I just purchased Bonk 3 yesterday, which officially leaves me with only one game on my list of unowned TG16 Hu-Cards... Magical Chase. This game is near impossible to find, for less than $1,000 anyway, and I have a feeling that leaves many collectors in the same boat of owning every game except one. It is quite disheartening to be in this position, but I wonder, how many others on this site are in the same boat?
I looked through previous forums, and I don't think this has ever been asked before. So, if you are a collector in the same boat as me, with a TG library minus 1, let me know! Also, what price would you pay to complete your collection if you had the chance? I can't justify more than $200 for a game, and I'd pay that for a loose copy, but I couldn't get crazy and spend a grand.
For me, the hunt continues. Too bad Buffalo, NY is far from a hotbed of rare and hard to find games!
While not technically TG16 you could get a pc-engine copy. Yeah it doesn't have the updates but you can get a loose of that for under 100 and probably even under 80. Yeah it's not the TG16 version with the updates but it's still a good game. I wouldn't say really say a $80 game to me but I'm cheap! There's far better games out there and it's sad that this way overpriced game is the only one you have left to complete your US collection. Congrats on the rest of the games! =D>
It's only been within the past year that the game skyrocketed to the ridiculous price it now fetches. Certain people (they know who they are) can be thanked for playing a part in that.
In 2008 I bought a US copy of the game, with manual, for $165.
When this game hit $100 (like, probably a decade ago) I thought the sky was going to fall. It certainly seemed like a sign of the apocalypse. I know a guy then who did have every game except MC. He was the first person I knew to actually try to get all the US games. At the time it seemed like such a reasonable goal. Like collecting Star Wars glasses from Burger King. Sort of a joke, and how hard could it be? Who collects US games? The TG-16 version doesn't even come with a case, does it? There was basically no demand for them at all compared to PCE releases.
He never did get that game...
Now things are much different the nouveau hardcore have basically fucked everything up. You can actually get a PC Engine LT for less than a US copy of Magical Chase which is...INSANE. There is no other word for it.
IMO, just be patient. These people will eventually have a hard time making the minimum payments on the credit card debt that bought their collections, and/or they will just get bored, dump their junk, and the "values" will drop back to something realistic. Given the genuine rarity of Magical Chase (US) it may never drop back below $100, but there aren't enough Crazy Dions in the world to keep the value in the $1000 category forever.
Thats my plan. There's no way in hell I'm paying that much for a game. I figure in a year or two I'll be able to find a copy with manual for around $300 (which is still high, but most I want to pay). Doesn't help that retro games are "all the rage" right now.
Quote from: BlackandBlue on 01/09/2010, 07:23 AMThats my plan. There's no way in hell I'm paying that much for a game. I figure in a year or two I'll be able to find a copy with manual for around $300 (which is still high, but most I want to pay). Doesn't help that retro games are "all the rage" right now.
Thats the most i would have paid my friend when i was looking a couple years back and i still think its a fair price now, but like nat said theres a big fuckery going on in the market, and with the majority only turning to ebay for the game it is just getting silly!!!.
All i can say is don't give up an be patient, and keep asking on those forums as much as it has been asked before, hells i even listed most of my collection other than Tg16 stuff in hopes for an even partial trade for the game back in the day. Just realize ebay is your last place to go looking and get your hopes up, guys that sell there magical chase on there are helping themselves not you.
My story is i traded with a guy over on digitpress, i gave him a rare but empty Atari prototype box (The Incredable hulk) i found at a fleamarket for next to nothing and i got in return a complete minty copy (even has the plastic wrap on it ) of MC. Some times the good guys do win.
EDIT: this would have been good to add a poll to :)
Well I guess I am part of the problem then, not the solution unfortunately... I only started to collect TG16 games 2 years ago, and it was by chance someone had one dirt cheap on Buffalo Craigslist... but I fell in love with the black box.
I have been a game collector since I was in high school and tried for a complete sega saturn us collection, using my pizza delivery money to buy clearance games once saturn went out of style. Funny I still don't own panzer dragoon saga either... but about 150 other games.
Anyway, I will keep keeping on, and will hope MC gets in the hands of some good people and dare I say... someone that would even play the game! If I found one sealed at a flea market on the cheap, I would open that sucker right up.
Unless you bought every copy you could to hoard them and then sell them off one by one for an astronimical profit, then you aren't really part of them problem. I don't know the whole story, but do know the gist of it.
Quote from: BlackandBlue on 01/09/2010, 11:28 AMUnless you bought every copy you could to hoard them and then sell them off one by one for an astronimical profit, then you aren't really part of them problem. I don't know the whole story, but do know the gist of it.
Hah! I thought that was only a TG16 urban legend... well I am all for solving this problem via torch and pitchfork w/ an angry mob... who's with me?
I bought mine for $6. incomplete though.
Quote from: exodus on 01/09/2010, 05:41 PMI bought mine for $6. incomplete though.
