Another reason I bought the copy of Magical Puzzle Popils you see in the photo to the right: Its cover art. Duh! (For a bit more information on this precious puzzler, read these previously-published blog posts.)
Don't worry, I won't hold off on reviewing this titillating title until I actually acquire a Game Gear system. I've played it enough via emulation to know it inside and out, so there's no real reason for me to wait. Anyway, keep an eye out for it if you're so inclined.
In the meantime, have any of you ever bought a game or two for a system (console or handheld) that you don't yet own?
See also: Other reasons I could be considered an 'eccentric' (aka bat-sh*t crazy) gamer
25 comments:
Good luck finding a working game gear. They suffer from dodgy capacitors that leak over time and screw up the sound and picture. It's a pain to fix but not difficult so you might want to consider buying one cheap and fixing it up.
Hmm, I've seen a number of working ones on eBay, Retr0gamer -- or at least the sellers say they're working. I haven't spent a lot of time looking for them, though, so take my comments with a grain of salt. The good news is that I'm not planning on buying a GG of any sort for quite some time. Also, it's OK if I never end up buying one, really, as this game cost me less than $5 (including shipping).
BTW, thanks for the info about fixing up a GG, etc. I doubt I have the abilities to do something like that, though. Still, I appreciate the help :)
You'll find the majority of those working ones will have awful sound problems and poor visual quality which means the caps are about to go. There are some sellers that sell refurbed units which would be a much better investment. Just some info in case you do take the plunge.
Point taken, Retr0gamer! So, refurbed units should perform better over the long haul, too -- as in, the caps won't leak, etc? If so, I'll definitely keep an eye out for a refurb unit should I ever take the plunge.
Really, it's rather hilarious that I even want a GG, as I'm only interested in a handful of the system's games. A much better investment, it seems, would be the Wonderswan (or, more accurately, the SwanCrystal), as I'm interested in owning/playing at least 10 of that portable's games.
Far out man, I posted my review of this game today as well. Looks like you beat me but never mind :P
That's an adorable cover! I keep overlooking the old GG, shame on me!
As for games I buy for systems I don't own - the honour goes to my Japanese computer games. The effort and cost involved in finding and shipping over the right hardware is just too much for me as much as I'd like to sit in front of a real X68000 :(
Simon: Thanks for the heads up! I'm going to go read your review now. Mine won't be up for a while, I'm afraid. In fact, I haven't started working on it. Maybe soon...
Kimimi: I've been looking for a CIB copy of the Japanese version of this game forever, but I've yet to see one on eBay. I see boxed copies of the Euro version quite frequently, but I don't quite like the art as much as the JP version :P
As for buying games for systems you don't own: I had a feeling that you did this, too. Since it sounds like you're not planning to acquire the needed hardware, why do you end up buying, say, X68000 games, if you don't mind me asking?
BTW, folks: Here is Simon's review of this great little game, in case you're interested in reading a bit more about it -- http://redparsley.blogspot.com/2012/04/game-gear-games-2.html
I still like to play legitimately, even if I do end up using an emulator to do the important bit :)
Also, while owning the real hardware is improbable it's not impossible and these games are hard enough to find (outside of going nuts on a Yahoo! Japan auction proxy) that it's worth picking up what I like when I see it because it's unlikely that it'll pop up again for a long while.
I hear ya, Kimimi. I feel the same way, for the most part -- if I really, really like a game, I want to own it, even if I can and will play it via emulation for the most part.
Also, like you said, you never know when you may finally pick up a long-desired system, and some of these retro Japanese games are extremely hard to come by. May as well buy them while you can!
This is likely why I'll buy copies of the FMTowns versions of Bubble Bobble and Rainbow Islands should I ever come across them -- assuming they aren't astronomically priced...
If you don't like messing around with a soldering iron then refurb is the way to go. Even if the unit is marked as working it might still have screen and sound problems.
Oh, no, Retr0gamer, I definitely don't want to mess with a soldering iron. Given that, it sounds like a refurb is the way to go for me :) Thanks again for the info and help!
Just to repeat retr0gamer`s point, I`ve had the same trouble with Game Gears. I`ve picked up 3 of them over the years at Omocha Souko here and none of them worked (probably due to that capacitor problem). Get a refurbed one from somebody who knows how to handle these things!
Oh and I`m like that too - buying games for systems that I don`t own yet but want too. It does give you a convenient excuse for picking one up, doesn`t it? :)
I don't think I've ever done that, Bryan...but I have been tempted to.
Sean: Hoo, boy, am I glad you and Retr0gamer spoke up. I definitely wouldn't want to buy a GG only to find out it works, but doesn't work well/properly. So, when I finally DO look for one, I'll look for a properly refurbed one. In the meantime, I'll continue to play Magical Puzzle Popils via emulation.
BTW, Sean, which systems have you bought games for that you don't currently own? I'm curious!
Justin: Which systems have you been tempted to buy games for that you don't already own? I love to talk about this sort of thing :)
Oh, plenty of them, but usually it's because I'm about to buy the system, or because I want to maybe take it to someone's house and play it who has the system. I thought about doing that with Skyrim...but...now I don't have to.
Ah, I understand! Are you still playing/enjoying Skyrim, BTW? Or have you moved on to other PS3 games?
I have games for the Epoch Super Cassette Vision and the MSX, neither of which I own. I also picked up a few PC Engine HU cards before I got my PC Engine!
Ah, I forgot that you bought MSX games without owning an MSX, Sean. Do you plan on getting one someday?
I love the MSX, BTW. From afar, of course. I've always loved its boldly-colored-yet-blocky graphics, for some strange reason.
I don't plan on getting an MSX or any of its games, though. Instead, I'll just continue to play MSX games via emulation whenever possible :)
If I ever find a bargain on an MSX I will definitely pick it up. Though at the moment I already have more retro consoles than I can fit under my TV so it may be a while before I actually use it:)
Is it wrong that I hope you find a bargain on one soon, Sean? I've never seen one. That said, I can understand not rushing to add another console to your collection in part because you already have more than can fit under your TV :)
Bryan you have so many retro games!
You must be a rich kid that everyone at school was jealous of! LoL
Jeff
Jeff: Ha! First, I'm definitely no longer a kid. Second: I'm definitely not rich, either. I just spend most/all of the disposable income I do have on video games :)
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