Dumb Buyers

[esteban]

Unfortunately, at the moment, if you want popular titles, you are going to have to almost start at $100 to get one.  Most likely, this isn't going to change any time soon.  Because of this, the Everdrive is definitely my friend.  However, there are some titles that have resonated with me and I want to own a physical copy.  The Neutopia series happens to be one.  As I joked around in a previous post, no one was willing to come forward and sell me copies in the $30 to $40 dollar range.  So, I dumbed down and recently paid a ridiculously stupid amount for them CIC.  Do I plan to continue throwing stupid amounts around to complete a collection?  No, there are only about 10 titles that I really want to have a physical copy of.  I have already picked some of those titles up by buying system lots and recapping the consoles and performing AV mods only to then flip them while keeping the games.  This has worked well for me, as I have obtained several titles for nothing out of pocket.  However, quite a few of the the titles on my list are probably not going to show up bundled with systems.  So, a fool and his money will shortly part ways.

For a handful of games you really enjoy, I see no problem paying for them...but be an educated consumer and, as with anything, it is about a balance between frugality and extravagance.

Nobody is perfect. We are all guilty of indulging some sins.

Just don't become an addict, hooked on an absurdly expensive habit.

Unless you are a rich bastard. Then the world is your oyster. Or cloister. Or whatever.

[StarDust4Ever]

Yup sucks. Not everyone was born to dine on caviar. But personally I find Turbografx games a lot more palatable than fish eggs.

That said, I bought a PC-Henshin adapter last year and do not regret it. Aside from Neutpia and a few others, most of the games are available on PC Engine and many are on par with Super Famicom / Mega Drive prices. I'm also getting Neutopia I+II and Magical Chase repros. And if you don't already have one, an Everdrive is a must!

I picked up a card only Air Zonk last year for $73 shipped. Now when I see prices like this, $132, I want to cry.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182141112385

CIC Air Zonk in case presumably with repro end label (looking good so far but I bet it ends higher than the last one):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Zonk-TurboGrafx-16-1992-Jewel-Case-Manual-And-Game/322116957958

[CrackTiger]

I think what I hate most is that the games have value at all.  I truly wish titles were worthless, so that we could buy and collect turbografx for the love of playing games on our system.  I wish I didnt have to use an everdrive, but my practical side tells me that these idiots will buy my games for stupid amounts, and I should let them.  For now.  I do believe that eventually, it will all collapse, and we will have our pick of the litter come that day.  I remember when NES games were dirt cheap, and buying a system and games for $20 was a thrill, with plenty of great titles to play for weeks.  Now a common copy of Mega Man is almost 100 bucks.  I really dont get it at all.  Guess Im playing mega man on everdrive for now, causing i have to shill my real copy to some loser.

Yeah it sucks. A lot of the price inflation is caused by poser collectors who want to collect a "complete set" or otherwise buy nice games just to have them as "shelf sitters" Kinda dumb if you ask me but at least if people think they have value, it won't go into a landfill.

Games used to be worthless and owners, as well as game stores with stagnant inventory just threw them out as trash until the larger supply equalized to the dwindling demand. Now we have the opposite, huge demand and little supply, hence games that were formerly worthless now sell for huge amounts.

On the one hand, the high prices is bad for the gamer but ultimately good for preservation because existing stock isn't just going straight into landfills. I do believe we are in a bubble so to speak. All the shelf collectors doing it because it's "in" or "cool" will eventually get bored and dump their stock, then prices will be reasonable once again. Just don't expect bargain basement prices like what existed around 2000. That would be unrealistic. Games are a part of history and will be appreciated until the end of time, whether they exist as physical media or just ROMs on someone's hard drive.

Too many collectards are instant gratification addicts who don't plan ahead, let alone plan on dying.

When family members unexpectedly inherit the huge burdern of thousands of games that they couldn't possibly sort through, even if they had a clue what any of it is, so much is going straight to the landfill.

I have ongoing plans for the important game related items in my possession. The people I've told my partners I want to inherit various things will continue to evolve. But if I end up passing before esteban, he'll never finish scanning everything coming his way.

