Would you purchase officially licensed and produced reproduction games

[Gredler]

I was looking into getting reproductions of games I could never dream of justifying (MUSHA, Hagane, Magical Chase/Coryoon) and I got to thinking how much more peace of mind I would have purchasing them from a large reputable company. It got me wondering, if games began being re-released for classic consoles, would anyone else purchase them? I would certainly pay more than the cost of the digital/virtual console versions to have copy to play on actual hardware. Everdrives make this idea moot, I know, but I thought it was a funny dream world idea.

[munchiaz]

I think i would only get a repro is the game could not be played on an everdrive.

[NecroPhile]

Yep, I'd buy 'em.  I'd buy some unofficial repros too.

If they're official, I'd prefer 'em to use original packaging designs, same as when they'd earn a reprint back in the day (no need to reinvent the wheel).  If they're booties, however, they should definitely be easily distinguished from the real deal.

[Gredler]

I think this my new fantasy. I would love to see a Little Samson, a Crusade of Centy, a Dracula X offical release for Turbo Duo? Oh man... if only manufacturing for these could be cheap enough to warrant a profit margin large enough for the IP holders to bother.

[MotherGunner]

Okay, I voted, but I must say, if you have no concept of the economics involved (and discussed at length on these very forums) then it's a futile effort to wish...

[Gredler]

Okay, I voted, but I must say, if you have no concept of the economics involved (and discussed at length on these very forums) then it's a futile effort to wish...

I'm aware this is mostly improbably, but I am curious about people's openions on them. I'll start digging and read up on the discussions of the past, thanks it sounds interesting   I am of the belief that wishes are never futile - 99% wont happen means there's still a chance! Where is your positivism man!

[MotherGunner]

Okay, I voted, but I must say, if you have no concept of the economics involved (and discussed at length on these very forums) then it's a futile effort to wish...

I'll start digging, sounds interesting I am of the belief that wishes are never futile - 99% wont happen means there's still a chance! Where is your positivism man!

I work in the video game industry and understand manufacturing costs vs. ROI; just being realistic.  This would have a better chance getting crowdfunded with the IP holder's approval, but that would take a lot of legal red tape and money to set up shop, though not impossible (just improbable).  This is why people like Tobias "Fudoh" Reich and others thrive.

[Gredler]

woops double post 


Thanks for humoring me

[NecroPhile]

By the way, I voted for 'yes, if the packaging matched the original as much as possible', but that's just a preference.  I'd buy 'em any way they're packaged, depending on cost of course.

[Gentlegamer]

Yes, if the price is right, and actually prefer the packaging not be a pure reproduction of the original.

I think for many games, in USA at least, there is room for greatly improving the box art used over the original, even if it's just the Jap or Euro art.

[VenomMacbeth]

Improbamole...

...but yeah I'd totally buy em.  Spending over $150 for a single video game that can be played for free via emulation is asinine.

[DragonmasterDan]

I work in the video game industry and understand manufacturing costs vs. ROI; just being realistic.  This would have a better chance getting crowdfunded with the IP holder's approval, but that would take a lot of legal red tape and money to set up shop, though not impossible (just improbable).  This is why people like Tobias "Fudoh" Reich and others thrive. 

In certain cases legal games with the original IP holders rights obtained have been reissued.

An example is NES Sunday Funday.
http://www.infiniteneslives.com/products.php

[xcrement5x]

I work in the video game industry and understand manufacturing costs vs. ROI; just being realistic.  This would have a better chance getting crowdfunded with the IP holder's approval, but that would take a lot of legal red tape and money to set up shop, though not impossible (just improbable).  This is why people like Tobias "Fudoh" Reich and others thrive. 

In certain cases legal games with the original IP holders rights obtained have been reissued.

An example is NES Sunday Funday.
http://www.infiniteneslives.com/products.php

Yeah, I think there is a guy that did official licensed copies of Super 3D Noah's Ark too:
https://www.pikointeractive.com/super-noahs-ark-3d.html

[SuperDeadite]

Licensed and cheap, sure why not?

Homemade repros?  No interest.

[esteban]

I work in the video game industry and understand manufacturing costs vs. ROI; just being realistic.  This would have a better chance getting crowdfunded with the IP holder's approval, but that would take a lot of legal red tape and money to set up shop, though not impossible (just improbable).  This is why people like Tobias "Fudoh" Reich and others thrive. 

In certain cases legal games with the original IP holders rights obtained have been reissued.

An example is NES Sunday Funday.
http://www.infiniteneslives.com/products.php

Yeah, I think there is a guy that did official licensed copies of Super 3D Noah's Ark too:
https://www.pikointeractive.com/super-noahs-ark-3d.html

Aren't these all Color Dreams/Wisdom Tree games?

I didn't follow the links because I know my crappy religious video games. 

[DragonmasterDan]

Aren't these all Color Dreams/Wisdom Tree games?

I didn't follow the links because I know my crappy religious video games. 

