Leaving Japan in April 2010 - What should I buy??

[Gameboy415]

After 4.5 long years of working as an English Teacher in Japan, I'm finally heading back to America this April.

Thanks to a last-minute substitute teaching gig I picked up for the month of March, I'll have an extra $1-2000 to spend before heading home.

So, what should I buy??

I have nearly every console apart from Neo Geo and 3D0, so almost everything is fair game. I'm a huge fan of 2D games (especially platformers and action-RPGs), puzzle games, and music games so any recommendations are most welcome!

...but please keep in mind I've been here for a long time and I've bought TONS of stuff so I may already have some games you suggest!

I definitely won't buy EVERYTHING on it unless I find it all super-cheap, but here's my current list:

AV Famicom console – BOUGHT!
Famicom – Akumajou Special: Boku ha Dracula-Kun (Kid Dracula) – BOUGHT!
Famicom – Cocoron
Famicom – Don Doko Don 2
Famicom – Getsu Fuumaden
Famicom – Hello Kitty World – BOUGHT!
Famicom – Holy Diver
Famicom – Hebereke
Famicom – Joy Mech Fight – BOUGHT!
Famicom – Kyatto Ninden Teyandee
Famicom – Mitsu Me Ga Tooru
Famicom – Moon Crystal
Famicom – Takahashi Meijin no Boukenjima IV (Adventure Island IV)
Famicom – Tsuppari Sumo

Famicom Disk System – Adian no Tsue
Famicom Disk System – Ai Senshi Nicole
Famicom Disk System – Doki Doki Panic – BOUGHT!
Famicom Disk System – Esper Dream
Famicom Disk System – Meikyuu Jiin Dababa
Famicom Disk System – OTOCKY – BOUGHT!
Famicom Disk System – Super Mario Bros.

Super Famicom – Amazing Spider-Man: Lethal Foes – BOUGHT!
Super Famicom – Danquest
Super Famicom – Front Mission Gun Hazard
Super Famicom – Holy Umbrella
Super Famicom – Little Magic – BOUGHT!
Super Famicom – LIVE A LIVE
Super Famicom – Lupin the 3rd: Densetsu no Hihou wo Oe
Super Famicom – MajyuuOu – BOUGHT!
Super Famicom – Power Lode Runner
Super Famicom – Super Bomberman 3, 4, 5
Super Famicom – Super Gussun Oyoyo 2
Super Famicom – Super Ninja Kun
Super Famicom – Super PC Genjin 2
Super Famicom – Super Adventure Island 2
Super Famicom – Tetsuwan Atom
Super Famicom – YamYam – BOUGHT!
Super Famicom – YS V – BOUGHT!
Super Famicom – ZigZag Cat

Gameboy – Gamera – BOUGHT!
Gameboy – Pokemon Green – BOUGHT!

GBC – Pokemon TCG 2
GBC – Samurai Kid

Gameboy Micro Console – BOUGHT!
GBA – Custom Robo – BOUGHT!
GBA – Hudson collection: Adventure Island

N64 – Custom Robo – BOUGHT!
N64 – Custom Robo V2
N64 – Mario no Photopi – BOUGHT!

Gamecube – Doshin the Giant – BOUGHT!
Gamecube – Zelda 4 Swords

DS – Daigasso Band Brothers DX
DS – Jet Impulse
DS – Kumatanchi
DS – Nanashi no Game
DS – Nanashi no Game: Me
DS – Okaeri: Chibi Robo
DS – Taiko no Tatsujin 1 & 2
DS – Tingle 2
DS – To-Love-る LE Set

Wii – Another Code: R
Wii – Eyeshield 21
Wii – Illustlogic & Colorlogic
Wii – NPC: Chibi Robo
Wii – NPC: Pikmin 2
Wii – Sukeban Shachou Rena
Wii – Taiko no Tatsujin Wii 1 & 2
Wii – Takt of Magic

Saturn – Elevator Action Returns
Saturn – Bubble Symphony

Dreamcast – L.O.L.: Lack of Love
Dreamcast – Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream - BOUGHT!

NeoGeo Pocket Color – Ganbare Neo Poke-Kun

PS1 – Pu-Ri-Lu-Ra – BOUGHT!
PS1 – Racing Lagoon (Squaresoft) – BOUGHT!
PS1 – UFO: A Day in The Life

PS2 – A.C.E. 3
PS2 – Beatmania IIDX 5th – BOUGHT!, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th　Style
PS2 – Evangelion: Jo
PS2 – Future Boy Conan
PS2 – Outrun 2 SP
PS2 – Saru Getchu: Million Monkeys – BOUGHT!
PS2 – Siren 2
PS2 – Sonic Gems Collection

PSP – Pop'n Music Portable

I'd especially like some Gameboy, NGPC, Saturn, Dreamcast and PSP recommendations as I haven't researched Japan-only games on those consoles very much.

