Collection management
Discs, cartridges, consoles, controllers, books, magazines and other items can all be kept in one clear and organized collection.
An international catalog for retro games and hardware
Every physical copy has a story
Retrostock is an upcoming platform for collectors of retro games, consoles, peripherals, gaming literature and other physical items.
It will make it easy to manage an entire collection, explore different products and releases, preserve the history of individual copies, discover rare items and spare parts, and connect with other collectors.
Retrostock is currently in development. The catalog will open gradually.
The Retrostock structure
RST
Title
RSP
Product
RSR
Release
RSC
Physical copy
The catalog is built around real surviving items, their photographs, identifying details and individual histories.
Your entire collection in one place
More than a spreadsheet or a list of names
Retrostock is being created as a practical place to organize a collection, add photographs, record condition and completeness, and preserve the history of every physical item.
Meaningful distinctions
Regional products, reissues, localizations, multicarts, retail bundles and individual physical copies are kept distinct.
Item history
Condition, completeness, repairs, modifications, sales, trades and transfers can all become part of an individual RSC's history.
Sales and spare parts
Collectors will be able to list items for sale or trade, as well as drives, power supplies, shells, ribbon cables and even original screws.
More than a list of games
Identical on the outside, different on the inside
The same game may exist as different regional products, reissues, official releases and unofficial editions.
Two cartridges with identical labels may contain different games. Similar consoles may originally have been sold in different retail bundles. A particular disc, console or magazine can also develop a history of its own.
Retrostock will distinguish between the title itself, a particular product, a specific release and a real individual physical copy.
Contra and Probotector
One title represented by different regional products.
PlayStation Classic
One hardware title with different regional built-in game libraries.
9999 in 1
The same label may conceal different menus and game selections.
Cluster Multicart
The owner may choose the content of each individual cartridge.
From title to physical copy
Four levels, one understandable catalog
Each level answers a different question instead of trying to describe everything at once.
RST
Title
A game, device, compilation or another distinct catalog subject.
RSP
Product
A regional, model-specific or otherwise distinct form of the title.
RSR
Release
A particular edition, production run or repeatable version of the product.
RSC
Physical copy
An individual physical item with its own condition and history.
What the catalog will cover
From cartridges to original screws
Retrostock will not be limited to games on discs and cartridges.
Games on physical media
Home and handheld consoles
Controllers and peripherals
Compilations, demo discs and multicarts
Retail bundles and built-in games
Gaming books, magazines and manuals
Homebrew and unofficial releases
Drives, boards, shells and spare parts
Buy, sell and trade
A permanent code instead of a disappearing listing
Owners will be able to mark items as available for sale or trade, while other collectors will be able to find those copies and contact them.
Permanent RSU, RST, RSP, RSR and RSC codes may be included in listings on external marketplaces. A code will not depend on a particular seller profile, listing URL or marketplace.
Spare parts can be listed without complicated catalog classification: a category, description, quantity, condition and photographs will be enough.
Example permanent code
RSC000000077
A code like this can be searched inside Retrostock, on an external marketplace or through a search engine.
The history of physical items
A catalog that learns from real surviving copies
Many distinctions are first discovered on individual RSCs. When the same feature appears on other items, the catalog may use that evidence to refine a release, product or title.
Retrostock knowledge will therefore grow from photographs, observations and research involving real surviving objects rather than abstract entries.
- Condition and completeness
- Photographs of the actual copy
- Repairs and modifications
- Sales, trades and transfers
- Separation and later reconstruction of sets
- Research and identification history
Currently in development
Preserving the history of gaming, one copy at a time
We are building the catalog structure, contribution rules and tools for collectors. Retrostock will open gradually.
Learn how Retrostock will work