The Paradox of Abundance: Why Less Is More in Gaming

Imagine the thrill of gazing upon a vast, shimmering library... hundreds... no, thousands of games at your fingertips, each promising adventure, nostalgia, or challenge. When I first put together my Emulation setup, I was captivated by this idea a universe of endless possibilities. I envisioned myself exploring every title, relishing the variety. But reality proved more complex and surprisingly revealing. Instead of liberation I felt overwhelmed. It wasn't a scarcity of games that weighed on me but their sheer abundance. The more titles I amassed, the harder it became to focus on any one of them. Suddenly, my sprawling collection felt less like a treasure and more like a digital burden... a paradox: an enormous library that stifled rather than sparked joy.

Imagine trying to find a game like this. x_X

Every day, I found myself lost in a maze of icons, system menus, endless scrolling... searching, selecting, and second guessing what to play. Minutes turned into hours spent browsing, guilt mounting with each unplayed game. The pressure to try “just one more” title drained the fun from gaming, replacing it with decision fatigue. The vastness that was supposed to bring happiness instead created paralysis, turning my leisure time into a frustrating quest for completion.

Must be all those flying Alamy's buzzing around, giving her a headache

Then, a realization dawned... the secret to meaningful gaming isn’t about owning everything but about choosing intentionally. I started to curate my library eliminating irrelevant titles, games I knew I wouldn’t enjoy or ever play. I focused on a handful of classics, those that shaped my childhood, sparked my curiosity, or challenged me in. This shift transformed my experience. Returning to just a few favorites like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Final Fantasy VII, Chrono Trigger, Mario Bros. They became an act of rediscovery, not obligation. I began to appreciate their storytelling, and enjoyment in ways I’d overlooked amid the clutter.

I got nothing... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

With fewer games, and my mental clutter dissolved. No more endless scrolling or guilt for unfinished titles. Instead, I concentrated on what mattered... the games I loved and wanted to revisit. This approach fostered nostalgia, and purpose like leafing through an old photo album or handwritten letters, each one meaningful because of the emotions and memories invested in it.

It's probably all nudes from spring break or something

The power of this focus is profound. It’s not just nostalgia... it’s a deep appreciation for the artistry and personal stories embedded in each game. Playing Chrono Trigger, for example isn’t just about clicking through a list of RPG menus and commands. It’s reliving childhood wonder, the soundtrack echoing in my mind, the intricate plot unfolding anew. Each title becomes a cherished chapter in my personal story rather than a checkmark on a vast backlog list.

At the core of this lies a simple truth, our relationship with video games are deeply personal. It’s about meaningful engagement, not ownership. A curated collection... whether on a small handheld or a dedicated PC is a personal library of memories. Each game is a chapter, a moment of discovery. When I play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night on my portable device, I’m transported back to lazy afternoons, humming its melodies while doing homework, uncovering secrets with eager anticipation. These few titles hold a universe of emotion that no sprawling collection can match.

Doesn't she owe me money?

What’s funny is how a humble device... a modest handheld capable of just emulating PS1 and even some lite Dreamcast titles can deliver richer satisfaction than my massive PC library. Because it forces deliberate choices. pick, prioritize, savor. Its simplicity strips away distraction, inviting me to engage deeply and meaningfully with each game. It’s a reminder that sometimes less truly is more.

This shows a broader truth about how we engage with both games and life. Abundance though tempting often leads to frustration, distraction, and disconnection. The illusion that more equals happiness can be misleading. Instead, minimalism focusing on fewer, more meaningful experiences brings clarity and purpose, and genuine fulfillment. My small device with a carefully selected library exemplifies this, simplicity is a source of power.

Not mine but the same Trimui i have

This isn’t merely about convenience. It’s about intentionality. Making deliberate choices enhances our experience, transforming gaming from a mindless activity into a mindful act an almost meditative pursuit of quality over quantity. When I restrict my options, I’m more focused and immersed. I play each game thoroughly appreciating stories, noticing details I might overlook being sidetracked by a sprawling collection. The result is a deeper emotional connection and a stronger desire to revisit titles that I truly enjoy.

