The Good, the Rare, and the Ultra-Rare

So it's been a pretty busy week, and I haven't had much time to get out and about, but I did come across a few nice finds recently.

First up, is the 1999 PSX hit that spawned some pretty famous sequels as well, Valkyrie Profile. This game stood out as an RPG with it's unique mixture of game elements including platforming, puzzles, and RPG. There is no currency in the game or things to buy as well. As a game based on Norse mythology, equipment is gifted down to you by the gods at the beginning of each game chapter. 

Next up is probably the coolest find of this lot. It is the Laserdisc release of the 1985 super rare/cult anime Tenshi no Tamago or Angel's Egg. The artwork is all done by Yoshitaka Amano which if you read my previous posts is the famous artist responsible for a lot of the classic Final Fantasy artwork. The LD itself is extremely rare and technically the only completely uncompressed version of the film on print. The film itself is quite interesting in the fact that it is almost completely void of dialogue. It is very atmospheric and symbolic in a lot of it's presentation. It might not be for action fans, but if you are a fan of Amano or cult anime, it is something you should give a shot. It has garnered quite a following a recent years, and there is definitely a good reason why.

Another thing I had to pick up when I saw it was the Laserdisc release of Spriggan. I have loved this movie since I came across it at an anime convention many years ago. It is the story of modified super soldiers, genetically created psychopaths trying to control the world by utilizing the powers of Noah's Ark, and twisted memories that might have been better off forgotten in the first place. The animation for the time was really spectacular as well. I remember the first time I watched the chase scene through the town market when I was younger and just being blown away at how smooth the action was. I can't wait to sit down and watch this in it's perfect quality image.

The presentation of the packaging itself is really nice as well. It comes in a fold out 12" and is just very visually appeasing. 

The last thing for this post is the Tactics Ogre Art Works book. This is one of the most beautiful art books I have come across since I have been scouring Japan. Hiroshi Minagawa is such an absolutely amazing artist and has been one of my favorites since I really got into his work through Final Fantasy Tactics. He has such a wonderful blend of anime style and pure medievil ruggedness. The book is put together so well, and as it just sits in your hands you know you are holding something that is of the utmost quality. It goes through character portraits, a great amount of character design, monsters, landscapes, and concept art. It is a great buy for any Art Book fans.

Here is an example of one of the spreads that was used in essence on the cover of the game's original packaging. It is really spectacular front to back.

That's all for this time, good luck to every collector out on the hunt. 

Why do the Japanese keep them in such good condition? (SNES Finds)

Since I have been stopping at a few nearby second hand stores, I have come across a few great titles for the SNES or Super Famicon as it is called here in Japan. There are a million games available to get for a dollar a piece here, but I have limited my buying to games that are still in box with all inserts etc. In America, this would be something almost impossible to come across, but in Japan here, it seems like it is just how a typical consumer takes care of their games. I remember when I was younger, within a year or two, every case that any friend had of any game looked like it had been mangled by a dog, had forks dragged across it, and been hit by a shrapnel grenade.

The beauty of the games that I find here, is the fact that they all look near mint, or at least very decent. Anything that is any less than very decent quality, is put in the 'junk' category by stores and sold at next to nothing (as stated, usually a dollar or so).  To give you an example, one of the games at the top of my 'to find' list was Final Fantasy VI (FF3 in America). The copy I found ran me about 6 dollars. This included;

Original box with absolutely no signs of wear, bending, scratching etc.

Plastic inlay for the game itself.

Instruction manual in seemingly unread condition.

Plastic wrapping around the absolutely flawless cartridge

An insert for some promotion not directly related to the game that was inserted during the original sale time.

This is almost a more complete set than some new games that I have bought, for say, PS2, which will include the disc, the case, and the instruction booklet on the inside cover.

Final Fantasy 6, where people stop trains with their arm's brute strength. 

I don't know exactly what it is that makes the people here have a seemingly more attentive respect for their belongings. I would assume that a lot of the people that had these games or were the original owners were about the same age as me when they first acquired them. Most of these games in those post were released around 1993 - 1996. That's twenty years of storage/use to still be in this amazing condition. These games to me are a work of art even just in that respect by itself. 

Chrono Trigger. One of the best RPGs of all time. Godly soundtrack. Amazing fighting/technique system. Just all around awesome game. On almost every RPG fans top list.

Chrono Trigger doesn't need an introduction, but if for some very odd reason you have not had the pleasure of enjoying this game back when it was released, please do so. It is one thing as a gamer that you will be glad you did. The characters are all fun, the story is set in multiple time periods as you travel to change the destiny of the world, and the fighting system just makes the use of different characters and parties all that more interesting. The music itself is absolutely wonderful as well. The OST's to games are always the one thing that can really bring you back to the feeling and time of a game in an instant.

It's only in Katakana, but Smash Bros. fans may notice the hero. The original Fire Emblem.

It is a bit slow and complex, even for a strategy game, but it is still a classic. If you are into games that get away from the nonstop action a bit and require you to think a bit more, this was the game for you. I don't think at the time of release I had much of the patience for it, but it's a good game to go back and play when you want a retro strategy feel. The story is pretty complex and deep as well. 

