What's your best game purchase of '05?

[LAGO]

Lets hear them. Whatever you consider to be the best purchase you made of the year, from a collector's standpoint, gamer's standpoint, single item or bulk lot however you want to look at it.

Mine would have to be the acquisition of a DS. I have had more fun playing games on that system than I can remember, which is saying a lot cause I usually steer clear of handhelds.

[njiska]

Killer 7. Best Quality-to-Cost ratio game I've bought all year.

[Johnny_Rock]

Adderals + Civilization 4 = 72 hours of fun. Best $60 i ever spent.

[Jumpman Jr.]

A few things come to mind:

Donkey Kong and Star Fox Competition carts (SNES): I'm not focusing on completing the SNES library until I complete my NES collection, but its good to get these 2 out of the way.

Happy Trails (INTV): Compelted my Intellvision collection

[Austin]

Hoo, boy. I had one of the best gaming years I've had in a long, long time.

Best purchase, though, was Guitar Hero, hands down. I've been playing this one non-stop since I got it, I really hope the controller is as sturdy as it feels.

Runners-up: Resident Evil 4 and Disgaea. RE4 was the first game I played through a second time immediately after completing it the first. It was THAT good. The game lives up to all the hype and then some. As for Disgaea, I was a little late to grabbing it, but somehow managed to log several days' worth of gameplay once you add up all the hours together. I blame Disgaea for all of the games that are still sitting on my shelf in their shrinkwrap.

[GrayFox]

Resident Evil 4, both PS2 and Gamecube versions.

Sonic Rush. Nuff' said.

My 360.

All these purchases have made me a happy person this year. Time to celebrate bitches.

[Dobie]

Best purchase from a gamer standpoint: Call of Duty 2 on the 360. I'm on my second play through, on Vetran. Lovin' it.

Best purchase from a collector's standpoint: Pokemon Box for $19.99 before they went OOS.

[calthaer]

Space Rangers 2, followed closely by Lost in Blue for the DS.

[pacmanhat]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

Psychonauts. Hands down.

[roushimsx]

My Xbox.

I bought it just for Xbox Media Center (softmod for the win), but I ended up playing some games as well (afterall, I had the xbox, i had the games...why not mix the two together?). Right now I'm totally engrossed in Oddworld:Stranger's Wrath and I'm wondering why I didn't start playing this months ago :(

Runner up: Action Replay Max for my PS2. With it, I was able to update my HDloader so that I could install God of War (and many other games that didn't work with the original HDLoader).

[TEND]

I got it for X-mas last year, but I'm counting it as 2005, is Ace Combat 5. I cannot tell you how many playthrough's and how much playtime has gone into this game.

[Nesmaster]

Resident Evil 4, Shadow of the Colossus, and Mario Kart DS were all excellent purchases this year.

It also felt good to get a few harder-to-come-by Nes games outta the way this year, namely Flintstones 2 :P

[Blanka789]

Tie between my DS, Dragon Quest 8, and Sonic Rush.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Purchase: Dragon Quest VIII.

Collection: Hmm.. the TRU sale this week was pretty sweet. I'm already working on a deal trading off some items I purchased at the sale for a copy of Team Buddies and Umihara Kawase.

[Joker T]

Some of my best purchases were.....

Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (XBOX)
Fable (XBOX)
Midnight Club 3 (PS2)
The Movies (PC)
Call of Duty 2 (PC)
Second Sight (GC)
Resident Evil 4 (GC)

[Nez]

My NeoGeo AES havent stoped using it since I puchased it.
Great system.

[Richter Belmount]

resident evil 4 collectors edition
killer 7
fire emblem por
classics
snatcher
dungeon explorer 2

[drummy]

Mine would have to be:

-Nintendo DS
-Xbox
-Halo 2
-World of Warcraft (maybe)

[stressboy]

My purchases would have to be:

Sony PSP w/ Lumines and Wipeout Pure - was actually a gift.
God of War - PS2
City of Villains - PC
Shadow of the Colossus - PS2
Shadowrun - Genesis
Unreal Championship 2 - Xbox
Digital Devil Saga - PS2
SOCOM - PSP

This was actually a slow year for me.

[DTJAAAAMJSLM]

Ouendan and Capcom Classics Collection are the top two that come to mind.

[MarkMan]

Resident Evil 4, both versions.

Although I didn't buy it(got it early to review), Dragon Quest VIII is my favorite.

[alec006]

If i can remember correctly it was Sonic Jam for the Sega Saturn for $11.51. :) Of corse i like all my games and systems ive bought this year but i think that one stands out as best for me.