The few games I cherish have become anchors... reminders of my childhood. They’re not just games, they’re chapters in my life story. The depth of experience, rather than breadth is a more meaningful bond with gaming.
Beyond the technical, this philosophy speaks to a fundamental human truth... our emotional ties to games are deeply personal. It’s about the stories, mechanics, moments of triumph or frustration that linger long after the screen goes dark. Owning a massive library might impress others, but it can feel impersonal, like a cluttered attic of forgotten relics. where as a small collection becomes a personal archive each game a treasured memory, each play session a meaningful ritual.

For example, on my small handheld, playing Final Fantasy VII isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a portal to childhood afternoons, to melodies hummed during a bath, to secrets uncovered with eager anticipation. These titles hold alot of emotion and meaning that no amount of digital clutter can replicate.

Not FFVII.. eh close enough

There’s also a larger lesson here... in a world obsessed with quantity... more options, more content less often leads to more satisfaction. Minimalism in gaming mirrors life’s broader pursuit of clarity and purpose. When we strip away the excess, what remains is genuine engagement and fulfillment. That small device with its limited yet enjoyable library, reminds me that sometimes simple is the best answer..

More isn’t always better... In my journey, I’ve learned that the joy of gaming isn’t in owning everything but in a select few. It’s about quality, nostalgia, and personal resonance. Choosing intentionally transforms gaming into a meaningful act a reflection of ourselves, not just a way to check off a list. Less in this case truly is more... more memorable, more nostalgic, more fun.

Ultimately, I’ve discovered that the greatest joy in emulation isn’t in the size of my collection but in the mindful engagement with the titles that truly matter. Whether on a powerful PC or a humble handheld, the goal remains the same, genuine enjoyment free from distraction or superficiality. Sometimes narrowing our choices unlocks an experience richer and more fun than we could imagine. In that, I find a deep sense of joy, connection, and purpose more authentic than any sprawling digital library ever could offer.

 

[deh]

Yes, that's true, less is really more.

 

[MandoBear]

And this is why I have FFVII Crisis Core on pretty much every handheld I own - it was the first RPG I had for my PSP, and I was pretty much blown away by the graphics and gameplay at the time. Playing it all these years later, and I'm drawn right back in to that feeling. Only now am I also playing through the original PS1 FFVII, and enjoying the context it provides to the later game.

 

[Stingy Perry Stingy Perry]

I still always wonder, from a time of bulky cartridges, floppy disks, and optical storage discs where our games stored. To a device that fits in our pockets containing not just Roms but also emulating those consoles. We’ve really come a long way. Not that it makes me feel old to state the obvious but somewhat nostalgic. Those games that filled our imaginations, and our hearts with emotions. It kinda reminds of a quote from a game it says “It’s alright to grow up, as long as you don’t get old.” And yet again another banger! Believe it or not this article made me feel guilty about my backlogs.

 

[Zerpina]

Yes, that's true, less is really more.

Yeah, for the longest time I was in the mindset of "having to have every game" but what's the point if you never play them?

And this is why I have FFVII Crisis Core on pretty much every handheld I own - it was the first RPG I had for my PSP, and I was pretty much blown away by the graphics and gameplay at the time. Playing it all these years later, and I'm drawn right back in to that feeling. Only now am I also playing through the original PS1 FFVII, and enjoying the context it provides to the later game.

Same for me with Castlevania SOTN and Chrono Trigger.
These are my two favorite games, period. I legitimately owned SOTN on every platform it was released on, up until the PS3

I still always wonder, from a time of bulky cartridges, floppy disks, and optical storage discs where our games stored. To a device that fits in our pockets containing not just Roms but also emulating those consoles. We’ve really come a long way. Not that it makes me feel old to state the obvious but somewhat nostalgic. Those games that filled our imaginations, and our hearts with emotions. It kinda reminds of a quote from a game it says “It’s alright to grow up, as long as you don’t get old.” And yet again another banger! Believe it or not this article made me feel guilty about my backlogs.