[ginoscope]

People just need to be more patient and not try and jump at the first buy it now.  Here are some auctions I have won this year on ebay for turbo games that while not flea market prices were fair in my opinion.

Neutopia card only $30 on 1/3/2016
Psychosis card and manual $35 on 3/27/16
Dragon's Curse card only $55 on 3/31/16

[Gredler]

For a handful of games you really enjoy, I see no problem paying for them...but be an educated consumer and, as with anything, it is about a balance between frugality and extravagance.

Nobody is perfect. We are all guilty of indulging some sins.

Just don't become an addict, hooked on an absurdly expensive habit.

Unless you are a rich bastard. Then the world is your oyster. Or cloister. Or whatever.

Hell yeah esteban, thank's for elegantly verbalizing my view on this hobby.

[CrackTiger]

I pay a premium to get certain games sooner than later or in a particular completeness or condition. But it's a small fraction of my decreasing year to year buying. I don't have enough time for playing games, so I'm much more patient when it comes to buying something for a fair price. I don't only hold out for super deals, but I do try to avoid gouging on basic principle.

[esteban]

I have ongoing plans for the important game related items in my possession. The people I've told my partners I want to inherit various things will continue to evolve. But if I end up passing before esteban, he'll never finish scanning everything coming his way.

Hahjajajajajajj. 

I am on the "Quiet Car" on the train...and I just laughed out loud, literally.

Oh, the looks I got from all the other commuters...

[TheAlphaOmegaX3]

Well, as long as all these fucking noobs keep showing up. Yeah. There are probably more noobs this year alone than there were in the entire TG-16 user base back in the day. Many TG-16 games used to just...sit there at the store, for months or years, and eventually go back to the main warehouse after never selling. You know, like any catagory of software in existence.

We have to get these kids laid, guys. It's the the only way to stem the tide. Also, your own kids. Tell them you love them and try to instill some kind of value system in your sons so that they don't all end up seaking external validation through a $6000 chip of plastic that smells like a library basement but only if you remove the plastic. 

Seriously, what kind of 22 year old in 2016 starts buying games older than him for hundreds of dollars each? What is even the draw for someone like that? And why can't he just collect 8 Track? It has a much better software selection.

High prices suck yes, but the idea of new/younger gamers getting interested in what we enjoy is not a bad thing. Actually it keeps what we love and enjoy alive. It also is a testament about how "good" games can still stand the test of time, even with simpler graphics and features, still be a blast today. I see the boom of classic gaming coming from 3 groups. One's who have always love gaming in general and would like to experience what they missed out on.(Thats me. I also think the past 2 years of gaming have been the worst gen yet. So Im buying better games imo) Another wants to relive their past/childhood. Lastly, the "collectards" you refer too lol. Out to have a dick measuring contest with their game collection. No hate on collecting though. I have nearly everything out their, but its everything I've had since 1985 till now. Also just own what I enjoy. I can understand the frustration with prices, but glad people can and do appreciate great games and a fantastic NEC console.

[NecroPhile]

I'm all for new guys getting involved and excited about Turbobs.  It's the fucktards that just want to buy shit so they can make unboxing videos that suck; anyone that doesn't want to actually play the games (and I mean play 'em, not just boot the game and watch the title sequence to make sure it's functional) can get fucked.

[TR0N]

Unfortunately, at the moment, if you want popular titles, you are going to have to almost start at $100 to get one.  Most likely, this isn't going to change any time soon.  Because of this, the Everdrive is definitely my friend.  However, there are some titles that have resonated with me and I want to own a physical copy.  The Neutopia series happens to be one.  As I joked around in a previous post, no one was willing to come forward and sell me copies in the $30 to $40 dollar range.  So, I dumbed down and recently paid a ridiculously stupid amount for them CIC.  Do I plan to continue throwing stupid amounts around to complete a collection?  No, there are only about 10 titles that I really want to have a physical copy of.  I have already picked some of those titles up by buying system lots and recapping the consoles and performing AV mods only to then flip them while keeping the games.  This has worked well for me, as I have obtained several titles for nothing out of pocket.  However, quite a few of the the titles on my list are probably not going to show up bundled with systems.  So, a fool and his money will shortly part ways. 

