In most gamers a huge backlog. If you are, like me, a retro gamer, you own or want to own multiple consoles, which only makes the problem worse.
If your backlog is a nightmare as bad as mine, I have good news for you: there is a way around it. In this article, I will show you how to get rid of it completely.
After a lot of misadventures in games, here’s how I learned how to deal with my lag.
1. Explore your collection of consoles.
Examine your TV stand. Chances are, you have more games for some consoles than others.
Simplify reducing backlog by starting with the console with the fewest games.
You only have to play two games on the GameCube, and there are twenty left on the PS1? Then start with the GameCube.
The only time this tip doesn’t apply is if one of these games is taking an insanely long time.
Some games (* cough, cough * Rayman ) are nearly impossible to finish in a short period of time because there are absolutely no save points at all levels, which brings me to the next point.
Image of Francis on Dribbble.
2. Play the simplest games first.
Some games are much less demanding than others. I finished Mario: Double Dash many years ago because it’s not that hard. Portal Runner for PS2 is another great example. This can be done in a couple of hours, give or take.
I’ve played them several times. The goals of both games are clear, so they are easy to play. It’s nice to know that they are in my collection just for fun.
Imagine if your entire game library was like this.
Moral of the story? Choose the less difficult games first, and you will fly through the levels and your lag before you know about it.
3. Stop spending like a banshee.
Perhaps you are dying to grab a series of games from your favorite manga, like Ranma 1/2 .
Problem? You don’t have a console for this.
Prioritize by including these games on your shopping list, but don’t buy them. This will save you time and money.
Complete the games you already own before cluttering your retro library further by stocking up on more consoles and games.
You can always reassess the situation later and see if the games you might want to play are important to you.
Image of Francis on Dribbble.
4. Manage your time
Setting a schedule can get rid of the game spontaneously, but it’s also one of the best ways to get rid of the lag.
This does not mean that you never play other games casually or for fun. But perhaps you can postpone every Saturday for a month to finally complete Mother or Crash Bandicoot: Warped .
Now that you’ve narrowed down the games you can play, spend a couple of weekends just honing them.
Rinse and repeat, and watch in awe as your playlist magically shrinks.
5. Buy yourself a level book.
Can’t remember what games you played? Instead of flipping through memory cards, start writing them down into a new level book.
Engineers use level logs to record field notes for surveying. It turns out they also make the perfect laptop for video games: they’re small, lightweight, and easy to use.
Your level book doesn’t have to be trendy; you can even use a regular notepad. But be sure to keep it in your game collection so it doesn’t get lost in the abyss and mingle with your office supplies.
Don’t underestimate the level book – it’s a secret power-up you’ll definitely need in your arsenal. This will prevent you from losing track of games that you have completed or are currently working on.
Image of Francis on Dribble.
There will always be more games
And gamers wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s time to get rid of the backlog and make room for the new and shiny.
There are a lot of games coming out for PS5 and the latest Xbox in 2021. This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for.
It’s time to close the gap once and for all.
