Topic: How do you deal with your gaming backlog?

Well, it's not unusual for a humble bundle, for example, to have, say, one game that I've actively been thinking about buying for a much lower price than anywhere else alongside three or four other games that... eh, I could play.

The end result is that I end up with a pile of games in my backlog that aren't terribly important to me, as they came along with the games I was actually purchasing these bundles to access. I'll probably get to them eventually, but they're hardly a priority, and I hide them in my Steam library so I can focus on my important backlog games.

It is a matter of examining your priorities. You have to decide if a new game is a game you want to play more than a game you already have, but have not finished. How you prioritize has to be something you decide, but I advise you to devise a system that works for you and stick to it.

I've accepted that I'll never get through my backlog, so I don't really play through it in any order. I just play whatever sounds appealing at the time.

I tackle them one at a time. I play until the main game is complete before moving on. If the game has good post game content I do that too.

@Tyranexx one of the reason's why my backlog is so big is I'm juggling it between Work, Family, Rugby and the misses. Could always go back to being single lol

I wrote my backlog off at the end of the Wii U’s lifecycle and have tried to limit myself to be a lot more frugal with my purchases.
So I bought Rime, Thimbleweed Park, Blossom Tales, Steamworld Dig and Skyrim last week.....
🤦‍♂️

I'm still trying to come to terms with accepting that my backlog is going to grow. Part of it is that I've now got several devices, but also, I think, because the industry is changing and we are really swamped with affordable media. I used to have one game, play it to finish and then move on. Now though, you have regular digital sales where prices go so low that if it is a game on your wish list, you feel compelled to buy it. Not only that but you have membership programmes, like PS Plus or Xbox Gold where you get 3-4 games a month. So now, I try to embrace the variety of games I have, play what I like and complete what I want to and just feel lucky that the kid who could only afford 1-2 NES games a year is now tripping over top titles!

If you've got a subscription throwing free games at you that you have no choice over, they don't even really count on your backlog surely, unless you intended to pick them up anyway.

@gcunit I think it does count, seeing as most people would only download what interests them from the free games on offer from either Microsoft or Sony, unless they're one of those "hey, it's free so why not?" kinda types...

@subpopz Very good point - I tend to avoid large open world games now that require 100's of hours because that is months of gaming time. One of the reasons I liked BOTW on the Switch is that I was able to pick it up and play it during or between other games. That is somewhere that the Switch really does trump the other home consoles in my opinion.

It is also another reason I am not into so many of games as service games because I just want to move onto another great game.

@Ralizah: That point was originally intended to be a lot longer, but I paraphrased it to try to shorten the post. XD I've admittedly never bought anything on Humble Bundle, though I have been tempted on occasion. What I typically do is evaluate the whole package. The bundle may have an item I want, but if if comes with a lot of baggage that I don't intend on playing or using, I typically pass on it.

What's also helped with services like that is that I typically game on Nintendo platforms, which normally don't have offerings on there. I did almost jump on the previous Nindie bundle for Citizens of Earth, tbh. As much as I would like to get a PS4, I don't feel like I have enough time for the systems I DO have. In a sense I'm glad I don't currently have one since I know PS+ would not help with my own backlog...or my patience with my internet, for that matter.

@taffy: Lol Don't worry, we all struggle with time management. I was actually doing pretty well in that department until I decided to be more proactive with exercising and eating healthier. I do plan out my free time when I can, but unfortunately IRL is good about throwing those plans out the window sometimes. Don't give up!

I own about 25 video game systems and try to not abandon any of them, without success. But it could be said that I still play about 6.

My backlog keeps growing and I still buy games, which I shouldn't, but I do. I know I have more games than I will be able to properly play in my entire life and its decreasing "me time", but I can't help being aware of new releases and reading reviews.

Even worse: I skipped a generation and I feel that I must catch up, so the backlog is a real problem to me.