I'll take it off your hands. I'll even let you squeeze 1000% profit out of me. To what paypal account can I send $66?
haha. I have no desire to sell it. it's a good game! but I presumed that was a joke :)
also unless I forget how math works (which I very well may) that's not 1000%
Well add my name to the list, i am however very luck to have the hu, after many many years of looking im just after the outer box.. I managed to find a loose manual and a loose hu ( from japan of all places ).. but now the box, ive been looking for a few years now. :) i'm of course kicking myself for passing up complete copies of the game for under $300 years ago.. i figured that was insane!.. still is.. but i guess some people are prepared to pay a minor fortune.. And of course not living in teh US makes it just that bit harder to find.. give up on ebay really, the few times ive had a chance a finding the game hidden in an auction with no mention of the game, somoene else came along and bid huge.. still cant get over that one guy who bought every game i ever bid on.. inflated the prices no end.. he tried to do the same thing with bonk 3 cd aswell.. So if someone has a loose box by all means come send me a pm ;)
i should also point out this is the last box i need, and aside from one or two hu cards ive done the complete us collection. was a mission again because im not in the us :)
Well I am not a box guy, but I feel your pain. At least you get to play the game!
ahh boxes.. i cant understand why i spend so much money on some coloured cardboard
So what is the real story of MC? It reminds me of those brothers in the 80's who bought all the silver in the US. They raised the price to a crazy level, and then it dropped significantly... Now, to most normal people I would never compare a single video game to silver, but you y'all, I gotta be real. It is a huge commodity, and low end most of would pay an amount our friends and family would think is looney... On wikipedia , there is really no mention of how rare it is, or how many copies exist, or anything like that, not that I trust wikipedia all that much...
I hope that the prices go down, cause we all want one! It is like gold right now, many people are selling it, but the demand (from consumers) is probably not that great. Now cash for gold and other bs, will buy anything and melt it down... Only a specific group of people, probably similarly aged, hold MC to be very dear...
Furthermore, I think there should be a list of people who sell MC on ebay, and we should keep a "police blotter" of them. They are the problem, but it is a very very popular and rare game to ravenous collectors..
I would love to set up a bootleg shop to only make magical chase games, and then only sell them on ebay with a bunch of other carts, :)
I need about 10-12 to complete my collection, but magical chase will most likely be the last....
Quote from: alexsduo on 01/22/2010, 02:14 AMI hope that the prices go down, cause we all want one!
I would love to set up a bootleg shop to only make magical chase games, and then only sell them on ebay with a bunch of other carts, :)
There's more than a few of us that could care less about MC, and feels it's not much above average. I'll prob get it eventually, but more than likely the PCE version IF I find a good deal. Rarity is the main (not only) draw for this game. If it was as common as Ordyne, or Blazing Lazers it would wouldn't be talked about anywhere near as often.
Boots= FAIL.
Quote from: nectarsis on 01/22/2010, 10:35 AMBoots= FAIL.
Meh, I'm glad that I have my
Sapphire boot.
Quote from: guest on 01/22/2010, 11:23 AMQuote from: nectarsis on 01/22/2010, 10:35 AMBoots= FAIL.
Meh, I'm glad that I have my Sapphire boot.
Ok I'll agree there lol. I meant more Boot Hueys.
Lolierrry
Quote from: alexsduo on 01/22/2010, 02:14 AMSo what is the real story of MC?
Well, this is just my theory, but basically US collectors don't have a very large selection of games to latch onto, so due to the relative scarcity and overall goodness of the game they decided via their huge, spendaholic hive mind that MC would be the thing they will pay FUCKING ANYTHING for, which lead to a upward spiral of price escalation. Some heathens broke off from The Hive and decided they could settle for JP copy of the game, a game they never would have even noticed if not for the US release. This, by proxy, drove the price of the Japanese version to at least twice what it would be going for if there never was such a thing as the TG-16 despite there being ultimately
more copies out there. I have no doubt that NEC had passed on the US market, like they passed on Europe, that you'd be able to get a copy of the JP version of MC for about the same as a copy of Hanatakadaka! or Cotton.
Yea, there is one one ebay for like 175, but that is too much for the Japanese game... I would like to play it non-emulated, so if anyone is in Chicago who has a copy, let me know!!!
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 01/23/2010, 01:30 AMWell, this is just my theory, but basically US collectors don't have a very large selection of games to latch onto, so due to the relative scarcity and overall goodness of the game they decided via their huge, spendaholic hive mind that MC would be the thing they will pay FUCKING ANYTHING for,
Thank goodness that is your theory which i have heard over and over and......
There are some ass hat collectors out there for the US games i agree but come on man let up a little, so much hate.
maybe start a hate club zeta... this could be you (insert US TG16 Logo) :P
(https://web.archive.org/web/20081018214925im_/http://www.gloryofwar.com/forums/uploads/monthly_02_2008/post-13-1203261583.jpg)
I hear that... I have yet to find anything about the number of MCs out there... I have 93 of the US turbo grafx games now, obviously missing Magical Chase. I had two fall through my hands, probably because I did not want to pony up... But, I know I am ready now.
Has anyone been able to verify the 2k number released? I guess that makes sense, if there are 2000 copies, and say 75% of them are in the USA, there are 1500 copies, and divide that by 50, each state in the union has around 30 copies. Further include into the mix the fact that many of them are lost, destroyed, or hoarded by collectors and sold at a huge premium... I guess that sounds reasonable...
I love how the PC engines are on ebay (and gameboy) all day long... Last time I checked the bastards on ebay charge to list stuff, and if you keep posting them and not selling, you are wasting money, and may not break even if you list it long enough. They typically sell for like $100 when the dust settles...
I think 3,000 is a more accurate number, which came from someone at TTi. I think that's about as close as we'll ever get to a verification.