[max 330 mega]

mine would be a black import switch modded gamecube with black controller and box and all manuals, 2 wavebirds, high definition video cables, namco museum, midway arcade treasures, pawafaru pro jikkyo baseball, family stadium, and the 4 game zelda collectors disc all totally mint for $85 shipped on ebay. i promptly shit my pants after hitting buy it now

[Retsudo]

I only bought 4 games this year, and my favorite is Tekken 5.

[Nate Nanjo]

As for something that actually released this year, Shadow of the Colossus and Digital Devil Saga were the only two that I acutally played a lot of.

As for in general, Suikoden II and Earthbound(with Box). Not from the same place, but together cost me around $45...

[Ed Oscuro]

In terms of gamplay, Resident Evil 4, no contest. I only bought REmake this year, though.

Killer 7 was really cool one time through, but, you know, the action is lacking (despite my glowing review, heh, I'll have to mess around with that some more). However, I'm still getting enjoyment out of the OST, and one of these days I'm gonna buckle down, beat the fun house in the second game mode, and reach the third game mode...

[Crazycarl]

Shadow of the Collosus and Gitarooman.

[Julio III]

My DS, so much joy from this system, and it kinda got me back into gaming again :)

[WanganRunner]

For me it's a tie betwixt the DS and my Driving Force Pro wheel.


I'm convinced that the DS is the best thing to happen to gaming in years, I think it's revitalizing the industry, and it'll only get better. I was sold on the system after playing it for two minutes, which has certainly never happened before.

On the other hand, I'm a huge car guy, and the Driving Force Pro wheel is definitely the piece of gaming gear in my stable that I will get the most use out of. I already have a racing seat in the mail, and I will be constructing a frame shortly, then I'll set to work picking out the perfect bigass DLP TV to use with it and GT4. I actually view all this as a bargain, as GT4/DFP is *so* good that it will keep me from giving into temptation and buying actual cars.

[Snapple]

As far as price-to-ammount-of-time-played ratio, the winner is NCAA 2006. Good purchase for me.

I'm enjoying the DS I got for Christmas, too. I have a feeling that's going to end up being one of the best things I obtained this year.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Guitar Hero

Rock.

[goatdan]

As a player, I'd go with the DS too. I haven't been this entranced by a handheld ever, and a console in a long, long time. I've beat more games on my DS than I have for my GameCube or Xbox, and I've only owned it for about a month now. The portability of it, something that had never really attracted me with older systems as my hands felt wrong with them, wins it for me. It's the right size and has some great games.

As a collector, I'd probably go with Sonic Adventure LE mint with box and instructions.

[squidblatt]

DS for me too. Best system I own. I never had any interest in handhelds until now. Still haven't beaten anything on it, but I never beat much of anything.

From a collector's point of view, I guess a complete Harvest Moon for SNES, but it's not like I got a great deal on it.

[YoshiM]

For gaming: like others-RE4 was my best purchase. I heard so many good things about it that I took the plunge. I'm so glad I did. Not since Prince of Persia: Sands of Time or Chronicles of Riddick had I been so engrossed in a game that I had to play it to completion. It held my attention that well, which is rare for modern games with me.

For collecting: my big Saturn/Sega CD garage sale purchase has to be the best of the year. Got me back into the Sega CD again (much to the ribbing of my wife) along with getting a complete Sega Saturn system, new controller, Shining Force III, Keio Flying Squadron, Saturn demos and a complete Phantasy Star all for like $25 or so.

[Mr Mort]

Pretty much a 3-way tie for me.

Xbox360: A new console is always a happy occasion, but the 360 delivered everything I expected, especially with its online interactivity and HD goodness.

PSP: I never thought I 'd say it, but I think it's a great little multimedia device with some gaming.

Unreal Championship 2: Quite possibly my fave Xbox game of all.

Nothing much from a collector's standpoint, as I usually get as much as I can during a current generation and hang on to it. I don't do very much shopping for items from previoius generations.

[cyberfluxor]

I finally got a game I've been wanting ALL year on Ebay last night... Super Puzzle Fighter II for the Saturn. Price: $18.

[klausien]

Getting Rakugaki Showtime, Yu Yu Hakusho Makyou Toitsusen and Gunstar Heroes GG to finish off my Treasure collection. Also happy to finally have ZanacXZanac and Final Fight CD.

[Biff_McFresh]

-My TRU haul during the sale (10 games for around 110.00)
-Receiving Mario And Luigi & Trauma Center as Christmas gifts

[Tron 2.0]

PCE
SCDR2 complete with box etc.

