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Question for JAPAN GAF

rareside

Member
Living in Japan right now, but I *must* have the new GTA for PSP. What websites do you guys usually use for importing Western software?
 
Hol shit, GDEX has the game for 7,800円 ! I guess I was paying more when I imported Japanese games back in the US though. Good damn.
 
rareside said:
Living in Japan right now, but I *must* have the new GTA for PSP. What websites do you guys usually use for importing Western software?

All I've heard is that backwards-importing is really challenging to pull off. I'm in the same position.

I might buy it and have it shipped to my home in the US, then have my brother dump the ISO and put it on my server for me, so I can play it off my stick until I get home to play it off disc.
 
Chittagong said:
If I recall correctly, LAOX in Akihabara has a pretty nice selection of software imported from US and EU.

Game Hollywood and Messe Sanoh Chaos in Aki both do as well, but the prices are re-tarded.

I use the "have a friend in the US ship it to me" method...seems to be the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable. And then they have goodwill for when they want things from Japan, so hey. :)
 
JackFrost2012 said:
Game Hollywood and Messe Sanoh Chaos in Aki both do as well, but the prices are re-tarded.

I use the "have a friend in the US ship it to me" method...seems to be the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable. And then they have goodwill for when they want things from Japan, so hey. :)

And at least with GameCube, UMD, and DS games, they can just wrap them in tissue paper and ship them in a normal envelope.

Works for me too. As silly as it seems to them that I'd want to be importing games INTO the country that made them.
 
Chittagong said:
If I recall correctly, LAOX in Akihabara has a pretty nice selection of software imported from US and EU.

Hmmm, never thought about buying it at a store in Japan. Unfortunately, I'm in Fukuoka (Kitakyushu to be more specific), so I don't know of any places that put emphasis on the latest Western 'imports'.

Using the 'friend in the US' method sounds pretty reliable. Just need to find someone who'll do the favor for me. Thanks for the advice.
 
Play-Asia isn't a bad option as well. They price their games low, and shipping is as little as 3.30.

I haven't used them to ship to Japan, but I probably will when my 360 shows up.
 
Okay, so I'm curious at how many Japan GAFfers are going to be importing U.S. Xbox 360 systems. Are all you guys going to be importing?

I've been thinking I'm going to get a Japanese system instead. Better price and the software will be cheaper, although I suppose it could suck if a big American FPS doesn't come out ober here.

Decisions, decisions. :)

At least I got the pre-order thing down. Today I went to the local game store (Chameleon Club...is this a chain?) and reserved Dragon Ball Z Sparking and Gunstar Super Heroes for this week. Very easy, and I was surprised to find I didn't have to put any cash down.
 
I got an email at work about an offer from MS, so I put my name in the hat and I will know if I am getting one next week.

Xbox 360 Premium
1 yr Xbox Live Gold
Faceplate not available to the public
-$399 shipped.

Im doing it for the superior US launch lineup (I will get a JPN system as well for N3) but I will be buying all of my accessories here in Japan since they are cheaper.

Anyone notice the goof in Famitsu last week.

X360 headset - 9000yen
X360 Wireless adapter - 2600yen!
 
Lyte Edge said:
Okay, so I'm curious at how many Japan GAFfers are going to be importing U.S. Xbox 360 systems. Are all you guys going to be importing?

I am importing the US 360, but not at launch. Unless I know that most US games will be compatible with Jpn units, but I doubt it especially in the early life of the hardware cycle.

As for importing US games, I usually ask someone in the US to pick up games over there and I do the same for them here, it's the best option available if you know people :-)
 
Troidal said:
I am importing the US 360, but not at launch. Unless I know that most US games will be compatible with Jpn units, but I doubt it especially in the early life of the hardware cycle.

As for importing US games, I usually ask someone in the US to pick up games over there and I do the same for them here, it's the best option available if you know people :-)

Hmm, that's a good idea. At least for the U.S. system, I'll just wait and see, but I still think I'm going to end up getting a Japanese system. The launch games I really want are all Japanese releases anyway.

I have thought about having someone back home reserve a system for me, but I've already experience problems with shipping game systems to this country. My modded Xbox's chip came busted...it only works like a normal Xbox now. :/
 
"Yeah, I'm not getting a 360 this fall because I have to save up to import Guitar Hero. >_<"

dood, you aren't getting a 360 because you HATE it!!! :D

Anyways, Rareside, if you are in Tokyo you could try Messe Sanoh's Chaos shop or Game Hollywood (both in Akihabara)

They are very quick at getting the games in stock.

