When is too many?

I've recently been on a kick to trim down my game collection. I had more than two closets full of games, and established a fast goal of 1 closet. I don't think I'll make it though.

Criteria for what games to trim down:
* Games that were played several times, but stopped soon after
* Unopened games that never made the cut to being opened
* Games that hadn't been played in several years
* Games that require a huge chunk of time to set aside

I'm keeping 2-3 games that take more than a couple hours to finish - more than that...most of my gaming time is limited. Hopefully we could play two games of something in the time it takes to play the super-endurance games.

Some of the older games just seem dry, when compared to some of the more recent games - they lacked the uniqueness to start. They had enough of something for me to pick it up, but the mechanics aren't elegant or engaging enough to drag it out of the dustbin.

Unopened games, really shouldn't exist. Sometimes I'd pick up a game to get free shipping or a game-design friend tells me to get it. I picked up a copy of Siena in Essen, based on what I witnessed of the demo - maybe I won't sell it. (Based on this, I think the packaging didn't sell me on the game that I had already bought on other criteria. Tough love!)

The largest category is the 'several times played' category. It was good enough to try again, but in the end not addictive enough to keep. Ideally a game has something to bring a player back to the table with it. I'm not a super-fan of Agricola, but it has a lot of replay value with the amount of occupations and minor improvements. It could also be a case of playing the game - let's face it, not all mechanics have the same kick to them...and perhaps I sometimes buy a game before it's been thoroughly reviewed.

Reading over that, you can see some emerging criteria on how to buy games.
1. Check for reviews, and play it with friends several times if possible. Some stores have demo copies lying around...less of a financial risk for you, and saves on shelf space. (And the employees might know the game if you get stuck on a rule.)
2. Don't buy games that won't get played immediately. Buying online means that you sometimes pay extra, just to get free shipping - if you're going that route, talk to friends if they're looking for anything. Not quite as good as buying at your local game store, but people do it. And by immediately, I mean something in the next several weeks - you might not keep the passion you had when you picked up the game.
3. This is a hard one. Older games can completely be an equal to anything put out today. Caylus led to Le Havre - both games are solid in their own right. But average games from 5 years ago will not improve. Check out BBG for game reviews, and it'll save you questioning your value system.
4. Long games are fine, if you have the gaming crowd that likes that kind of thing, and have time to play it. If you're all young professionals with boyfriends/girlfriends/Xboxes and 8-5 jobs, you'll find yourself with less and less time for heavier games. Having a collection of 10, playing 1 every two weeks means that you might get 2-3 plays of each game in a year.

With those ideas in mind, it affects what type of games I like to develop on my personal time. A strong set of mechanics, good replay value, attractive to the eye, and 2 hours or less to play.

Overall, board games have solid entertainment value - you might spend $30 for movie tickets/snacks for two...2 hours of enjoyment, compared to multiple plays of a good board game...I know which one I'll choose.