It is strange to think that 20 years ago cartridges were still being made.
Now it’s almost always DDL or if you're lucky, an overpriced limited physical run.

And that was kind of my point, Stingy. It makes you think, "You know do I really need X game or Y game?" If you're never going to play it, why have it?

To quote Toys R Us
"I don't want to grow up. I'm a Toys R Us kid. There's a million toys that I can play with"

Thank you all for the read. I appreciate the likes.

 

[deh]

Yeah, for the longest time I was in the mindset of "having to have every game" but what's the point if you never play them?

Same for me with Castlevania SOTN and Chrono Trigger.
These are my two favorite games, period. I legitimately owned SOTN on every platform it was released on, up until the PS3

It is strange to think that 20 years ago cartridges were still being made.
Now it’s almost always DDL or if you're lucky, an overpriced limited physical run.

And that was kind of my point, Stingy. It makes you think, "You know do I really need X game or Y game?" If you're never going to play it, why have it?

To quote Toys R Us
"I don't want to grow up. I'm a Toys R Us kid. There's a million toys that I can play with"

Thank you all for the read. I appreciate the likes.
View attachment 79758

Yes, I know something like that too. There was a time when I had too many but never played or watched .

 

[GoodGods]

...And so i sit here, contemplating the vast array of games I downloaded from this site (and its predecessor), totaling over 230 GB's worth, and i have played maybe... 5-10% of them. Some series, like Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet and Clank, I was able to try, but mostly sticking to randomizers farmed off the vanilla roms from this site. OOT, MP1 and MP2, ALTTP, Super Metroid, and so on. This thread really puts that into perspective, and explains so much.

 

[IyoTheHelpfulWolf]

Choice paralysis really has stripped a lot of deeper meaning from art, but it's also getting older and the baggage that comes with it.

As we get older, we feel more guilt and pressure to optimize time. Time spent with leisure could be time spent building skills, making money, and planning for the future. This leads us to obssess with getting the absolute maximum amount of fun and dopamine when we allow ourselves to actually take a break, which causes us to waste said break because we're so worried about picking the perfect game, that we never just dive into a game and play it, and we're distracted by guilt and burnout when we try to.

Along with Zerp's advice, try integrating your love of games into other pursuits, such as writing, fan art, video production, something that builds a skill. That way, playing video games feels like you're doing something productive, which makes it easier to focus instead of beating yourself up about not grinding hard enough.

 

[Dannzy]

Has this ever led you into playing something "new"? As in, has revisiting games ever made you play something else from the time that also piqued your interest? This happens to me a lot, it makes you think about what else is out there without having it all put together in an overwhelming and unhelpful list. Advance Wars is how I got to wonder and play things like Valkyria Chronicles and Fire Emblem that I never paid attention to otherwise.

 

[Zerpina]

...And so i sit here, contemplating the vast array of games I downloaded from this site (and its predecessor), totaling over 230 GB's worth, and i have played maybe... 5-10% of them. Some series, like Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet and Clank, I was able to try, but mostly sticking to randomizers farmed off the vanilla roms from this site. OOT, MP1 and MP2, ALTTP, Super Metroid, and so on. This thread really puts that into perspective, and explains so much.

I know the feeling. Well over 2,000 ROMs/ISOs myself.
Like you, in the multiple gigabytes, I didn't delete them, mind you. I still have them, but I removed 90% from my day to day. I'm only keeping and having a few games on hand to play. And when I do feel the inclination to play something else, I have it if I want.

Choice paralysis really has stripped a lot of deeper meaning from art, but it's also getting older and the baggage that comes with it.

Movies and music suffer the same fate as well

As we get older, we feel more guilt and pressure to optimize time. Time spent with leisure could be time spent building skills, making money, and planning for the future. This leads us to obssess with getting the absolute maximum amount of fun and dopamine when we allow ourselves to actually take a break, which causes us to waste said break because we're so worried about picking the perfect game, that we never just dive into a game and play it, and we're distracted by guilt and burnout when we try to.