Interesting.... 3000 is still a decent number, but I guess a lot of them are lost or hidden or something... Or a few of those collectors bought them all up... At this point I am desperate to get MC, I would sell a lot of my collection or trade it, but I just can't find it anywhere...
It is kind of a reoccurring dream, that I find a loose copy of magical chase whilst I am thrifting, and it is like a couple bucks..
Quote from: alexsduo on 11/15/2010, 02:01 AMInteresting.... 3000 is still a decent number, but I guess a lot of them are lost or hidden or something... Or a few of those collectors bought them all up... At this point I am desperate to get MC, I would sell a lot of my collection or trade it, but I just can't find it anywhere...
How long have you been looking? The game shows up on eBay pretty regularly, and on here every now and then. It isn't all that "rare" in the world of Turbo from a production run standpoint. Compared to a copy of Super Mario Bros., sure, but compared to something like Order of the Griffon or New Adventure Island... not at all. It's actually said that OotG and MC had identical production numbers. The problem is that people tend to hold on to their copies of MC a little more than games like NAI or OotG because of the [ridiculous] perceived "market value."
I don't think many [any?] copies have been "lost" or "hidden." MC has been more expensive than the rest of the US Turbo library for like 10 years. Unfortunately, it has also been the victim of its own reputation. It has this whole hype built around its, uh, "legend" for lack of a better word in an endless feedback loop that keeps driving the price higher year after year, lately at an exponential rate.
The Magical Chase situation is a real-life predestination paradox.
I would say that Magical Chase for Windows PC is the most "uncommon" Magical Chase out there. That surprisingly (when found) doesn't go for all that much at all.
I saw the GameBoy version go for an astronomical price too once.
I want the PC version, I didn't know it existed.
Quote from: nat on 01/08/2010, 10:49 PMIt's only been within the past year that the game skyrocketed to the ridiculous price it now fetches. Certain people (they know who they are) can be thanked for playing a part in that.
In 2008 I bought a US copy of the game, with manual, for $165.
Who are those people?
They're around.
Quote from: geise on 11/15/2010, 12:46 PMI would say that Magical Chase for Windows PC is the most "uncommon" Magical Chase out there. That surprisingly (when found) doesn't go for all that much at all.
Probably because Americans don't know it exists.
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 12/16/2010, 10:49 PMProbably because Americans don't know it exists.
Or because there's roughly eight people that actively collect Windows PC games.
Quote from: Lilgrafx on 12/16/2010, 10:09 PMQuote from: nat on 01/08/2010, 10:49 PMIt's only been within the past year that the game skyrocketed to the ridiculous price it now fetches. Certain people (they know who they are) can be thanked for playing a part in that.
In 2008 I bought a US copy of the game, with manual, for $165.
Who are those people?
I was part of the cause and I can own up to it. I sold 3 of them (a loosie, a game+manual+sparky case and a complete boxed copy) for high amounts.
Yup, it's all your fault Roy. Fucking prick.
Quote from: nat on 12/16/2010, 10:44 PMThey're around.
oh they are, i wish they would just go away :(
Quote from: oldskool on 12/17/2010, 06:10 PMYup, it's all your fault Roy. Fucking prick.
Its only partially the fault of this fucking prick. People were paying $100+ for this game well before he was around. Yeah, I know, $100 seems like a great price now, but that's only because of our current (warped) perspective. A B- TG-16 game should't cost $100, it should cost $10. The real problem are completists. Hardcore cute-um-up fans exist, but most people buying this game don't give a shit about it. They only want it because they can't easily have it. They must have the US version, they must have the box, THEY MUST HAVE IT.
Its the same sort of shit that has people paying $4000 for Neo Turf Masters (Neo Geo, US, AES) when if they really actually cared about the software (few people do in this case) they could get the exact same software (
exact since its Neo Geo, same ROM, same factory, same manufacturing date, only the book and stickers are different, and those are extremely similar baring the language) on a cart from another region or an MVS cart. They will pay thousands for the right sticker. These people are pathetic.
Granted, the AES crowd makes the TG-16 scene look like an outdoor flea market...but its the same concept, just taken to an extreme. You guys are all enabling each other. You're either going to have to pay off This Fucking Prick or be patient and wait for the prices to go down. All these guys sell off their collections eventually, you can wait your turn or pay to have it NOW NOW NOW. Hundreds of people have owned a Ferrari 250 GTO, even though only 39 were ever made. They change hands constantly.
Of course people like This Fucking Prick see all this fucked up shit and say, "Damn! I want in on that action!" and make it worse...which is pretty terrible. After living through the Crazy Dion era though he comes off as total bush league. Selling one's self out for nothing...reminds me of "Jackie" on Reno 911. Charging $2 to kick a guy in the nuts or something like that. You don't know who's more messed up, and hooker or the john...or which is which, but both throw away their dignity for nothing.
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 12/17/2010, 10:01 PMAll these guys sell off their collections eventually, you can wait your turn or pay to have it NOW NOW NOW.
That's totally it, too. I've spent 20+ years working on my Turbo collection and I've probably spent less on the whole thing than most of these johnny-come-lately Turbo "collectors" spent on a single game (Magical Chase or Dynastic Hero). It's the whole "gotta have it now" mentality and it's not limited to video game collectors. It all stems from the state of society today; we live in an "instant gratification" era. It's depressing, and not just because of the effect it has had on the video game market.
Yeah, the TG-16 /PC Engine games I have that I spend the most money on are the ones I bought new in the store when they came out. Back then that really was the lowest price you could get things for!