*Forgot to mention, I currently live in Osaka!*

[Sailorneorune]

If you like shooters, go for some of the Konami deluxe packs on Saturn - I believe Salamander, Twinbee, Parodius, and Gradius were released.

The first 4 Sakura Wars games are good (the first 2 were released on Saturn, and all 4 are on the Dreamcast), and even if you forget every syllable of Japanese you've picked up, walkthroughs abound, so you may be able to BS your way through them.


If you don't have them already, pick up the Saturn Capcom fighters (Vampire Savior, X-men vs. Street Fighter, Marvel vs. Street Fighter, and Pocket Fighter) and Saturn Bomberman (this would keep you from spending an arm and a leg on the US version).

[Baloo]

These are some good imports to pick up:

Dreamcast:

Segagaga (SGGG)
Capcom Vs. SNK 2
Ikaruga
Guilty Gear X

Famicom:
Splatterhouse Wanpaku Graffitti
Gradius II

Saturn:
X-Men Vs. Street Fighter
Marvel Super Heroes Vs. Street Fighter
Street Fighter Zero 3
Radiant Silvergun
Metal Slug
Thunder Force V
Shining Force III (Parts 2 and 3 Premium Disc)
Grandia
Policenauts

[lookfun78]

Pick up any anime game

[Gameboy415]

If you like shooters, go for some of the Konami deluxe packs on Saturn - I believe Salamander, Twinbee, Parodius, and Gradius were released.

The first 4 Sakura Wars games are good (the first 2 were released on Saturn, and all 4 are on the Dreamcast), and even if you forget every syllable of Japanese you've picked up, walkthroughs abound, so you may be able to BS your way through them.


If you don't have them already, pick up the Saturn Capcom fighters (Vampire Savior, X-men vs. Street Fighter, Marvel vs. Street Fighter, and Pocket Fighter) and Saturn Bomberman (this would keep you from spending an arm and a leg on the US version).

I already have 2 Parodius games for PS1, otherwise I'd be all over the Saturn collection. Not really a fan of strategy/tactical RPGs so I don't think Sakura Wars is for me. I have the US versions of all of the fighters you mentioned, but about Saturn Bomberman, how is it different/better than the Super Famicom games and/or the newer releases on PSN/Live/WiiWare?

These are some good imports to pick up:

Dreamcast:
Segagaga (SGGG) - Got it! I have the big LE version to boot!
Capcom Vs. SNK 2 - Got it.
Ikaruga - Got it on Gamecube.
Guilty Gear X - Got it.

Famicom:
Splatterhouse Wanpaku Graffitti - Got it and LOVE it.
Gradius II - It's included in a collection I have for another console.

Saturn:
X-Men Vs. Street Fighter - Got it
Marvel Super Heroes Vs. Street Fighter - Got it
Street Fighter Zero 3 - Got it
Radiant Silvergun - One of the first games I bought in Japan
Metal Slug - I have the Anthology
Thunder Force V - I have the PS1 version
Shining Force III (Parts 2 and 3 Premium Disc) - Tried it, not interested.
Grandia - Is it better/different than the PS1 version?
Policenauts - I'll probably get the PS1 version so I can use the translation patch.

Thanks for the suggestions so far! Please keep em coming!

[awbacon]

Buy L.O.L for the Dreamcast. I own it, and its hands down one of the best gaming experiences i've come across. There is no real language barrier, the visuals are stunning, and the soundtrack is in my top 3 favorites (Grim Fandango being #1 and Killing Time for 3DO being #2)

Its expensive, but I'd never part with mine

[mobiusclimber]

FAMICOM:
Moon Crystal
Getsu Fuumaden
Ginga no Sanin
Majin Eiyuuden Wataru Gaiden
Don Doko Don 2
Wai Wai World
Wai Wai World 2
Hello Kitty World
Holy Diver
Kaiketsu Yancha Maru 2 & 3
Kero Kero Keroppi no Daibouken 1 & 2
Kyatto Ninden Teyandee
Nagagutsu wo Haita Neko: Sekai Isshuu 80 Nichi Dai Bouken
Any of the other Downtown Nekketsu games not released in the US

