Advice on Radiant Silvergun?

[pacmanhat]

I've come across an opportunity to locally obtain a copy of Radiant Silvergun. It has the disc, case, manual, but no spine card, and is in otherwise excellent condition. The seller has also offered to include on of those Action Replay/Memory Card doodads in the interest of making it work and such. The price? $200 even. I'm a bit torn on this, so I figured I'd come here to see if i can get a couple of questions answered:

First, just how rare is this game (the DP guide doesn't have a specific number as of yet)? Is the price the guy's offering a good one? What's your opinion of the game itself?

If I think of anything else worh asking, I'll add it later.

[Dire 51]

The game is incredible, probably my favorite overhead shmup ever. However, $200 is a bit pricey... but then again, the chances of you finding it for less anywhere might be few and far between. As far as being rare, I don't believe it is, it's just in demand (much like PCE CD Akumajuo Dracula X). Not sure how common those Action Replay carts are, though.

[Spartacus]

I'm thinking those Action Replay's are $29 new plus shipping. I paid $150 for my RS and it sounds like it's in exactly the same condition as the one you're being offered, so I don't think you should feel like you'd be getting hosed on the deal.
I see that there's been a few RS's sold on Ebay recently in the $150 range. Perhaps you could show that to the seller and offer another $20-$25 for the used Action Replay.

[pacmanhat]

I'm thinking those Action Replay's are $29 new plus shipping. I paid $150 for my RS and it sounds like it's in exactly the same condition as the one you're being offered, so I don't think you should feel like you'd be getting hosed on the deal.
I see that there's been a few RS's sold on Ebay recently in the $150 range. Perhaps you could show that to the seller and offer another $20-$25 for the used Action Replay.

I should note that I actually bargained him down to 200 even (it was 190 for RS and 45 for the AR at one point). I think I'm going to take my Saturn to his place of business and actual try it out...if it jumps out to me like I imagine it will, my decision will probably be a lot more obvious.

[pacmanhat]

Update...

I went to the store today w/ my Saturn to try the game out, and I wasn't able to get it to work. The Action Replay and Swap Trick both failed to do anything (though I can't say I'm an expert on using either or anything). It was rather discouraging, and didnt make me feel too keen on jumping into the import scene quite yet.

Maybe some day, though...

[Spartacus]

Update...

I went to the store today w/ my Saturn to try the game out, and I wasn't able to get it to work. The Action Replay and Swap Trick both failed to do anything (though I can't say I'm an expert on using either or anything). It was rather discouraging, and didnt make me feel too keen on jumping into the import scene quite yet.

Maybe some day, though...

The Action Replay alone should have worked. Sometimes you need to pull the cart out and re-insert it to make it work. When it's inserted properly and working you'll see a screen that says Action Replay and asks you if you want to use cheats. It's very easy to see if it's been activated or not and I've had to re-insert the cart several times on occasion. Then again, I've heard of Action Replays dieing, so maybe his is dead. I wouldn't give up because of this experience because they do work well and they make playing imports very easy to do. I suggest you try again.

[pacmanhat]

We tried a couple of different action replays (the store has several), and had no luck. I wonder if that slot on my Saturn is busted or something.

[TurboGenesis]

We tried a couple of different action replays (the store has several), and had no luck. I wonder if that slot on my Saturn is busted or something.

It is very possible that your cart slot my be corrupt. What is the history of the slot? Have you been using aftermarket memory carts such as the Performance memory cart (with a whopping 16,000 blocks) or did you obtained the system used where the previous owner may have used such a thing. The truth is that the contact boards on these aftermarket accesories are larger than that found on an official Sega Memory cart. Continueous removal and insertation will cause it to fail. The Saturn is a great durible console but the cart slot is its weakest point.

[Steven]

great game, but won't match everyone's taste. i consider it "fine art"... everyone will say "ok yeah, technically it's great" but a few folks will add on "but i don't get it."

$200 is pricey. It shouldn't go for more than 150 (unless you were talking sealed, but save your cash boy and buy it used!)

I got my disc only copy in 2002 for 65 bones even.

I think if you're patient you can score a complete, used, good condition copy for 125 or so.... really, I would put a (bidding) limit of 140, and eventually, you'll get it.

[smork]

$200 is way too much, IMO. In Akihabara, a good copy with no spine is going for 13k yen (as of last week), which is only ~110-120 USD. So figure $150, tops for a game in that condition.

I'd say the game is worth that price as it's one of my faves, but don't pay over market price... Cant help much with the action replay, but a JP Saturn only runs $20 or so.... (Well, then there's shipping, but you get the idea)..