Yes, but there have been other terrible unlicensed games that have received legal reproductions with consent/rights obtained from the IP holders. That was the case with a few other NES titles as well.

[esteban]

Aren't these all Color Dreams/Wisdom Tree games?

I didn't follow the links because I know my crappy religious video games. 

Yes, but there have been other terrible unlicensed games that have received legal reproductions with consent/rights obtained from the IP holders. That was the case with a few other NES titles as well.

I hear you

I'm all for legal repressings.

[NecroPhile]

The games already released on PSN/VC or in reboots (like Dracula X Chronicles) would be good candidates for official re-releases, seeing as the legal legwork of determining who owns what has already been done.

[Gredler]

Thanks for making me not feel crazy for desiring the improbably and nearly impossible hahaha


This dream born of naivety will not die easily!

[Gypsy]

Official ones probably, it would depend greatly on the game and the price.

Regular old repros never. I may be on my high horse about this but I don't like people making money off of someone else's work without the legal means to do so.

[CrackTiger]

Official ones probably, it would depend greatly on the game and the price.

Regular old repros never. I may be on my high horse about this but I don't like people making money off of someone else's work without the legal means to do so.

What if you're only buying a nice looking cart/case/manual set using new original artwork? How is that different from someone profiting from an unofficial strategy guide or youtube gameplay videos?

If you pay someone to swap out the rom chips in a Japanese cart with an English translation, how is that different from taking your console, TV, or any other electronics device to a repair shop? Do you also refuse to buy used copies of games (your PCE collection would be pretty small otherwise)?

Don't forget how often 8 & 16-bit gen games used unauthorized art/story/misc properties that they didn't have the legal rights for. Snatcher is the ultimate blind fanboy production which absolutely does not take into consideration intellectual property rights whatsoever.

Game developers and publishers aren't saints and there's way too much gray area in profiting off of the work of others. Even if you never  buy used games and only download roms and plag on emulators, someone is profiting from the ads on those host sites. Just as posting in this forum takes part in creating profit for the unauthorized use of the PCE/PC-FX names, logos, artwork, etc.

[DeshDildo]

I think it would be amazing if something like this ever happened and I totally would.  I think it would be best to change up the original artwork so one could easily distinguish between the original release (i.e. Nintendo's Classic Series in the early 90's).

This is certainly never likely to happen but, I would finally be able to own legit copies of games like Little Samson, Dynastic Hero, Beyond Shadowgate, Dungeon Explorer II etc.

Having different artwork and new releases would likely affect the value of originals to some extent but collectards will still always pay more to have the "original".

[DragonmasterDan]

Having different artwork and new releases would likely affect the value of originals to some extent but collectards will still always pay more to have the "original".

They'd be in the same category as "Greatest Hits", "Best of" or "Players Choice" copies of games.

[Gypsy]

Official ones probably, it would depend greatly on the game and the price.

Regular old repros never. I may be on my high horse about this but I don't like people making money off of someone else's work without the legal means to do so.

What if you're only buying a nice looking cart/case/manual set using new original artwork? How is that different from someone profiting from an unofficial strategy guide or youtube gameplay videos?

If you pay someone to swap out the rom chips in a Japanese cart with an English translation, how is that different from taking your console, TV, or any other electronics device to a repair shop? Do you also refuse to buy used copies of games (your PCE collection would be pretty small otherwise)?

Don't forget how often 8 & 16-bit gen games used unauthorized art/story/misc properties that they didn't have the legal rights for. Snatcher is the ultimate blind fanboy production which absolutely does not take into consideration intellectual property rights whatsoever.

Game developers and publishers aren't saints and there's way too much gray area in profiting off of the work of others. Even if you never  buy used games and only download roms and plag on emulators, someone is profiting from the ads on those host sites. Just as posting in this forum takes part in creating profit for the unauthorized use of the PCE/PC-FX names, logos, artwork, etc.

Straight off the deep end. I mean I guess I using broad speech but come on now...

I am well aware that the game industry (or Hollywood for that matter) aren't saints but I will not support repros. I get that there are people that will, and it's cool if they want to do that, I won't judge them it's just where I personally draw a line.

And I predominantly buy used games and I am painfully aware that there are people that put it akin to piracy.

[xcrement5x]

I think it would be amazing if something like this ever happened and I totally would.  I think it would be best to change up the original artwork so one could easily distinguish between the original release (i.e. Nintendo's Classic Series in the early 90's).

This is certainly never likely to happen but, I would finally be able to own legit copies of games like Little Samson, Dynastic Hero, Beyond Shadowgate, Dungeon Explorer II etc.

Having different artwork and new releases would likely affect the value of originals to some extent but collectards will still always pay more to have the "original".

You know it's funny too, because from a collectible standpoint there are some Greatest Hits versions of games that actually have a smaller print run than the original version.

[NecroPhile]

They'd be in the same category as "Greatest Hits", "Best of" or "Players Choice" copies of games.

I always thought those were stupid, akin to watermelon posterior editions.

