Swami

I think the main problem is that they don't make Stella IC, the TIA IC and a few others anymore, so you are left to scavenge them. This is Analog NT style, but more specific. Cannibalizing old Atari 2600's can also earn a lot of contempt from numerous retro fans.

The eBay Japanese seller originally responded to my request with "how much you buy for", but did not respond to my offer to pay a "50% mark-up/commision (negotiable) + shipping" to get it for me (e.g., $45 for an item $30 on a Japanese store site, plus whatever shippiong expense). They put on the business card they sent me with a previous purchase to contact them with any special item requests. So, I have now tried an internet proxy business called "white rabbit express," which says it will buy and ship items from any website for you. So far, cost without international shipping is $42.58; So, it is so far a little cheaper than the 50% commision but will have to wait for import/export damages (and there was domestic shipping estimate of $7 added, but item price already included shipping, so I may get this deducted).

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Got my copy of Tank Mission!

Some kind of Steam-type box, except with PS, XBox and Nintendo channels? Maybe playing phone apps on the TV? Plus the BluRay? An entertainment focused computer. A gaming computer that only does entertainment and maybe streaming. No Word or Excel or Firefox. Maybe just an entertainment app store PC with some exclusive contracts, which will vaporize after a few years. Something inexpensive with an OS optimized to keep background program interference to a minimum. . . .Either that or a SuperVectrex, like the old asteroids and Gravitar games. May also be SkyNet.

I'm surprised to find I like a gemstick I got as part of a bundle. The shape is small and curved enough and the fire button big enough that I can cup my left hand around the edge and have my thumb flat across the top, which seems to greatly reduce thumb cramp compared to the CX-40 and some others (I know, I'm an old decrepit).It also has a wicked-short twitch distance on the joystick without false moves, except, of course, for a lot of 4-way games, like the pacs, where it still blows.

So Mercari.com/jp/ required me to enter my phone number, so I entered the phone number Tenso gave me and mercari-jp said the format is incorrect. I am thinking about trying to get a Jananese eBay store to buy it for me. It was of the format: 05-1234-1234 Tried it with and without dashes, with and without first two numbers. Tried my American mobile number. No dice.

Now if I wanted to buy something from Mercari.jp, that is not on the Buyee list of stores, I think I would have to use the regular Tenso service with mail forwarding or some other open ended service. Of course, that probably leaves me try to navigate through a foreign, character based language website. Although I have done this with European websites it is somehow more difficult with Asian characters.

I can see the benefit of using Tenso over Buyee, if you want something bought quickly, because you buy it. With Buyee, it looks like they may wait a day or two to make the purchase...I'll see how quick they are. Edit: Less than 12 hours, so not bad there. The item was 3000 JPY and they charged 500 JPY shipping (~$6), but the shipping from Amazon was not included, so I have no idea how they make any money on this. Another modest limitation of Buyee compared to Tenso is that you are limited to their list of stores. It is a pretty good list, but is missing some stores I find obscure things at.

I'm starting to see poorly thought out, are you high, bull-in-china-shop as Cardillo's MO. This is no different - trying to salvage the vendor turnout with some home and garden supplier friends.

Thanks for the info. These seem to be the most popular. Are these fairly reliable? The ratings are so-so. Sounds like it is fine as long as no mistake, and then you are out your money. I looked into tenso and buyee. Just want to know what is the most trustworthy and has the best customer satisfaction. A little riskier than eBay or Amazon, as there is no money-back guarantee if you don't get your order. I can always start with smaller purchases and see, I guess.

So, found a few video games exclusive to Japan from Japanese auction sites and amazon.co.jp, but cannot use the Japanese auction sites and the sellers of the items on amazon japan do not ship internationally (although there are sellers who do, they are not for the items I am looking at). Some of these items are even "fulfilled by amazon" and will still not ship to US. Does anyone know of a trustworthy 3rd party service in Japan that can order these for me and ship them to me, for some commission/surcharge? Thanks

I guess the psychic never saw this coming, even though the AA forum did.

Love the console TVs. Would try to get one of these if I had the room.

Surprisingly, Craigslist came through on this. Found an excellent 2003 Sharp 27" stereo, AV, S-video, made in Mexico. Perfect picture. Hopefully should last until at least 2035 - 2040.

This one has no sound??? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik-eeFnbmdg#t=44.762382

PM sent

There is a graphic novel of SwordQuest coming out soon with the old comic versions, so I am hoping they won't drop the ball with it and will add some kind of closure or extras about the AirWorld and not just a reprint.

How do you get the coins and keys that are in the swamp?

I hate to ask, but will it be possible to get an instruction manual or cartridge/manual combo soon? Thank you!

Could be two runs where they lost the stencil and redid it the second time or a bootleg or someone redid their own label.

Just got one of these weird dedicated consoles off ebay, It is a combined light gun, fishing pole and N64-like controller with 60 games. Ordered it from Japan. Hope it works well, cause it looks pretty wild. Has fishing, target and shooting, racing and other standard 8/16-bit looking games. http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/vh4AAOSwl8NVXV2g/$_1.JPG Looks king like this Power Joy one, but also has the reel handle. http://www.qvc.com/Power-Joy-Streamline-w60-Arcade-Games-for-1-or-2-Players.product.E23859.html

Carts for 7800 arrived fast and as promised. Good seller to deal with.

Came through with a hard to find Atari 7800 metal name strip. Easy to work with and fast shipping.

So after 30 years, when the screen is dark when you first turn it on for a minute, then stays dark a minute or two longer every week until *blap* no more picture, is that the picture tube or the caps? The two TVs I've seen go, both my parents', died that way.