It's for a few titles that's fine just be careful.Collecting for older consoles can be very addictive,you can spend more then you intend to.Still there's to many collectards out there currently for older consoles.At least what i'm seeing with younger people more money then common sense.With to many sellers as well that are taking advantage of it.

[TheAlphaOmegaX3]

I'm all for new guys getting involved and excited about Turbobs.  It's the fucktards that just want to buy shit so they can make unboxing videos that suck; anyone that doesn't want to actually play the games (and I mean play 'em, not just boot the game and watch the title sequence to make sure it's functional) can get fucked.

lol I hear ya. Also wanted to mention: When a game gets to a price thats well out of range, I myself have no problem paying for a high quality reproduction hu-card that plays perfect on real hardware and comes in a case that looks and protects just as good as the original for a fraction of the cost. Of course the everdrive was already mentioned which is great for test driving a game before you buy or playing them insane price games exclusively.

[StarDust4Ever]

lol I hear ya. Also wanted to mention: When a game gets to a price thats well out of range, I myself have no problem paying for a high quality reproduction hu-card that plays perfect on real hardware and comes in a case that looks and protects just as good as the original for a fraction of the cost. Of course the everdrive was already mentioned which is great for test driving a game before you buy or playing them insane price games exclusively.

The value of Everdrive for playing Turbografx / PC Engine cannot be stated enough. It was my first purchase after getting my Turbografx. That said, there is something deeply satisfying about inserting a card, cart, disc, whatever and having the game boot immediately without navigating a menu. But definitely use a flash card or emulator to "try before you buy" so you don't get burned on expensive purchase.

[rxmage]

While the high price of software sucks, it does have a positive side.  If it wasn't for the high priced software, we wouldn't have the likes of the Turbo Everdrive or the reproduction Hu Cards.  It simply wouldn't be economical to produce those items with out the existing inflated prices.

[neopolss]

I'm all for new guys getting involved and excited about Turbobs.  It's the fucktards that just want to buy shit so they can make unboxing videos that suck; anyone that doesn't want to actually play the games (and I mean play 'em, not just boot the game and watch the title sequence to make sure it's functional) can get fucked.

Spoken with class.  Points to you good sir.

[Gredler]

While the high price of software sucks, it does have a positive side.  If it wasn't for the high priced software, we wouldn't have the likes of the Turbo Everdrive or the reproduction Hu Cards.  It simply wouldn't be economical to produce those items with out the existing inflated prices.

This is very arguable. Even if every pce and Turbob gMe was $0.50 USD it would be cheaper to get a Ted.

Also, the main reason I and many others purchase flash drives is for the functionality of testing and playing homebrews.

Also, it's a huge space saver, one would argue that if the games were completely devalued the physical space would not be justified.

Everdrive are the best option for someone who just wants to enjoy the software and doesn't care about any packaging or collecting.

[SignOfZeta]

Flash carts and other sorts of copying devices existed before games were collectable so I think that sorta pops that theory. It's only logical that someone really into a game system would want the ability to run unlicensed code. Most consoles are unnatural in that they don't normally allow this. Flash carts fix that problem regardless of ones motivations, cheapness, OCD, homebrew, translations, whatever.

The fact that they cost so much less than they used to is right in line with pretty much anything in popular electronics costing way less than it used to.

[rxmage]

This is very arguable. Even if every pce and Turbob gMe was $0.50 USD it would be cheaper to get a Ted.

Also, the main reason I and many others purchase flash drives is for the functionality of testing and playing homebrews.

Also, it's a huge space saver, one would argue that if the games were completely devalued the physical space would not be justified.

Everdrive are the best option for someone who just wants to enjoy the software and doesn't care about any packaging or collecting.

Sure, I will give you that on the TED.  I wouldn't say that the development and release of the TED is exclusively based on high prices of software.  However, the high prices are driven mostly by recent popularity vs rarity (sure a few titles have limited runs).  Popularity drives much of the development of multi-carts beyond the scope of homebrew devices.