GC
Sonic MegaCollection
Sonic Gems

It's nice to have all the old school, Sonic games on one system :D

[DigitalSpace]

I'm going to break this down by console:

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8797/neslogo26yb.gif

In November, I got the first NES I've owned in a long time, and I picked all up all of these games this month at various stores for a buck each:

Al Unser Jr. Turbo Racing
Blaster Master
Michael Andretti's World GP
R.C. Pro-Am
Rad Racer
StarTropics

I also got Golf for 50 cents. Talk about a nice (and cheap!) way to get my NES collection started.

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/8732/genesislogo02.jpg

-Herzog Zwei - $2.50. Loose, but hey, at that price, who cares? It was a nice surprise to come across it that cheap.
-Contra Hard Corps - $1.99 loose at GameCrazy, and a non-Majesco cart to boot. ROCK!

http://img78.exs.cx/img78/70/sneslogo03.jpg

-Four quality R6's on the cheap:

F-1 ROC II: Race Of Champions
Realm
SimAnt
Soldiers Of Fortune

I was especially excited about SimAnt, since I had stupidly passed it up twice.

-Firepower 2000 - I'm glad Kamino recommended this to me, because I had a lot of fun with it.

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/5660/n64logo03.jpg

The N64 purchases aren't as exciting as the others, but I did get a lot a cheap racers, and that's never bad:

California Speed (loose)
Cruis'n USA (loose)
Cruis'n Exotica (loose)
GT 64 Championship Edition (loose)
Mickey's Speedway USA (loose)
Wave Race 64 (loose)
WipeOut 64 (loose)

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/1823/pslogo.jpg

-Buster Bros. Collection - This was an impulse purchase at EB. Glad I checked it out too. Man these are addictive.
-The Next Tetris - I always wanted to check this out, but could never find a cheap copy. I finally got it when I came across a complete copy for $11.69 at an EB. This was a great update to the original game, even if the difficulty level rises a little too fast.

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/3023/ps2logo01.jpg

-We Love Katamari - I love this amazing sequel.
-Flipnic: Ultimate Pinball - I was very impressed with this one. The game put a whole new spin on pinball. I would gladly embrace a sequel, although I wouldn't be surprised if it never came.
-Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition - Well worth the wait. Great racer.
-Ford Racing 3 - Best Budget Racer. EVER. Yeah, that isn't saying much, but it's too bad more budget racers haven't been made like this.
-Castle Shikigami 2 - How the hell did this awesome shmup slip by me when it was released in 2004?
-Capcom Classics Collection - Whoa. Incredible compilation disc.
-Taito Legends - Another incredible compilation disc.
-Midway Arcade Treasures 2, 3 - Not as incredible as the others, but these discs still had some good stuff on them (yeah, I know 2 was released in 2004, but I didn't get it until CC had it on sale for $9.99 in January)

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/7588/gclogo.jpg

-Ikaruga - Finally bought a copy in January. One of the best shmups I've ever played.
-Resident Evil 4 - Amazing.

http://img199.exs.cx/img199/7623/gblogo2bo.jpg

I increased my Game Boy collection from 4 games to 16. I'm glad Game Boy carts are getting cheaper. Here's what stands out:

-Super Mario Land 1, 2 - I always wanted to check these out back in the day, but I never had a Game Boy. So when I got a GBA these were instantly added to my want list.
-Operation C - Had a lot of fun with this one.
-Solar Striker - I also had a lot of fun with this vertical shmup.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4695/gbclogo15so.jpg

I only bought three GBC games this year. Fortunately, they're all pretty good:

Dragon Warrior I & II
Micro Machines V3 (could have benefitted from a battery save, but still good)
Top Gear Pocket 2

http://img199.exs.cx/img199/9227/gbalogo030il.jpg

-Riviera: The Promised Land - I was pretty surprised to find a used copy for $10. ROCK!
-Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow - I couldn't put this one down. I'll have to get the DS one once I get a DS to see the further adventures of Soma.
-Activision Anthology - This has the biggest selection of games than any other classic compilation on the GBA. This has seen a lot of time in my GBA rotation.
-Car Battler Joe - A personal grail, as I had been hunting it down for quite some time.
-Need For Speed Underground 2 - Found it cheap and couldn't pass it up. Whoa. Best 3D racer I've played on the system.
-GT Advance 3 - Second-best 3D racer on the system.
-Racing Gears Advance - And here's the best 2D racer on the system.

[Fuyukaze]

Hmm, it's a bit difficult to pick just one so, I'll list a few off.

