Hello and welcome to afterdarkgaming.wordpress.com!
I think we as gamers have been blessed with awesome games and wonderfully cool consoles over the years. I remember when I used to be one of the first in line to buy that new and improved console system. Ahh, I can still remember the ritual:
1- Get a knife or razor and slowly open the box. No breaking or ripping here.
2- Slowly pull out everything so I could remember how it goes when I put it back. Yes, I save all my boxes and wrappings.
3- Read all ( at least I do ) manuals and pamphlets that come in the box. Best done on the throne, if you get my meaning. I actually love to read my game manuals on the toilet before I jump into my new world. It just gets the anticipation up in my opinion. Yes, I wash my hands.
4- Connect my new system up and watch in anticipation. Always break in your new system with the latest kick-ass game also.
5- Did I forget to mention my favorite part? Smelling….yes, as silly and awkward as it sounds, I love to smell my new system. In fact, anything new, from gadgets to comic books and magazines. Hey who doesn’t love the smell of a new car too?!?
Here is a picture of some of the systems in my collection. And yes, all have been smell tested and approved.
How about you? Do you have a special ritual you go through with a new game, console or just about anything? Let us know, We’d love to hear about it!
After Dark Gaming 
Someone else that keeps the boxes. Love it! Not sure about the smelling, but then I have a major aversion for dust. No dust on my games or console. I cover them of a night like a baby. Very sad!
The only problem is the space they take up. I have an entire closet just for games and stuff and I cannot use it for anything else, it’s like my childhood dream come true, since back then I didn’t have the money. My collection has grown ever since the early 80s. Sometimes I’ll just open the closet and stare with a small grin..now that’s very sad! LOL