[StarDust4Ever]

While the high price of software sucks, it does have a positive side.  If it wasn't for the high priced software, we wouldn't have the likes of the Turbo Everdrive or the reproduction Hu Cards.  It simply wouldn't be economical to produce those items with out the existing inflated prices.

This is very arguable. Even if every pce and Turbob gMe was $0.50 USD it would be cheaper to get a Ted.

Also, the main reason I and many others purchase flash drives is for the functionality of testing and playing homebrews.

Also, it's a huge space saver, one would argue that if the games were completely devalued the physical space would not be justified.

Everdrive are the best option for someone who just wants to enjoy the software and doesn't care about any packaging or collecting.

I agree with this statement. Take a look at NES collecting for instance. Despite the recent inflation of NES game prices in the past five years, there are two options available (NES and PowerPak) for those people who want to play 98% of licensed and unlicensed games all on one cart. Sure you could spend $1000 buying up 200 of the crappiest games on the system as shelf filler, but why when over half of the library sucks? Popular games have gone up, as have rares, but still there's plenty of uncommons left that are quite affordable due to low desirability. Aside from the expensive "Unicorns" that most people can't afford anyway, anyone could stock their shelves with 700 boring gray carts.

I 100% agree that the value in flash carts is not in the cost of the games it replaces, but in the space it frees up. Still though, if I enjoy playing a game enough, I will seek ownership of that title because it deserves a space in my gaming library. If it's something I'll cram in the system for 5 minutes before getting bored with it, then it's just shelf fodder with no real purpose in a gamer's collection. Worse if said title cost three figures or more... 

[SignOfZeta]

Having a game that sucks and you'll never play is pointless. You make it seem like the (very modern, totally manufactured) "burden" of collecting a complete set is reduced if it's all on a flash cart. The key to reducing that burden is to get ahold of yourself. You don't need Platoon for NES. Even if it's free and consumes zero space. It's still just more dumb crap that you feel you need for but a ROM in list of shit you'll never click on has the same meaningless place in your life.

"Thank god I can not waste any more time with Master Blaster and RC Pro Am. Now I can play all the Color Dreams releases." - said someone who's severe depression is still fully in place.

When you have an infinate omnivorous thirst for more and more shit, new shit delivery systems aren't the solution.

[StarDust4Ever]

Having a game that sucks and you'll never play is pointless. You make it seem like the (very modern, totally manufactured) "burden" of collecting a complete set is reduced if it's all on a flash cart. The key to reducing that burden is to get ahold of yourself. You don't need Platoon for NES. Even if it's free and consumes zero space. It's still just more dumb crap that you feel you need for but a ROM in list of shit you'll never click on has the same meaningless place in your life.

"Thank god I can not waste any more time with Master Blaster and RC Pro Am. Now I can play all the Color Dreams releases." - said someone who's severe depression is still fully in place.

When you have an infinate omnivorous thirst for more and more shit, new shit delivery systems aren't the solution.

Quoted for truth.

Full disclosure: I have full No_Intro ROM sets on all my flash carts.

[neopolss]

Well, back when NES stuff was dirt cheap, I didnt have to worry about shelves of games.  The ones I didnt like I would trade or just plain give away.  The low value on many of the games meant that it was common to simply give away a box of games with a system.  Good fun for cheap.  Did retailers trash them?  Not that I saw.  The game stores near me constantly rotated games with frequent trades.  I would argue that collections hurt the entire system.  It makes the market a niche and shrinks the base of buyers.  N64 is a prime example.  In our store, I have LOTS of systems from trade, many of the customers citing that the reason is that it is not affordable to play many of the games on the system now.  Collectors are pricing out the casual players who make up the largest base of the consumer group.

[CrackTiger]

Lol, Nintendo 64 collecting.

It's too bad that the Everdrive requires a sacrificed chip to be installed and doesn't work straight out of the box. The hacks to turn off "anti aliasing" make most games playable, so the Everdrive 64 is a must-own for everyone interested in playing the games and make the physical copies dust collectors.

