Hi - buying the system?

[quistisffviii]

With a few recent posts saying they are buying a Super Famicom or what not, I was just curious on how many people just buy a second system and what there reason is. I've never bought a second system as of yet, just removed the prongs from my SNES and used a Disc Swapping method for my Playstation. I've thought about buying a Japanese Playstation 2 rather than getting the Magic Swap tool, but I am broke, so that's not happening anytime soon.

Anyway, I have been a lurker on this site off and on for a few months now, but I just signed up for an account today. I forgot that I had not signed up for one. I have an import video games website, since making it I've stumbled on sites similar to it and became a llittle relaxed about it. Anyway, this is an awesome message board. I've been buying import video games since I was 18 (I'm 26 now). Well, hello!

[KEVMAN569]

With a few recent posts saying they are buying a Super Famicom or what not, I was just curious on how many people just buy a second system and what there reason is. I've never bought a second system as of yet, just removed the prongs from my SNES and used a Disc Swapping method for my Playstation. I've thought about buying a Japanese Playstation 2 rather than getting the Magic Swap tool, but I am broke, so that's not happening anytime soon.

Anyway, I have been a lurker on this site off and on for a few months now, but I just signed up for an account today. I forgot that I had not signed up for one. I have an import video games website, since making it I've stumbled on sites similar to it and became a llittle relaxed about it. Anyway, this is an awesome message board. I've been buying import video games since I was 18 (I'm 26 now). Well, hello!

Well welcome to DP. You'll definetly find a nice crowd of people here. We have a lot of experts in the import field. I myself am starting to dabble in imports, although not as long as you have been (about 3 years with only about 12 imports because I'm pretty slow to buy things). Hopefully that will change as I now have a job to pay for my aquisitions.

I would really like to know what your website is. I'm assuming it's in your profile but if it's not tell us anyway. Maybe some us will check it out check it out.

As for your original question my main reason for getting a Super Famicom vs. a modded SNES is because I like to have original untampered item when adding to my collection.

Hope you enjoy your DP stay!

[smork]

Hey, welcome to DP!

I agree with Kevman, I like original, untampered hardware. I am a bit of a hardware junkie myself, and I have several duplicate systems, mostly because they are limited editions. (I have 5 or 6 Dreamcasts, for example. All unique Japanese models, though!)

Only console i've ever modded for ease of importing was a PS2 -- and I ended up trading that away and just use both a US and a Japanese one now, depending.

[quistisffviii]

To Kevman: I am slow at buying things too. Right now, there is a game I want to get, but I cannot at this second and its probably gonna be sold by the time I decide to get it.
Is your Super Famicom a Super Famicom or is it one of those that can play Famicom and Super Famicom? I've considered one of those because I do not have an adapter yet to play NES games. Oh and my site's address is gamersimportresource.com.

To Smork: Six Dreamcasts!?! Wow, Do you only play one and keep the rest as collectibles? How much are Japanese Dreamcasts running these days? I got my Dreamcast (U.S.) really cheap (and used).

[KEVMAN569]

To Kevman: I am slow at buying things too. Right now, there is a game I want to get, but I cannot at this second and its probably gonna be sold by the time I decide to get it.
Is your Super Famicom a Super Famicom or is it one of those that can play Famicom and Super Famicom? I've considered one of those because I do not have an adapter yet to play NES games. Oh and my site's address is gamersimportresource.com.

To Smork: Six Dreamcasts!?! Wow, Do you only play one and keep the rest as collectibles? How much are Japanese Dreamcasts running these days? I got my Dreamcast (U.S.) really cheap (and used).

No. I don't have one of those Retro DUO's your talking about (or assume your talking about). I have an 100% original Super Famicom. It would be a good deal though in your case if you aren't like us and care for originals.

[smork]

To Smork: Six Dreamcasts!?! Wow, Do you only play one and keep the rest as collectibles? How much are Japanese Dreamcasts running these days? I got my Dreamcast (U.S.) really cheap (and used).

Dreamcasts are cheap as hell here, too. Easy to snag one under $20 or so. Mine are all limited editions -- Divers Dreamcast, both Hello Kitty DCs, Biohazard Claire, two normal ones... I've been meaning to spring for an R7 ($100-150 or so), a Sakura Taisen ($125-200), and a Black ($200-350).

I love LE hardware, though....