""Okay, so I'm curious at how many Japan GAFfers are going to be importing U.S. Xbox 360 systems. Are all you guys going to be importing?"
seriously considering it
 
DCharlie, you know you're going to buy a Japanese and a U.S. 360. I meant everyone else! :D
 
I will get probably a japanese system (PAL system is out of question right now). It´s possible I get an american or a PAL for 2007 or so, but I think the japanese line up is more attractive right now, especially with N3.
 
Gaijin To Ronin said:
I think the japanese line up is more attractive right now, especially with N3.

Agreed, but what worries is me is the 360's success in Japan. I almost imported an Xbox back when it first came out in Japan, and I'm glad I held off; it seems like the system got so few releases compared to the U.S., and I hope that it won't be the same with the 360.
 
Will pick up the Japanese 360 at launch. As for the US version, that depends on which US titles that won't make it over here. I didn't get a US version Xbox (but have a modded Xbox). I have to clear space on my AV rack as well. Between the Japanese Xbox, modded Xbox, Gamecube and PS2... I wonder which will go into the closet? hmmm....
 
Agreed, but what worries is me is the 360's success in Japan. I almost imported an Xbox back when it first came out in Japan, and I'm glad I held off; it seems like the system got so few releases compared to the U.S., and I hope that it won't be the same with the 360.

Yes, I feel that too. The situation of Xbox there has been quite pathetic, I suppose you have seen that there is a quarter of the titles that the system has.

But I have a new high spec PC, that I think will cover a lot of the the west main multiplatform launches. I will be able to play Prey, Quake 4 or Oblivion in that PC, but the PC won´t be useful to get N3, Blue Dragon or DOA 4.

I foresee that it´s possible I finish getting other Xbox 360 (a euro one) if I need it for work. But as consumer only, I think the combo of a capable PC and a japanese Xbox 360 will allow me to get a bigger catalogue.
 
rareside said:
Hol shit, GDEX has the game for 7,800&#20870; ! I guess I was paying more when I imported Japanese games back in the US though. Good damn.

you'll pay the same if you buy a game in Japan..
 
Seriously, is anyone in Japan buying the X360 and at the same time not expect it to bomb? Let's be realistic... :lol :lol :lol
 
YellowAce said:
Seriously, is anyone in Japan buying the X360 and at the same time not expect it to bomb? Let's be realistic... :lol :lol :lol

What does XBX360's inevitable bombing in Japan have to do with any Japanese GAFers wanting a 360 and its games?
 
Amir0x said:
What does XBX360's inevitable bombing in Japan have to do with any Japanese GAFers wanting a 360 and its games?

Well, the entry cost of having to import the system and every single game is one.

Assuming there's a region lockout, we'd have to import a 360 in order to be assured that we can play every game (support's dropped off the end of the earth in Japan just a few years in, it'd be retarded to buy a JPN 360 w/o accounting for the possibility software stops getting brought over sooner or later).

So you import the thing for $399+$80S&H+$50 in grift from the importing company. Then you end up paying $60-$70 for every single game, which you also have to import.

Gets a bit tedious.

I'd say the inevitable bombing in Japan matters in that regard. It goes for the Japanese gamers, too. They should be able to buy a new system with the assurance it's locally viable in a year or two.
 
Amir0x said:
What does XBX360's inevitable bombing in Japan have to do with any Japanese GAFers wanting a 360 and its games?

I just pointing it out to the folks who were worried about the 360 not getting decent support like the Xbox in Japan. It's a valid concern. I would be pissed if all I had was the official release catalog to go by. Luckily most of us in Japan also had modded Xboxes and non-Japan Asian releases to tide us over. I'm glad we got to play Xbox Live titles without buying a US region Xbox.

Most of the non-Japan Asian releases were also Asian-region versions of US releases, which makes more sense than Sony's practice of releasing non-Japan Asian region versions which are basically the Japanese version with a new box/label. Last time I checked, most of other residents in Asia do not speak Japanese. (Japan didn't try hard enough in WWII) :lol
 
"Seriously, is anyone in Japan buying the X360 and at the same time not expect it to bomb? Let's be realistic..."

I don't need any convincing : The Japanese don't want the X360 or the X720 or the X.... whatever.

