Collection-fest

In video games, a collection-fest or collectionfest is a game where the majority of the gameplay involves collecting items to advance the game; in particular, the term is often used as a complaint when a game features a lot of items to collect which have little or no use to the player other than an arbitrary lock-and-key system that limits progression. Usually, the game would have one major item that must be collected in each level to proceed through the level, and a number of minor items that can unlock certain bonuses. If done in moderation, item collecting can be a good play mechanism; but when used in excess it tends to make the game a chore by making the player perform similar tasks that seem to have no relevance in the game other than "you just have to do it". Ammunition and health items do not count, neither does money, unless money is the item you have to collect to advance the game.

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus is considered a "good" example of a collection-fest. Each level consists of a hub and a series of sub-stages, each of which has a key at the goal; collecting keys allows you to unlock areas of the hub, and eventually reach the boss. Since many of the stages are unique and offer different challenges, one can often ignore that the only reason we are completing the stages is to reach the key at the end. Each stage also features a set of clue bottles; collecting all the bottles in a stages gets you the combination to a vault which holds a special move for Sly to use. The bottles are completely optional, and are usually not far off the beaten path, making them easy to collect; as such, they do not detract from the gameplay.

Donkey Kong 64 is regarded as a "bad" example of a collection-fest, as there are a multitude of items to collect. Here's a rundown of the items that are found in the game, many of which are required collecting:
 * Golden Bananas: There are 201 of these scattered throughout the game, and you need to collect a certain number in order to enter any given level.
 * Bananas: Each level has 500 of these, 100 for each of the 5 Kongs. In order to advance to the boss of a stage, you must feed Scoff enough bananas so his weight counterbalances Troff on a giant scale, and unlocks the door to the boss. This is the biggest complaint in the game as it forces the player to play through each level up to 5 times to unlock the door.
 * Banana Medals: If a Kong collects 75 bananas in a stage, they receive a banana medal; there are 40 in the game. Collecting these will unlock a mini-game, which you have to play to finish the game.
 * Boss Keys: You get one for beating each boss in the game and you need all eight to open K. Lumsy’s cage, K. Lumsy will then help you get to the last fight against King K. Rool.
 * Blueprints: When you go to the last stage to stop King K. Rool's death machine—the Blast-O-Matic—you are given a limited amount of time to stop him; but if you bring blueprints to Snide the Weasel, he'll sabotage the machine and buy you more time—more blueprints means more time.
 * Nintendo & Rareware Coins: In order to get the last boss key, you have to get these two coins to unlock the area where the key is found; both of these are gotten by beating the two mini-games, one of which is unlocked with the banana medals.
 * Battle Crowns: These are awarded by playing in the arena, you'll need at least four to complete the last stage.
 * Banana Fairies (pictures of): One of the Golden Bananas is a reward for photographing the 20 Banana Fairies. The camera needs film (a type of ammo) to work.
 * In addition, you have the following health/ammunition/money items:
 * Watermelons & Melon Crates (health)
 * Banana Coins (money)
 * Supply Crates (Ammo-normal weapon)
 * Oranges (Ammo-grenade)
 * Crystal Coconuts (Ammo-special attacks)
 * Headphones (Ammo-musical instruments)
 * Banana Camera Film (Ammo-camera)