[SignOfZeta]

The reason your store has a ton of N64 systems is because its a store. I worked in game retail when N64 was still supported and it was that way then. It was also that way with GC, and with WiiU.

[neopolss]

The reason your store has a ton of N64 systems is because its a store. I worked in game retail when N64 was still supported and it was that way then. It was also that way with GC, and with WiiU.

Errr, no.  N64 was actually quite difficult to keep in stock for about two years while the retro craze really ramped up.  It is only when the prices of the games started pushing up that many of my customers began to sell.  Many specifically stated that the reason was game cost.  As for the GC, we dont normally buy very many, but the backwards wii hurt that one.  The wii u, despite being less popular than the other big two, is very difficult to keep in stock.  Even harder is getting the games sold back to us.  People really like the system once they try it, and the games seem to stay in their collections.  Ps4 and x1 stuff floods in daily, but not so much on the wii u.

[StarDust4Ever]

The reason your store has a ton of N64 systems is because its a store. I worked in game retail when N64 was still supported and it was that way then. It was also that way with GC, and with WiiU.

Errr, no.  N64 was actually quite difficult to keep in stock for about two years while the retro craze really ramped up.  It is only when the prices of the games started pushing up that many of my customers began to sell.  Many specifically stated that the reason was game cost.  As for the GC, we dont normally buy very many, but the backwards wii hurt that one.  The wii u, despite being less popular than the other big two, is very difficult to keep in stock.  Even harder is getting the games sold back to us.  People really like the system once they try it, and the games seem to stay in their collections.  Ps4 and x1 stuff floods in daily, but not so much on the wii u.

Somebody said in another forum they would wait it out and buy a Wii-U cheaply after the NX drops. As a Wii-U owner, I can say that is unlikely. It is a fantastic system, and it's status as an underdog system with fantastic library assures it will remain desirable long after discontinuation. I don't imagine it will ever be possible to pick a complete system (Wii-U plus Gamepad plus hookups and accessories) for under $100.

[CrackTiger]

But it has happened with every other fantastic system which had the status as an underdog system with fantastic library before it.

The only difference is that this is the second overpriced generation-behind console hardware the same company has  dared to put out. Like the Wii, it should have launched for $100 - $150 to justify its existence.

[ginoscope]

The reason your store has a ton of N64 systems is because its a store. I worked in game retail when N64 was still supported and it was that way then. It was also that way with GC, and with WiiU.

Errr, no.  N64 was actually quite difficult to keep in stock for about two years while the retro craze really ramped up.  It is only when the prices of the games started pushing up that many of my customers began to sell.  Many specifically stated that the reason was game cost.  As for the GC, we dont normally buy very many, but the backwards wii hurt that one.  The wii u, despite being less popular than the other big two, is very difficult to keep in stock.  Even harder is getting the games sold back to us.  People really like the system once they try it, and the games seem to stay in their collections.  Ps4 and x1 stuff floods in daily, but not so much on the wii u.

Somebody said in another forum they would wait it out and buy a Wii-U cheaply after the NX drops. As a Wii-U owner, I can say that is unlikely. It is a fantastic system, and it's status as an underdog system with fantastic library assures it will remain desirable long after discontinuation. I don't imagine it will ever be possible to pick a complete system (Wii-U plus Gamepad plus hookups and accessories) for under $100.

The wii u is a pretty good system it gets lots of use at my house.  Another bonus with the Wii U is that you can hack the wii mode and play gamecube games without emulation via the SD card slot.

[CrackTiger]

It's neat in that it's a console, just like every other console is and I like console gaming. But it launched slightly less powerful and full featured than existing consoles which were already selling for something like $150. In the case of the Wii, they just repackaged hardware they'd already spent years reducing the manufacturing costs for.

If Nintendo wanted to justify releasing last gen hardware with top quality software support, so be it. But selling it for more than a dsuper budget price at launch is a worse gouging than anything in the Turbo gouging thread.

[StarDust4Ever]

The wii u is a pretty good system it gets lots of use at my house.  Another bonus with the Wii U is that you can hack the wii mode and play gamecube games without emulation via the SD card slot.

