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[RadarScope1]

After taking a year off from NES acquisitions, I went crazy this month and made it a little closer to my 100-game goal:

Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth is currently factory sealed, although I'll be rectifying that before too long. I like to open a brand new NES game occasionally, it sends me back to the Christmases of my youth.

Holy hell, are you me? I've also taken a few years off, been on a CIB kick and am nearing the 100-game mark overall. And you even brought up something else I wanted to ask about...

What does this thread think about opening sealed games? I don't think I could bring myself to do a major title like a Zelda or Mario game but I see some other games on want-list that are sealed and I'd love to have them because they're guaranteed to be in mint condition -- provided the price isn't stupidly high. I don't need mint that badly...

 

[Chitown B]

Castlevania II and Blades of Steel were my jams

 

[Mzo]

Games are nothing unless they're plugged into a console and are being played. Open them up or sell them to some idiot collector and buy a mint opened one if the price difference is great enough. Money is money, after all.

 

[D.Lo]

Games are nothing unless they're plugged into a console and are being played. Open them up or sell them to some idiot collector and buy a mint opened one if the price difference is great enough. Money is money, after all.

That's always been my strategy. Mint I can understand, sealed is lunacy.

Those 'graded' sealed things are a disgrace.

 

[Teknoman]

Games are nothing unless they're plugged into a console and are being played. Open them up or sell them to some idiot collector and buy a mint opened one if the price difference is great enough. Money is money, after all.

That's always been my strategy. Mint I can understand, sealed is lunacy.

Those 'graded' sealed things are a disgrace.

Gotta side with you guys on this. CIB in great shape? Gimme. Sealed? I'd probably try to get a good deal and grab some other games for it.

 

[Timu]

Games are nothing unless they're plugged into a console and are being played.

Well said!!!

 

[OnPoint]

Website: Right here, ya scallywag

Trailer: For the unfamiliar, here's the trailer for the game

Controls:

• Movement - D-pad
• Fire vulcan cannon - Hold A
• Absorb using the shield - Press Start - Uses (shield)
• Break shield using bombs - Tap A - Uses (power)
• Reflect bombs using sword - Double-tap Up
• Dash to evade - Tap B - Uses (power)
• Strafe or circle strafe - Hold B

Impressions

I got the chance to spend some time with Star Versus this weekend, and we played a bit more today. I'm happy to report that the game is a fun 2-person multiplayer game. It's not quite perfect, but it's well worth the price of entry.

The first thing you'll notice is there is a ton of functionality tied to the controller. It's a lot to digest at first, but you eventually adjust. I find myself woefully forgetful that the Start and Select buttons have such important functions, but I'll have to train myself to think otherwise. 25+ years of NES gaming habits are hard to shake off and higher level play shouldn't come easy.

Once both players have the controls down the two-player deathmatch is a fun game of cat and mouse. You're both trying to do your best to damage the other player's ship while avoiding their shots. Powerups appear and really turn the tide of battle. The ones that increase your firepower also last the whole round, so there's a huge emphasis on who can get to them first. Toppling a player with a spread shot is difficult when you're still on default loadout, but it can be so satisfying. Matches are a best of five -- three kills and you win.

The four maps provide a pretty decent amount of variety. One's set in a light asteroid storm that can damage you. Another has a star floating around that kills you on contact. Three of the four have wrap around so if you go out the left you enter back in the right. It adds quite a bit to the strategy.

The single player is OK. It's pretty difficult, but it teaches you a lot about how to play. There are enemies floating around in different configurations and it's up to you to take them out. Some float in patterns and fire bullets. Some chase you around. Those instadeath lasers from Flash Man's stage in MM2 show up, though here they only damage you -- you'll need to take them out at the source. It's varied, and good training if anything to get the controls down. But it's a tough campaign (though story-less). I haven't seen an ending or congrats screen yet, if there is one.

