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Video Game Collecting and the Death of Physical Media
- Thread starter Mr. Sensible
- Start date
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- Tags
- collecting retro games
So I recently got my TurboGrafx-16 out of storage (just the main console, no CD-ROM). It would be nice if I could hook it up via composite cables like my other consoles. I got an adapter that does that (one of these), but I've read that it can damage the system, causing it to short out. I'd like to know if there's any truth to this.
Mr. Sensible
Pitch and Putt Duffer
Grabbed these at R&D Games yesterday for $50.
Looking forward to finally playing Orta! Meanwhile I'm dreading the auto-scrolling sections in MM8, but the sprites are just so damn pretty so I guess I'll let it "slide! slide!"
Looking forward to finally playing Orta! Meanwhile I'm dreading the auto-scrolling sections in MM8, but the sprites are just so damn pretty so I guess I'll let it "slide! slide!"
Sarge
hardcore retro gamin'
I see what you did there.
Great pickups, though! I finally beat Orta a few years ago. I got stuck on one stage, but revisited it and strangely blasted straight through, and kept going until I hit the end. Was legitimately shocked I was able to finish, but it felt good finally clearing it. It's still a really pretty game.
As for Mega Man 8, I like it a lot. I love collecting bolts and the upgrade system. The auto-scroll segments are... well, they're not the best, but they're also not Battletoads, so it's definitely not something that ruins the game. And of course it looks tremendous. So much attention to detail.
Great pickups, though! I finally beat Orta a few years ago. I got stuck on one stage, but revisited it and strangely blasted straight through, and kept going until I hit the end. Was legitimately shocked I was able to finish, but it felt good finally clearing it. It's still a really pretty game.
As for Mega Man 8, I like it a lot. I love collecting bolts and the upgrade system. The auto-scroll segments are... well, they're not the best, but they're also not Battletoads, so it's definitely not something that ruins the game. And of course it looks tremendous. So much attention to detail.
Mr. Sensible
Pitch and Putt Duffer
Skewing off on a tangent from the flash drive/ODE thread, I decided some accessory upgrades were necessary to support this wealth of new Dreamcast games I suddenly find myself playing. Still counts as collecting even it it's hardware and accessories, right? Thoughts and pics behind the spoilerpop.
First up is an OEM 4x memory card. Released in late 2000, this little dynamo is functionally equivalent to cramming four separate VMUs of 200 blocks each into a single DC controller expansion slot, granting a generous 800 blocks total of save memory in a single card. Having plenty of extra memory is especially useful in the case of the Dreamcast; unlike PS1 games, most of which required only one of the fifteen total slots in a standard PlayStation memory card, DC titles can eat up anywhere between 5 and 100 blocks (or more) per game. Brutal!
Because the DC can only recognize 200 blocks at a time, the 4x memory card's storage is broken up into four pages of 200 blocks each. There's a cute little button on the top edge that cycles through the four pages. Unfortunately there are a handful of DC titles that simply won't recognize the 4x card despite its status as an OEM accessory, so you may want to keep at least one VMU around if you want to experience the full breadth of the system's library with save support.
I've sorted my saves alphabetically to keep things manageable. The N-S page is already getting full (Shenmue takes 80 blocks alone!), so I may need to alter my organization scheme a bit if I run out of space on a page. Despite the loss of the screen (which, let's be real, isn't much more than a gimmick anyway), this thing is a godsend for sampling a hogshead's worth of different DC titles in quick succession. Also pictured is the StrikerDC, which I've gone a bit more into depth about over in the controller thread.
Finally, I picked up a humble dust cap for my trans-green VMU. A few folks on eBay sell large numbers of these, and I really hope they're not just ripping the caps off of new-old stock VMUs and then selling each part separately...
I need one of those. Also, the Striker DC is the best thing Retro Fighters have done to date.
EDIT: I looked at those 4x cards on eBay and lordy, I did not expect them to be in the $60-$100 (and more for a special edition Sonic one, because of course). Though I guess for the functionality they have, it makes some sense.
EDIT: I looked at those 4x cards on eBay and lordy, I did not expect them to be in the $60-$100 (and more for a special edition Sonic one, because of course). Though I guess for the functionality they have, it makes some sense.
Sprite
(He/Him/His)
So the announcement of Match of the Millenium on Switch got me into a NGPC-frenzy and I ended up ordering a system and a bunch of games. I maaaaay be thinking of going for a complete US library, since it's just 31 games and seems at least somewhat doable, with only a few titles starting to hit the stratosphere as far as cost goes. Who knows how I'll feel when I'm refreshing $150-200 auctions for Gals Fighters though.
Rose Colored Gaming has a charming display stand for the system, and I might get a basketball display case to make a little exhibit for the collection to grow old in. I'm not sure how to display the cartridges, though. These 3D-printed stands at Etsy look cool, but I wonder if they'd keep the connectors safe, and I'd kind of like to find a display method that incorporates the plastic cases, scuffs and all.
I'm sure the system will kick the bucket at some point, and probably sooner rather than later, but by then I'll have the Analogue Pocket or whatever, and can pull out the NGPC's corpse to wistfully click the stick.
Rose Colored Gaming has a charming display stand for the system, and I might get a basketball display case to make a little exhibit for the collection to grow old in. I'm not sure how to display the cartridges, though. These 3D-printed stands at Etsy look cool, but I wonder if they'd keep the connectors safe, and I'd kind of like to find a display method that incorporates the plastic cases, scuffs and all.
I'm sure the system will kick the bucket at some point, and probably sooner rather than later, but by then I'll have the Analogue Pocket or whatever, and can pull out the NGPC's corpse to wistfully click the stick.
