Archive for the ‘Importing Basics’ Category
3DO To Go: Importing From Japan Special
Your favorite show about 3DO retro gaming returns with our 3DO guide to importing from Japan. Why should you import Japanese games? Because how else could you try out some of the 3DO’s least known titles? (List of known incompatible games after the jump!)
Deceptive Shipping: How Much are you Paying?
While I was playing around with Rising Stuff’s shipping rates the other day, I had the idea to check out some other online stores to see what they were charging. The results surprised me. Many game sites were charging up to twice as much as shipping actually costs! Even the big boys were in on the game.
But how are you supposed to know how much it costs to ship a package from Japan? I mean, it is all the way on the other side of the world. I guess it’s a good thing I live here. Here’s the shipping rates for Air Mail and EMS to America and Japan as well as a comparision of costs for shipments of games.
Figuring Out If You Really Want To Get into Import Gaming
Our forum’s own mobiusclimber has written a great guide to import gaming. We’re looking forward to a wonderful series of these!
It takes a special hybrid to actually get into importing games, a cross between a rabid collector and a hardcore gamer. Of course, either one could get their toes wet, so to speak: the collector might pick up the Square Millennium Collection games because of all the extras that come packaged with them; the hardcore gamer might realize that they just can’t live their whole life without playing Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo on the actual system it was designed for.
While this is certainly true, neither camp would venture very far into import gaming. The collector likely wouldn’t even play any of the games purchased for their collection, while the hardcore gaming crowd might want to play a few things that were never released in North America, they probably wouldn’t go out of their way to experience anything more than the one or two games that initially got them interested in the first place. This is why the first lesson on importing games is probably the most important. I’m going to give you a cheap and easy way of figuring out if getting into the import “scene” is really for you. Hit the jump to find out how.
How the Housing Crisis Made Import Games Cost More
It’s been a hard year for a lot of industries. Major layoffs have been an almost daily occurrence over the past few months as companies grasp to regain balance in a troubled market. The paltry value of the dollar is a somber reflection of this.
In contrast, Japan, despite a troubled economy itself has seen the value of its currency, the yen, gain value over every single major currency. Investors bringing funds home from overseas and Japan’s culture of conservative investment strategies have worked to Japan’s advantage by minimizing potentially shattering losses. The yen has increased in value nearly 25% over the dollar, 35% over the euro, and a startling 66% against Brazil’s real.
But… What does this mean for gamers? Simply, it means just about anything coming from the Land of the Rising Sun is going to cost more. To be precise, up to about 25% more in America and 35% more in Europe; the same amount the yen increased over each currency.
PC Engine Buyers Guide
Well you have decided that the PC Engine is for you. Where do you start? What games do you get? Where can you get the best prices? I can tell you it’s a good time to get into the PC Engine/TG16. But the details of how to get into a system like this can be overwhelming.
About me: I started collecting for the Turbo Grafx 16 (TG16) and PC Engine since 1991 and have been studying the market ever since. Currently, I own a TG16 with the CD attachment and an Arcade Card Pro with a Chopsado converter. I also own a Core Grafx II to play japanese hucards.
Importing 101: Getting into Japanese Gaming
So you’ve always wanted to try that Sailor Moon game, check out some more obscure hardware, or just play the lost levels of Mario. Where do you start? Importing games and consoles from Japan can be a confusing if not downright risky task. Here’s some simple tips for getting started on your newest obsession.
1. Talk with fellow gamers. Network, network, network. It’s the key to getting any information. You can find out where to buy stuff, what to look for, good games to play, and what/who to stay away from. Forums, chat rooms, and friends are great for this.
2. Buy in bulk. If using an auction site, try to go for the lots. You can usually not only get a decent deal, but also find a few hidden gems at a discount price. If buying through a store, you can bet they’ll work out a deal with you for discounted shipping if buying multiple items. Don’t be afraid to haggle about this!
3. Buy the cheap goodies first. A lot of the the time, rare games are rare for a reason: they weren’t that great. If you ask around, you’ll find some good recommendations.
4. Research. There’s no substitute for good old fashioned research. This is especially important when choosing consoles. Which is better a Famicom/Disk System combo or a Twin Famicom? Again, forums and friends are great resources for this info.
Hopefully, this list will help you new retro gamers out a bit. 
Take it easy and keep on gaming!
