Finds and impressions from Tokyo

[Yoshukai]

The reason this is not in the import forum is towards the end. Anyway, I am in the middle of my vacation to Japan and I decided to get Akihabara out of my system. There were some interesting trends.

First of all, I love how cheap some games are over there compared to their American counterparts. SNES RPGs are almost free they are so cheap. Ogre Battle 64? Like $5 here. Also, some games that have gone for a lot on ebay are also cheap over here just because they sold so damn many copies. Beatmania for PS1 was hard to find on there for a little while, but over here they are a dime a dozen.

Anyway, onto the deals. I will spare the details of the more mundane purchases. SuperPotato is my best friend. It was the only one that I could find with a copy of Sin and Punishment, which I got for $20. I also picked up a boxed official Beatmana controller for $5, although I may have to toss the box since it does take up some space.

So, the reason this is not in imports is because of the other good deal I got at SuperPotato. I was looking in this bargain bin of US games. Underneath the $15 Sega football game (why?...) were copies of the first two Dragon Warriors for the US NES in damn near mint condition boxes for $8 each. Needless to say, I got them.

Looking forward to more days in Japan more as a tourist and not a collector. It hurts the wallet less.

[GaijinPunch]

What'd you think of Super Potatoe's show case? Most of the items are way over priced, but seeing something like two Akiyamajins, a long w/ some Snes Gold carts is something you can't do just anywhere.

Also, did you go up to the newly opened 3rd floor? Game music. Not my thing at all, but has some impressive stuff in there if you're into it.

[Darren870]

Super Potatoe has to be the most over rated store there. There soooooo over priced, its sad really. Ive spent a whole day in akihabara just browsing and every place I went had cheaper prices. You really just have too look.

Umm there is this building two blocks from the trainstation Id say. Tall building with glass windows and a coffee shop underneath. Take the elevator to the 5th floor, i like that store very neat and organized. Roomy too thank.

Don't forget RPGs are so cheap there because so many people buy them and then sell em back. Where we in the US tend not to buy rpgs...for some odd reason.

[Yoshukai]

Actually, I really liked Super Potato. I checked out a lot of stores, and the prices were not that much more on some things, and less on quite a bit. They were actually the cheapest for some of the really rare Saturn games I was looking for (Radiant Silvergun and D&D), but still too expensive for me to buy. I could buy a crap-ton of Famicom games or start a Wonderswan collection for the price of one of those games. The big thing that got me about the place was the selection. They had a lot of stuff that I couldn't find anywhere else.

Also, the store has a hell of a lot more character than a place like Traders.

I think I may have been to the shop above the coffee shop. I am going back on Saturday since I don't feel like exchanging my yen on Sunday, so I'll keep a lookout. That seems like a reasonable justification for spending.

[GaijinPunch]

Most of Super Potatoe's stock is farily priced when comparing w/ other shops. They are also very consistent -- something Media Land can't say. It's their "phantom-ware" that they charge 3x the price on. I don't think they want to sell it though. All those gold carts and shit bring people in to see, and then they'll buy something.

Friends at the end of Akihabara (you can see it on my map) next to G-Front has the worst prices, bar none.

[smork]

I've never really shopped at the Super Potato in Akiba, but the one in Den-Den Town is pretty reasonable for run-of-the-mill things. I've found them to be pretty hard on their condition grading, so something I think is in perfectly acceptable condition they'll have rated as middling -- good for the bargain hunter!

[Darren870]

With the lower priced things its usually only a buck or two more. However with some AES games, man it was like $50-$100 more for some games then trader or other shops.

I just really never liked that store and think its by far overated. Yea its got a cool setup and all, but meh thats about it.

[GaijinPunch]

Sorry -- I know dick about Neo Geo stuff. :)

[Yoshukai]

Nice map on the site. I'll be using it on my return trip. Somehow I missed Trader 2, even though I found 1 and 3. As for Neo Geo prices, I guess it makes since for prices to differ that much when the base price is so much higher than say, anything.

[Lozza]

On all of my stuff I import from Japan via ebay it has Trader stickers on it... I'd like to go there and check it out.

[Darren870]

Trader 2 is on a back road, probably how you missed it. (if i am not getting them mixed up).

I like the one on the backroad better, more choices. 2 Years ago they used to have 1 floor new stuff and 1 floor old stuff. They changed it though :(

[GaijinPunch]

Trader 2 is on a back road, probably how you missed it. (if i am not getting them mixed up).

Pretty easy to find. Just go down the Club Sega street until you see the sign. It has unfortunately changed a lot over the last year though. The retro gaming section is now on the first floor, shared with the current generation used section. They still have some nice items, but they don't have their own floor. I've heard there's a new trader though (other than 1, which now has no retro games, and 3, which is anime DVDs) which is huge, and has everything. It just opened some two weeks after my last trip, and I'm not sure when my next trip will be (depends on how homesick the wife gets).


