View Full Version : Best Buy now sells imported games at their retail stores...
heybtbm
09-21-2006, 01:10 PM
Best Buy seems to be following Fry's lead and is selling import DS and PSP games at their retail locations. I saw a few Naruto titles (DS and PSP), Jump Superstars (DS), and Breath of Fire III (PSP). I picked up BOFIII for $39.99.
I hope this takes off. The DS and PSP are really the only current region-free consoles out right now (not sure about the 360), but I would expect to see Wii and PS3 games possibly in the future.
s1lence
09-21-2006, 01:20 PM
I wonder if Minnesota stores are doing the same thing, that sounds pretty cool.
Neo Rasa
09-21-2006, 02:02 PM
(not sure about the 360)
The 360 itself is region free, the software publishers themselves employ a regional lock on the software. Any licensed game for the 360 is permitted to be region free if the publisher chooses. Sadly though, as much as developers would love this it never happens since there's always that slim chance that the game could become popular enough to be localized for a specific country, so publishers will almost never go through with a region free release (it really hurts shmup developers in Japan especially as they all realize that a lot of their sales come from importers but the publishers won't allow it).
Stupid question probably, but are you sure these are Japanese releases you're seeing at Best Buy and not general Asian releases/reprints?
Damaniel
09-21-2006, 02:04 PM
I haven't seen this at Best Buy yet, but the local Fry's and a couple local stores are selling DS/PSP imports. Strangely enough, they're always the same games (Naruto, Jump Superstars, BOF III). What I'd like to see are imports of games that would actually be worth picking up (like Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan!) I know I'd spend a lot more on imports if I had a well-stocked local source to buy them from.
heybtbm
09-21-2006, 02:31 PM
Stupid question probably, but are you sure these are Japanese releases you're seeing at Best Buy and not general Asian releases/reprints?
They were Japanese except BOFIII, which was the European version.
MegaDrive20XX
09-21-2006, 02:43 PM
Mitchell, You really think so? "I'm turning JAPANESE!" =D
That's pretty sweet that they are selling BOF3 for PSP at Best Buy now.
googlefest1
09-21-2006, 04:21 PM
are they the same price as the US titles?
WanganRunner
09-21-2006, 04:54 PM
The need to import the friggin' DS Opera browser.
I don't want to pay $50 at Lik-Sang.
GrayFox
09-21-2006, 05:56 PM
Whoa..
What Wisconsin store?
heybtbm
09-21-2006, 06:13 PM
Whoa..
What Wisconsin store?
Madison...West-side.
GrayFox
09-21-2006, 06:27 PM
Damn you West Town Best Buy!
Bah, too far from me right now. Hopefully Brookfield/Greenfield has something.
l_lamb
09-24-2006, 02:01 AM
I haven't seen any at Best Buy yet, but I've bought a half-dozen PSP Japanese and Asian imports at Fry's. I picked up Taito Memories Gold, Bomberman, and Gradius Portable. I also picked up Shanghai, Winning Eleven 9, and Katamari last month. They were all $19.99 or less. They haven't been moving the prices down as much on the DS imports.
Niku-Sama
09-24-2006, 03:19 AM
i wish i had a best buy, any one check their website?
Doom Gaze
09-24-2006, 03:41 AM
I have a feeling it's just a few select locations.
There are some BB's that sell used games, but they're all in California or something.
I pray that they do it everywhere, but I doubt it.
I went to the local Best Buy yesterday to check on Breath of Fire III, but no luck. I'll be sure to keep checking whenever I visit them though (which is a little too often for my bank account anyways).
kainemaxwell
09-24-2006, 10:12 AM
Hope they least bring it (if they haven't) to the NYC/NJ area. I'd think there's a big markey in that area alone to try this out.
Beefy Hits
09-24-2006, 12:33 PM
I'd like to see them sell Tales of Eternia for PSP.
Xexyz
09-24-2006, 04:12 PM
Hope they least bring it (if they haven't) to the NYC/NJ area. I'd think there's a big markey in that area alone to try this out.
I'm with you on that. I'll be visiting Carousel Center next weekend after my trip to the flea market. There's a nice big Best Buy in there, so I'll see if we're getting any import love in the North East.
Are they importing PS2 titles as well? I've got a JPN PS2 ;)
davidbrit2
09-25-2006, 05:35 PM
Definitely nothing at Grandville, MI.
segagamer4life
09-28-2006, 08:05 PM
Best Buy seems to be following Fry's lead and is selling import DS and PSP games at their retail locations. I saw a few Naruto titles (DS and PSP), Jump Superstars (DS), and Breath of Fire III (PSP). I picked up BOFIII for $39.99.
I hope this takes off. The DS and PSP are really the only current region-free consoles out right now (not sure about the 360), but I would expect to see Wii and PS3 games possibly in the future.
yeah I picked up bof3 today.... sweeetness its the european version so there is no language barrier... NICE... keep em commin best buy!!
SamuraiSmurfette
09-29-2006, 11:59 AM
What I'd like to see are imports of games that would actually be worth picking up (like Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan!)
Nintendo has picked this up for domestic release. US title will be "Elite Beat agents"
n8littlefield
09-29-2006, 12:43 PM
What I'd like to see are imports of games that would actually be worth picking up (like Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan!)
Nintendo has picked this up for domestic release. US title will be "Elite Beat agents"
It's a different game though - same play mechanics, new stories/songs. Ouendan is worth picking up and then EBA will be like the sequel in many ways.
AB Positive
09-29-2006, 05:27 PM
Portsmouth, New Hampshire has both DS and PSP imports... and we're not exactly near a big city so to speak, so most places should have these.
-AB+