Finding Final Fantasy 3 for the SNES and getting it for $2 loose, that was very nice.
Finaly getting Gemfire for the SNES, that was also great.
Getting over 30 import Saturn games this year was realy damn nice.
Toping over 130 SNES games when I started with a lil under 40 this year, definitly nice.
Getting over 100 NES games when I started with less then 20 was sweet as well.

Yes, this was the year of the console game for me.

I only wish next year would be as kind.

[Fuyukaze]

Hmm, it's a bit difficult to pick just one so, I'll list a few off.

Finding Final Fantasy 3 for the SNES and getting it for $2 loose, that was very nice.
Finaly getting Gemfire for the SNES, that was also great.
Getting over 30 import Saturn games this year was realy damn nice.
Toping over 130 SNES games when I started with a lil under 40 this year, definitly nice.
Getting over 100 NES games when I started with less then 20 was sweet as well.

Yes, this was the year of the console game for me.

I only wish next year would be as kind.

[Fuyukaze]

Hmm, it's a bit difficult to pick just one so, I'll list a few off.

Finding Final Fantasy 3 for the SNES and getting it for $2 loose, that was very nice.
Finaly getting Gemfire for the SNES, that was also great.
Getting over 30 import Saturn games this year was realy damn nice.
Toping over 130 SNES games when I started with a lil under 40 this year, definitly nice.
Getting over 100 NES games when I started with less then 20 was sweet as well.

Yes, this was the year of the console game for me.

I only wish next year would be as kind.

[Rejinx]

Hmmm...
NES: 1943
PS2: Gran Toresmo 4
Computer: Giuld Wars

[suppafly]

My PSP + Ridge racer....what a great game! :D

[sabre2922]

RE4-PS2=rebirth of one of my two favorite videogame franchises excels in just about everyway possible

Gradius V-PS2=2-D SHUMPS beauty and perfection

Capcom vs. SNK 2-PS2=2-D fighting bliss should have picked this one up YEARS AGO 8-)

[ghostangelofcky]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c363/ghostangelofcky/DSCN1067.jpg

Few months ago I picked this up for $50, god I love it!

[Lothars]

Well my best purchases are definitly my Nintendo DS, Resident Evil 4 and Disgaea

otherwise I am glad I got a bunch of great ds games as well :)

[Amy Rose]

Retro stuff:
Japanese Saturn with 3D controller - $20
Sonic Adventure 2 & Grandia II PAL DC - $30 (eBay no less)
Japanese Sonic R & Knuckles Chaotix complete - $80
Complete Sonic for Game Gear and Alex Kidd Lost Stars for SMS - $1 each
Sonic Labrynth for Game Gear with instructions - 50c
Jap Saturn Virtual On sticks - $5
Official boxed Samba De Amigo maracas - $5

Lots more stuff, but I *think* these were the best.

New stuff:
Sonic Rush
Mr Driller Drill Spirits
Phantom Brave
Space Channel 5 Part 2 - $15!

All prices are in Aus dollars :)

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Few months ago I picked this up for $50, god I love it!

Damn. A Turbo CD setup with Super Valis IV, Macross 2036, Legendary Axe AND Dragon's Curse for 50 beans?! I'd be in love too. That's definitely an amazing package you scored, guy.

[diskoboy]

The crack I bought.

It came in a box marked Civilization 4. :D

[jdc]

I guess that a highlight was my purchase of a PSP. I enjoyed it, played plenty of software on it and was impressed by it. The thumbnub didn't go well with my arthritis and I had to trade it in for a DS, which physically suits me better. It also turns out that I enjoy the DS library considerably more. It's games are better suited to short-burst gaming. A case of a negative turning into a positive!

[Johnny_Rock]

Im changing mine i bought DOA4 Dec 31st and its by far the most rewarding thing ive bought all year.

[philosophyst]

I bought a DS this year and love it! So, I guess that would be the highlight purchase of 2005. Here are two other:

Animal Crossing (DS)

Resident Evil 4 (GC)

[LAGO]

Wow it seems like there are a lot of great purchases out there. I'm seeing a lot of DS and RE4 ... I know about the DS can't wait to get RE4 in a few days to explore that goodness.

Now to figure out why im not getting an email whenever somebody replies to this topic. :?

[Simply Dave]

As far as best value for the money mine would be Fire Emblem for the Gameboy Advance. I picked up a new copy at the KB Toys clearance sale for 10 bucks and I know I've put in over 50 hours into it.

I wish I could get that kind of mileage out of every game.

[zerohero]

PC - FEAR (Countless hours online playing this game)

Mario Kart DS

Shadow of Colossus

[MrSmiley381]

Guitar Hero. Best $84.99 after tax ever. Final Fantasy 3 (6) on the SNES and Xenogears weren't too bad, either.