[Gypsy]

I think it would be amazing if something like this ever happened and I totally would.  I think it would be best to change up the original artwork so one could easily distinguish between the original release (i.e. Nintendo's Classic Series in the early 90's).

This is certainly never likely to happen but, I would finally be able to own legit copies of games like Little Samson, Dynastic Hero, Beyond Shadowgate, Dungeon Explorer II etc.

Having different artwork and new releases would likely affect the value of originals to some extent but collectards will still always pay more to have the "original".

You know it's funny too, because from a collectible standpoint there are some Greatest Hits versions of games that actually have a smaller print run than the original version.

There are plenty of instances where they have added content or bug fixes too.

[Mathius]

Voted Yes. I've had this silly dream now for years.

[o.pwuaioc]

Voted Yes/doesn't matter, and Necromancer pretty much summed up my opinion on it.

[Dicer]

Voted Yes/doesn't matter, and Necromancer pretty much summed up my opinion on it.

Bingo...

[ctophil]

I've been buying unofficial reproductions for the past few years anyway.  I especially like reproductions of games that never came to the U.S. back in the day.  With most games getting a fan translation these days, it wouldn't be hard for companies to commission these translations for the U.S.  But it is a pretty niche market, so crowd funding would be the best way to test the waters. 

I say niche market because most of my friends never heard of reproductions before.  And I have played video games with them for years now.  And people who do know about it would not put out the money to buy something like that. 

I personally like reproductions for the sheer value of collecting brand new copies in nice packaging and not have to pay a little fortune to buy these games on Ebay.  Like I said earlier, I do want to play certain games that never came to the U.S. in English form for the first time on actual hardware.  Emulation is not my cup of tea.

[CrackTiger]

Like I said earlier, I do want to play certain games that never came to the U.S. in English form for the first time on actual hardware.  Emulation is not my cup of tea.

There is still a third option, which would save you from spending a fortune on pricey repros.

[DeshDildo]

Like I said earlier, I do want to play certain games that never came to the U.S. in English form for the first time on actual hardware.  Emulation is not my cup of tea.

There is still a third option, which would save you from spending a fortune on pricey repros.

The solution is making your own on this one.  Sadly, with the price of even common titles going up it's not as cheap as it once was.  For purely NES games typical cost is say $3-$5 for a donor, $5 in eproms.  Misc wire and however fancy you get with the label.  I use a photo quality sticker, print in highest quality then put a laminate sheet over (just that self laminating stuff you can buy at Office Max etc.)

I feel like I'm pretty good at making them now but still usually takes me about 30 minutes to get the board finished.  If I don't already have a label saved there are literally hours poured into photo shop on setting up labels sometimes.

Of course, buying your eprom burner is a significant cost.  The Top 853 is cheap and effective at around $40-$50 dollars but won't do 16-bit eproms so you're limited to NES and some SNES stuff.  I've heard guys talk about a burner that Top makes that does 16-bit eproms and is around $100.  Minimum you should also have a solder sucker $20.  Thankfully there is some great freeware programs to help split your rom files or remove headers that emulators use to launch the game

[ctophil]

Like I said earlier, I do want to play certain games that never came to the U.S. in English form for the first time on actual hardware.  Emulation is not my cup of tea.

There is still a third option, which would save you from spending a fortune on pricey repros.

The solution is making your own on this one.  Sadly, with the price of even common titles going up it's not as cheap as it once was.  For purely NES games typical cost is say $3-$5 for a donor, $5 in eproms.  Misc wire and however fancy you get with the label.  I use a photo quality sticker, print in highest quality then put a laminate sheet over (just that self laminating stuff you can buy at Office Max etc.)

I feel like I'm pretty good at making them now but still usually takes me about 30 minutes to get the board finished.  If I don't already have a label saved there are literally hours poured into photo shop on setting up labels sometimes.

Of course, buying your eprom burner is a significant cost.  The Top 853 is cheap and effective at around $40-$50 dollars but won't do 16-bit eproms so you're limited to NES and some SNES stuff.  I've heard guys talk about a burner that Top makes that does 16-bit eproms and is around $100.  Minimum you should also have a solder sucker $20.  Thankfully there is some great freeware programs to help split your rom files or remove headers that emulators use to launch the game

Yeah, I've considered that option before, but it seems to be a lot of work for a professional-looking repro (complete-in-box with redone artwork on cart, box, manual, and inserts).  I have a friend who used to put out repros of his own hacked games with the help of a group of people--each specializing in an aspect of the reproduction.  I personally don't mind paying for reproductions at $100 or less because they are worth it (and the hard work put into it).

[NecroPhile]

The solution is making your own on this one.

Or a flash cart.

[DeshDildo]

The solution is making your own on this one.

Or a flash cart.

Agreed and more convenient I just am collectarded and need them  carts on my shelf.

[gekioh]

I voted yes, would prefer for the packing to be branded as a reproduction but even if it wasn't I'd still buy.