How do I deal with it? Well, as a New Year's resolution I set myself achievable goals, such as finishing Super Mario Bros. once and for all, playing 2 Zeldas and Castlevanias, spending more time with several portable systems prior to Switch and finishing 5 retro games.

If it works I'll raise the bar in 2019.

Eff backlog. Game for fun. — Bezerker99

That's right, @SMEXIZELDAMAN !!! Life is too short to be playing crappy games.

My biggest hurdle in my backlog is RPGs. They can be well over 100 hours long so to tackle one on a fairly hectic schedule is overwhelming. I made decent progress in Mary Skelter and demon gaze yet have not found the time to play.

I let my nephew deal with it

When I first picked up my Switch in October '17 I thought I wouldn't end up having the same backlog issues I have on Steam (2500+ games). Turns out I was (partially) wrong.

The problem is twofold.
1) Indie Releases. I try to be extra-picky, only buying well recognized titles; the problem is Switch is getting a hell of an indie lineup lately, so I'm finding myself buying several games I already have on my PC just to play them on the go (I play portable most of the time).
2) Physical releases. Always been a collector, but after many years of Steam gaming I thought I was done with the habit of game cartridges/discs hoarding... and boy, I was wrong. Playing on a console made me re-discover the pleasure of keeping an healthy shelf of game cases to look at and be proud of. I know... it's dumb.

So, how I deal with all this?
First of all, I stopped buying games for other platforms (in my particular case - PC games).
As far as Switch gaming is concerned, I learned to accept the fact my backlog WILL grow despite me trying to limit the amount of games I'm buying, mostly because of the time I'm allowed to play in a typical day. I HAVE to be fine with it: it's just about reserving time for myself, it's not work, so I don't have to follow deadlines or I'll end up stressing myself to the point that playing will not be fun anymore.

That said, I try focusing on a maximum of 2 to 3 games (let's say 4 if you count a MP game) at the same time, trying to finish them without rushing - but if for some reason a game doesn't click, I'll ditch it without regrets. Ideally I'd like these games to be as different as possible - for example: Mario Odissey + Steredenn + Shantae - to cover my different tastes, so I won't feel the need to install/buy anything before I finish 'em (this is the theory...).

Money isn't an issue, but I try hard not to buy more than 2 high profile retail games and/or 2 fair-priced, high-rated indie releases per month.

Just my .02c, hope it helps .

Ha! Ha! That made me really chuckle. I'm the same. Promised, I'd not build up a big backlog on Switch. Here we are, a little over 12 months later. Yep, I have a backlog of unfinished Switch physical and digital titles and fully intend to buy more in the remainder of 2018 - despite promising myself I'd impose a buying ban, lol!

Good thing is, right now with Switch is probably the most enjoyment and investment I have had with gaming since my childhood 🙌

When it gets towards the end of a console cycle I'll stop buying new games for it. If I want to keep playing it at that point I'll just finish a few of the games I didn't get around to beating. Did it with the Wii before the Wii U launch, DS before I picked up the 3DS and Wii U/3DS before the Switch launch. I also don't buy something new if I'm actively playing something else. Lastly I know I tend to play games on portable consoles more... but I don't really take advantage of that at all when trying to clear my backlog. In general though? If I feel like I've got my money's worth I don't care.

BTW, none of which helps at all with the backlog of PC games. PC games are generally cheap and aren't very portable. So I know I'll buy something for PC and then not get around to finishing it. On the other hand a Switch game? It'll be far more expensive which means I'm less likely to buy it. But when I do? I know I'll play it to completion because it's portable.

So I decided to list all the games I have on my profile to get a better view, and just on the 3DS/Wii/Wii U side of things I had over 300 games. That doesn't include Vita/PS4/360 games, so I've come to the concussion that I'm going to bin some of the consoles, namely the Vita, 360 and 3DS (going to trade them in and get a Switch).

I think it's the only way for me at this point cause looking at my backlog was just nauseating, and I can't get rid of the Wii U cause of Breath of the Wild and MP3: Corruption (my two favorite games).

Thanks for the advice guys