While the game is fun, there are some things I'd have liked done a little better. First off, the melee being tied to double-tap Up is awkward. It's pretty powerful, but it's hard to pull off. Next, I don't like that the powerups last until the end of the round. It makes it too easy to camp the center of the map. Which brings me to my third point, once you can camp the center, the powerups tend to spawn there. Makes it hard to mount a comeback. Maybe I need to get better at using the shield or the dash. But a clear advantage is given to the king of the center, at least from my view. These flaws don't undermine the fun, but I'd have improved on them if I could have.

The audio is awesome, having been done by Luke Silas of Knife City. The tunes are energetic and catchy. Just really well composed. The graphics are first and most importantly clear and easy to read. But they have a good style to them too. Nothing that really blew me away, but they're solid nonetheless.

This was my first foray into a homebrew, indie-made NES product, but I have to say that I'm happy with the results. It's a wonderful feeling to play something new and fresh on my favorite console. Especially something that had such a large amount of care put into it. When they're restocked, it's worth scooping up a copy.​

 

[theSlacker]

After taking a year off from NES acquisitions, I went crazy this month and made it a little closer to my 100-game goal:

Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth is currently factory sealed, although I'll be rectifying that before too long. I like to open a brand new NES game occasionally, it sends me back to the Christmases of my youth.

The Wizards and Warriors box is so fucking boss. Why did they have to switch to Fabio for the second one?

 

[Charles Brandon]

Favourite box art?


Mine is

 

[sixteen-bit]

Favourite box art?

Gotta go with Life Force

 

[theSlacker]

Common fuckers, just look at this thing:

 

[jonno394]

I remember an 8 yo me seeing this cover and thinking the game looked bad ass, never got through more than a few floors though tbh

 

[StAidan]

Holy hell, are you me? I've also taken a few years off, been on a CIB kick and am nearing the 100-game mark overall. And you even brought up something else I wanted to ask about...

What does this thread think about opening sealed games? I don't think I could bring myself to do a major title like a Zelda or Mario game but I see some other games on want-list that are sealed and I'd love to have them because they're guaranteed to be in mint condition -- provided the price isn't stupidly high. I don't need mint that badly...

Haha, yeah I have a list of 101 games that I want to collect CIB. Looking at my Nintendo Age collection database, I currently stand at 59.

And I don't think I could bring myself to leave a sealed game on my shelf indefinitely. All the same, I've preserved each of my sealed unboxings in video form on YouTube. So far, I've also opened Solar Jetman, Super Spike V'Ball, Shatterhand, Vice: Project Doom, and River City Ransom.

 

[Ban Puncher]

Finally found a mint and complete Abarenbou Tengu on Famicom that wasn't going for ScumBay prices.

 

[ElTopo]

After taking a year off from NES acquisitions, I went crazy this month and made it a little closer to my 100-game goal:

Wurm: Journey to the Center of the Earth is currently factory sealed, although I'll be rectifying that before too long. I like to open a brand new NES game occasionally, it sends me back to the Christmases of my youth.

Power Blade? Nice. Very good obscure NES action/platformer. Has an interesting history behind it: http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/powerblade/powerblade.htm

Also, I learned something. That there's three different game companies in Japan named Natsume. And that the Natsume that made Pocky and Rocky and Harvest Moon are an entirely different company from the one that made many classic NES and presumably SNES titles. And at least 2 of the 3 Natsume's are still around. That blew my mind.

On that note, I just beat Abadox legit this time. Great shmup but hard as fuck. Actually, let me clarify that. The game is similar to Gradius in that once you lose your powerups you're kinda' fucked. The last level especially has tons of cheap instant kill shit and requires pure memorization and a bit of luck (FUCK THOSE MOTHERFUCKING PHOENIX BIRD MOTHERFUCKERS!). But, I don't know if it's quite as hard as Gradius 1 and 2 and Lifeforce because the developers were generous enough to give you infinite continues and the occasional decent check point. But on the other hand, Gradius and Lifeforce had the Konami (RIP) code.

I'd beat Abadox in my top 5 SHMUP's on the NES. Along with Gradius 1 and 2, SCAT, and Guardian Legend.

 

[Mercutio]

Gotta go with Life Force

And the Japanese Salamander cart is even more awesome looking.

