Adventures in the Backlog

Strt-Slct is intended to be my personal journal through gaming, and a core element of that involves playing games. The trouble is, right now, I would say buying games is my primary hobby, not playing them. That’s a problem I intend on fixing.

Let’s start with the basics: What do I have, and how am I tracking it? There are a number of game tracking websites, but Backloggery is my favourite.

For those unfamiliar, Backloggery is a really awesome, independently owned website that tracks a bunch of stuff.

When you add a game, you also have the option to outline a number of criteria, including:

• Platform
• Region
• Format
• Ownership
• Achievements

You can also list compilations, with each individual title having a listing.

I am focusing on my two main consoles - Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 - but this also means I have games listed for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation VR, and PlayStation 4.

As I subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, I also have Nintendo Classics listed for their respective platform, with the Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch 2 as the sub platform.

While I am not subscribed to PlayStation Plus, if I were to list any titles from the PlayStation Plus Classic Games Catalogue (herein abbreviated to PlayStation Classics), they would be listed in similar fashion.

To keep things tidy, I will only list Nintendo Classics and PlayStation Classics this way. Ports and games emulated in compilations, such as Castlevania Requiem, will only be listed for the respective modern platform.

One of my guilty pleasures has been picking up legacy games and rarely (if ever) playing them. The driving factor for their dust collecting demise is the friction of setting up another console, especially if additional hardware - like a video scaler - is involved.

I opened my Backloggery account on 10 July 2026 and since that date I have added 91 games.

Backlog Rules

Starting in 2027, I intend on implementing some rules to get my backlog moving in the right direction.

Purchase Slots

Every year, I gain twelve purchase slots. Individual games cost one purchase slot, whereas compilations and bundles cost a maximum of two purchase slots.

Additional purchase slots can be earned using the 3-for-1 method, where for every three games I beat, I earn one additional purchase slot.

Purchase slot debt is generally not permitted. Purchase slots do not expire, and will rollover to the subsequent year(s).

Clauses and Exemptions

The Digital Delisting Clause: If I’m interested in a game, and it is due to be delisted, I can buy it even if it means entering purchase slot debt.

The Pokémon Clause: If a game has twinned version releases, both titles only use one purchase slot.

The Picross Clause: As these games are more like puzzle books, they are excluded from the purchase slot system. Picross games can only be bought if they are discounted by at least 50%, or if I have completed my existing Picross titles.

Subscription Access

An annual subscription to services like Nintendo Switch Online and PlayStation Plus costs one purchase slot. Games accessed via these services do not cost purchase slots, however beating games can be used to earn more purchase slots. This is to ensure I am getting value from the subscription.

Pokémon HOME renewal does not cost a purchase slot.

Platform Expansion

Due to the friction outlined earlier, and the rising cost of legacy games, I have a blanket ban on the purchase of legacy systems and games.

If I opt to buy a new modern platform, the hardware alone will cost five purchase slots. This is to prevent frivolously picking up new hardware.

Accountability

Against my better judgement, I plan on publishing how much I actually spend under these restrictions at the end of each year.

Those are the restrictions I aim to follow in 2027 and beyond. Naturally, I already have some pre-orders on my purchase slots:

1. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription renewal
2. Metroid Ravenous
3. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - Definitive Edition
4. Kirby and the World Beyond
5. Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves

I also have 42 Nintendo Switch games I still intend on picking up.

I’d better go beat some games.