become brittle with age.
Invest in Protective Cases
Sealed protective cases prevent dust, moisture, and decay of the game’s physical state. It’s an investment that protects more than just the monetary value; it ensures the playability and integrity of each game.
Store in a Cool, Dry Environment
Just as a fine wine requires a cool, dark environment to mature, your vintage games deserve (and demand) similar conditions. Storing your games in a temperature-controlled room or environment helps to prolong their life, ensuring they remain viable for the next generation, saga, or showdown.
Maximize your Gaming Space with CubeSmart
Organizing your vintage game collection is more than just a chore—it’s an homage to an era and a lifestyle. If you’re running out of space for your collection, there’s always room at CubeSmart. We have a variety of storage unit sizes and features, like climate control, to keep your gaming collection ready for display anytime.