And as we get older, we lose interest in things we used to love, just like anything else. Games, especially, like watching a movie for the 20th time sure, you may still like it, but you're just bored of it.

Along with Zerp's advice, try integrating your love of games into other pursuits, such as writing, fan art, video production, something that builds a skill. That way, playing video games feels like you're doing something productive, which makes it easier to focus instead of beating yourself up about not grinding hard enough.

Absolutely good advice. The games aren't going anywhere. Just shuffle them off to a backup drive or out-of-sight folder, and take a mental break from the massive list.

Post automatically merged: Wednesday at 8:28 PM

Has this ever led you into playing something "new"? As in, has revisiting games ever made you play something else from the time that also piqued your interest?

Absolutely, when I was combing through my RPGs, I found ActRaiser. I kind of knew of it, but I never played it. I honestly didn't even know I had it. Tried it, and it's a fairly fun game.

This happens to me a lot, it makes you think about what else is out there without having it all put together in an overwhelming and unhelpful list.

It might be more prudent to Google something like "Games like X from the same year" and see a list. Look into them and see if they sound interesting before even bothering. I have done this in the past.

Advance Wars is how I got to wonder and play things like Valkyria Chronicles and Fire Emblem that I never paid attention to otherwise.

Not crazy over Advance Wars or games like it, Valkyria Chronicles is a fun weird game. and It's been ages since I played a Fire Emblem game.

I appreciate the likes and the back-and-forth, guys. Really do.

 

[Nebulon_Galaxy]

For me personally, i own a lot of physical games. What I do is, just look at the spine cover and see if it interests me. I think to myself, "I havent played a game on the Wii in a while" I'll go to my wii collection and pick a game i think would be fun. I don't make gaming a job, even if I die before playing all of them i make it more like an activity then an obligation.
What matters in the end is that you have fun.

 

[Zerpina]

For me personally, i own a lot of physical games. What I do is, just look at the spine cover and see if it interests me. I think to myself, "I havent played a game on the Wii in a while" I'll go to my wii collection and pick a game i think would be fun. I don't make gaming a job, even if I die before playing all of them i make it more like an activity then an obligation.
What matters in the end is that you have fun.

Exactly hun.
I agree, this is what most of us really should do, but I was speaking more toward the digital massive archives of ROMs and ISOs that most, if not every user here has.

Because most of us don't have 2,000 to 5,000+ games owned in a physical collection.

 

[Nebulon_Galaxy]

Exactly hun.
I agree, this is what most of us really should do, but I was speaking more toward the digital massive archives of ROMs and ISOs that most, if not every user here has.

Because most of us don't have 2,000 to 5,000+ games owned in a physical collection.

yee i agree, sad thing about digital is I can't physically grab the games, but thankfully they have cover arts so i can at least look at the front cover if it interests me.

 

[Raziya The Seeker]

I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly, even and especially for ROMs. I've lived the experience of "only had limited amount of games growing up -> now I can have virtually any classic game I want -> now it's too much, stick with the games that I love".

I get attacked by choice paralysis all the time. Heck, it's why I hide a lot of my Steam games too. It's cool to play some games you'd never gotten the chance to play, and want to -- Donkey Kong Country 3 is one of them for me -- but minimalism is seriously underrated, and can help ease things up even with digital hoarding.

Besides? Y'know what they say about ~90% of everything. Even if not "crap" per se, there's only so much one person can hold interest in, y'know? Everyone's got their own 10%, and even among them maybe 1% of it all is so deeply cherished among the rest.

 

[Zerpina]

I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly, even and especially for ROMs. I've lived the experience of "only had limited amount of games growing up -> now I can have virtually any classic game I want -> now it's too much, stick with the games that I love".