Are you using the Smash Bros adapter for Game Cube Controller? Mayflash made a nice cloned version.

I have my own Game Cube and my old Wii is on the fritz. I was always too scared to softmod it because of my extensive VC/Wiiware collection.

[ginoscope]

I have tried the gamecube adapter but I'm lazy to get it all hooked up sometimes so I find the original classic controller for wii is perfect for gamecube.

Softmod on the wii u is pretty easy to do and all contained within the wii mode.

[SignOfZeta]

The reason your store has a ton of N64 systems is because its a store. I worked in game retail when N64 was still supported and it was that way then. It was also that way with GC, and with WiiU.

Errr, no.  N64 was actually quite difficult to keep in stock for about two years while the retro craze really ramped up.  It is only when the prices of the games started pushing up that many of my customers began to sell.  Many specifically stated that the reason was game cost.  As for the GC, we dont normally buy very many, but the backwards wii hurt that one.  The wii u, despite being less popular than the other big two, is very difficult to keep in stock.  Even harder is getting the games sold back to us.  People really like the system once they try it, and the games seem to stay in their collections.  Ps4 and x1 stuff floods in daily, but not so much on the wii u.

I'm specifically speaking of systems. Games were genuinly ALWAYS a problem with N64 but in all but the earliest days systems were surplus, the Pika ones especially. When the last Tony Hawk game came out my store had maybe a dozen N64 games, with most being sports, wrestling, or South Park, and probably 200 N64s between new and used.

The Cube was even worse. Even at very reduced prices we still had a wall of the fuckers. Didn't it hit an official $50 at some point? Once everyone had a GC the $50 Dreamcast moved faster. The fact that Cubes rarely break doesn help either. PS2s shit the bed like there is some sort of contest for it so people will always need those.

I'm personally a big fan of the Cube, particularly the hardware. Virtually no load times on many 1st party games. They never overheat. A GB Player with Wavebird or Hori Gameboy Player Controller over 480p component is a premium experience.

[StarDust4Ever]

I'm personally a big fan of the Cube, particularly the hardware. Virtually no load times on many 1st party games. They never overheat. A GB Player with Wavebird or Hori Gameboy Player Controller over 480p component is a premium experience.

I miss my Hori digital Game Cube controller. I had one before crooks broke into my house and stole my entire Game Cube Collection shortly after Thanksgiving in 2006. They left all the cart systems thankfully. I eventually re-purchased most of the games they stole that I really wanted to play again, but shortly after the burglary, in early December, I stood in line at Walmart for seven hours for a Wii.

Backwards compatibility was nice too but no Game Boy Players. eStarland was clearancing their stock of Hori Game Boy Player controllers for $18.99, purple was sold out but they still had black. I had my heart set on Purple and figured I could pick one up at a later date used for cheap. I realized my mistake a couple years later when they were selling for $100 on Amazon... 

Nowadays I use this for Game Boy goodness:

http://www.retrousb.com/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=31

Sadly they've been discontinued sometime after Wii dropped the Game Cube ports. SNES controller made the best Game Boy Player controller ever, and I can even use my custom arcade controller with it:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/30203515@N04/sets/72157634800361528/

Sorry for the off topic rant... 

[SignOfZeta]

Wow, that is pretty cool.

I bought my Hori Gameboy Player Controller for $8.99 at Game Crazy. If someone burgled it from me I'd spend the $100 in insurance on something else. I love the thing, but not that much.

It's weird how things seem to go straight from the crap bin to eBay madness. Where these people are when the stuff is still being made I'll never know.

[Gredler]

Wow, that is pretty cool.

I bought my Hori Gameboy Player Controller for $8.99 at Game Crazy. If someone burgled it from me I'd spend the $100 in insurance on something else. I love the thing, but not that much.

It's weird how things seem to go straight from the crap bin to eBay madness. Where these people are when the stuff is still being made I'll never know.

From the few posts I've read while briefly in a Facebook group, and on the few other forums I frequent, it appears that most were  not old enough to care when stuff was modern if alive at all. I think a lot of this is trust fund babies with allowances larger that average earned wages.

