HoshiChiri

2021-05-24T12:26:32Z

On 5/21/2021 at 12:59 PM, Bill Loguidice said:

I mean I appreciate VES/Channel F, but the idea that someone would secure the rights and then put these very basic games (several of which benefit from the unique controller) on an actual cartridge to purchase for a platform like this and maybe sell a few dozen copies doesn't seem like a great use of limited resources.

I honestly agree- I mean, it would sell a lot more than a few dozen copies. Evercade carts are cheap enough that a lot of people (myself included) are just going for a complete run on it. BUT- a lot of what's on the Channel F comes off less like a game & more like bits you'd put together to make a game (especially the early carts). I genuinely question how many people would want to actively play these games, as opposed to owning them as a curiosity.

Now, if they could develop a controller for use on the VS, that's a little different- the Channel F has such a unique controller you could make a case for a bundled set!

2021-05-24T12:15:24Z

I'd call them arcade platformers, but that's probably not the best option- I'm sure other people use that term for titles I'd consider side scrollers or beat-em-ups.

April 2

I picked up Solatorobo so many times at Gamestop, watching it go all the way down to $25-30ish (I forget exactly how much). I figured I'd buy it when it hit $20. Then it sold. Then the prices skyrocketed. I think I spent $100-150 when I finally did buy it. It's gone up even more, so I'm glad bought it when I did- but if I hadn't been so stingy in that Gamestop!

Alternatively, found a Gamecube kiosk disc in a thift store for under $10... but in a massive moment of stupidity didn't even check the price for sure, becuase people don't really want these never-available-to-the-public demos, right? WHY DID I THINK THAT?! I KNOW BETTER THAN THAT!

March 19

I've got 7 of the 10 games for the mini, and- it's fine, I guess? The name is appropriate- they're minigames. Not the most fleshed out experiences out there. It's a good choice for a 'novelty' system, since despite being shallow the games are all quite playable & fun. I'm genuinely not sure it's worth the current going rates online though- if you do decide to get one, be sure to check japanese sites. Sometimes you get a better deal.

March 7

So, the store I work for closes in 2 weeks, & they are taking down the lil' TVs by our fitting rooms. Since they have no remotes, the guy in charge of liquidation wants to just recycle them- but the guy who has to do the work would rather not. So that means if somebody wants a TV, they can just take one! The particulars:

-TVs are varied sizes, but all around the 17-19" range. Multiple brands, mostly Toshibas.

-All TVs work, but have dirt/wear appropriate to being in a store for a decade plus.

-All TVs have a minimum of 1 HDMI (most have 2), 1 shared component/composite, & 1 RF. Some have VGA. No remotes or stands.

-Since they aren't being made publicly available, you'll need to get in touch with me for one. Currently 4 available (pictured), with one 1 know of still installed.

-these are open to all employees & no holds, so no guarantees until it's in your hand.

-You do have to pick it up in person, I'm not able to mail any.

Send me a message if you're interested!

February 27

PM sent!

February 26

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've never needed to tune a console to run before (aside from toggling between channel 3 & 4.) I honestly didn't know you could!

I have an a/b switch & f-plug adapters for the RF systems. NES top loader always connected, set up the others as needed. The switch means the connection is always easy to reach.

For composite it's even simpler- everything's plugged into a switchbox, I just push a button.

February 8

5 hours ago, 7800Knight said:

I am watching YouTube reviews on the Evercade right now.

It does have my interest as the price seems good and unlike a lot of the mass produced Chinese retro handhelds flooding the market, the fact that it uses cartridges is a plus.

I want some feedback here; is it worth getting an Evercade?

I don't regret mine! If you should get one depends on what you're expecting of it.

If you want a means to play the best of retro gaming... well, you don't want this. I can't imagine the REALLY big names (like Nintendo) will be releasing here, & there's better ways to get those games anyway.

If you want a means to get tons of games in a convenient portable package... maybe? Being cartridge based does limit the convenience factor- perhaps something more akin to a minty-pi would do better.

Now, if you've been into gaming awhile & like the idea of a curated collection of lesser known gems & modern takes, packaged up in a slick physical format & sold very affordably- this is VERY much in your wheelhouse! You don't get this for old favorites (probably), you get this to explore things you didn't see the first time around. You won't necessarily spend a lot of time on it- it's a kinda niche lineup, really- but you'll enjoy the time you do spend on it.

As far as quality goes, it's not completely perfect- it's light for its size & the flush cart design makes them kinda hard to remove/insert (it gets better with use). However- the screen/speaker quality is great, the plastic & buttons don't feel cheap & click well, all the functionality is sound. Basically, it feels like a really good budget machine, just like you'd expect. Also, the battery on it is AMAZING- I don't play more than an hour or two every few weeks right now, & I genuinely don't remember when I charged it last! So I guess if you need a reliable waiting-room machine, this is a great choice!