All I remember is picking my tarot cards about 1000 times.

 Ogre Battle was a fun game, but it had a somewhat unique style of game play. You didn't directly control your characters or army's moves. Rather you gave them a set of guidelines or suggestions on how to fight and just gave overworld directions on where your different generals should be leading their troops. For some reason I always loved the opening sequence and profile building for your character. Through answering questions about yourself and getting dealt tarot cards, you are given certain abilities and strengths. It was really good to come across this.

Apparently Sonic Blast Man was such a hit they HAD to make  a sequel.

OK, now I had no idea what the hell to think about this game when I saw it, but after just reading the name and seeing the cover, I knew I had to have it. Turns out it is basically a side scrolling beat-em-up like Turtles in Time or Streets of Rage. The characters moves are great, the enemies are hilarious, and it is just a wonderful, quirky take on beat em ups that I would have never heard about if I didn't go out on a limb and grab it. I am so glad I did. The music is freaking awesome too! This is a great Japanese title that I can just sit down and play when I don't want to be bothered by trying to read through all of the Japanese that normal takes place when I am trying to play JRPG's. Feast your eyes on.... SONIC BLAST MAN 2!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McRAi7KZz8w

Oh Yeah!

Golden Week Retro Game Hunt

So this is my first post on what I am hoping is going to become a long overdue comprehensive blog on my retro game hunting and thrift shop checking during my time living in Japan. Recently I had a bit of vacation time off due to 'Golden Week.' The weather is warming up here in Northern Japan, and there were some great sales going off at the stores around here. I have a few really choice finds here.

First up, two Japan only releases of two games that I absolutely love, with one actually being one of my favorite stories of all time. The 'Square Millennium Collection' of Final Fantasy Tactics, and Brave Fencer Musashiden!

The extras that came in the Final Fantasy Tactics set are great. A hard plaster, stone-looking desk clock with  made with a zodiac monster theme from the different bosses throughout the game. The most memorable maybe being the Angel of Death that is near the one o'clock position. The playing cards are really cool as well with all of the main characters of the game being the face cards, and the male and female versions of normal classes being the numbered cards.These were both found at half off on the last day of their sale and bought at about 10% of the cost I see the selling online for. These are staying in my collection for sure though.

 Millennium Collection Boxes

Final Fantasy Tactics Zodiac Themed Clock

FFT Playing Cards

Next up is a game called Rebus, which was actually released in America under the name, Kartia: The World of Fate. The reason it caught my eye was actually the artwork. It was an Atlus release that had it's design handled by none of than Yoshitaka Amano (of Final Fantasy fame). The game plays like a typical strategy RPG. Nothing that outstanding, but the art itself was worth it alone for me. 

Rebus (PSX; 1998)

Parasite Eve was a game I remember playing a bit at my best friend's house when I was younger. A great game that played like Resident Evil except with a seemingly endless amount of weapon customization made it a trip to find out what kind of quirky weapon you could put together and blow monsters away with. A good one for the collection.

Parasite Eve (PSX; 1998)

Next up is the original 'Persona' title by Atlus. I am not too familiar with many of the newer games in the series, but I know many of my friends claim them to be some of their favorites. For what I picked it up at, I couldn't justify not getting it. 

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Persona (PSX; 1996)

One of the games introduced to me by my good friend Mike was the original Grandia. I came across this Japanese release bundle of the newer Grandia III as well as a special OST collection that spans all three of the Grandias. Albeit I am not too familiar with number II and III yet, I hope I have the chance to give them a shot soon.

History of Grandia, Sound Adventure Box (PS2: 2005)

This next game is one of my favorites. I clearly remember logging triple digit hours into this game on my original Playstation save file. Star Ocean the Second Story. I now own this alongside the original Star Ocean in box from the SNES. It even came with the official guide to the game which has a good heap of game and concept art as well as character designs. Was extremely happy to come across it.

Star Ocean the Second Story (PSX; 1998)

The next few are games that I am again only vaguely familiar with. I just started the original Tales of Destiny after picking it up, and all I can say is WOW. The battle system that the 'Tales' series is so notable for designing is every bit as deserving of it's notoriety.

Tales of Destiny (PSX; 1998) Tales of Destiny 2 (PS2; 2002)

Tales of Rebirth (PS2; 2004)

The next game, Popolocrois III came to my attention after picking up an art book for one of the original playstation games. The name is quite weird as well to be honest. I am looking forward to delving into the world a bit because the design seems really awesome. 

Popolocrois 3: Have fun pronouncing that!

One of the original Tactical RPG's for the Playstation is Arc the Lad. It became pretty big in Japan and even had a 26 episode anime run off of it. I found it in basically perfect condition for about two U.S. dollars. There was absolutely no reason for me to pass it up.

Arc the Lad (PSX; 1995)

That about wrapped up what I had come across as far as software for the weekend. I will be going back through my collection when I have a bit of time and putting up some of my past buys since I have been here in Japan soon. This entire process of hunting rare and retro games has become somewhat of an addiction to me, so expect to see some more cool things coming up soon as well.