I love that some of the ROMs have Konami markings.

RIP Konami.

 

[RadarScope1]

Games are nothing unless they're plugged into a console and are being played. Open them up or sell them to some idiot collector and buy a mint opened one if the price difference is great enough. Money is money, after all.

This is definitely how I've always felt but I wanted to guage how people felt about actually opening them. StAidan, you've given me more confidence to go for it. I like the idea of getting it on video, too. I would not pay a big premium for a sealed copy of a game but I would certainly pay a few bucks extra to have a mint copy (same I would for any mint copy, really). Care to share a video or two with us, StAidan?

 

[-KRS-]

Finally got a working cart of FC Contra today! I've mentioned here before that I've been trying to get one for some time now but have run into issues when doing so. The first one didn't show up, and the second one was damaged in the mail and didn't work. The seller of the last one sent me another one though, so now I finally have it!

Naturally I played through it immediately. I used the 30 lives code though. I think I used up about 16 lives. Maybe one day I'll be good enough to beat it legitimately.

 

[OnPoint]

So much for those Star Versus impressions haha

Anyway that Japanese Salamander cart is gorgeous. I might need to get my hands on that.

 

[StAidan]

This is definitely how I've always felt but I wanted to guage how people felt about actually opening them. StAidan, you've given me more confidence to go for it. I like the idea of getting it on video, too. I would not pay a big premium for a sealed copy of a game but I would certainly pay a few bucks extra to have a mint copy (same I would for any mint copy, really). Care to share a video or two with us, StAidan?

Sure, here are a couple of the ones I've done so far. I tried to make the process a little more interesting by talking a little bit about each game and showing the issue of Nintendo Power that the game was covered in. I'm not an especially skilled narrator or anything, but I think they turned out all right:

Solar Jetman (first one I did) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXk53kvpfzU
River City Ransom (most recent one so far) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Aw9goe46BA

For these videos, I set up a Microsoft LifeCam studio on a tripod. I have a pretty nice Canon G7X now though, so the Wurm unboxing should look (and sound) a lot better, whenever I get around to it.

 

[Mercutio]

I've made a bunch of Famicom-art inspired cases for my Rockman set. They still say Nintendo Entertainment System on the spine, but I don't change that in my collection for Fami stuff. The front and spine are from the Famicom version, the backs are from the NES carts.

 

[theSlacker]

And the Japanese Salamander cart is even more awesome looking.

I love that some of the ROMs have Konami markings.

RIP Konami.

Damn, that is pretty boss. Any other famicom games that have the cart like that?

 

[IrishNinja]

tight work mercutio!

 

[sixteen-bit]

lol @ Battletoads in Shovel Knight

 

[ElTopo]

lol @ Battletoads in Shovel Knight

Ouch. Talk about cutting corners. Either the devs rushed it or they pocketed some of that Microsoft cash.

 

[Pengew]

I've made a bunch of Famicom-art inspired cases for my Rockman set. They still say Nintendo Entertainment System on the spine, but I don't change that in my collection for Fami stuff. The front and spine are from the Famicom version, the backs are from the NES carts.

Awesome! I have been trying to find something like this. Tried making my own but all the art i found was really low res. You wouldn't mind sharing those would ya?

 

[Shadow Hog]

Ouch. Talk about cutting corners. Either the devs rushed it or they pocketed some of that Microsoft cash.

I don't think I'd call this "cutting corners" (second video)

 

[OnPoint]

Ouch. Talk about cutting corners. Either the devs rushed it or they pocketed some of that Microsoft cash.

Eh? Looks like Battletoads to me.

 

[Chitown B]

Ouch. Talk about cutting corners. Either the devs rushed it or they pocketed some of that Microsoft cash.

what are you talking about?

 

[RadarScope1]

And the Japanese Salamander cart is even more awesome looking.

I love that some of the ROMs have Konami markings.

RIP Konami.

I really must have this. So sharp.