Hey now, I wouldn't call Magical Chase a B- game. I'd call it an A game. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, and from a mechanical standpoint it's not the best designed shooter ever, but from the standpoint of graphics, audio, and simply being a well-designed game, it's certainly a solid title.
The thing is, rarity alone is a definite boost to value, but if it's a rare dog that limits the upper price range. I think part of the price inflation has to do with the fact that Magical Chase is a fun game that looks and sounds great on top of being ass rare.
Yeah, its a combination of both factors. I'm pretty sure Nightmare Creatures and Darkwing Duck are at least as rare.
Order of the Griffon, too.
Quote from: nat on 12/18/2010, 04:38 AMQuote from: SignOfZeta on 12/17/2010, 10:01 PMAll these guys sell off their collections eventually, you can wait your turn or pay to have it NOW NOW NOW.
That's totally it, too. I've spent 20+ years working on my Turbo collection and I've probably spent less on the whole thing than most of these johnny-come-lately Turbo "collectors" spent on a single game (Magical Chase or Dynastic Hero). It's the whole "gotta have it now" mentality and it's not limited to video game collectors. It all stems from the state of society today; we live in an "instant gratification" era. It's depressing, and not just because of the effect it has had on the video game market.
Its almost a waste even posting that nat, as we are looked at by this want it NOW crew as old school.... gamers/collectors out of touch with the true market value which is ebay. These fuckers have all the answers as they know buying it NOW is money in the bank as it will only go up in price later right??? :roll:
One thing i do enjoy with ebay is when the market value fucks the sellers right in the face and they get less then expected and they whine and whimper about it... poor little lambs... <<sips wine>>
EDIT: hahaha.. always an ebay rant from me when i can :P
Its a damn shame people will pay $1000+ for the game, because it looks like a great shoot'em up. I love all the vibrant colors in it.
Yeah, anyone buying games as an investment needs to learn some basic economics. In the short term, sure, but anyone buying MC for a grand thinking it will someday be worth $3000...its not impossible, but its HIGHLY unlikely. It will probably be $150 in ten years and stay there forever. All collector scenes go through boom and bust. We're near a peak with most of these prices. I sold a Furby on eBay for $140 in 1998 (long story) they now go for less than retail.
I'm interested in seeing if this thing with people collecting only US games (currently TG-16 and Neo Geo, but it might be spreading) will burn out completely or if its here to stay. I find that very strange. It would be one thing if games for these systems were actually made in the US, but they shit's all Japanese by nature. The US versions are tainted, artistically, IMO, in the case of TG-16. As someone who actively imported in the 90s I eventually stopped buying US games completely because the selection sucked. In the case of the Neo they are irrelevant since there is no such thing as a localization of a Neo Geo game (usually). All regions are programed into the original game.
I wonder if there is a US Saturn scene brewing right now in the primordial soup of stupidity...dudes looking for reply cards and copies of Bug Too! with no cracks in the case...fuck, that would be sad. It would make more sense though, in a way, since there are a lot of US exclusive Saturn games, some actually decent.
Quote from: Lilgrafx on 12/18/2010, 09:35 PMIts a damn shame people will pay $1000+ for the game, because it looks like a great shoot'em up. I love all the vibrant colors in it.
Yeah, I'm one of the people who like cute games in general and enjoy this one for what it is. Make sure you play Cotton, Zonk (HuCard), Parodious, and Hana Taka Daka!?, far more affordable shooters that are also colorful.
I am a US Sega Saturn collector, because that was my favorite system growing up. I was a big fan of the NES as a kid, but then the 16-bit era kinda sucked to me. At that time, I was always at the arcade, and could care less about home systems. When the PSX and Saturn came out, Saturn was leaps and bounds better, and home gaming was back. To this day, this is my favorite system.
I am buying up Saturn games, and my only requests are that they are complete and cheap. A lot of my games have rental stickers on them, or UPC codes cut out. That's actually better to me, as long as they play, because I am all about getting games on the cheap. I am averaging about $5 per game for this system, which is pretty decent.
Anyway, I think US games are better, because I like the story in game and in the manuals, and I like to read what's going on. I do not read Japanese, nor do I have any intention in doing so, so US games are infinitely better for this reason. If I were able to read Japanese, I suppose I would be on your side, but I cannot. I hope that you can... or else your opinion is confusing to me.
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 12/17/2010, 10:01 PMIts only partially the fault of this fucking prick.
Actually Oldskool could give two shits either way. He said it in jest.
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 12/18/2010, 09:50 PMI'm interested in seeing if this thing with people collecting only US games (currently TG-16 and Neo Geo, but it might be spreading) will burn out completely or if its here to stay. I find that very strange. It would be one thing if games for these systems were actually made in the US, but they shit's all Japanese by nature. The US versions are tainted, artistically, IMO, in the case of TG-16. As someone who actively imported in the 90s I eventually stopped buying US games completely because the selection sucked. In the case of the Neo they are irrelevant since there is no such thing as a localization of a Neo Geo game (usually). All regions are programed into the original game.
If this group does stay around the price of the US version could stay high for a while =(. I just recently started collecting TurboGrafx games and i guess you could say im part of this crowd. But the reason ive only collected US games is because thats all ive been introduced to here in the US. But I think im going to have to make my first import with cotton.