As for Neo Geo prices, I guess it makes since for prices to differ that much when the base price is so much higher than say, anything.

If you want to know the current prices on Yahoo Japan of anything Neo Geo (or other systems as well) you can use my Yahoo Japan Auction Assistant (http://www.gamengai.com/auction_assistant_select.php). It's pretty self-explanatory. You can bookmark the auctions and see where they end.

Also, here's my Japan Winter 2006 Report (http://www.gamengai.com/bn_inf.php?type=article&id=1390) I wrote a few weeks ago. It talks about some trips to Akihabara, the AOU Show, and some arcading. On the last page are some pics and videos -- some shots from Trader 2 and Super Potatoe are in there.

[§ Gideon §]

GaijinPunch, you have an awesome site, and I am shamed for not finding out about it sooner.

[Darren870]

I've heard there's a new trader though (other than 1, which now has no retro games, and 3, which is anime DVDs) which is huge, and has everything. It just opened some two weeks after my next trip, and I'm not sure when my next trip will be (depends on how homesick the wife gets).

When did 1 get rid of there retro games ? :(

I was there over the summer and they still had them. Shame, well i am excited about a new one opening!! To bad I can't go this summer, but the summer after I am so there! Sigh, to bad though!

[GaijinPunch]

GaijinPunch, you have an awesome site, and I am shamed for not finding out about it sooner.

It was Japanese Gaming up until like 2 weeks ago. Nonetheless, glad you like it. Feel free to drop by anytime.


When did 1 get rid of there retro games ?

Err... I guess they didn't. I read that wrong. They completely shut down to move their stock to the new store. Anyways, here's the thread (http://japjac.proboards58.com/index.cgi?board=share&action=display&thread=1140590272) that explains it all (and has pics of the new shop). It was literally within the last month, as I popped into Trader 1 not long ago.

God, if you're into gaming, Hawaii is really lame. Nice weather though.

[Yoshukai]

So, Trader 2 totally kicked ass today. I am so glad for the map of shops. Not only were their prices pretty good, but they were running a sale where for every game over 2 you purchase, you get 500 yen off. So, my total was originally 16600 yen, and it got knocked down to 13600. Not too shabby.

I will also say upon a return trip to Super Potato that their stock changes pretty fast. Last week they didn't have two N64 games I was looking for (Bangaioh and Virtual Pro Wrestling 2), and here they were today. Very happy to return to the USofA tomorrow, though.

[Captain Qb]

When I were in Japan. I bought these from Super Potato:
Famicom Disk System (Loose, no wires only the console) for 500 ¥
Pokémon Stadium (Loose) for ~50-100 ¥ (Can't remember the price)
Hey you, Pikachu (Loose) for ~50-100 ¥ (can't remeber the price)
Gameboy Pocket System (CiB) for 1000 ¥
Not so bad finds.. ^.^

But this place called "media land" Site. (www.m-land.co.jp) had very nice prices..
Derby Stallion II (Loose) for 10 ¥
Donkey Kong 64 (CiB) for 380 ¥
Morita Shogi 64 (CiB) for 50 ¥
Shigesato Itoi's No. 1 Bass Fishing (CiB) for 20 ¥
Same Game Tsume Game (CiB) for 20 ¥
Final Fantasy VI (Loose with manual) for 50 ¥

So.. I think if you are going in Akihabara you should go to this "media land" place.. ^.^

[boatofcar]

How much do they sell Game Boy Lights for there?

[Captain Qb]

How much do they sell Game Boy Lights for there?I remember that they were something like 1000-2000 ¥ But i'm not sure.. -.-

[GaijinPunch]

Medialand prices are like a child with A.D.D. Very sporadic and all over the place.

[delafro]

How much do they sell Game Boy Lights for there?

I found one once at a weekend flea market/swap meet near Yoyogi Park for like 500-600 yen. Kind of beat up, but it worked. It don't recall seeing too many of them out there but I'd imagine 2000 yen would seem like a reasonable amount.

For the record, I love Super Potato. For sheer volume of stuff, it can't be beat. And maybe my memory is a bit fuzzy, but I don't remember Friends being -that- bad price-wise, compared to the rest of Akiba.

[GaijinPunch]

Wow -- you're alive!

[DonMarco]

I'm wasn't a fan of Super Potato. A little too gawdy. Too desperate to be noticed. Besides the Virtual Boy demo unit, nothing all that cool about them.

edit: http://www.secretpirate.com/indie/005nindisk.jpg

They had a good stock of older systems. Too good, if you ask me...

[delafro]

Wow -- you're alive!

Yeah... real life intruded on my gaming/collecting habits for a while there. You know the deal.

Hopefully, I'm back for a little bit longer this time (and will be returning to Japan within the year, fingers crossed).

[poloplayr]

PLEASE TAKE AND POST PHOTOS!!!

Lucky bastard, enjoy it.