It’s not an understatement to say Michael Thomasson knows video games. He was awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest video game collection in 2012 for his stash of 10,607 unique games. The collection has grown to more than 11,000 pieces since then.
However, Thomasson says a family commitment is now forcing him to sell his impressive video game collection and the Guinness certificate on auction at Game Gavel.
In a recent interview, Thomasson said that “in just nine days someone else will be the world record holder…without three plus decades of meticulous hunting.”
Current bids for video game collection
The auction for the massive video game collection is being held at the well-known game auction site Game gavel. As of 8 PM ET Today (June 6th), the high bid is $50,000, but the reserve has not been met yet. You must bid in $250 increments.
This actually isn’t the first time Thomasson has had to sell off his prized video game collection. However, the last time he liquidated his collection back in 1998, it was for a very good reason — to pay for his wedding.
However, the sale of the collection does not mean this is not the end of video games for Thomasson. “I love games and they are pivotal part of my identity,” he says. “I will continue to champion them.”
Former video game store manager
It’s fair to say that 41-year-old Thomasson has an edge on most video game collectors, given he has been a manager of several video game stores over the last couple of decades, including Good Deal Games’ online market for the last 16 years. Working full-time in the field you collect certainly gives you a big boost in your exposure to rare collectibles. The auction description notes that many items in his amazing collection are in pristine condition, including box plus manual, and more than 2,600 of the games are still covered in the factory shrink-wrap.