Quote from: TheClash603 on 12/18/2010, 09:58 PMI am a US Sega Saturn collector, because that was my favorite system growing up. I was a big fan of the NES as a kid, but then the 16-bit era kinda sucked to me. At that time, I was always at the arcade, and could care less about home systems. When the PSX and Saturn came out, Saturn was leaps and bounds better, and home gaming was back. To this day, this is my favorite system.
I am buying up Saturn games, and my only requests are that they are complete and cheap. A lot of my games have rental stickers on them, or UPC codes cut out. That's actually better to me, as long as they play, because I am all about getting games on the cheap. I am averaging about $5 per game for this system, which is pretty decent.
Anyway, I think US games are better, because I like the story in game and in the manuals, and I like to read what's going on. I do not read Japanese, nor do I have any intention in doing so, so US games are infinitely better for this reason. If I were able to read Japanese, I suppose I would be on your side, but I cannot. I hope that you can... or else your opinion is confusing to me.
But how could you love the Arcades but not the PSx and JPN saturn games? Because that was exactly the only place, high quality 16/32-Bit arcade games were released. The US and Europe got a shit piece of that whole cake, next to almost nothing.
Quote from: TatsujinBut how could you love the Arcades but not the PSx and JPN saturn games? Because that was exactly the only place, high quality 16/32-Bit arcade games were released.
Yeah, that's what I was going to say. The the things the Saturn was best as were...16-bit games! The one released in arcades in the late 80s to mid 90s. CPS1, CPS2, System 16, Neo Geo...all 16-bit, mostly all during the MD/SNES/SFC/PCE era. A lot of great non-ports on Saturn were also extremely 16-bit-ish in nature; Princes Crown, etc. The US releases were...Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam...some good stuff came out, but with covers like this:
cdn1.gamepro . com/box/box_161020-hd.jpg
/box_161020.jpg
and
(https://cdn.mobygames.com/covers/3898149-guardian-heroes-sega-saturn-front-cover.jpg)
also
(https://cdn.mobygames.com/covers/4120783-astal-sega-saturn-front-cover.jpg)
And of course, the US cases are about %60 smashed at this point. Giant fragile space hogging shit. The Lincoln Navigators of the gaming world.
Anyone who claims that they collect US games specifically because they need the manuals in English is being obtuse, probably only pretending to be obtuse. Its takes me 5 minutes to read a single sentence in Japanese but I still beat Radiant Silvergun. Am I psychic? A genius? Hell no, I just played the fucking thing. I think some people just see foreign language text and subconsciously think "Oh now, I'm not allowed in here!" and run away. If there was ever a universal language its the video game controller.
I can see paying big bucks for Panzer Dragoon Saga just because of the language, but these examples are few and far between on Saturn (pretty much like the TG-16) and by not buying JP games you are missing out on...most of the good Saturn games, I'd say. Most of the great games that did get a US releases were the Sega stuff, like VF2 and Daytona, and those are the ones that have aged the most poorly. Meanwhile Marvel Super Heroes versus Street Fighter and Astra Super Stars and DoDonPatchi and Batsugun and Pocket Fighter are off limits. Instead you have...FIFA 97...um...Criticom?
OMFG! I didn't know US Saturn games had shitty covers too! What's with the US artists of the time? Were they amateurs or did they think that US gamers had shitty tastes?
I agree that the best games on the Saturn were 2D, but it is 2D that the previous generation of systems were unable to handle. With that said, these games were arcade only, until the Saturn was able to bring that fun home. Since the Saturn was the first system to bring the arcade feeling home, that is why it is my favorite. On top of that, the Saturn was able to bring a game home like Marvel Super Heroes and make it play a lot better than the shameful PSX version.
Cover art on the Saturn is nowhere near as bad as the TG16, and it is a great improvement over the Master System days. That point in moot to me, because the content of the games is what counts.
You are right, there are a lot of games that can be played without being able to read Japanese, but you don't get the full effect. It'd be like if a minor character in a movie didn't speak English... probably wouldn't ruin the plot, but would be annoying. I recently watched half of a George Lopez stand-up comedy special, and he would switch from English to Spanish frequently during the show. Although 98% of the jokes and punch lines were in English, I was completely taken out of the show. Maybe I am being overly dramatic, but language barrier truly hinders my enjoyment of a game.
To me, the Sega Saturn (jap version) is one of my favourite systems thanks to all its 2D arcade hits that were perfectly handled. I bought mine just 2 years ago and even if I played a lot of Saturn games back in the time witrh friends of mine, I just realised when I got my own Saturn how cool it really was. I don't care wether the arcade ports were basically 2D games : they're excellent and that's what matters to me.
Quote from: TheClash603You are right, there are a lot of games that can be played without being able to read Japanese, but you don't get the full effect. It'd be like if a minor character in a movie didn't speak English... probably wouldn't ruin the plot, but would be annoying. I recently watched half of a George Lopez stand-up comedy special, and he would switch from English to Spanish frequently during the show. Although 98% of the jokes and punch lines were in English, I was completely taken out of the show. Maybe I am being overly dramatic, but language barrier truly hinders my enjoyment of a game.
It just sounds like some sort of strange xenophobia to me. If you can't play a game like MSH vs SF because the endings and instruction manual (both of which I've never read in any language, despite having playing it for hundreds of hours) then you've got some psychological issues. Also...bad taste. George Lopez fucking sucks...although I don't think him putting %2 more anglo in his shit routine is going to help.
