If you thought your Golden, NES Legend Of Zelda cartridge marks you as a true fan, you clearly haven't seen the Video Game Memorabilia Museum, or VGMM. Having our fanboy and fangirl egos shattered, we humbly decided to get in contact with the VGMM and schedule an interview regarding the jaw dropping collection.
Started back in 2005, creator, collector, and gamer Brett Martin started the VGMM to showcase his personal collection of video game merchandise and to pay respect to a once niche hobby that has changed the lives of many. Currently, Brett holds the Guinness world record for the largest collection of video game merchandise. Featured in numerous gaming publications such as including Kotaku, Game Culture, Go Nintendo, among others, I had the privilege of talking with Brett and got the scoop on the origins of his collection, advice for other collectors, his favorite items and IPs, and even some insight on his new role as a gamer AND a parent.
kgHapa: What are your favorite series/companies/IPs?
Brett: The main page has the series I focus on (Mario, Zelda, Mega Man, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Final Fantasy, Crash Bandicoot, and Spyro), however, there are several other games I'd love to have merchandise from, which dooesn't exist. Nintendo seems to create the stuff I love the most, but I play a lot of Sony and Sega titles as well. I shied away from Sonic, because there was almost as much stuff as Mario, and I shied away from Pokemon, because there was WAY more than Mario. Mario SEEMED easy on the budget when I started.
K: Where do you get your collectibles and how hard is it to obtain them? Any particular sources that keep you updated on new collectibles?
B: I rarely find anything I need on eBay anymore, so I hunt Yahoo Japan Auctions, and use a proxy service like Rinkya or Shopping Mall Japan to obtain them. The “Links” section on my site has a listing of the online stores I use. I mainly use Wizzywig, National Console Support (NCSX), and Power Anime. There are several stores that sell counterfeit items that I avoid though. My site is mainly used to distinguish official vs. unofficial, and my forum community supports that.
K: Have you seen any collections bigger than your own?
B: Not ones involving merchandise. Plenty of online collections feature bookcases and bookcases of games, but those don't excite me as much. I've got many games as well, but collections are more fun to look when compared to a ton of games that you can't distinguish.
K: What is your earliest memory relating to video games and what was the first game you truly fell in love with?
B: Playing Atari 2600 with my dad. I specifically remember playing Raiders of the Lost Ark, one of the most notoriously hard games on the system because it features very erratic puzzle solving. I had had my tonsils out, and I'd scream in my hoarse child voice, "use the whipper, daddy!" so Indy would use the whip. I remember beating the game, and finding out that the ending was just the title screen. That was back before endings in games, and back before guides and the internet. Crazy hard game to beat without hints.
The first game I TRULY fell in love with was Super Mario Bros. 3. My favorite animal is still the raccoon, so when Mario, my favorite game character, donned the raccoon tail (and tanooki suit), I was amazed. It's like the game was made for me. Plus, that game really rocked my world. I had seen The Wizard multiple times before playing it, and playing it was just magical.
K: When and why did you start collecting video game merchandise?
B: I started collecting in college, around the turn of the century. Man does THAT sound weird to say. I completed the Applause Mario PVC figure set by using eBay because I had a few growing up, and was surprised to find all of the things out there. I'm still surprised by some stuff I find today, but most of it is from Japan auctions these days. I wanted to have a lot of it for nostalgia originally, and then it turned into more of a historical preservation thing. I realize it's nearly impossible to have it all, even with one character, but I set out early on to create a place where gamer merchandise collectors could unite.
I had them on the TV, then it grew to the top of an entertainment center, then I got a shelving unit with three shelves. Then I got another one. Then I got a bookcase. Then I got another one, and another one, and so on. Then I found the "World of Nintendo" cabinet from a flea market, and you can see how well it brings the room together.
K: Growing up, what did your family, friends, loved ones, etc. think about gaming and your collection?
B: I was always the gamer of the family, and I always had to jockey for game time on the family TV until it got moved downstairs when the new one came in. Then I basically had my own TV. My list for Christmas and birthdays always consisted of games lists, and my parents were great about getting me the games I wanted. Still, I never had a sizable collection of games when I was "growing up", and there was little merchandise aside from a few Mario figures and maybe a sleeping bag or something.
Today, they all think it's pretty amazing that I've amassed so much stuff. It has gotten me some amazing opportunities and they always ask about what is happening with it. They try to find stuff for me sometimes (which is how I ended up with four Nintendo Monopoly's), but mostly just let me take care of it.
K: As a recent father yourself, what aspects of the gaming world are you most excited to share with your children? Do you think this generation of children will have unique or different experiences growing up with many gamer parents?
B: My oldest son has seen the collection, but probably cannot comprehend it. At eighteen months actually played my favorite game of all time, Super Mario Bros. 3, on a Game Boy Micro using the GBA version of the game. He made Mario jump, and that made him laugh. Brought tears to my eyes. He also has some Mario stuff of his own, and he carts around his Mario plush everywhere he goes. Well, that or his bear.
I think a family gaming night is definitely in my future, and even if it's Nicktoons Racing 8 or something, it'll be fun to play with them. Even the simplest, stupid games can create great moments. In that aspect, families that play together stay together?
It's early yet to have opinions about whether gaming will really affect them negatively or positively, but I am already formulating what kinds of games they will be able to play. It will pay to keep up with what is going on with games. There are many more mature games out there now than when I was a kid, so it will be nice to be a parent that is aware of media that my child may utilize. Outside time will also be a priority, as much as I'd like to game with them every day. Hopefully they will like video games, but there's always the possibility that doing what your parents do is lame.
K: Finally, is there anything else you want to add or any advice you can give to other video game collectors or gamers out there?
B: My oldest son is only 18 months old and my youngest was born three weeks ago, so it's a little early to be handing out gamer dad advice. I'll just say good luck finding time to game, and get some sleep! My backlog of games is astounding, but I have found that games easily are picked up and put down help me keep my sanity. Thank goodness for the DS and PSP. I seem to do a lot of puzzling though.
As for collecting, visit my forums and my community and I will help you out with whatever you need! Also, it is overwhelming how much stuff there is, so I'd suggest making a budget and sticking to it.
K: What are your top 5 favorite pieces in your collection? I know it's tough to narrow down such an impressive collection...
B:
1. Prototypes Collection
2. Super Mario Bros 3 Talking Display Sign
3. Shadow of the Colossus First Colossus statue
4. Katamari Damacy Prince Hand Puppet Plush or Super Mario RPG Boshi plush
5. . . . Everything else.
Wow, can you imagine growing up with those kind of toys lying around the house? And I was excited when I got Mario toys with my happy meal! Even if you don't have the privilege of having a collection like Brett's in your house, check out the VGMM website and Brett's extensive catalog of his merchandise. A special thanks to Brett and from all of us here at the Kartel, congratulations on the record and your two sons!
If you're looking for more info, check out Brett's YouTube channel as well to see videos of his collection and the man himself.