MS's only way to win is to change their name to Manjiru corp. and stealthfully buy Sony.
 
Juice said:
Well, the entry cost of having to import the system and every single game is one.

Assuming there's a region lockout, we'd have to import a 360 in order to be assured that we can play every game (support's dropped off the end of the earth in Japan just a few years in, it'd be retarded to buy a JPN 360 w/o accounting for the possibility software stops getting brought over sooner or later).

So you import the thing for $399+$80S&H+$50 in grift from the importing company. Then you end up paying $60-$70 for every single game, which you also have to import.

Gets a bit tedious.

I'd say the inevitable bombing in Japan matters in that regard. It goes for the Japanese gamers, too. They should be able to buy a new system with the assurance it's locally viable in a year or two.
YellowAce said:
I just pointing it out to the folks who were worried about the 360 not getting decent support like the Xbox in Japan. It's a valid concern. I would be pissed if all I had was the official release catalog to go by. Luckily most of us in Japan also had modded Xboxes and non-Japan Asian releases to tide us over. I'm glad we got to play Xbox Live titles without buying a US region Xbox.

Most of the non-Japan Asian releases were also Asian-region versions of US releases, which makes more sense than Sony's practice of releasing non-Japan Asian region versions which are basically the Japanese version with a new box/label. Last time I checked, most of other residents in Asia do not speak Japanese. (Japan didn't try hard enough in WWII) :lol

Yes, but, I'm sure some people have already made the decision or do this all the time anyway, so why even point out it will bomb in Japan? It's not like telling them this will make it less tedious, or somehow make them not enjoy the games they get. Right?
 
Amir0x said:
Yes, but, I'm sure some people have already made the decision or do this all the time anyway, so why even point out it will bomb in Japan? It's not like telling them this will make it less tedious, or somehow make them not enjoy the games they get. Right?

Consider it the price of admittance. :P
 
* a PS3 demo DVD
* a DVD containing a 3 hour video of a clown pointing out of the screen laughing
* DOA4
 
DCharlie said:
* a PS3 demo DVD
* a DVD containing a 3 hour video of a clown pointing out of the screen laughing
* DOA4

I still can't believe they ain't gonna have N3 or one of the Mistwalker games ready :(
 
Mistwalker - sounds like they are being given as much time as they need to make their games very nice indeed. Which will be good in the end.
 
DCharlie said:
Mistwalker - sounds like they are being given as much time as they need to make their games very nice indeed. Which will be good in the end.

I know, subconsciously I realize it's a good thing. On the surface I can't help but wonder if Microsoft even realizes the importance of a first impression :(
 
i guess Ridge is their big launch title over here...

i guess they could have done worse. :}
 
DCharlie said:
i guess Ridge is their big launch title over here...

i guess they could have done worse. :}

Usually a Sony system gets Ridge Racer at launch, guess it isn't anymore. More power to the 360 :-)
 
So Xbox 360 in Japan gets DOA4, Ridge Racer 6, and what else? Ninety Nine Nights? Some shitty simulation or Mahjong game?
 
Amir0x said:
I know, subconsciously I realize it's a good thing. On the surface I can't help but wonder if Microsoft even realizes the importance of a first impression :(
By first impression do you mean impact of launch? I don't believe they have a problem there, even the original Xbox had a good launch. They just need to keep momentum going. At least N3 will be out in January, so it's not a total write-off ;) If the Mistwalker games land around the PS3 launch, things could be interesting.
 
So Xbox 360 in Japan gets DOA4, Ridge Racer 6, and what else? Ninety Nine Nights? Some shitty simulation or Mahjong game?

Don´t forget Shin Megami XXIII (almost online this time) and the inevitable cooking/datesim game.

To be fair, the Xbox launchment wasn´t bad at all. But it started to show how bad was the management of Microsoft Japan for getting exclusive "japanese" titles.

DOA 4, Ridge Racer 6 and, especially, N3 would be a great launchment lineup for me.
 
Yeah they really need to keep the momentum...the Japanese have a very short attention span (this goes for anything, not just with videogames). Xbox1 failed in a lot of respects with the disc scratch problem (which I personally think was blown out of proportion) and the lackluster of more titles post launch.

Also MS Japan Xbox division management needs to get their shit together because they are always oh so out of touch when it comes to promotion. I'm not sure if opening up a show floor in Omotesando is exactly the right direction, but hey, if they can pull off the whole "classy and trendy" thing, maybe.
 
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