Anyone else only collecting Japanese Retro?

[marurun]

I would argue the Dreamcast is the beginning of "modern" console gaming, because it's the first console to fully incorporate proper 3D as found in the PC world for years prior. But there is no singular progenitor to what folks might call modern (generalized) gaming. It's always a continuum.

[Dikdikvandik]

I just got back from a Japan-vacation this past weekend and I definitely got a lot of Japanese retro games. I'm just starting to get into Mega Drive collecting, which has some cool exclusives and a few games that are less expensive than the American versions. I've also loved the world of Saturn imports for ages.

But I don't see myself ever focusing exclusively on Japanese retro. I still have a lot of nostalgia attached to the American releases and they're much easier to find for the most part.

I find the opposite true Most Genesis games are between. $5-50 loose, while tons of Mega Drive games to be between $30-100.
But I bypassed collecting entirely and got an Everdrive. I have a good collection of actual games and 3 Repros.

But the Japanese influence isn't completely absent from my Genesis, it's plugged into my Framemiester via a JP21 RGB cable.

[pierrot]

In general, sure, Japanese Mega Drive collecting is more expensive than collecting for the Genesis, but Nemoide was probably talking about the handful of games that are much less expensive in Japan than the US. The ones I tend to think of are any of the Shining games, or Phantasy Star games. They're dirt cheap, with the exception of the re-release of the original Phantasy Star on the Mega Drive, which is somewhat uncommon. A lot of Japanese Mega CD games are a bit less expensive than their NA counterparts, as well.

[Nemoide]

Yeah, I was specifically thinking of Mazin Saga, which I found CIB for what a cart-only copy normally goes for in the US. It still wasn't exactly dirt-cheap, but noticeably less than it typically goes for on eBay.

Conversely, I paid more for Arrow Flash than it typically goes for stateside, but in my defense, the Japanese box art is AMAZING.

[pierrot]

I didn't realize the JP version of Mazin Saga was less the the US version now. I don't remember that being the case a number of years ago.

There are quite a few games for the Genesis where I would rather have the JP version for the cover artwork, and manual. Some of the ones that I can think of would include Alisia Dragoon, El Viento, Jewel Master, V-V (Grind Stormer), Koutetsu Teikoku (Steal Empire), Ex-Ranza (Ranger X), Whip Rush, Kuuga (Vapor Trail), so on, and so forth. I have the Japanese versions of Light Crusader, and Story of Thor (Beyond Oasis), partly for that reason, too.

Another JP Mega Drive game that I was thinking of that used to be dirt cheap, is Ragnacenty (Crusader of Centy). I think it cost me eight or nine dollars, years ago. It's still way less expensive than the US version, but it's not what I would call cheap, anymore.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Better art, you say?

[Nemoide]

I'm going to need to track down a copy of Burning force at some point...

I didn't realize the JP version of Mazin Saga was less the the US version now. I don't remember that being the case a number of years ago.

The price of the American version has ballooned considerably in the past few years! I've been kicking myself for not getting it when American copies were cheap.

[Nemoide]

I'm going to need to track down a copy of Burning force at some point...

I didn't realize the JP version of Mazin Saga was less the the US version now. I don't remember that being the case a number of years ago.

The price of the American version has ballooned considerably in the past few years! I've been kicking myself for not getting it when American copies were cheap.

[Gunstar Green]

Conversely, I paid more for Arrow Flash than it typically goes for stateside, but in my defense, the Japanese box art is AMAZING.

I have a soft spot for Arrow Flash even though it's kind of the definition of "decent." I think it's because it's the closest thing to Macross I had to play on my Genesis.

I've always been tempted to pick up the JP version (if the prices weren't absurd) because the art is great. I did pick up the JP versions of the Assault Suit games for the mecha porn. The US releases "Target Earth" and "Cybernator" are just... ugh. Their manuals are full of fantastic art as well, especially Leynos which has details on all the different mecha and other military units.

I'm going to need to track down a copy of Burning force at some point...

It's a lovely little game and in my opinion way better than its chief competitor on the system, Space Harrier 2.

[pierrot]

Neither of the covers for Burning Force keep Hiromi in her leotard, though. The Japanese Mega Drive box art is still pretty nice, anyway.

More JP Mega Drive box art porn:


High Seas Havoc


Socket


(I guess this one's a little more of a toss-up.)




Atomic Runner




One unfortunately common theme with a lot of these games with better Japanese box art, is that the Japanese versions are also ludicrously expensive.