February 4

2. Mezase! Senkyuoh (PS1)

Better known as 'Battle Balls' for its English arcade release, this import is the only home version of one of my favorite puzzle games! I used to play the arcade cabinet at a local restaurant in high school, even when the monitor started going so the balls changed color as they fell! Not surprisingly it got removed when that problem got more serious. Never did finish it back then (not enough quarters), so it was nice to sit down & do it now! Grabbed some pics for posterity... and becuase some of you might be surprised by the developer 🤣

January 26

What we have right now is a perfect storm of factors for price jumps on something like Pokemon.

1- extended closures of most social gathering spaces means people are seeking more methods of home entertainment, so games in general are getting more attention.

2- ever increasing housing costs means a number of these newly housebound people are in smaller apartments & could be drawn to space-saving handhelds.

3- Pokemon is 25 years old now. The perfect age for the nostalgia bug to be hitting the folks who grew up on it.

End result: there's a lot of folks who are working from home, want something to occupy their off-hours that doesn't involve being near the same monitor they use for work, burned out on Netflix, & remembering how when they were a kid they could waste a whole Saturday just sitting on their Gameboy hunting Pikachu. Then the government sends them a random check and they think hey, maybe I'll give Pokemon another go.

It's kind of how games in general are spiking in price right now, amplified by the popularity of the series. The fact that Pokemon Snap is in the news just makes it worse!

January 17

1. Rez (PS2- Japan ver.)

I played just a tiny bit of a PS4 version of Rez back when I got it. Aside from realizing it's the predecessor to Child of Eden on 360, it didn't really hold me right away. This time though- this time I got hooked! Probably becuase I had to put in just a bit more effort to figure out what was going on (I know some Japanese & can read kana, but I'm hardly fluent!) I'm no completionist, so it's the bad ending for me. At least for now- maybe I'll try for butterflies later.

In any case, this is a damn good game! Just let the music pull you in & go with it! 😁

January 15

4 hours ago, tripletopper said:

If you believe your games are meant to be put in the shelf forever and replaced, like big AAA game companies do then ads make no sense. But if you believe your games will stand the test of time, then the ad model asks nothing of the consumer expect 30 seconds of ad time every 6 minutes. And the more they partake the more pay generated.

And that might work great- while YOU'RE in charge. You do mention social security, which implies you intend to retire someday. What if your successor isn't so resolute? What if they're willing to bend the morals a lil' bit to prove they too can generate income- better income, even!

Small businesses can make something like this work- a pro-corporate tool applied with prudence for customer gain. But the second other people can grab the handle, it's only a matter of time before someone uses it like a hammer & beats the customer base for pennies.

Sometimes the most pro-consumer thing you can do, is just keep the most abuseable options out altogether.

January 15

I have finished the setup for the Japanese PS2! Since I made it a semi-portable unit, it needed a way to get carried around. I finally found a proper bag for the purpose- it's a simple soft-sided cooler shaped lunch bag. Zippered pocket in front for memory cards, mesh pocket in top that's perfect for a DVD sized case... only problem was keeping the system components separated. So, I made a lil' divider out of cardboard & covered it in felt this afternoon. I think it came out well!

January 15

If there's one thing I've learned in my life of retail work, it's this: Businesses Expect Exponential Growth. Forever. It's not just enough to make money, you have to make more money than the year before. But eventually, you'll hit the plateau of what your customers will pay- so you start cutting corners or introducing new ways to squeeze that extra bit more out.

Ad-based gaming could start out with all the bright promises of 'we won't overdo it, it'll be fair, & you'll never HAVE to pay'- but it won't matter. Eventually the push from investors/developers/anyone tied to your company, really, will erode those ideals & bring us an ad-filled abomination. Case in point: mobile games. They literally did what you say! Old games were free, just watch an ad every couple stages. Now look at them- I downloaded one called 3D match on my mom's recommendation. Mid-stage ads, between stage ads, ads for getting items/gold... it costs SIX DOLLARS to drop the ads! Which might be worth it if they didn't also charge you for power-ups AND to access the gold you earn while playing! It's a mess.

I can't get behind ad-based gaming, there's just too much room for it to go very, very wrong.

January 12

After a bit of fitting about, I have officially acquired a Japanese PS2 to play my new import games! (I had to cancel my original order & grab one from another seller). I can finally use this joytech screen without jury-rigging it with velcro & prayers!