FDS:
Ai Senshi Nicole
Esper Dream
Kalin no Tsuguri
Adain no Tsue

SFC:
Ladystalker
DoReMi Fantasy
Violinist of Hamelin
Front Mission Gun Hazard
Ein no Filena
Holy Umbrella
Seiken Densetsu 3
Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun
Ys V (a must-own)
Aretha I & II
Metal Max Returns
Rejoice: Aretha Oukoku no Kanata
Solid Runner
Star Ocean
Tales of Phantasia
Traverse: Starlight & Prairie
Wonder Project J
Psycho Dream
Ghost Chaser Densei
Go Go Ackman 1-3
GS Mikami: Joreishi wa Nice Body
Melfand Stories
Miracle Girls

PS1:
Moon Remix RPG
Little Princess+1: Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime 2 (sequel to "Rhapsody")
PAL: Shinken Densetsu
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Clock Tower: The First Fear
Spriggan: Lunar Verse

PS2:
Sega Ages: Phantasy Star Generation I & II
Tales of Destiny Director's Cut
Tales of Destiny 2
Tales of Rebirth

[Gameboy415]

Buy L.O.L for the Dreamcast. I own it, and its hands down one of the best gaming experiences i've come across. There is no real language barrier, the visuals are stunning, and the soundtrack is in my top 3 favorites (Grim Fandango being #1 and Killing Time for 3DO being #2)
Its expensive, but I'd never part with mine

I will definitely buy it....if I can FIND a copy. I've only seen it once, and that was in Akihabara last summer.

FAMICOM:
Moon Crystal
Getsu Fuumaden
Ginga no Sanin
Majin Eiyuuden Wataru Gaiden
Don Doko Don 2
Wai Wai World
Wai Wai World 2
Hello Kitty World
Holy Diver
Kaiketsu Yancha Maru 2 & 3
Kero Kero Keroppi no Daibouken 1 & 2
Kyatto Ninden Teyandee
Nagagutsu wo Haita Neko: Sekai Isshuu 80 Nichi Dai Bouken
Any of the other Downtown Nekketsu games not released in the US

FDS:
Ai Senshi Nicole
Esper Dream
Kalin no Tsuguri
Adain no Tsue

SFC:
Ladystalker
DoReMi Fantasy
Violinist of Hamelin
Front Mission Gun Hazard
Ein no Filena
Holy Umbrella
Seiken Densetsu 3
Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun
Ys V (a must-own)
Aretha I & II
Metal Max Returns
Rejoice: Aretha Oukoku no Kanata
Solid Runner
Star Ocean
Tales of Phantasia
Traverse: Starlight & Prairie
Wonder Project J
Psycho Dream
Ghost Chaser Densei
Go Go Ackman 1-3
GS Mikami: Joreishi wa Nice Body
Melfand Stories
Miracle Girls

PS1:
Moon Remix RPG
Little Princess+1: Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime 2 (sequel to "Rhapsody")
PAL: Shinken Densetsu
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Clock Tower: The First Fear
Spriggan: Lunar Verse

PS2:
Sega Ages: Phantasy Star Generation I & II
Tales of Destiny Director's Cut
Tales of Destiny 2
Tales of Rebirth

That's quite a list, thanks!
I already have the bolded games.

Any chance you could say a bit about each game or what type of games they are?
I'll try to research them myself too.

Also, is "Clock Tower: The First Fear" the sequel that was only released in Japan?
I have the US releases of Clock Tower 1-3.

[Nico87]

Mega Drive with

Gunstar Heroes
Alien Soldier
Tatsujin
Fire Shark
Gleylancer (if you can find it cheap)
Hellfire
Crude Buster
Bare Knuckle II
Dai Makaimura
Magical Hat's Flying Turbo Adventure
Magical Taruruuto-kun
Chiki Chiki Boys
Golden Axe
Golden Axe 2
Altered Beast
Crack Down
Mercs 2
Kyukyoku Tiger
The New Zealand Story
Arcus Odyssey
Gaiares
Aero Blasters
Alisia Dragoon
Rolling Thunder 2
Battle Mania
Battle Mania Daiginjo
Granada
Aladdin
Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion
Volfied
Flash Back

..and many others!

If you can read japanese then you can get into all the RPG's and the Monster World games aswell, even though they're pretty "platformy".

By far the easiest and cheapest console to import-collect for, in my opinion.

