Metal Ghost Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I was hoping to get some input from the community on this. We have a saleman at our company who is regularly making business trips over to Japan. He's also nice enough to look around for me if I give him a small wish list of gaming/electronic items. So I'm trying to come up with just a couple of things that are: Relatively easy to find in Japan Relatively hard or not possible to find in the US Compatible with US hardware (using a Freeloader counts) At this point, N64 or Gamecube related Language friendly On the software front, I have no ideas....any suggestions? I don't even know if any N64 software would fit my criteria above....isn't there a lockout tab that prevents Japan titles from fitting into a US console (?). On the hardware front, I was thinking of a Wavebird. Does anyone know if those are easier/cheaper to find in Japan? If so and relatively inexpensive, that would be a very nice grab, and something sorely missing from my GCN set-up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I don't even know if any N64 software would fit my criteria above....isn't there a lockout tab that prevents Japan titles from fitting into a US console (?). Yes. Easily defeated by using a $5 gameshark, or cutting the tabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatta Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I hear Neo Geo CDs are pretty cheap over there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Ghost Posted August 25, 2013 Author Share Posted August 25, 2013 (edited) I hear Neo Geo CDs are pretty cheap over there. Edited August 25, 2013 by Metal Ghost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Ghost Posted August 25, 2013 Author Share Posted August 25, 2013 Thanks Hatta, but I think I want to keep it to N64 and even more so Gamecube at this point. So anyone with any ideas? Sounds like N64 is a go too with Rex's Gameshark idea. I'm really hoping that someone with some knowledge chimes in saying that Wavebirds are a dime a dozen in Japen (fingers crossed!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atariboy Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Maybe the Japanese equivalent of a component cable? I believe the D-Terminal cable for the GameCube is significantly cheaper. You'd probably have to find something to convert it though to RCA style plugs since I think the connectors are different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onmode-ky Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 I'm really hoping that someone with some knowledge chimes in saying that Wavebirds are a dime a dozen in Japen (fingers crossed!). Based on Amazon.co.jp, it doesn't seem like it (top group is "Used - Acceptable [Condition]" copies, while bottom group is New copies). Do you have a Game Boy Player? I imported mine when Play-Asia.com had them at a discount, because I wanted it to match my GameCube's color (and I think we only got the black one in North America?). Of course, you would need to run Freeloader every time you used it. Personally, if I were going to Japan, I'd look for handheld (except 3DS) and PS3 games, since those are inherently region free. One of my imported GameCube games spews garbage instead of Japanese text on the screen when I'm running it via Freeloader. Or maybe I'd look for a cheap Japanese PS2 and copies of Namco X Capcom and Thunder Force VI. Oh, and I'd probably also shop for a lot of anime, manga, and assorted merchandise, but that's another story. onmode-ky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianC Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 (edited) Sin and Punishment seems to be fairly affordable. I only played it on Wii VC, but I like it quite a bit. The voices are in English, so there isn't much of a language barrier. Edited August 25, 2013 by BrianC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Charlie Cat Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Hi guys, Nintendo 64 systems are cheap in Japan as well. Its just the S&H is the bummer part! Anthony.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famicommander Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 I second the recommendation of Sin and Punishment. Incredible game and since it's a shooter there's no real language barrier issues. If you do decide to expand your search beyond N64 and Gamecube stuff, I recommend getting a Wonderswan Color. The system is dirt cheap in Japan and has a good selection of exclusive titles, but it was never released outside Southeast Asia and is thus quite uncommon in these parts. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakasama Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 We have a saleman at our company who is regularly making business trips over to Japan. He's also nice enough to look around for me if I give him a small wish list of gaming/electronic items. If he goes to Tokyo, he should go shopping at Akihabara. It's the gaming mecca of Tokyo. Here's a wiki link about it, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihabara 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+grips03 Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 (edited) I second the recommendation of Sin and Punishment. Incredible game and since it's a shooter there's no real language barrier issues. If you do decide to expand your search beyond N64 and Gamecube stuff, I recommend getting a Wonderswan Color. The system is dirt cheap in Japan and has a good selection of exclusive titles, but it was never released outside Southeast Asia and is thus quite uncommon in these parts. if you go this route get a Wonderswan coin for the controller. I would get NeoGeo AES games. Edited August 26, 2013 by grips03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Ghost Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 This is great input everyone....thanks! RE: Sin & Punishment....is there an N64 title and then a Wii sequal? I think I've seen a Wii game by the same name, not sure I've ever seen an N64 title by that name though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famicommander Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Sin and Punishment is the original Nintendo 64 game, which was later released on Wii Virtual Console. Sin and Punishment: Star Successor is the sequel and it's a retail Wii game. Both are top notch Treasure shooters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsychedelicShaman Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 You could always get a Panasonic Q Hard to find working ones here in the states. And, it's basically a pimped version of the Gamecube. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Relatively hard or not possible to find in the US Compatible with US hardware (using a Freeloader counts) At this point, N64 or Gamecube related Language friendly Mr Driller - Drill Land! One of the best, if not the best, Dig Dug sequels ever made. Bright art, great music, and 5 game modes, where only one would present any sort of language barrier at all (and not a difficult barrier). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keilbaca Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 (edited) I second the Panasonic Q, and going to Akihabara. The Sega Arcade there is nothing short of amazing. Also while he's over there, see if he can find a Famicom A/V. Basically its a top loader NES, that uses the same multi out as the SNES. S-Video does not work on it though. I missed my chance to snag a Famicom A/V when I was stationed there for $60. I'm kicking myself in the ass for not getting it. If you are into Cave Shoot Em Ups, get Mushihimesama Futari 1.5, DoDonPachi saidaioujou, Espgaluda 2, Muchi Muchi Pork/Pink sweets, and I think there's one more that's region free. All are for the xbox 360. Edited August 27, 2013 by keilbaca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Ghost Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 Mr Driller - Drill Land! One of the best, if not the best, Dig Dug sequels ever made. Bright art, great music, and 5 game modes, where only one would present any sort of language barrier at all (and not a difficult barrier). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Ghost Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 (edited) Mr Driller - Drill Land! One of the best, if not thebest, Dig Dug sequels ever made. Bright art, great music, and 5 game modes, where only one would present any sort of language barrier at all (and not a difficult barrier). Edited August 27, 2013 by Metal Ghost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Ghost Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 Forum reply boxes have been acting really 'wonky' for me since the upgrade. If a mod can delete the double-post, please feel free. Anyway Rex, this is great, just the type of game I was looking for. The fact that it can connect with a GBA is icing on the cake. Which makes me ask though....anyone happen to know if GBA games are region free? If so, I may have to ask him to try and find both Mr. Driller - Drill Land and Mr. Driller Ace: Fishigi na Pacteria. About the Wonderswan mentioned above....make me think back: was it the Wonderswan or the Neo Geo Pocket Color that had cross functionality with the Dreamcast? I'd swear that I remember hearing about that at one point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 All game boys (GBA included) are 100% region-free. Also, Driller Ace is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Ghost Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Ok, so he's leaving for Japan tomorrow and will be on the lookout for the Mr Driller games. Any other GCN suggestions? Also, while I know it's not 'Classic', as I was playing Rayman Legends this evening I got to thinking: 1) is the Wii U region fee? and 2) anyone know of any good Wii U games available in Japan but not released in North America yet?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesD Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I was going to suggest MSX stuff until I got to: At this point, N64 or Gamecube related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Also, while I know it's not 'Classic', as I was playing Rayman Legends this evening I got to thinking: 1) is the Wii U region fee? and 2) anyone know of any good Wii U games available in Japan but not released in North America yet?? The Wii-U is region-locked, unfortunately. Gotta wait until it's hacked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I'd ask for a "Waifu". I'm not sure what it is, but sounds entertaining! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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