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[Azure Dream]

For years when I was younger, magazines were the only way I got gaming news. Even after the internet took off, I still bought quite a few of them. Even after they were no longer relevant, I kept many of them for reference material (which I never used them as), and because of the prototype pics and content they would sometimes showcase.

Unfortunately, I need to cut down on my storage, and several Rubbermaids full of 1990s game magazines aren't doing me a lot of good. I could take them to Half-Price Books and get maybe $0.50 out of a huge stack, or donate them, but I kind of wish they'd get some use by people who'd appreciate them. I know there's groups online dedicated to scanning old game magazines for archival purposes. Is there any out there that would want them that people know of? And what would be the cheapest way to ship to them, USPS Media Mail? DHL? Or are there any other recommendations what to do with them, like should I offer them to local games shops?

 

[Ultima_5]

Do you have a retro game shop? One of mine used to sell old mags for a buck or two each

 

[Type40]

I'm still looking for some of the early nintendo powers.
You can sell then in the buy/sell/trade thread or on ebay.

 

[Man Called Aerodynamics]

Keep them for the memories. We're cleaning out my basement right now and I found my treasure trove of '90s era Nintendo Power and GamePro magazines. It's awesome stuff.

 

[DrKelpo]

I looked and asked around if somebody wanted my old magazines, but in the end they were just normal magazines, not rare collectors items. most of the ones I had, at least.

So over time I kept around 10 issues for myself that meant something to me, like the first gaming magazines I bought, special Issues and stuff like that and threw the rest away.

funny story.. I picked up a huge stack and when I got to the paper bin my music player started "Boys don't cry"^^

 

[Hendrick's]

Recycling bin.

 

[Portman]

I kept some of my older PCGamer issues for memories but got rid of the majority of them. I've regretted it ever since doing that and just recently found a small batch of older issues (even with the discs) on eBay and they were shipped to me via Media Mail.

Some of the prices I've seen are a little crazy but I was willing to pay a decent price for these since they had the issue I was after. I guess nostalgia can drive us for media related to games and not just games.

Otherwise when I was getting rid of older magazines I just recycled them at the time. Didn't know of anyone that would have wanted them but I guess could always look to donate to places too if they're in good condition. Otherwise could try to sell them of course too since there will always be someone somewhere who wants them.

 

[John Wick]

I was in the same predicament with my old games magazines. Eventually I threw out most of them

 

[Mik2121]

We used to get rid of all of them. I'm OK with it except for one PC magazine from Spain called PC Mania that once published a 3D scene I did when I was like 13 using 3DSMax (this was in around 1998). They published the image with some small description on a magazine that talked about all stuff PC like the new 3D tools, new game graphics, talking about hardware, etc... They had a small "Latest CG" pamphlet every month that was about 20 pages with stuff users sent mixed with professional stuff.

I wish I had that magazine still around

 

[Dishwalla]

Yeah try and find a used video game shop to give them to. The ones I go to usually have old issues of Nintendo Power and such, and I've even bought a couple from them.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Open a video game magazine museum

 

[inm8num2]

I kept some of my older PCGamer issues for memories but got rid of the majority of them. I've regretted it ever since doing that

Same here. About 10 years ago I recycled all my PCGamer issues (from late 1997 to mid 2000). I kept all the demo discs but really wish I had kept the magazines, too.

 

[Auctopus]

Go through them, find the significant ones then recycle the rest.

I found a OPM from around the time GTA4 was releasing and there was incredible Letter to the Editor about how they think the newly dubbed "microtransactions" might get out of hand in the future, mwahahaha.

 

[danowat]

Recycling bin.

That's where mine go, well, I only buy Edge, so that's where my Edge goes.

 

[Imbarkus]

Make sure to check with Frank Cifaldi before you get rid of them to make sure you don't have anything he's missing.

 

[Sectorseven]

Recycled most of mine years ago and haven't looked back. They're just too impractical to store and really, how often are you going to read them?

 

[theecakee]

I have like two boxes full of GameInformer magazines from the 2000s. I plan to try and sell them in bulk on eBay this summer when I'm cleaning stuff out....if I can't sell it I'll just recycle them or maybe I'll mail them to Giant Bomb for a mail bag video...to then them probably recycling them lol.

I mean, nice memories but I rather have the space, one of the many junk things I have to get rid of.

 

[Nosgotham]

dont trash or recycle them! collectors will buy them. put an ad up on craigslist. someone is searching for what you got right now

 

[MegamanPoweredUP]

Stored them away. Actually they're not even vintage material so they really aren't worth much.