[Crush Crawfish]

The $42 I spent on importing Ossu! Tatakae! Ouendan was without a doubt my best purchase this year. It's just that damn good.

[unwinddesign]

Age of Empires III. Sweet mother of jesus, this game is amazing. I can't get enough. I'd play it 24/7 if my eyes didn't start to hurt from being glued open for 4 straight hours. LOL

[2Dskillz]

I would easily say my DS. Before this I did not even have a GBA so this was like getting 2 consoles in one. Something to catch up on and something to keep up with. I have played nothing but quality games on it and am very happy with it.


2nd place would be the Sega Genesis that I bought from a guy at work for $20 bucks with 16 games. Because of that purchase I ended up at the Digital Press.

[rex]

who cares about last 2005 it is 2006 now :2gunfire:

[Sniderman]

who cares about last 2005 it is 2006 now :2gunfire:Contribute, shut the fark up, or go away.

[Sibs]

I'd say the best purchases I've made is Metal Gear Solid 3 and Resident Evil 4. Two very solid games that I was addicted to from the second I put them into PS2/GC.

[sleepycal]

I purchased way too many things.

But ones I got the most mileage out of seem to be similar to the rest of you.

RE 4 - Cube - limited edition. Played through twice. Finished assignment ada, and spent some time on the mercenaries, though I don't know if I'll get around to unlocking the handcannon.

Nintendo DS/Advance Wars DS - Probably the reason for my lack of sleep. Keep playing a battle into the wee hours of the morning...

Guitar Hero - my fingers and hands hurt, but I can't stop rockin'

[DDCecil]

1. DS with Ouendan, SM64 DS, Mario Kart DS, and Castlevania DoS. I love the system, too bad my touch screen is all scratched now.

2. Dragon Quest VIII. 75 hours of fun!

3. Resident Evil 4. Thanks to the $10 TRU sale, I'm really glad I got this. I'm not a huge fan of the Resident Evil series (I did help my dad finish the 1st one), but I'm having a fun time with this one, though I'm not very good at it.

4. Final Fantasy IV Advance. My favorite FF is now portable! Though the lag is bad in some spots, and the Lunar Ruins got old pretty fast, I'm just glad I can play it anywhere.

5. That 3.99 Snatcher, Lunar: EB, Albert Odyssey, and Lucienne's Quest wasn't a very bad deal, if I say so myself! :-P

[Niku-Sama]

i would have to say the best for me would have to be my Complete Super Famicom and Battle dodgeball...pretty cool game, especially when you can figure out how to save.

[davepesc]

Without a doubt, Guild Wars got the most play, but Guitar Hero was a late entry I really enjoy.

[Slate]

My best purchase of 2005, well, I don't know if there is one better than any other, Since every year that i collect only gets better and better..

But, anyway, here are some highlights:

1: Very complete, very minty NES Power Set, Not only including one game, but including FIVE games, one loose, one W manual, one boxed, and two complete! The power set still has the original price sticker from KMart ($159) And i paid $10 for it. It is one of my favorite buys.

2: 1989 Sega Genesis with 15 games (System is boxed with styrofoam) Bought it for $15.

3: Sega Genesis model 1 + SCD Model 2 + Sega genesis model 2 + MANY games (over 30) + Sonic The hedgehog videos & SMB3 Videos - Cost about $17.

4: ROB Robotic Operated Buddy (With all gyromite parts, and in working condition) Cost $18 shipped. yes, i bought it off of ebay.

5: Boxed NES - Not complete, but boxed. Cost $4. Also got a (barely) Boxed atari 2600 for another $4.

6: N64 With all cords, 2 controllers, 1 Game + 1 Red gameboy + 1 turqoise GBC + Lots of Game boy stuff (Even including a megaman game for GBA) + FOUR Complete NES games + One Game Gear Game and Sonic The Hedgehog Binder - Cost - $9.75 for EVERYTHING.

7: Sega Saturn With All Hookups, 1 Controller & 3 Games - $30, ended up being free.

8: WORKING Xbox - (2001 Model) - Cost $20. Came with a box for a Xbox made in 2003. :hmm: Sold it on ebay.

9: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (GBA) Loose, $2 at The salvation Army.

I wonder what goodies await me this year? :D

[izret101]

I am going to have to go with my MK merch.
Just because i love the way it looks.

As for game thats a tough one because there where so many games i put alot of time into and really liked.

Burnout 3 i think i am going to have to go with.
I put the alot of time into that one and had alot of fun playing demo tracks and playing with my dad and bro.