How much for "Terra Cresta II", and where can I find one?

[Samuray]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid topic but I'm seriously running out of ideas. And yes, I am aware that TC2 ist not well regarded....I don't care.

Anyway, prices on eBay are, of course, ridiculous.
There are almost no copies when searching through proxy services in Japan directly.
I could ask here but I already have a WTB in the TG16 sales & trades section...am I allowed to have one in PCE as well?

I don't nevessarily want to buy it right now as it will be an expensive purchase, no matter where. But are there any other places I could check? And what would be a reasonable amount for it, approximately?

Again I apologize for opening a topic like this but I couldn't find one where this would have fitted in well.
Thank you!

Samuray

[PukeSter]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid topic but I'm seriously running out of ideas. And yes, I am aware that TC2 ist not well regarded....I don't care.

Before people come in here calling you a collectard, let me ask you some questions. This will save some time, and time equals money after all.

Do you have a lot of disposable income to burn? If so, go right ahead. If not, reconsider your life choices.

Have you tried the game first on emulation or an Everdrive?

Have you even played the first one? Not that you need to.

Are you looking to buy just the HuCard or the full package? If you're more of a player than a collector, seriously consider saving your money.

Are you looking to add this game to your shelf? There are plenty of much better games that go for expensive prices as well, that would look much better on your shelf. Don't let Terra Cresta II taint your collection.

Looking at eBay completed listings, this game has sold for $200 plus. Highest went for $400. Can't find a HuCard only listing, sorry

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=terra%20cresta%20ii&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

Now, $250 can buy plenty of things that are much better. Some examples are:

-A used Wii U console
-Six "16 Fried Chicken Pc. Meal with 4 Large Sides & 8 Biscuits" at KFC
-6 TB of Cloud Storage for porn Work, School and Personal Documents
-A SNES Everdrive plus SNES Console
-Two years of Netflix Subscription
-25 meals at Chipotle (once the E. Coli goes away)

But it's up to you OP, I'm sure you're a reasonably smart guy. 

[CrackTiger]

Turbo Everdrives are cheap and plentiful. Terra Cresta II is harder to find than other games and is consistently selling on eBay, unlike other high priced games. So if there are other sources which are considerably cheaper, eBay sellers will be cleaning them out. But if ever there is a game not worth paying much for for a CIC copy, it's TCII. I hope you already own Magical Chase if you're considering buying this.

[Samuray]

Before people come in here calling you a collectard, let me ask you some questions. This will save some time, and time equals money after all.

Thank you for taking the time!

Do you have a lot of disposable income to burn? If so, go right ahead. If not, reconsider your life choices.

Well, kinda.
Not really, of course. Money's always something to watch out for when you have kids and a house, and I definitely cannot spend massive amounts without caring.
However: I do set aside certain amounts for game purchases. Right now I'm reeling a bit from buying a whole bunch of PCE games but as I said, I don't wanna buy TC2 right now anyway.
And gaming money is just that, so yeah, the funds are there, at least in theory.

Have you tried the game first on emulation or an Everdrive?

Wouldn't do that. Never touch emulation (don't even have a proper PC, just a Mac Mini) and Everdrive's just not for me.
It would be a reasonable suggestion, of course, if I were in doubt about the game. But I'm not. Actually I'll try to get my hands on every PCE shmup out there save for three or four I prefer on the Mega Drive.
Not to "collect and display" but to actually play, by the way.

Have you even played the first one? Not that you need to.

Nope, but I was planning on getting that too, someday. NES, right?

Are you looking to buy just the HuCard or the full package? If you're more of a player than a collector, seriously consider saving your money.

Uh....well, this is getting tricky now.
I don't collect loose. Never. On no system, not even NES or Gameboy. IF a loose game comes into my possession I try to make some kind of case for it, as seldom as that happens. But I always try to buy boxed.
However: I wouldn't call myself a collectard. Well, who would...?  But I'm pretty laid back about condition and don't necessarily need spines or manuals. And I buy the games to play them. Just wanna take'em out of their cases to do it.

Are you looking to add this game to your shelf? There are plenty of much better games that go for expensive prices as well, that would look much better on your shelf. Don't let Terra Cresta II taint your collection.

Thank you for the advice. But I don't think I would feel it would taint it....at least I hope not. Here's another thing about me: When it comes to shmups I'm VERY easy to please.
I see the positives in games like "Rock On" and "Power Gate"....I bought those knowing very well about their reputations. Still glad I did. So I'm hoping "Terra Cresta II" wouldn't shock me quality-wise. Not expecting a gem here, but I'd still love to play it regardless.

Now, $250 can buy plenty of things that are much better. Some examples are (...)

LOL
Yeah, sure, you're right of course. But it just popped into my head and I figured I'd ask about it.[/quote]

Turbo Everdrives are cheap and plentiful. Terra Cresta II is harder to find than other games and is consistently selling on eBay, unlike other high priced games. So if there are other sources which are considerably cheaper, eBay sellers will be cleaning them out. But if ever there is a game not worth paying much for for a CIC copy, it's TCII. I hope you already own Magical Chase if you're considering buying this.

Good point about the eBay sellers.
I'm covered on the "Magical Chase" front though.