[neopolss]

The GC was rock solid system that definitely got overshadowed by the PS2.  The system will probably always stay dirt cheap, with exception to the special edition consoles.  The games are creeping up, with a few like Fire Emblem getting into triple digits, but overall the prices arent ridiculous (yet).  Current gen, I still prefer the wii u, and it is my go to for large groups.  Theres few multiplayer games for the other systems, my PS4 gathers dust quite often.  I guess it shows that power isnt everything.  Im still impressed with 2600 games though, so I cant really relate to the current mindset of graphics and power above creativity.

[StarDust4Ever]

The GC was rock solid system that definitely got overshadowed by the PS2.  The system will probably always stay dirt cheap, with exception to the special edition consoles.  The games are creeping up, with a few like Fire Emblem getting into triple digits, but overall the prices arent ridiculous (yet).  Current gen, I still prefer the wii u, and it is my go to for large groups.  Theres few multiplayer games for the other systems, my PS4 gathers dust quite often.  I guess it shows that power isnt everything.  Im still impressed with 2600 games though, so I cant really relate to the current mindset of graphics and power above creativity.

Amazing but sometimes less is more. I'm Kosmic Stardust on AtariAge. I got a 2600 in 2012 after bashing it for ten years. I'm blown away by some of the homebrew games coming out for it. Look up Space Rock; it's an amazing Asteroids clone.

As for Nintendo, they still know how to make fun games and value local multiplayer over online. Nowadays it seems everyone is gaga over trophies/achievements and head counts online. Give me Mario or Zelda any day over that crap.

[jonebone]

Let me offer one other perspective that wasn't mentioned in this thread... as I'm a "New" TG16 guy.  But I'm a patient collector and not one paying anywhere near prices quoted in the beginning of the thread. 

It's not 20 something year olds driving the high end market... $500 is a LOT to most of those guys.  It is spill over from other collectors who are tired of collecting their main system and want to expand.  For me (born 84) it was always NES / N64 as my two favorites.  Then I went to Genny / SNES, then PS1 / Gamecube, back to Gameboy, etc.

It's not just TG16 getting price spikes this year, PS1 has been insane too.  Take Team Buddies for example... was always about $60-$80 CIB and maybe $150-$200 Sealed.  Been that way for 5 or 6 years, completely flat.  In 3 months, it is now $200-$250 CIB, literally 3x or 4x value in 3 months.  And PS1 has generally been dead compared to Nintendo... but the Nintendo overflow has to go somewhere.  And some of them are overflowing here, so I don't see TG16 prices cooling off anytime soon.  Not necessarily good or bad, just reality.

And I do enjoy playing the games, but I also enjoy collecting them.  It is not impossible for someone to enjoy doing both.

[geise]

The DC was rock solid system that definitely got overshadowed by the PS2. 

Yep, it sure was.

[StarDust4Ever]

Let me offer one other perspective that wasn't mentioned in this thread... as I'm a "New" TG16 guy.  But I'm a patient collector and not one paying anywhere near prices quoted in the beginning of the thread. 

It's not 20 something year olds driving the high end market... $500 is a LOT to most of those guys.  It is spill over from other collectors who are tired of collecting their main system and want to expand.  For me (born 84) it was always NES / N64 as my two favorites.  Then I went to Genny / SNES, then PS1 / Gamecube, back to Gameboy, etc.

It's not just TG16 getting price spikes this year, PS1 has been insane too.  Take Team Buddies for example... was always about $60-$80 CIB and maybe $150-$200 Sealed.  Been that way for 5 or 6 years, completely flat.  In 3 months, it is now $200-$250 CIB, literally 3x or 4x value in 3 months.  And PS1 has generally been dead compared to Nintendo... but the Nintendo overflow has to go somewhere.  And some of them are overflowing here, so I don't see TG16 prices cooling off anytime soon.  Not necessarily good or bad, just reality.

And I do enjoy playing the games, but I also enjoy collecting them.  It is not impossible for someone to enjoy doing both.