That's how it was for me as a kid/teenager.
When I finally got a SNES, I think the N64 was coming out... maybe the N64DD, I don't remember.
The point is, it was at the end of life for the system. Even as a teen with a part-time job, I had to pick and choose carefully.

And you know what? I played those games and loved them. The decision was limited to five to eight games. You played what you had.

I get attacked by choice paralysis all the time. Heck, it's why I hide a lot of my Steam games too. It's cool to play some games you'd never gotten the chance to play, and want to -- Donkey Kong Country 3 is one of them for me -- but minimalism is seriously underrated, and can help ease things up even with digital hoarding.

Steam, I rarely if ever turn it on anymore.
Most, if not everything I have on it. I have yoho'ed anyway, even though I bought it, just so as not to be bothered with Steam.
I couldn't tell you the last time I booted up my non-work Windows PC.

And I agree As a teenager, I really wanted Demon's Quest on the SNES, but I could never find it.
When I found out about emulation, I did enjoy it.

Besides? Y'know what they say about ~90% of everything. Even if not "crap" per se, there's only so much one person can hold interest in, y'know? Everyone's got their own 10%, and even among them maybe 1% of it all is so deeply cherished among the rest.

Right, and even with that 1%, half if not more you will hardly touch.
Especially like Iyo said, as we get older we try to cram as much enjoyment out of what we are doing because we don't have near the time we had as kids and pre-adulting

Thanks for the like and the read. Hope you enjoyed it.

 

[CyberRabbit]

Well this was an important lesson to learn anyways nice article Captain Zerp

 

[job32]

Yeah, agree wholeheartedly with most of this. It's having too many and not being able to focus on one at a time that causes the distress for a lot of people. I do think repositories like this are great though, because, rather than going back playing games I have already enjoyed, I might find a new gem. I did a few times. I think Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes and Jeanne D'Arc were 2 of the most recent I actually fully played through. I think it's really up to the person to shake themselves out of it and just enjoy a bit of gaming when you have free time. Don't let any of it control your life.

 

[Zerpina]

Well this was an important lesson to learn anyways nice article Captain Zerp

Thanks Kid-o.
And it's a true one, not just from a gaming point of view.
You can apply this to movies, music, art etc.
There is only so much you can enjoy before mental overload sets in, and you just find it more of a burden to enjoy your hobby than to just enjoy a small sampling of it.

Hope you liked the article Kid-o, and got something out of it. And thanks again

Post automatically merged: Wednesday at 11:23 PM

Yeah, agree wholeheartedly with most of this. It's having too many and not being able to focus on one at a time that causes the distress for a lot of people.

Absolutely i agree.

I do think repositories like this are great though, because, rather than going back playing games I have already enjoyed, I might find a new gem. I did a few times. I think Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes and Jeanne D'Arc were 2 of the most recent I actually fully played through.

Oh yes, they are.
Not just for access to games that are overly inflated due to nostalgia glasses and price gougers, but also for companies that refuse to release old games as PC ports.

And we risk losing them. I was far from implying that people should delete any game they will never play. Far from it. I meant maybe creating a side folder, storing some games you don't play in there.
And perhaps when you finish a game, rotate it out.

Keep a handful in the main play folder until you get your enjoyment from them, then swap in a new old game for the one you are done with. This keeps the overwhelming hoard of games at bay.

I think it's really up to the person to shake themselves out of it and just enjoy a bit of gaming when you have free time. Don't let any of it control your life.

Like I said to CyberRabbit, this goes for music, movies, etc... as well as those can be just as daunting when amassing a huge number of songs, shows, or movies.
You have so much that it’s almost like you have nothing at all.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed the article. Thanks again.

 

[job32]

For me personally, i own a lot of physical games. What I do is, just look at the spine cover and see if it interests me. I think to myself, "I havent played a game on the Wii in a while" I'll go to my wii collection and pick a game i think would be fun. I don't make gaming a job, even if I die before playing all of them i make it more like an activity then an obligation.
What matters in the end is that you have fun.

That's the spirit. I like your signature. I think it's not just China, more a worldwide phenomena.