Just like the folks who make a big deal out of collecting US-only titles, I find those who make a giant deal out of cover art even more strange. I mean, when you're playing the game, how does the cover art make any fucking difference whatsoever?
Basically, there's a happy medium -- I mean, I'll buy the US version if the price-premium isn't that much higher, as I'd much rather understand the manual, understand the plot background (however simple it may be), read the taunts in English after a fight in Street Fighter, etc -- these things certainly provide more enjoyment than looking at a pretty cover art. (And this is coming from someone who actually speaks moderate level of Japanese).
I mean, if the US version is ridiculously more expensive than the JP version, sure, I'll buy the Japanese version, but to deride US versions simply for shitty cover art, then going to gamefaqs for gameplay info is more ridiculous. You want good art, then go buy a good poster/painting piece instead.
There is no English version of MSH vs SF on Saturn or at least half of the good Saturn games. Mostly we're talking about library here. These people are so xenophobic that they'll avoid the best games on the system just to purge all the foreign text from their house. When people ask "Why did publishers in the 90s throw away perfectly good art and substitute shit", well, this is why. These guys want to play Japanese games, but don't want to ever be reminded that they are made by Japanese people. Perhaps these publishers really did know what they were doing and the US cover of CF2 moved more copies that it would have otherwise.
As for the language: all Capcom fighters have about a page of text in it, hardly important. I've played tens of thousands of rounds of Street Fighter in my life, easily, and trust me; reading the win quotes isn't important. The endings are even less important since you only see them in 1 player mode, which I rarely use. In KOF that might be more important...but again, there is no US version of KOF on Saturn.
The game is the most important thing, I agree, and that's sort of my point too. US collectors go out of their way to obtain the shittiest version of a game...mainly because of a manual that they'll flip through once.
When it comes to Neo Geo MVS the only things I care about are if the cart functions and it isn't a bootleg/conversion. I don't care about the kit, the sticker, the smell, etc. I just want the data.
But when it comes to something like a CD console game where i can reasonably expect to have a case and such I prefer to have the best one possible. I'm only going to look in the manual for the pictures, and those are in b/w in US manuals (if not deleted completely). The cover doesn't have much purpose, but it servers more of a purpose than a manual I'll never look at.
As for buying a poster...come on, I have something like 300 games...where am I going to put 300 posters, and where the hell would I find them?
Quote from: TheClash603 on 12/19/2010, 01:45 PMI agree that the best games on the Saturn were 2D, but it is 2D that the previous generation of systems were unable to handle. With that said, these games were arcade only, until the Saturn was able to bring that fun home. Since the Saturn was the first system to bring the arcade feeling home, that is why it is my favorite. On top of that, the Saturn was able to bring a game home like Marvel Super Heroes and make it play a lot better than the shameful PSX version.
This isn't true, the PSx brought arcade into the own four walls first and much better. The saturn had a lousy starter lineup and couldn't compete against a ridge racer, which was so to speak, damn close to the arcade version for its time.
As for 2D games, so it is kinda toss-up, since most of the BeU are better on the SS, the PSx has some strength on the shoot'em up side (e.g. donpachi series, kaitei daisensou..).
Since both systems have their great exclusives, it is very necessary to own both or em.
I wouldn't want to pass on a gradius gaiden or harmful park, so I wouldn't on a Batsugun.
Quote from: termis on 12/19/2010, 07:04 PMJust like the folks who make a big deal out of collecting US-only titles, I find those who make a giant deal out of cover art even more strange. I mean, when you're playing the game, how does the cover art make any fucking difference whatsoever?
With that attitude you can also play MAME and other emulators all day long, or go with that new non-physical media trend. I mean, when you're playing the game, how does anything beside the game make any fucking difference whatsoever?
As for me, I'm loving to take a nice case with nice artworks shown in its purest origin of its creation out of the shelf, taking the cart/card/cd out of it, put the game into the console and play it. For me, the packaging and everything around the game is part of the gaming as well. You "play" with your eyes first!
I picked up a MUCH cheaper PCE copy of it so I'd never have to worry about tracking down a US copy. Yeah I know my level 1 background isn't as purty but oh well.
Quote from: TatsujinAs for me, I'm loving to take a nice case with nice artworks shown in its purest origin of its creation out of the shelf, taking the cart/card/cd out of it, put the game into the console and play it. For me, the packaging and everything around the game is part of the gaming as well. You "play" with your eyes first!
You said it much better than I ever could.
Isn't there some charm to the "bad" (subjective) covers? That Guardian Heroes cover is really funny to me, I wouldn't want it any other way.
I "Need" A JP copy of MC like I need a barrel of buckshot in my right ass cheek.
Gunhed/Blazing Lazers is 10 times the shooter of that pile of "hip-hop hooray super hype"
The game is worth $40 either side. If you want, buy the hype. Don't buy the game.
Chase The Chuckwagon for the 2600 would be a better investment for your kids college fund.
Quote from: TheClash603 on 12/19/2010, 11:22 PMIsn't there some charm to the "bad" (subjective) covers? That Guardian Heroes cover is really funny to me, I wouldn't want it any other way.
This leads to the good old statement of "to each his own". I'm a collector from deep heart, I like to have everything as it was meant in the first place. No disimproved ugly shit from an untalented pseudo-artist, who didn't made his homework correctly back in playschool.
