It’s been a few years since I’ve catalogued and organized my full video game backlog.
I took the time yesterday to finally get it over with.
Originally, I didn’t want to bother typing the whole thing out again after doing it multiple times back in 2020 and 2021.
I told myself, “it’s not really worth it to categorize this again until I’ve made a significant dent in it”.
I was wrong.
After organizing my 2024 backlog, I realized just how much I let it all go.
Tracking your backlog is one of the most important things to do if your goal is to — not only clear it — but whittle it down, and keep up with it as well.
If I had kept tracking my backlog I would have realized sooner that my list had doubled in size over the last 3 years.
In 2021, I had 136 games.
Fast forward to 2024, I have now amassed a collection of over 300 games.
I didn’t realize I had emulated and purchased so many new titles, and as the year continues, who knows how many more I’ll get…
Today, I’m going to explain how I categorize and track my video games using my personal listing method.
I’m going to go over how I pick and choose my games to play, and my general thought process on how I plan to clear my backlog.
I will show you how I whittle down and chip away at the large mountain of games, by removing a few small stones, and how I plan to do the “25, 25, 25, 25” method until 2028.
Get A List
The first thing you need to do is make a list of all your games.
Any game that you’ve downloaded/installed, emulated, purchased physically, or purchased digitally that you want to play is considered your video game backlog.
I have games that have been gifted to me or I’ve gotten through other means that I do not count as my backlog.
This is very important. Not every game you own is backlog material.
Only video games that you want to, and plan to play are backlog games.
These are the games in your library that you need to make a list of.
Even if it’s over 1,000 games, it’s important to make a big list of all your games that you want to beat.
If you don’t think you’ll ever have the time to get to that obscure indie title that’s been sitting in your Steam library for 7 years, then it’s not really worth worrying about.
A backlog are games that take high priority.
I feel like games like EarthBound and Final Fantasy VI are much more important to get through than that sea of indie roguelikes you purchased on sale in 2019.
That’s my opinion. You do you.
How I Catalog
I categorize all of my backlog titles by using a website called HowLongToBeat.com
This site allows you to sign-up, track your backlog, and log how long it took you to beat a game; then tosses that number into its system for a generalized number.
I’ve never signed-up with an account nor have I tracked how long it personally takes me, but I do look for one specific thing: the Main Story + Extra tab.
What I look for is that generalized recorded number by other data entries.
Since I never go for 100% completion, nor do I just do the story modes, I always track the number of how long it takes to beat a game during a leisurely play through the story mode, while factoring in grinding and some side quests if applicable.
I use this information as a reference guide and not as a 1:1 fact. It helps me keep track of which games are shorter and longer. I understand it’s not a perfect method, but it helps with tracking and organizing.
I highly recommend it!
I’ve been using this method for years now and it has worked great for me.
I especially love it when I finish a 27-hour game in less time than marked on the site, it makes me feel great!
Cutting It Down
Imagine your entire backlog as one big mountain you want to climb. Your goal is to clear that mountain. You want to make it to the top.
However, let’s say you have doubt, anxiety, or you notice yourself struggling with consistency.
These feelings are normal. I’ve gotten them too.
There have been days where I’ve told myself it’s pointless, I’ll never do it.
It happens. 🤷🏻♂️
When you’re faced down with 500 games in your library and you want to play them all, but have so little time in your life to spare, it can feel overwhelming and impossible.
Cut it down.
Take your first few steps up that mountain trail.
Move the stones. Piece by piece.
Climb.
Keep going.
Do not give up.
What I decided to do last night was cut my backlog into 1/3.
I decided that looking at my entire library was tough. I decided to break it down into smaller steps.
You don’t need to tackle all of it at once.
It’s like catching up on a manga or learning a new language. You can’t just absorb it all at once, you have to take it slow step-by-step.
If you’re like me and you have 300 games on your backlog that you want to play, start by whittling it down to 100.
100 is still a lot. Yes.
Let me help you even further.
“25, 25, 25, 25”
Whittle it down to 1/4.
Start with 25, then 50, then 75 games.
If it helps you —start with 5, 10, or 15.
You’re struggling with 100 games?
Make it 75.
Make it 50.
Make it 30.
“I can’t get through 30 games in a year”.
Okay. Get through 15.
Whatever you do, make your goals precise and realistic.
If you cannot complete 28 games in a year, but can manage 15 — you are still WORTHY.
You are not a failure for not beating 60 games a year.
Your backlog is your backlog and your pace is your pace.
Worrying about the other guy is a waste of time. Focus on your own time and energy.
Put in two hours a night.
Put in 30 minutes a day.
Put in 15 hours a day with 3 breaks in-between.
It’s your backlog. Only you can clear it.
There’s a stigma that backlogs are dumb, pointless, not fun, stressful, and take away the joy from gaming.
I don’t think they have to be that way at all.
If there’s too many games on your plate, get a smaller plate.
Prioritizing The Must-Plays
That list of 100 games I created was to focus my attention on the absolute most important games on my [total] backlog of 300 games.
In my honest opinion, I still don’t understand why games like Earthbound, Final Fantasy VI, Metal Gear Solid, and Super Mario Bros. 3 are still on my backlog.
But this is why we make lists, right?
Now I have a better chance at focusing my attention and staying committed to the absolute best games of these last 20–30 years.
Those other games are still on my backlog, but they can wait for another time.
When I finish this Top 100 list in (estimate) 4 years, I’ll make another list of 100 games.
I’ll call it my “Backlog B”, or something.
It’s important to play the games that matter most to you first.
You can’t force yourself to play something you don’t want to, and you shouldn’t.
I feel it’s best to focus on games that are screaming and scratching at you. I was in the middle of something last year and was craving Persona 3 FES. I was able to put in 50 hours of Persona 3 FES after that. It’s okay to bounce around, use guides, use save states, and track your progress with Discord or a notebook.
As long as you aren’t piling on more and branching off from your dedicated Top 100 (or 25) games, your backlog will eventually shrink, which is our goal here.
Even beating one game takes your list from 100 to 99.
Play your games!
Final Thoughts
I created my backlog in 2020.
My original goal with video games was to find my archetype class.
I only had about 75 games back then on my backlog, and a handful of JRPG.
Now that I realize that I love roleplaying as the hero/knight character, I’ve amassed dozens of games that let me be that young, idealistic swordsman.
I promise I’ll get to Like A Dragon and finish all the Dragon Quest and Zelda titles one day.
If your ultimate goal is to finish all your games, I definitely think it’s possible.
Stay focused, stay dedicated, make smaller goals, and keep going.
I hope this blog helped someone realize that they don’t have to play for 60 hours a week and take on 900 games at one time.
You can literally just start anywhere, at any time.
You don’t need to be a professional gamer to reach the credits; you just need to love your video games.