Well, thank you guys for the warning.  But as I said, since there are only very few Engine shmups I do not want to pick up due to their Mega Drive ports I am still interested in finding a copy of TC2 down the line, someday.

[EmperorIng]

Your only bet of getting it cheaper than ebay - and this is a big IF - is figuring out how to use Yahoo Auctions Japan, find a reputable proxy/middleman who can bid on your behalf and ship the game to you... for a fee.

[Samuray]

Your only bet of getting it cheaper than ebay - and this is a big IF - is figuring out how to use Yahoo Auctions Japan, find a reputable proxy/middleman who can bid on your behalf and ship the game to you... for a fee.

Done that before, yeah....but it seems there are no copies available on Yahoo. Only ones I could find were on Amazon Japan, one loose card and one ludicrously priced boxed one.

[SuperDeadite]

Honestly I quite like TCII.  Sure it's not as good as the original game, but it's a million times better then Terra Force....

[Samuray]

Honestly I quite like TCII.  Sure it's not as good as the original game, but it's a million times better then Terra Force....

Oh wow.....a positive opinion of the game! Nice. It's really good to hear that some folks even like it.

[NecroPhile]

Looking at the sold auctions on Yahoo, I doubt you'll do much better than eBay after paying proxy fees and double shipping:

32,000 yen ($272)
21,600 yen ($183)
21,345 yen ($181)
37,050 yen ($315)

Or just the farkin' case and manual: 6,530 yen ($55)!

In other words, it ain't a cheap game and hasn't been for years.  If you really do want it, you'll have to pony up $200+ or wait and try to get lucky by finding it in a lot.

[CrackTiger]

Honestly I quite like TCII.  Sure it's not as good as the original game, but it's a million times better then Terra Force....

Oh wow.....a positive opinion of the game! Nice. It's really good to hear that some folks even like it.

I also like Terra Cresta II, but not more than every other Turbo/PCE game that's <$250.

But because I really like the game and want to play it, I have a TED and don't need a CIC with spine and mail away cards. But even if I did and enough to pay hundreds of dollars for it, I would pay the going price and not wait around not-experiencing-it, while looking for a deal.

The best advice and one that is even more interactive than a physical complete copy is over a TED, is to pay whatever you can find it for now and after it eventually tends to go for much more, pat yourself on the back over what a great deal you got. Or just fantasize that it normally sells for $2500 and you're getting it for a steal. No matter what, it's all just a matter of perception as you're already willing to pay a lot of money for the PC Engine's 450th best game.

This is coming from someone who has paid hundreds of dollars for individual games several times in the past couple years.

[geise]

I have a kid  therefore I now have an Everdrive.  I have most of what I want from being an early adopter, but there are limits for me now and how much I spend.  I don't understand the not trying it before planting down more than $200 on a game.  Shit, at least check out a youtube video if available.  I understand not wanting to mess with emulation or everdrive, but for that kind of money you should at least try one of those.  With that said the game is good and I enjoy it...on my everdrive.  I don't feel it's worth the money though.

[Bardoly]

I quite like shoot-'em-ups too, and I had this game on my wish list back in 2013-2014, but copies under $200.00 were simply nonexistent.     When I had some extra funds, I ended up using Goody-Japan proxy service to purchase this game along with several other hard-to-find titles in May of 2014.  Shipping included, I ended up paying ~$205 for a complete copy of Terra Cresta II.  While I have played it, I still have yet to clear it.     One of these days I may try out the Everdrive, but since my two experiences with emulation were fairly mediocre, I'm still playing games the old-fashioned way - insert game, turn on console   O:)  .  If you can save up the funds for it, you might as well get it wherever you can find it.  You might find a copy here or on another gaming forum - neo-geo, nintendoage, shmups, etc..., but it rarely seems to pop up.

[NecroPhile]

I got mine about two years earlier bundled with Bonk 2 and Dead Moon, all for $112 shipped. 

[SuperDeadite]

If I remember correctly I paid about 7,000yen for mine, but that was 9 years ago now. XD

[pixeljunkie]

I also like TC2 quite a bit actually. I also, paid well under $200 for it eons ago. It's a neat one to pop in every now and then. Just keep your eyes peeled.

[Samuray]

I also like TC2 quite a bit actually. I also, paid well under $200 for it eons ago. It's a neat one to pop in every now and then. Just keep your eyes peeled.

I will. Not the type to just drop a load of cash for some game because I "want to have it right now"...I know I would feel bad about the purchase in the long run. I'll just be patient and hope for the game to maybe pop up on here or somewhere else. The day will come.

Thanks everyone!

[reson8er]

I honestly never understood why, even collectors, would purposely want "bad" games. (unless they intend to resell based on value?) Rarity is not equal to quality (with some exceptions) and as other have stated your money could be better spent.

Now, I do get obsessing over something that is out of reach, but surely the disappointment you may experience after spending upwards of $300 for a mediocre at best game is fuel enough to dissuade you!

If you have a PS4, the original Terra Cresta https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/arcade-archives-terra-cresta/cid=UP0571-CUSA00983_00-HAMPRDC000000001 is available on the PlayStation Store as an Arcade classic for $7.99.

I suggest playing that "sobbering up" and moving on. Also, As someone who only plays on original hardware and wants original games an everdrive is an amazing purchase for exactly this reason. Invest in that, and play TC2 that way, win/win