I've made a bunch of Famicom-art inspired cases for my Rockman set. They still say Nintendo Entertainment System on the spine, but I don't change that in my collection for Fami stuff. The front and spine are from the Famicom version, the backs are from the NES carts.

This is excellent! Please post pics or make a vid of the carts and cases together. I love the look of the six Rockman carts together. I love how you were able to wrap the FC color around the border of the original NES reverse sides. Too bad Nintendo changed it up for MM6.

Once again you all are proding me closer to getting a FC... Cannot afford...

Solar Jetman (first one I did) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXk53kvpfzU
River City Ransom (most recent one so far) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Aw9goe46BA

Good stuff. And once again I'm on a similar wavelength as you, because I'm considering getting some old Nintendo Powers, too. Just want the NES era ones. Those are getting to be a pretty penny now, too, though.

 

[D.Lo]

And the Japanese Salamander cart is even more awesome looking.

I love that some of the ROMs have Konami markings.

RIP Konami.

Just like my one and every Salamander cart I have ever seen, it has dirt under the label on the corners!

 

[ElTopo]

I don't think I'd call this "cutting corners" (second video)

I stand corrected. I thought that was the only boss battle and I was judging it by the stiff animations.

Sucks that's an XBONE exclusive.

 

[v1perz53]

I don't think I'd call this "cutting corners" (second video)

Holy god they even have the awesome pause music from Battletoads. Almost tempted to buy it on XB1 for this, even though I already own it on both nintendo platforms. That reminds me, I would love to re-buy Battletoads at some point to add to my collection, though it isn't really a priority since I get frustrated and quit very quickly every time I go back to it.

 

[Shadowman16]

Holy god they even have the awesome pause music from Battletoads. Almost tempted to buy it on XB1 for this, even though I already own it on both nintendo platforms. That reminds me, I would love to re-buy Battletoads at some point to add to my collection, though it isn't really a priority since I get frustrated and quit very quickly every time I go back to it.

I'll grab it as well, I've heard good things about the Battletoads extra, though I've been playing the Vita version quite extensively so I'll hold off getting the game for now (probably grab it in the summer, what with Mighty Number 9 held back until September).

In the mean time, I really need to get Battletoads on the NES/Famicom sometime. I've never played it but I like a sadistic challenge so that seems like it'd be perfect for me.

In the mean time I've got Mike Tyson's Punch Out on its way to me, its another Nintendo game I never played back in the day so I can't wait to play through it.

 

[Mzo]

Were hit-japan's prices always shit, or is that new?

 

[Teknoman]

Still fishing around with what/where should some new retro community high score challenges take place. Did mostly genesis last year.

Anyone got any ideas for some nes challenges?

Were hit-japan's prices always shit, or is that new?

Hit or miss usually.

 

[Ban Puncher]

Were hit-japan's prices always shit, or is that new?

Shitty prices for the quality of items.

 

[Mzo]

Their price for Doki Doki Panic is more than twice what it usually goes for, stickers included.

Ridiculous. They're sitting on this stack and another priced $5 cheaper. What a bargain.

 

[Ban Puncher]

The only time I'll bother looking at hit-japan or most of the other big retro sellers is when ScumBay is having one of their rare 'use this coupon code at checkout to get xx% off your purchases' sales.

 

[D.Lo]

Honestly I'm starting to see BIN prices as the real prices and auctions as clearance prices. Which was pretty much ebay's intention unfortunately.

When I sell it's BIN exclusively now, for any categories, only suckers risk an auction.

Find the highest price what you're selling sold at, match it, list it BIN. It WILL sell at that eventually. And listings are free so there's no risk at all. Put it in an action and you risk bad timing (only one person interested online that week) and getting $1.

Blame eBay for having the free listings. You used to have to pay for high staring prices/BIN prices, so it was always a risk and the market decided price each auction, but not anymore. Now it's just a collective storefront where they get a huge cut of margins.

 

[D.Lo]

I just finished Rollergames again yesterday for a review thing. Goddamn tough game. But a total gem.

I'm not from the US so never saw the show, I just thought it was an original premise when I first got it in the early 90s! Rollerblades had just taken off and I assumed it was a cash-in from that.