Quote from: TheClash603 on 12/19/2010, 11:22 PMIsn't there some charm to the "bad" (subjective) covers? That Guardian Heroes cover is really funny to me, I wouldn't want it any other way.
I totally see where you are coming from, but I guess I lack a sense of humor regarding games from this period. :) I think Guardian Heroes is completely awesome (the software) so I don't want a funny/bad cover.
This cracks me up however.
Gunbird (JP Saturn cover, couldn't find PS version)
(https://opcfg.kontek.net/archive/gunbirdss.jpg)
Gunbird (US Playstation)
(https://web.archive.org/web/20190511135945im_/https://s.mprd.se/PSX/Covers/Mobile%20Light%20Force%20%5BU%5D%20%5BSLUS-01525%5D-front.jpg)
The US version also has the art gallery removed, as well as all the endings (saves money on translation).
This is truly boggling to me because this game was published at the absolute peak of the anime/manga boom in the US. The ota-riffic original cover would have moved more units, I'm pretty sure.
Yeh I'm still in the market for magical chase, but sadly I doubt I'll ever own an original as the price has risen to ludicrous levels. If I ever get one it'll be by trading tons of items I already own
Quote from: Tatsujin on 12/19/2010, 08:40 PMQuote from: termis on 12/19/2010, 07:04 PMJust like the folks who make a big deal out of collecting US-only titles, I find those who make a giant deal out of cover art even more strange. I mean, when you're playing the game, how does the cover art make any fucking difference whatsoever?
With that attitude you can also play MAME and other emulators all day long, or go with that new non-physical media trend. I mean, when you're playing the game, how does anything beside the game make any fucking difference whatsoever?
I don't disagree with the MAME statement, but owning English versions not only mean you get 100% of what's going on in game, but as you stated, whatever that came with the product -- manual, box, etc. etc. I simply choose functionality (understanding everything, even the little things) over superficial eye candy (cover art). And again, don't get me wrong, I'm by no means the "buy 100% US type" - I mix-and-match as I see fit, but I'll gladly default to US versions if (1) it's available, (2) it's not censored, (3) and price of it isn't exorbitant compared to the JP version. The cover art has exactly 0% influence on my purchasing decision. In fact, Guardian Heroes is a good example -- I don't know the value of the game these days, but by quickly browsing ebay, I'd gladly pay the $10 premium to be able to fluently read all the dialogs that goes on in the game, despite the shittier cover art.
QuoteAs for me, I'm loving to take a nice case with nice artworks shown in its purest origin of its creation out of the shelf, taking the cart/card/cd out of it, put the game into the console and play it. For me, the packaging and everything around the game is part of the gaming as well. You "play" with your eyes first!
Trust me, I DO get the whole "purest origin" thing. I choose to buy Korean-released blu-rays of Korean movies -- because it's the original release, has all the "original" stuff (things such as Directors/actor's commentary in Korean) and all that, but hey, I speak Korean. I wouldn't do the same for say, a Russian film where I wouldn't understand what the hell's going on, even if it had much prettier cover art, even if the movie was super-simple enough to understand without subtitles -- there's no denying that you just wouldn't get everything without speaking Russian or without English subs.
QuoteYou "play" with your eyes first!
I definitely disagree with this statement -- to turn it around, it seems some folks here would not only default to a JP version, but would even pay a premium for superficial eye candy even at the cost of functionality, like being able to fully understand what's being said in the game. I personally think that's retarded, but we can all agree on one thing -- "to each his own".
The "superficial eye candy" is a slippery slope of an argument. If visuals didn't matter we'd still be playing NES games. All of us care, to some extent, about "eye candy".
Regardless, I consider the art related to the game to be part of the game.
Quote from: Tatsujin on 12/19/2010, 08:33 PMThis isn't true, the PSx brought arcade into the own four walls first and much better.
Good point here but as I personnaly prefer 2D games, I'm much more fond of the Sega Saturn.
Quote from: SignOfZeta on 12/20/2010, 12:27 AMGunbird (US Playstation)
(https://web.archive.org/web/20190511135945im_/https://s.mprd.se/PSX/Covers/Mobile%20Light%20Force%20%5BU%5D%20%5BSLUS-01525%5D-front.jpg)
The US version also has the art gallery removed, as well as all the endings (saves money on translation).
What?!
Quote from: shubibiman on 12/20/2010, 03:45 AMQuote from: Tatsujin on 12/19/2010, 08:33 PMThis isn't true, the PSx brought arcade into the own four walls first and much better.
Good point here but as I personnaly prefer 2D games, I'm much more fond of the Sega Saturn.
Yeah but as I have also stated, the PSx got plenty of 2D releases, and they are in circa equal to the one of the saturn.
Both have their absolute indispensable exclusive titles and as for the games which got released on both systems its a toss-up on which they're looking better. Sometimes SS wins, sometimes PSx.
As of one of my most important reason to own a PSx is Akumajo Dracula X - gekka no yasou kyoku, which is miles better on the PSx. The saturn got some few neat extras but which never making it up to equalize the general quality of the PSx release.
Also there are plenty great exclusives on the PSx like Gradius Gaiden, Harmfull Park, R-Types etc.
As for BeU the Saturn is truly and undeniable king of these two systems, but as for shoot'em ups I would strongly recommend to get a PSx.
Quotebut as for shoot'em ups I would strongly recommend to get a PSx.