I definitely agree with you. My decision to pick up a Turbografx in 2014 was basically one of "Okay I've got all the popular stuff, how can I expand my collection?" I introduced three new "underdog" consoles to my collection: Turbografx, 7800, and SMS. For SMS I bought a converter to play games on my Model 1 Genny. No need for a new console. The 7800 I mainly got for the Atari homebrew scene. And Turbografx-16, which played a distant third wheel to the SEGA/SNES fanboy wars, was incredible. Despite never owning one back in the day, I had a bit of prior TG-16 nostalgia simply from playing many of the games on Virtual Console. In fact prior to the Wii VC announcement, I had no idea what a Turbografx was. I even enjoyed Bonk's Adventure enough to track it down on NES before later selling it after the price inflated beyond reason.

If you look at consoles many consider to be "underdogs", TG-16 stands out as the one with the best value and had some incredibly great exclusive games despite it's smallish library. I think most everyone starts out with a Hucard only system, then graduates into imports and CDs, if they can stomach the price of a refurbished CD addon. The Turbo Everdrive is a surprisingly hot seller for Krikzz Everdrive product line, precisely so because the barrier of entry is so high.

[bob]

Putting this thread back on track.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/turbografx-game-assortment-Bonk-1-2-Legendary-Axe-1-2-Splatterhouse-Air-Zonk-/191951456734?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276

[CrackTiger]

Even by high end eBay prices, that's double what those games sell for separately.

Maybe bithead1000 is starting to buy TG-16 games?

[esteban]

Even by high end eBay prices, that's double what those games sell for separately.

Maybe bithead1000 is starting to buy TG-16 games?

Hahahhahahahahhaahaha.

[eproxy]

This is usually what happens when they are not available elsewhere. Still looking for a decent priced Legend of hero tonma 

[bob]

This is usually what happens when they are not available elsewhere. Still looking for a decent priced Legend of hero tonma 

pce version.

[eproxy]

TG 16 loose complete either way if anyone here has an extra and would like to make some profit pm me if the ebay gouging/shilling bothers you as well.

[StarDust4Ever]

Tree-Fiddy for the lawnmower, and I'll throw in Keit Courage for free...

[CrackTiger]

I just want all of the silent sellers to know that Legend of Hero Tonma is one of the last games I need to complete my TurboGrafx-16 collection and I will pay 20% more than eproxy, especially if it's CIB.

[NecroPhile]

Ha!  Tonma is one of the few games I still need as well, but I'm a cheap fuck and will pay 20% less, especially if there's no box.

[xcrement5x]

It's not just TG16 getting price spikes this year, PS1 has been insane too.  Take Team Buddies for example... was always about $60-$80 CIB and maybe $150-$200 Sealed.  Been that way for 5 or 6 years, completely flat.  In 3 months, it is now $200-$250 CIB, literally 3x or 4x value in 3 months.  And PS1 has generally been dead compared to Nintendo... but the Nintendo overflow has to go somewhere.  And some of them are overflowing here, so I don't see TG16 prices cooling off anytime soon.  Not necessarily good or bad, just reality.

And I do enjoy playing the games, but I also enjoy collecting them.  It is not impossible for someone to enjoy doing both.

Regarding PS1 inflation, I think that the spillover from NES/SNES is getting bad since after SNES, the original PlayStation is considered to be THE RPG machine.  It's also got a lot of decent STGs and overall just good variety.  The high quality stuff is rising to the top in regards to price when there is not a lot of quantity. 

I also (again) blame Facebook groups as they create this fast self-fulfilling prophecy on price inflation.  There is one RPG FB group where I feel like discussion of Shadow Tower as some rare gem that's going to go up fast caused the game to jump in price like 50% in a couple of weeks.  Forums do the same thing I guess, but people on forums seem to talk less about price speculation, at least that I've seen.

[ginoscope]

Tonma is a pretty good game I was quite surprised at how good of a port that game is.  I had lots of fun playing it.  You can always tell it was a new TG16 collector that bought that $700 lot because it's all the basic US games.  No cd games at all.  I'm glad I have most of the turbo games that I want from the US set.