And yes, I had to try the Trance controller (not like that! Minds out of the gutter!) It actually didn't work at first, & there's no guides online- but I did find someone mention in passing their motor had seized. So- I opened it up, got the game going, and literally prop-started the thing! Once it started going consistently it didn't need my help anymore, so I closed it back up- if I have issues later I'll have to find something to grease it with. It is an interesting thing- the trance acts as a 'base' while the controller vibrates with some of the musical flourishes. I didn't realize it wasn't an excact mimic of the controller!

I have also learned that Beatmania is quite similar to Pop n' Music... which in turn means I'm terrible at it! 🤣 It's becuase the music is tied to the notes you hit, so if I mess up I have trouble getting back on rhythm. I guess I have everything I need to practice, though!

January 10

I got through the thread wondering why all these solutions I knew of weren't getting mentioned until I hit the necrobump. We've made some serious progress on TV game gear in the last decade!

January 8

Quick update: since I hadn't received any updates on my gift card situation, I decided to double-check the balance on the old card... they did reload it. It just took several days. Despite the email specifically saying they'd have to mail a new card. *sigh* it's fine though- since literally none of the games I wanted were available locally secondhand, I did an online order: 1 pre-owned AC New Leaf for my niece's birthday (since she will not care if it's cart only), 1 new copy for me (so we can play together), a pack of AC amiibo cards & a mario ornament to pad out for shipping. Between the birthday coupon, the CAG coupon, the pro certificate & the gift card, cost me $26. Don't often get to feel like I did good at Gamestop these days.

We'll see if that lasts once the order comes in.

January 7

Sounds good- glad you're not dead! 🤣

January 7

It's probably worth asking for a partial refund if you know you intend to keep it either way- the response might dictate your choice.

Leaving anything other than positive feedback can hurt a seller, so the question is: are you bothered enough to want to ding the guy? If not, no feedback is best- that's the true neutral these days (no punishment & no gain). If you do ask for the partial refund & get it, positive will pretty much be required.

January 6

Like the others, I'm fine with waiting for a complete copy- but since it's been 2 months, I thought I'd check in. Any progress on printing?

January 4

I'm currently in a bout of modern gaming fatigue. I'm not so off-put by the fetch quests & such as long as it's not overly grindy & the gameplay is generally fun. What usually brings it on for me is play session length. Modern games are typically big sprawling things with lots of cutscenes & sidequests & pretty visuals, that TAKE TIME to absorb. You don't play a modern game for 20 minutes. It's gonna be a notable part of your day if you're gonna be properly immersed. And sometimes, I don't want to dedicate that time to a game.

The usual response is to just go back to an older title- right now I'm playing the copy of Talmit's Adventure I got for AA's Secret Santa. No constant cutscene or drawn-out tutorials or weird side events. The Mole King kidnapped the Princess, go save her! Then you're playing- no tutorials, figure it out! You can beat a stage in just a few minutes, & the password/continue setup is very forgiving so super-short play sessions are still satisfying. It's great!

But I know me, eventually I will crave a meatier experience, then it's back to the Yakuza series 😆

January 2

So, something I just learned: I had a Gamestop gift card & decided to use it to buy a replacement Pacman tamagotchi. I set up a 'pickup in store' order- and it was canceled for lack of stock. That's fine, system only showed 1, inventory errors happen. I went to re-order at a different local store... and the gift card no longer worked. Apparently, if Gamestop cancels your online order & you used a gift card, they don't just reverse the charge, they mail a different card. So not only did I have to pay fully out of pocket, I have to hope the new card comes before the end of the month so I can use it on my birthday coupon game instead. What the heck kind of company can't reverse a charge on their own gift cards?! It'd make some sense if it was a proper online order, or if I'd done the cancelation... but seriously, the card can't be refunded 30 minutes later? *sigh*

January 2

1 hour ago, ClassicGMR said:

So, aside from shipping hassles, why not just buy a Japanese PS2 and then sell one of your extras? I haven't seen that mentioned yet and it was my first thought honestly.

Oh, that's basically what I've done! The set from Amazon Japan with 2 games & memory card is bought, they just can't mail it. Once they can- or once I find a local deal & cancel the order- my current slim will go to my sister (she's been getting back into gaming lately.) The second slim is technically my fiance's, so it's boxed up in his stuff- and the fat I've got hooked up is my original from 2001, & it ain't going nowhere! 😆

January 2

23 hours ago, phoenixdownita said:

Not sure where the current crops stands? Are Switch, PS4, PS5, XB One and XB One "seriously whatever" still region locked?

I'm not sure for Xbox, but PS4 & Switch are very much NOT region locked. I've got European games for both & Japanese/Asian releases on Switch, zero issues. In fact, many games on Switch will see your system's language info & automatically run the English version of the game for you! Online is still locked though- I was disappointed to learn my import copy of Taiko no Taisujin couldn't use DLC from my US account. Luckily the US digital release went on sale for like, 10 bucks shortly after & that fixed things 😆