I am the same. Today for instance I bought the Fallout 3 GOTY even though I already own it. Why? Because the achivemnets did not work on my first copy and I really wanted to get those achievements.
So Cheap Games + Achievements = No Money!

You and Vinny need to talk. That guy seems to buy an outrageous number of games that he never plays.

I've been scaling down my compulsion to buy games in recent years.  It's only because of these amazing sales we see within a few months of a game's release that I'm buying as many games as I am, still.  As someone that bought over 40 games this year, I'm probably still on the obsessive side.
 
Still, videogames and books are my only real entertainment mediums.  I live a pretty minimalist lifestyle, but I overdo it on games, probably.  The story is not yet over.

I don't smoke,  don't take drugs and I don't get to go to pubs or clubs much so games are my only real luxury purchases.  
 
When I was younger I was lucky to get one game a year and as a matter a of fact I was playing the Megadrive and freeware PC games till about mid 1998. With the PS2 I played many more games but it consisted of rentals and trade-ins. It changed a bit after that but when I got a regular income a couple of years ago I started buying a bunch of games and it's ramped up as times gone on. I buy certain games at full price but I always look for bargains and have made an effort to buy all the great PS2 games I missed while still keeping up with new releases.
 
Sure, I have a bunch of stuff I haven't beaten or even played, but the way I look at it, if ever there is a time where for whatever reason I cannot buy any games at all I'll have a bunch of stuff to play. I never go overboard though, and always make sure I contribute to the household and have food to eat and have money aside for when I do go out. 
 
In other words, I endorse buying lots of games.

I think the one way I fit the bill is that I tend to need to buy games on day one, as if they will vanish in a month time. And here I am not being able to afford blops, brotherhood etc etc. because life around games cost a bit around the holidays. But I am sure my significant other will get me games for christmas.

I think the driving point is I dont want to feel like I am a game or two behind everyone else. But it's just to accept life as it is and ignore ones own illogical needs.

" I'm in college so controlling myself from going insane and buying every game I want is a matter of life and death, but even now I waste so much more money than I should buying games. I feel guilty at times, but I only buy things when they're on sale, so in the long run I guess I save more money than most people do, so that helps me feel better about it. And yes, Amazon is a great evil. I love their sales, but they drive me to do bad things. "

steam is part of the problem... I have bought way too many games that I'll never even play.
 
and with school i find myself having less time to play. doesn't stop me from buying more games though,

" I'm in college so controlling myself from going insane and buying every game I want is a matter of life and death, but even now I waste so much more money than I should buying games. I feel guilty at times, but I only buy things when they're on sale, so in the long run I guess I save more money than most people do, so that helps me feel better about it. And yes, Amazon is a great evil. I love their sales, but they drive me to do bad things. "

I know where you are comng from to a degree.   I used to be lke that back in the days when the SNES was a new thing.  Full-time difficult job, a house to run, a wife and daughter to look after...
 
These days if I ever make it to the shops I walk wistfully around at all the new games I could easily afford but know that I have nothing like enough time to play!  The last game I bought was Tropico 3 at the start of the summer, and I still haven't finished it!  I thnk I but about 2 a year - not counting presents, when it used to be about 1 a week.

I hear ya brother. Heh, I just posted my November haul blog. Good to see someone else got JC2 for a good price. ;)

I used to buy all of my games but when my 360 red ringed and I realized I had over 25 discs sitting on my shelf that were worth nothing without a $300 machine to run them on, I decided maybe I should start renting games and only buy the ones with lasting appeal or that I really liked. Gamefly saves me a hell of a lot of money.

do what i do, only play titles that get good reviews, and only buy used... and only buy when the price is below $30. saves me a ton of money and the trouble of sifting through the shit, and there's a lot of shit out there.

I used to be that way back in 2008 and before. I would buy games I didn't know much about at full price, I bought used games constantly, I searched bargain bins any time I went to any store that sold games, I searched endlessly online just because I wanted to get a good deal, etc. I spent several hours a month posting, emailing, and meeting up with local people on Craigslist to sell the games I had finished or didn't like. I spent tons of money and time focusing on this slightly obsessive thing that ultimately drained my bank account, made me spend time away from my wife, and caused a bunch of headaches that I really didn't need. 
 
Then in early 2009 when I was looking at a big (by my standards) shelf full of games I had not played, and a credit card bill showing multiple digital purchases that I totally forgot I bought, I came across an article on The New York Times. The article was about a woman in California who essentially had it all, then threw it all away, and was totally happy. She had a good career making a nice salary, a 2 bedroom condo, a nice car, new furniture, TV, every convenience of modern life. But, she had to work 50 hours per week to pay for everything, was constantly building up and paying off debt on her credit card, and spent hours of time per month dealing with "stuff" instead of hanging out with her husband. She talked with her husband and they decided to radically change their lives. They sold off everything they could, moved into a small one bedroom apartment, got down to one cheap car that required no payment, and even switched fields to work a less intensive job. They just stopped caring about "stuff" and focused their time and energy on their family relationships and having good experiences.  
 
The article got me reading more about the minimalist lifestyle and it really rubbed off on me. I decided to start trimming my life down as well. I sold a boat load of games, movies, books, old consoles and gadgets I had laying around. I got rid of old furniture and even cleaned out my garage for the first time in several years. I setup my old free weights and decided to focus on getting in shape. I got a Gamefly account and stopped buying "stuff" almost all together.  
 
The result? I'm a lot happier. I play less games for sure, but I spend more time with my Wife and Daughter, and I've lost 30 lbs from the improved diet and exercise plan I've been on. I figured out that I love games as a hobby, but I can just keep up with the news, post on boards, listen to podcasts, etc. and still feel like I'm part of the gaming community. I don't have to send my wife into the bedroom to watch TV because I feel obligated to play some game I bought. I can play games at my leisure and set them down when I want to. Really glad I decided to make some changes in my life. :)

i know what you mean. i have a crap load of games that i never beat. i just bought indie pack from steam and got star wars knight of the old republic. i also have black ops and grand turismo 5.

I'm in college so controlling myself from going insane and buying every game I want is a matter of life and death, but even now I waste so much more money than I should buying games. 
I feel guilty at times, but I only buy things when they're on sale, so in the long run I guess I save more money than most people do, so that helps me feel better about it. 
And yes, Amazon is a great evil. I love their sales, but they drive me to do bad things.

This time of year It is more justifiable to spend that much money on games because of all the great deals that are tossed around. 
 
Personally I buy 1 game every other month, unless there's multiple games I feel I must own, but I rarely if ever do I buy more then 2 a month.

I've actually sorta felt that way this fall, because most of the big titles that came out the last 3 months, we had on preorder.  We don't usually buy games that often, let alone what felt like every week.  I'm just relieved that it's over, and it's kinda nice knowing that I don't have many to get for Christmas now.

Yes, I was a compulsive buyer also. I buy one game to none each month.  
 
You should only spend what you can, as it will come to bite you in the end.  
  
Play what you have... Sounds more than enough.