[mobiusclimber]

FAMICOM:
Moon Crystal - Action game, Ninja Gaiden style
Getsu Fuumaden - Action-Adventure-RPG similar to Zelda/Star Tropics
Ginga no Sanin - Action-RPG, fly space ship to different planets. Has both turn-based and action combat.
Majin Eiyuuden Wataru Gaiden - Mech-based Action-RPG. Keith Courage, but awesome.
Don Doko Don 2 - Action/puzzle game? Hard to describe.
Wai Wai World
Wai Wai World 2
Hello Kitty World - Action-Platformer. Float around on balloons avoiding enemies.
Holy Diver - Tough-as-nails Castlevania-style platformer.
Kaiketsu Yancha Maru 2 & 3 - Sequels to Kid Niki.
Kero Kero Keroppi no Daibouken 1 & 2 - One is more of a puzzle game, the other is more of a platformer.
Kyatto Ninden Teyandee - Platformer based on "Samurai Pizza Cats"
Nagagutsu wo Haita Neko: Sekai Isshuu 80 Nichi Dai Bouken - Japanese-only release of sequel to Puss N Boots, which was US only release.
Any of the other Downtown Nekketsu games not released in the US - River City Ransom series

FDS:
Ai Senshi Nicole - Action-Adventure similar to Zelda but futuristic.
Esper Dream - Action-RPG similar to Ai Senshi Nicole - you shoot stuff at enemies confined in a screen.
Kalin no Tsuguri - Ys style Action-RPG w/ the bashing into enemies.
Adain no Tsue - ... I forgot... XD

SFC:
Ladystalker - It's in the Landstalker/Dark Savior/Alundra series. Similar to Landstalker but w/ random battles.
DoReMi Fantasy
Violinist of Hamelin
Front Mission Gun Hazard - Action-RPG Front Mission gaiden game.
Ein no Filena - RPG w/ female protagonist.
Holy Umbrella - Action-RPG w/ side-scrolling view for action.
Seiken Densetsu 3
Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun - Another River City Ransom brawler.
Ys V (a must-own) - Action-RPG, no bashing into enemies, easy and fun to pick up and play.
Aretha I & II - RPG w/ very good graphics.
Metal Max Returns
Rejoice: Aretha Oukoku no Kanata
Solid Runner - Action-RPG w/ detectives/solve cases while wearing mecha style body suits. Futuristic setting (obviously).
Star Ocean
Tales of Phantasia
Traverse: Starlight & Prairie - Quest-based RPG w/ turn-based combat and lots of freedom to explore.
Wonder Project J
Psycho Dream
Ghost Chaser Densei - side scrolling beat-em-up
Go Go Ackman 1-3
GS Mikami: Joreishi wa Nice Body
Melfand Stories - Two-player action-adventure side-scroller.
Miracle Girls - Very moe, very weird, platformer game w/ between stage mini-games.

PS1:
Moon Remix RPG
Little Princess+1: Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime 2 (sequel to "Rhapsody") - It's an RPG. It will give you a cavity if you're not careful.
PAL: Shinken Densetsu - RPG. Dog gets special powers from the gods in order to save girl in trouble. Can shape-shift.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin - It's an RPG, and part of the Persona 2 cycle, which we only got the second part of. You knew this already.
Clock Tower: The First Fear - It's a port of the first Clock Tower game for the Sufami. We never got the first game, nor this remake.
Spriggan: Lunar Verse - Action adventure, some stealth (if I remember correctly). Ninja gaiden-esque set in the future? I played this awhile ago.

PS2:
Sega Ages: Phantasy Star Generation I & II - RPGs, remakes of the first two Phantasy Star games.
Tales of Destiny Director's Cut - Action-RPG, remake of ToD.
Tales of Destiny 2 - Sequel to ToD, not the ToD2 we got in the US (that is actually Tales of Eternia.
Tales of Rebirth - Yet another Tales of game we didn't get.

How's that? Let me know if you have more questions on these suggestions.

[GrandAmChandler]

Buy every Pachinko game you can find. They are all rare.

[baraka]

Like someone else said: RADIANT SILVERGUN!!!

Btw, have you ever come across a sealed or new copy of Battletoads for Famicom? I'm dying for a copy of that as it doesnt ever show up on eBay!

[scaryice]

I thought Famicom games didn't come sealed?

Anyway, one thing you could do would be to buy some of the more sought after titles and then sell them to people here in the US. You could probably make decent money doing that.

[Nico87]

Radiant Silvergun is immensely overrated, and expensive in Japan aswell. The pricey games on eBay are pricey in Japan aswell!