 

[Azure Dream]

Alright, I'll have to give it some thought, thanks. I guess the scanning groups don't need to look hard for copies.

 

[Seven4sses]

Turn old game ads into little posters

 

[NOLA_Gaffer]

A while back I went through all my old Nintendo Powers, kept a few issues I liked, kept the posters I liked, and recycled the rest.

 

[Bringer Of Bacon]

Sew them together to make the ultimate shame tarp.

 

[Wedzi]

I recently just unsubscribed from Game Informer (well cancelled my Gamestop power rewards thing) and then dumped a large amount of Game Informer and old Official Xbox Magazines in the recycling. So yeah.

 

[HannibalJones]

I recycled all my old copies of super play, n64 magazine and edge and now really regret it. Never throw anything away! Embrace the hoarder lifestyle!

 

[Oli]

Cut off the binders and throw them on a super quick scanner.

 

[Gxgear]

Take your favourite issue covers and put it together as framed posters.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

I kept the ones I cared about - Super Play, Maximum, Paul Davies era CVG, Official Sega Saturn magazine...I guess it depends on if you're sure you don't want them anymore (and it sounds like you are by the OP). Sending them to be scanned sounds great.

 

[visiblemode]

Sell them to hipsters for them to select passages to use as wedding vows.

Edit:

Take your favourite issue covers and put it together as framed posters.

An actually really solid idea.

 

[Transistor]

I have a ton of back issues of EGM, PSM, OPM, PC Gamer, Silicon Magazine, and Gamepro. I really need to recycle them and let my inner hoarder suck it.

 

[kamineko]

Take pictures of the funny stuff and then make a thread

 

[Heavy_D206]

I have so many issues of PSM

Started my sub in 1998 I believe. The first issue I have has Tomb Raider as the cover story.

Probably have 7 or 8 years worth of issues.

 

[mattp]

send them to frank cifaldi

 

[Jawmuncher]

I used to have a huge stack of them. That I just kept as a time capsule of sorts....I wish I still had them.

 

[commish]

At my parents house, I still have hundreds of magazines from the late 80s through the late 90s. EGM, Gamepro, Die Hard, NextGen, VG&CE, Nintendo Power, Sega's magazine (forget the name), etc. I should give them away to someone on GAF. I am sure they would find a use for them.

 

[Qwark]

I used to have a ton of gaming magazines, but it got to be too much to move around and I never used them, so I went through them, kept the ones that were interesting to me, and threw out the rest.

 

[dh4niel]

Recycling bin.

Yep. That's what I did with all mine. Most of the information in them can be found on the internet anyway.

 

[Indelible]

Read them on the toilet.

 

[Mupod]

I used to have a huge stack of them. That I just kept as a time capsule of sorts....I wish I still had them.

same. I left all my Nintendo Powers behind when I had to exit my first apartment on 1 day's notice. I especially wish I still had that FF4 one with all the crazy ass art.

NP issues were the only magazines that stood the test of time though. Those absolutely massive EGMs they used to put out fell apart in a few years.

 

[riskVSreward]

Send them to preservation groups.

Or send them to me, I'll pay depending on what you got.

 

[daveo42]

I have a few left over magazines that I keep for nostalgia purposes or were rarities. The rest ended up being thrown out.

 

[stolin]

I have a complete collection of all Nintendo Power mags in storage. Now that it's the 30 year anniversary I should really look for a buyer.

 

[Uncle Moe]

Send them to preservation groups.

Check the Sutton-Smith Library's collections. If they're missing any issues you have I'd strongly encourage you to donate them!

Here's more information about the library, which is housed at the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, NY.

 

[SegaManAU]

I threw out a heap of my old gaming magazines from the 90's. I always regret it so much.

Hold on to that stuff man!!

 

[nintendork666]

Make funny hats.

 

[KiraXD]

if you have any PSM with Joe Madureira covers... ill buy them.

seriously... if anyone has these specific mags... ill buy them.

 

[SomTervo]

Turn old game ads into little posters

...fuck

 

[lunarworks]

I've got a whole pile of Gamefan magazines that I'm trying to figure out what to do with.

 

[NinjamicWZ]

^I'd do what these folks are saying if you think they're in great condition. You can sell anything on ebay if you have patience, though. There are collectors getting the bug every day.

I gave all mine to my little cousin back in 2007. They just ended up in the trash pretty quick after I moved. Most I could take or leave, but I wish I had Nintendo Power and GameFan still... classics.

 

[Possumowner]

Recycling for the most although I've kept all my Edge ones from day 1,Love the covers.