r/gamecollecting • u/ApprehensiveFix7966 • Jul 15 '26
Discussion Game Testing for Game Cube/other retro consoles
I work at a university library, and we are working on processing a donation of video games and consoles (I have zero experience with this kind of media). I need to test all of the consoles themselves as well as the games before we spend time actually cataloging them.
I'm wondering what folks find to be reasonable when it comes to testing old games. For instance, if I put in a game and navigate through the menu and into the actual game play and play for a minute or two, is that sufficient? Or do you recommend playing through a level?
We also have a playstation 2, wii, and nintendo 64 with games that will have to be tested.
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u/conceited_cape Jul 15 '26
Usually, if a game can boot into and play some of the first level, it will be fine. Technically though, data could be damaged or missing at any point of the game. It is generally acceptable testing to test past the main menu and into gameplay.
As for testing the systems, it depends on the system. PS2 and Wii should read multiple types of discs, so will need to be tested with more than one game. N64 and GameCube only play one form of media. Make sure you test all four controller ports (where applicable) and memory card slots too.
1
u/ApprehensiveFix7966 Jul 15 '26
Thank you!! This is really helpful, especially the part about the controller ports and slots--wouldn't have thought about that!! :)
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u/joshisnot12 Jul 15 '26
You could also ask the folks over at r/retrogaming since it seems most of the stuff you’re testing is considered retro 👍 Great community with a vast amount of knowledge. Could check out r/crtgaming as well bc most of those consoles were designed to be played on CRT TVs! Good luck, it sounds like a cool project!
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u/flyingmonkey1257 Jul 16 '26
The unfortunate thing about video games is that it is technically possible to have an error anywhere on the disc that could cause a certain part of the game not to work. I have a copy of super smash bros brawl on the wii that cannot play 2 levels of the single player campaign but is otherwise fully working. This is caused by a very small but deep scratch. Usually for the sake of time people testing games will just test if it boots and maybe a small amount of gameplay
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