[camarotuner]

My only suggestion would be to make sure you've bought all the systems you want before you leave. The games are easily found at conventions or just have them shipped here. But shipping on systems sucks.

[Gameboy415]

Mega Drive with

Gunstar Heroes
Alien Soldier
Tatsujin
Fire Shark
Gleylancer (if you can find it cheap)
Hellfire
Crude Buster
Bare Knuckle II
Dai Makaimura
Magical Hat's Flying Turbo Adventure
Magical Taruruuto-kun
Chiki Chiki Boys
Golden Axe
Golden Axe 2
Altered Beast
Crack Down
Mercs 2
Kyukyoku Tiger
The New Zealand Story
Arcus Odyssey
Gaiares
Aero Blasters
Alisia Dragoon
Rolling Thunder 2
Battle Mania
Battle Mania Daiginjo
Granada
Aladdin
Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion
Volfied
Flash Back

..and many others!

If you can read japanese then you can get into all the RPG's and the Monster World games aswell, even though they're pretty "platformy".

By far the easiest and cheapest console to import-collect for, in my opinion.

I have the US releases of several of those games. The only import Mega Drive games I'd been dying to play were "PulseMan" and "Rockman Mega World", but now that PulseMan is on the Virtual Console I'm not so motivated to get a Japanese Mega Drive. Especially since Rockman costs a fortune...
Also, I got the Monster World Collection for PS2 and it's awesome!

How's that? Let me know if you have more questions on these suggestions.

Great! Thanks a lot!
I'll probably pick up a few of those games if I find them cheap/CIB.

Buy every Pachinko game you can find. They are all rare.

Very funny.
I actually got a Pachinko controller for Super Famicom for about 20円 and I bought a Pachinko game to try it out.........it's so bad.

Like someone else said: RADIANT SILVERGUN!!!

Btw, have you ever come across a sealed or new copy of Battletoads for Famicom? I'm dying for a copy of that as it doesnt ever show up on eBay!

Already bought Radiant Silvergun years ago.

I think I actually HAVE seen Battletoads for Famicom, CIB. Not sure when or where though. If I happen to see it again, I'll let you know.

I thought Famicom games didn't come sealed?

Anyway, one thing you could do would be to buy some of the more sought after titles and then sell them to people here in the US. You could probably make decent money doing that.

I'm considering doing this with some newer in-demand stuff (like Fatal Frame IV for Wii), but I'm not sure what retro stuff would sell.

Radiant Silvergun is immensely overrated, and expensive in Japan aswell. The pricey games on eBay are pricey in Japan aswell!

I got it for about $100 here in Japan 3 years ago. Pricey, but much cheaper than eBay (at the time anyway).

My only suggestion would be to make sure you've bought all the systems you want before you leave. The games are easily found at conventions or just have them shipped here. But shipping on systems sucks.

Yeah, I got hosed on importing a Super Famicom back in the day. I've been considering picking up a Neo Geo and/or a TurboDuo, but I don't really have a list of games I want on those consoles so I think I'm going to focus on consoles I already have. I do plan on picking up a few Gameboy Micros though! I bought the Famicom edition when they were first available but I stupidly sold it for beer money a few years ago.

[mobiusclimber]

You really should pick up a Duo-R or Rx. There are so many awesome games for the system. Heck I'd even suggest getting a SuperGrafx w/ Super CDROM attachment. It's either my first or second favorite system.

[Gameboy415]

I randomly got both my tax return and health insurance refund over the weekend so I went out and got some stuff on my list!



DC - Napple Tale
PS1 - Racing Lagoon



SF - Amazing Spider-Man: Lethal Foes
SF - Shounen Ashibe (not on my list but it looked fun and was only 300円)
SF - Magical Drop 2
SF - Majyuuou (cart only)
N64 - Mario no Photopi bundle



GB - Pocket Monsters Green
GBA - Custom Robo GX
Black Game Boy Micro
GB - Gamera

[mobiusclimber]

How much did you spend on Napple Tale if you don't me asking. That and are the two I'm really looking to get for the DC, but I just can't justify $60+ apiece.

[Gameboy415]

How much did you spend on Napple Tale if you don't me asking. That and are the two I'm really looking to get for the DC, but I just can't justify $60+ apiece.

It was 4500円, which is more than I was planning to spend but the store wouldn't let me use my store credit (because you apparently can't use it on retro games!? Bah.). At least it's in like-new condition with the spine card.

I'm trying to track down L.O.L. too, but I haven't seen it ANYWHERE in Osaka.
I'm hoping to find it in Fukuoka when I go to visit my friend next month.