Staying in the UK for this jaw-dropping collection from another co-founder of Retro Collective Europe, Joe Hollingsworth from Kent. Joes specialism is the Game Boy and at the time of writing he is approaching 300 towards his final goal of a full grey Game Boy cartridge set. Check out his inspirational collection below.

The Collection

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Q and A with Joe Hollingsworth

When did you become interested in video games and what was the first video game you played?

Joe: I first played a video game I believe when I was around 4 years old my cousin had a Master System, the first games I played were Bubble Bobble, California Games and Hugo which I think was on an Atari ST, (maybe someone can correct me on that)? but from then I’d say I was aware of games.

What was the first games console or computer you owned and how old were you?

Joe: My first games console was a handheld, a grey Gameboy dmg I got for my 5th or 6th birthday, which I still have along with all my games (Super Mario Land, Gargoyles Quest and Tetris. My first proper console however was the Megadrive 2 bundled with Sonic 2 which was both mine and my sisters. I also remember getting a second hand Amiga at some point I fondly remember playing Wolfenstein, Hocus Pocus and Noddy.

What got you into collecting videogames, computers and consoles?

Joe: 5-6 years ago I was helping my Nan with a boot fair stall she was always selling at bootfairs china, wade etc you know the type of stall if you are a boot fair go’er haha. I spotted a Boxed NES with cib copies of Bubble Bobble, Mario 3 and Hook, fancied that and I paid £25 for the lot and that was that.

Where do you source most of your retro purchases from (eBay, flea markets etc.)?

Joe: I’ve gotten a huge amount of my collection from Bootfairs not just directly. You tend to find similar stuff at bootfairs so any dupes I get I trade with the lovely guys at Level Up Games in Canterbury store credit can help get some of the bits you wouldn’t normally find. I have found all sorts at bootfairs to note a few, Turtles In Time NTSC cart 50p, NES GBS SP £1, Zelda 4 swords big box £1. I have been pretty lucky

What is your most prized retro gaming possession and how much did it cost you?

Joe: I have a complete Gameboy DMG with sealed wires that I think is also unused I picked up for £15 a year or so ago that’s pretty shiny. I also have the Super Gameboy SNES crate which I probably paid too much for (£150) but that is the only 1 item I’ve paid big for and I just had to have it.

What is your favourite game and console manufacturer?

Joe: Nintendo. I grew up with Sega Megadrive but you cannot criticise Nintendo hardware, its very reliable (ignoring NES flashing lights) haha.

What is your favourite console or computer?

Joe: I’ll get shouted at here but Nintendo Wii U, that console has a lot to offer and some of the games on it are the best I’ve played. Back to retro, Gameboy is my thing, I’ve grown up with every transition of that console and I am trying to collect every Euro released game of original grey cart games, so far I am at 297 of 466, with the GBC and GBA I am at nearly 500 Gameboy games.

What console have you least enjoyed playing?

Joe: Probably the Saturn but that’s more due to my game library for that console being very slim.

The burning house scenario: which part of your collection would you save first?

Joe: My original Gameboy and then all the Gameboy games.

The Desert Island scenario: which one console and game would you take?

Joe: Which one console and game would you take? Probably PS4 and GTA5 that game can last forever if you add a bit of imagination.

Where do you want to go now with the collection?

Joe: My target is 75% Gameboy set buy the end of the year, quiet enjoying picking up DS and PSP games now they are cheaper also.

Have you any tips for budding retro games collectors?

Joe: Get to bootfairs at opening time and go for a quick whip round before you look properly, big bundles don’t hang around for long. With Ebay good stuff can be found cheap just be patient and watch newly listed items at buy it now prices!

16 Bit World

Show us your collection: #29 Joe Hollingsworth