 

[theSlacker]

Honestly I'm starting to see BIN prices as the real prices and auctions as clearance prices. Which was pretty much ebay's intention unfortunately.

When I sell it's BIN exclusively now, for any categories, only suckers risk an auction.

Find the highest price what you're selling sold at, match it, list it BIN. It WILL sell at that eventually. And listings are free so there's no risk at all. Put it in an action and you risk bad timing (only one person interested online that week) and getting $1.

Blame eBay for having the free listings. You used to have to pay for high staring prices/BIN prices, so it was always a risk and the market decided price each auction, but not anymore. Now it's just a collective storefront where they get a huge cut of margins.

I don't know. It seems that any game that I'm watching, if it is in really good condition and has a lot of pictures the auction will shoot up higher then recently sold buy it now prices at the end.

 

[D.Lo]

I don't know. It seems that any game that I'm watching, if it is in really good condition and has a lot of pictures the auction will shoot up higher then recently sold buy it now prices at the end.

Assuming condition and pictures are equal, that's some dumb-ass bidders then, if they pay more than something openly available for purchase for no good reason.

 

[theSlacker]

Assuming condition and pictures are equal, that's some dumb-ass bidders then, if they pay more than something openly available for purchase for no good reason.

I always assume it's just some bid exploitation or something. Or someone sets a high bid just to make sure they get it only to have the seller bid them up to find out where the max is.

But yeah, the problem is that most of the time buy it nows don't have great pics and are still overpriced.

 

[D.Lo]

I always assume it's just some bid exploitation or something. Or someone sets a high bid just to make sure they get it only to have the seller bid them up to find out where the max is.

But yeah, the problem is that most of the time buy it nows don't have great pics and are still overpriced.

If they don't have good pics, they are not equivalent listings. No clear pics is suspicious, every item in my house has a built in camera nowadays, and eBay has like 12 free pictures, not that hard. If you don't have a good pictures, I don't buy it, simple as that.

Hit Japan (who was the seller I was speaking of), has great pics, but high prices. But does good deals if you ask.

I can't believe I've been buying from Hit Japan and Yamatoku for over a decade now!

 

[StAidan]

Good stuff. And once again I'm on a similar wavelength as you, because I'm considering getting some old Nintendo Powers, too. Just want the NES era ones. Those are getting to be a pretty penny now, too, though.

Yeah, no kidding. Fortunately I still had most of my NP issues from when I was a kid. But I had some gaps in my subscription back then, so I've been filling those in over time. I think $30 is about the most I've paid for an issue so far.

 

[ZealousD]

They're a little bit smaller but I really like 199963wands as a seller. They usually have pretty good BIN prices, ship quickly, and they have a good enough selection that you can often find a couple items you want that you can combine shipping on. They even usually include a random trading card as a bonus. I always thought that was kind cool.

 

[sixteen-bit]

IIRC hit-japan is high but you're supposed to get the price down through the "Make Offer" option.

 

[RadarScope1]

I've got some carts to sell and I'm trying to decide between selling them here or going for the cash-in on eBay. All of the games are common but nearly all are in excellent shape and would be perfect for anyone starting their collection now. I get the feeling most in this thread already have these games but if there's anyone lurking who wants to start a collection, chime in let me know.

Yeah, no kidding. Fortunately I still had most of my NP issues from when I was a kid. But I had some gaps in my subscription back then, so I've been filling those in over time. I think $30 is about the most I've paid for an issue so far.

Nice. I never was a subscriber (I read my friend's copies) so I don't have any. I probably would if I had ever subbed -- still have my EGMs and GameFans from 1993-98. If you happen to have any duplicate NP issues, I'll buy!

 

[OnPoint]

I've got some carts to sell and I'm trying to decide between selling them here or going for the cash-in on eBay. All of the games are common but nearly all are in excellent shape and would be perfect for anyone starting their collection now. I get the feeling most in this thread already have these games but if there's anyone lurking who wants to start a collection, chime in let me know.

I'd like to see a list, I might be missing something you have.