According to my shmupping tastes, the Sega Saturn is by far the one I need (and already own anyway), even though it doesn't have games such as R-Type Delta, Raiden or Gradius Gaiden. Anyway, I have a Playstation 2 so I can play those games so it's not a problem. Compared to those 3 PS1 exclusives, there are so many excellent shmups for the Saturn that were not released on the Sony console!
Some of us do still play nes games :)
I would love to find a MC US or JP, buteven the Japanese ones are way over $100 on ebay, and the same people are "selling" them. I don't understand why they keep listing and relisting them at 175, 199 and etc, but then I figure they must have paid like $10, and they figure some bozo in the US will pay the 175 and hence all the fees for relisting now make sense.
As far as video game collectors go, I am not sure that the Turbo Grafx stuff will go back to normal ever. The only thing I can think of that could lower the price is a Zombie (or otherwise) apocalypse where things of value are no longer valuable, and guns,food and shelter rule the day.. Or when these collectors die off, and their heirs sell their stuff at estate sales or whatever, and have no idea of the perceived value.
I have been looking for MC for quite a few years, and I passed on a couple chances because I thought the prices were ludicrous. Now, those deals seemed too good to be true.
What really gets me is a particular guy who sells on ebay... I asked him if he had MC, because of the items(s) he was selling, and he told me he had 6 or 8 copies. And when I keep harassing him, presumably to sell me a copy, he told me he was holding on to them for investment purposes.
I guess it brings a tear to my eyes, when I think of those magical chases sitting in some guys house, not being played, or coveted, but just waiting until they can fetch the highest price, almost certainly on the bay. This aggression will not stand.
The biggest problem (as I see it)on Ebay is not those big money BIN's...It's the fact that some fools acctuly pay them!
If no one accepted the high asking prices, price would eventuly go down but there are allways some stupid ass willing to pay top dollar for something they want.
Yeah, I hear that... I would probably jump on a $600 BIN loose, or something like that, just to complete my collection...
I guess we need a Magical Chase Support Hotline. So I can call in and speak with an operator how I want to spend on a copy of MC, and they can calm me down, and tell me that rent is more important, and eating what whatnot, and tell me that $300 is tops for a loose copy....
Magical Chase is nearly impossible to be obtained yes but have to be patient and you will finally be able to obtain one. Just look around and ask friends etc. It took me a while to find one again for my collection. But I heard there is a guy who has about 17 of Magical Chases sitting in his collection. Not sure if it is TRUE or BS.
I am semi patient :), I am really trying to find a copy... I would love to trade like $650 of vintage games, but I doubt anyone would be interested...
Speaking of people with multiple copies of MC, there is a very person who has several copies, and frequents this very forum! I would not release this highly confidential information, out of respect.
I found someone who wanted $500, but by the time I contacted him again he sold it :(
I know one day someone on this forum will make me a happy dude....
Quote from: alexsduo on 04/07/2011, 10:33 PMI would not release this highly confidential information, out of respect.
And with disrespect for everyone else. Bravo.
Anyone hoarding more than one copy of Magical Chase is a first-class douchebag, in my humble opinion.
I keep one in my wallet all time cause it's credit card sized. Sometimes I accidentally use it at the grocery store and now it's all scuffed up on the side SILLY ME!!!1
I don't have disrespect for everyone else broseph. I was kinda just being a little silly. I just feel like the internets have become a place for hating, and I only want to semi-be a part of that. I mean if you were to search ebay, you would begin a while goose chase that would end after about a minute, and you would find the alleged culprit. I am hoping to have the Magical Chase gods smile upon me eventually, so I do not want to piss them off... If I had multiple copies of MC I would blackmail nerds into doing crazy shit, like programming a money stealing virus not unlike the movie Hackers or Office Space. I would then give the game after my illicit plans were laid.
Quote from: guest on 01/23/2010, 08:54 AMQuote from: SignOfZeta on 01/23/2010, 01:30 AMWell, this is just my theory, but basically US collectors don't have a very large selection of games to latch onto, so due to the relative scarcity and overall goodness of the game they decided via their huge, spendaholic hive mind that MC would be the thing they will pay FUCKING ANYTHING for,
Thank goodness that is your theory which i have heard over and over and......
There are some ass hat collectors out there for the US games i agree but come on man let up a little, so much hate.
maybe start a hate club zeta... this could be you (insert US TG16 Logo) :P
(https://web.archive.org/web/20081018214925im_/http://www.gloryofwar.com/forums/uploads/monthly_02_2008/post-13-1203261583.jpg)
I HAVE THAT SHIRT! ZOMG! lol
Anyways, I feel the pain that you guys have. ESPECIALLY those like me who live in the Northeast, where for some damn unknown reason, retro games are hard to find and when you DO find them, the prices are ASTRONOMICAL! I mean $25 for a LOOSE copy of Friday the 13th for the NES! $300 won't get me far in a retro store around here(I'm looking at YOU Cash For Games, Turnabout, and Digital Press(although Digital Press is the cheaper of the three). But, if you go down South to where flea markets, thrift stores, and mom & pop gaming stores are the norm, $300 will get you a TRUCKLOAD of stuff! Although, now that these hillbillies are discovering computers and especially ePay, it's changing RAPIDLY!
I usually go by the Digital Press Online Rarity Guide, but those prices are no where NEAR what people are charging now......
PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion => Topic started by: TheClash603 on 01/08/2010, 10:23 PM