And as for it kicking the bucket, so long as corrosion doesn't permanently damage the board, you could always fix it up by replacing capacitors, etc. I don't think the NGPCs are going to kick the bucket in the near future, anyway, from what I understand. Game Gears are certainly starting to, though, for example.
Wonderswan games are extremely expensive. I'd like to get a Flash Masta flash cart, but they're not currently available. Sucks, because even Tetris is just shy of $200 on eBay, and there's no way I'm paying anything close to that for another way to play Tetris. Even Gunpey EX is $80!
Sprite
(He/Him/His)
Yeah, I had a Sonic edition back when it was new, and stupidly sold it. Definitely my biggest gaming regret. I had Faselei!
I don’t know if I want to try modding it, my tremor makes fiddling with electronics pretty darn dangerous. Good to know they’re sturdy machines, though.
If you do decide you'd like a backlit screen for it, PM me. I'm always looking for reasons to do mods on handhelds lol
Sprite
(He/Him/His)
Oh geez, the 2004 rerelease has made figuring out the NGPC US library confusing. I just learned that there are official US cartridges of both Faselei and Last Blade with ESRB ratings, but I can’t figure out if they were actually sold in the US or not. Some places say yes and others say they were only sold in Japan.
My ambitions may have just gotten like $400 more expensive because of those two games. I’m in too deep!
My ambitions may have just gotten like $400 more expensive because of those two games. I’m in too deep!
From what I understand, those US releases of things like Faselei were mail order only, so not available on store shelves, but sold to US customers officially. So that's why the costs are sky high for those games, as they weren't selling like gangbusters, as you can imagine.
Someday I'll play Faselei. Probably on a flash cart lol
Someday I'll play Faselei. Probably on a flash cart lol
Sarge
hardcore retro gamin'
I can confirm that Faselei! was sold here in the US, although it was more of a semi-official release. I managed to get my copy off of eBay back in the day when they were liquidating the stock. It didn't come with any packaging, though; it was bare cart only, and I'm nearly positive that's how all US copies look.
That's also when I got my NGPC, along with a bundle of eight games, which had both the SNK version of Card Fighters Clash and Match of the Millennium. Good times! I just wish I'd ponied up to snag some of the other RPGs for the system like Biomotor Unitron and Evolution, but I was a po' college student at that time.
Also, the description on the SNK wiki is wrong. The UK did received a boxed version of the game, it's the US that didn't.
That's also when I got my NGPC, along with a bundle of eight games, which had both the SNK version of Card Fighters Clash and Match of the Millennium. Good times! I just wish I'd ponied up to snag some of the other RPGs for the system like Biomotor Unitron and Evolution, but I was a po' college student at that time.
Also, the description on the SNK wiki is wrong. The UK did received a boxed version of the game, it's the US that didn't.
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Sarge
hardcore retro gamin'
I ended up with my handheld separate, but EBGames had a package of eight games in a plastic package, and as you say, no boxes or manuals. Still, it was cheap enough that it made it a no-brainer at the time. I do think I remember some setups that had the system and games together, though.
Yeah, I got my Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny (with ESRB rating) in one of those blister packs. Four games packed like an action figure, no boxes, no manuals, but they were apparently legit.
Sprite
(He/Him/His)
The European and Japanese carts have rainbows on the top right, whereas the American ones have ESRB ratings and no rainbows. Though it looks like the blister packs mixed American and European carts together, so a lot of folks ended up with a hodge podge collection.
So I guess I’m not going for a complete US collection so much as a complete collection of games with little Es or Ts on them.
So I guess I’m not going for a complete US collection so much as a complete collection of games with little Es or Ts on them.
You should probably not go to sendico.com then, as I have been the last few days, loading up on Game & Watches and other dumb crap I shouldn't buy
muteKi
Geno Cidecity
It really is! If it were compatible with the 32X I would have gotten one ages ago -- instead only the remade (and significantly less sleek but still neat) version has such compatibility.
I have an X'Eye, and yeah, it's... pretty rad.
I guess I don't know about the Japanese version specifically, but the X'Eye is compatible with the 32x, you just can't leave it in all the time, because it blocks the CD door.
Sprite
(He/Him/His)
My Neo Geo frenzy combined with some ongoing and stressful family crises combined with actually having some money ended up with me going way overboard buying Neo Geo Pocket games. I basically bought everything which is easy to get and currently within the $10-50 range. Shout out to Kazin for help with getting Metal Slug 2.
I’m probably going to speculate at least to the end of the year on the more expensive games. It’s definitely a buyer’s market with the pandemic on, Pricecharting shows a huge spike in a lot of games’ prices in March 2020. And people are looking at Cotton complete-in-box selling for $400 and deciding to list lots of games for $400, even if they only actually sell at like $30. Pfffft. Hopefully after 2021 things will calm down a bit and they’ll return to the $30-60 range.
Though I did give in and splurge on Faselei
The good news is, I’m thinking about getting crafty with how I display them, which has made for a nice thing to focus on and keep my anxiety from spiraling out of control.
I’m probably going to speculate at least to the end of the year on the more expensive games. It’s definitely a buyer’s market with the pandemic on, Pricecharting shows a huge spike in a lot of games’ prices in March 2020. And people are looking at Cotton complete-in-box selling for $400 and deciding to list lots of games for $400, even if they only actually sell at like $30. Pfffft. Hopefully after 2021 things will calm down a bit and they’ll return to the $30-60 range.
Though I did give in and splurge on Faselei
The good news is, I’m thinking about getting crafty with how I display them, which has made for a nice thing to focus on and keep my anxiety from spiraling out of control.