[Mimi Nakamura]

Dreamcasts are cheap as hell here, too. Easy to snag one under $20 or so. Mine are all limited editions -- Divers Dreamcast, both Hello Kitty DCs, Biohazard Claire, two normal ones... I've been meaning to spring for an R7 ($100-150 or so), a Sakura Taisen ($125-200), and a Black ($200-350).

I love LE hardware, though....

A sun-faded, yellow sun-burned might be around $20 here, but you won't pick up a nice one for that cheap. A black limited dreamcast is gonna be around $400 at the very cheapest in good condition.

[Hitman Tyler]

A sun-faded, yellow sun-burned might be around $20 here, but you won't pick up a nice one for that cheap. A black limited dreamcast is gonna be around $400 at the very cheapest in good condition.

just a general ?:

when we say "black" do we mean sports edition?

[icbrkr]

just a general ?:

when we say "black" do we mean sports edition?

If so, I see myself hitting a few pawn shops and making a trip to Japan.

[Mimi Nakamura]

just a general ?:

when we say "black" do we mean sports edition?

I'm sorry, it's not the sports edition, I think that was a US only release. It's the limited black dreamcast, there were also other colours too, the silver one is nice! I wish I had the silver one.

[Mimi Nakamura]

If so, I see myself hitting a few pawn shops and making a trip to Japan.

If you do make a trip to Japan, don't use Smork's prices as a guide. I don't think he is lying, but they are not accurate for Tokyo, I think they are more the prices for items in the countryside at tiny shops, the problem is small countryside shops are dirty and they do not test the hardware or software. If you want clean tested beautiful hardware, then you should head for Tokyo!

[Hitman Tyler]

I'm sorry, it's not the sports edition, I think that was a US only release. It's the limited black dreamcast, there were also other colours too, the silver one is nice! I wish I had the silver one.

Ok. Thank You for telling me. :)

[smork]

A sun-faded, yellow sun-burned might be around $20 here, but you won't pick up a nice one for that cheap. A black limited dreamcast is gonna be around $400 at the very cheapest in good condition.

Nonsense :) Traders had a super minty Black Dreamcast for 30,000 yen just this weekend. I've seen them for less on Yahoo Auctions, too. You're not going to get a DC for $20 at Super Potato, but you might at Traders, and you most definitely will at Hard Off. And Hard Off will give you a 30 day warranty to boot.

Chiba Kanteidan in Minami Funabashi (not exactly a tiny shop, or in the countryside!) was selling all their DCs for 1500 yen around the holidays. Everything they sell comes with a warranty, too.

[smork]

If you do make a trip to Japan, don't use Smork's prices as a guide.

Aw c'mon, Mimi! You can't go to Akihabara and call it a day. What about all the lovely A-Too shops in Saitama and Western Tokyo? Super cheap. Buying bog-standard hardware like a run of the mill DC in Akihabara is not the most cost effective thing to do....

Setting Akihabara as the price guide is like setting a condo in Roppongi Hills as the standard for condo rentals.

[Mimi Nakamura]

Aw c'mon, Mimi! You can't go to Akihabara and call it a day. What about all the lovely A-Too shops in Saitama and Western Tokyo? Super cheap. Buying bog-standard hardware like a run of the mill DC in Akihabara is not the most cost effective thing to do....

Setting Akihabara as the price guide is like setting a condo in Roppongi Hills as the standard for condo rentals.

But people who come to Tokyo for a holiday will not be going to far out places like Saitama,and definitely not Hard-Off which is only in rural areas which you need a car (or a very long bus ride) to get to.

If you're in Tokyo on holiday, then it is more cost effective to buy hardware / software in Akihabara because if you venture to the far out kinds of places you mention, you are going to have to pay a lot in travel fees. Besides, you cannot beat Akihabara for range of selection, you can find EVERYTHING in Akihabara, as for Hard-Off etc, you have to be in the right place at the right time. Not the kind of risk you want to take if you're on holiday.

I hope you don't take any of this personally, I'm not trying to get at you or anything, I just don't want people to think that the prices you quote on this forum are Tokyo / city prices.

[Mimi Nakamura]

Chiba Kanteidan in Minami Funabashi (not exactly a tiny shop, or in the countryside!) was selling all their DCs for 1500 yen around the holidays. Everything they sell comes with a warranty, too.

Funabashi is far out....
It's in Chiba, aka The Countryside!