 

[Dannzy]

It might be more prudent to Google something like "Games like X from the same year" and see a list.

Sometimes I just go through comments about the games I've been playing and see what else they mention or play, it's another way to find them, though some people make really wild connections but that's easy to spot.

I think it's really up to the person to shake themselves out of it and just enjoy a bit of gaming when you have free time. Don't let any of it control your life.

I usually see games I haven't played but then just wait until I think "oh, I kinda wanna play that" and boot it up to see if I like it. If I don't, I don't let it bother me and move on, but if I do then I'll play it as long as I feel like it and not feel like there's commitment. Eventually when I'm done I can think about it, but in the meantime it doesn't have to be more than that... Unless it's so good that it makes you wish you could play all day, those games are the best.

 

[Zerpina]

Sometimes I just go through comments about the games I've been playing and see what else they mention or play, it's another way to find them, though some people make really wild connections but that's easy to spot.

That to is a great idea, and yeah, every group has their conspiracy nuts.

Like the whole "L is real" thing from Mario 64.

But putting that aside, yeah, it's never bad to get actual Gamer input on a game, rather than your bog-standard paid gremlin who will basically say something is good for enough money or PC Clout

 

[Janunba88]

Excellent article. This reminds me of the video "It's impossible to play all the games" that despite bringing morbid/scary topics about "human mortality", it taught me an important lesson: you don't have time for everything, prioritize what you think is important and go with it. These last few weeks, I've been thinking about liking 2/3/4 games on a single console is a little or disrespectful to it, and your article opened my eyes about this...

 

[Zerpina]

Excellent article.

Thank you very much. I hope you enjoyed the read.

This reminds me of the video "It's impossible to play all the games" that despite bringing morbid/scary topics about "human mortality", it taught me an important lesson: you don't have time for everything, prioritize what you think is important and go with it.

Cool. I'll look up the video. I assume YouTube has it? If not, mind linking me?

And yes, that is a fundamental part of what I was getting at.
Say you have two consoles... let's say a Master System and an NES.
You have a boundless amount of games for one and a few good games for the other.
Which do you choose, really? Which would you get more joy from?
The system with an infinite number of games you have to search through for hours just to find a single good game? Or a system with four or five games that has three mediocre games and two great games?

These last few weeks, I've been thinking about liking 2/3/4 games on a single console is a little or disrespectful to it, and your article opened my eyes about this...

That's an excellent idea.
As I stated in whichever post, I have taken all my ROMs, ISOs, etc., and stored 99% of them in a subfolder that doesn't show up on my Batocera system.

I am playing a handful of games for whatever system I'm currently into.
Not having walls and I do mean walls... of titles makes for a far more enjoyable selection.
I don't have to spend up to 30 minutes or even more with some systems trying to just decide on a game, let alone play it.

Again, thank you for the Read, and interaction. I Do hope you enjoyed it

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

Choice paralysis really has stripped a lot of deeper meaning from art, but it's also getting older and the baggage that comes with it.

As we get older, we feel more guilt and pressure to optimize time. Time spent with leisure could be time spent building skills, making money, and planning for the future. This leads us to obssess with getting the absolute maximum amount of fun and dopamine when we allow ourselves to actually take a break, which causes us to waste said break because we're so worried about picking the perfect game, that we never just dive into a game and play it, and we're distracted by guilt and burnout when we try to.

Along with Zerp's advice, try integrating your love of games into other pursuits, such as writing, fan art, video production, something that builds a skill. That way, playing video games feels like you're doing something productive, which makes it easier to focus instead of beating yourself up about not grinding hard enough.

I’ve been writing a bit of a book using Apple Pages about a bunch of the games I’ve already played so I got that down

 

[Zerohour2k12]

So True! Maybe a Skill Issue on my part now. But as I get older I tend to get overwhelmed by to many game mechanics and games themselves. I still end up downloading too many, only to start it up at first then forgetting it a few days or so... really different to how I was when I was younger.