But seriously, it would cost too much for me to travel there just for a potential bargain, it would be cheaper for me to go to Akihabara and buy something. The same would go for tourists in Tokyo.

[smork]

Funabashi is far out....
It's in Chiba, aka The Countryside!

But seriously, it would cost too much for me to travel there just for a potential bargain, it would be cheaper for me to go to Akihabara and buy something. The same would go for tourists in Tokyo.

Nah, it's 35 minutes from Akihabara. Almost the same distance as Shibuya! It's really not far out at all.

See, when i was a tourist in Tokyo I did most of my "good" shopping outside of Akihabara. I found stuff in Yokohama, Machida...

Yes, they have "everything" in Akihabara, but anyone who comes as a tourist and pays twice the going rate for a Dreamcast just because it's convenient is being a bit foolish. Just to re-emphasize -- Akihabara is NOT representative of the typical price of products in Japan! Someone who wants to come to Japan for game shopping should check out some of the more out of the way places rather than just going to Akihabara.

I think you're giving people the wrong impression when you describe anything outside of Tokyo as "The countryside". Chiba city has 1 million people, not really the countryside! I'm sure you've been to Saitama -- there's gotta be several million people there. Funabashi is hardly rural -- Big shopping areas, near to Makuhari Messe... I've guided several people on these forums to visit places that aren't on the usual "Let's go to Akihabara!" itinerary and they've been happy with the things they've found...

[Mimi Nakamura]

Nah, it's 35 minutes from Akihabara. Almost the same distance as Shibuya! It's really not far out at all.

See, when i was a tourist in Tokyo I did most of my "good" shopping outside of Akihabara. I found stuff in Yokohama, Machida...

Yes, they have "everything" in Akihabara, but anyone who comes as a tourist and pays twice the going rate for a Dreamcast just because it's convenient is being a bit foolish. Just to re-emphasize -- Akihabara is NOT representative of the typical price of products in Japan! Someone who wants to come to Japan for game shopping should check out some of the more out of the way places rather than just going to Akihabara.

I think you're giving people the wrong impression when you describe anything outside of Tokyo as "The countryside". Chiba city has 1 million people, not really the countryside! I'm sure you've been to Saitama -- there's gotta be several million people there. Funabashi is hardly rural -- Big shopping areas, near to Makuhari Messe... I've guided several people on these forums to visit places that aren't on the usual "Let's go to Akihabara!" itinerary and they've been happy with the things they've found...

On a serious note, people living in the West side of Tokyo (Shibuya-ku, Setagaya-ku, Meguro-ku, Minato-ku) consider Chiba and Saitama as the countryside.

I live in Setagaya so travelling to Funabashi really is a long distance trip.

[smork]

On a serious note, people living in the West side of Tokyo (Shibuya-ku, Setagaya-ku, Meguro-ku, Minato-ku) consider Chiba and Saitama as the countryside.

I live in Setagaya so travelling to Funabashi really is a long distance trip.

Aw, cmon, they do not. :p One of my good friends lives around Yotsuya.... The only difference between where I live and where you live is about 3x the rent! :)

I'm out of town this weekend, but when I get back I'll swing by a few of the game stores in my area and take pics. I'll make a thread to show why a bit of travel (but not so much!) can be really worth it!

[Mimi Nakamura]

Aw, cmon, they do not. :p One of my good friends lives around Yotsuya.... The only difference between where I live and where you live is about 3x the rent! :)

I'm out of town this weekend, but when I get back I'll swing by a few of the game stores in my area and take pics. I'll make a thread to show why a bit of travel (but not so much!) can be really worth it!

We do! We really do consider Chiba and Saitama as the countryside, I'm 100% serious.
Anyway, I'm really not getting at you for any real reason, so it's kinda pointless really. Although it is good fun to have a dig at the boy living in the countryside who thinks he is living in the city. :-p

It will be interesting to see your thread and photos, maybe it will tempt me to make a trip out to the countryside.... :-p

[smork]

We do! We really do consider Chiba and Saitama as the countryside, I'm 100% serious.
Anyway, I'm really not getting at you for any real reason, so it's kinda pointless really. Although it is good fun to have a dig at the boy living in the countryside who thinks he is living in the city. :-p

It will be interesting to see your thread and photos, maybe it will tempt me to make a trip out to the countryside.... :-p

That's OK - I like to get my digs in at the city girl who's more sophisticated than us country bumpkins :)