Acquiring import retro gaming goods as a US-based consumer.

[J_ToSaveTheDay]

I may be enrolling in Japanese classes at a local university for free via my career soon, and I thought it might be interesting to attempt to grab a Japanese PlayStation 2 console to have access to Japanese PS1 and PS2 games as sort of a supplemental learning aid.

It's also always been something I kinda wanted to do sort of as a passion project without any of the language-learning involved. There were a few Japanese versions of games I always wanted. Granted, that was mostly things like FFX and FFXII International, and Kingdom Hearts Final Mix 1/2, which always had English dub options available, but those have long since rereleased stateside. Now I'm thinking I might get Japanese versions of games that I'm kinda already familiar with that don't have dub options, plus a few Japan-only releases (like the PS2 Dragon Quest rereleases). Part learning aid, part just passion collecting.

Short of visiting Japan and going to big retailers like Super Potato, what's my best course of action to try and get a hold of Japanese gaming goods, namely the hardware and the games? Is pricing of retro games similar to US pricing, where value is completely determined on supply and general affection for the title? US pricing for retro games has seemed kinda pricey but I feel like I might justify the cost based on the contextual educational benefits.

 

[Fularu]

For PS2/PSP games just get them off ebay, they're cheap as dirt

Same goes for a lot of classic SFC hrogs that are worthless in japan (the dq/ff games come to mind).

For older or more niche stuff you missed the boat

 

[angelgrievous]

I buy Super Famicom games from Amazon without issue (of course, shipping can take a while). You could also check out ebay for stuff as well.

*Edit: NVM, not even going to give them a shout out.

 

[Deleted member 17210]

I agree with ebay suggestions. Also, check your local retro game stores to see if they have them. It's possible they have imports but don't prominently display them. If you live near the Canadian border, buying Japanese games in Canada could save you money since the US dollar is worth more.

 

[J_ToSaveTheDay]

I buy Super Famicom games from Amazon without issue (of course, shipping can take a while). You could also check out ebay for stuff as well.

*Edit: NVM, not even going to give them a shout out.

Click to shrink...

I think you were about to shout exactly who I wanted to avoid mentioning and giving a shout to in the OP, too... Hehe. I used to order from them back in the day but I decided my business wasn't going to them anymore after they threw in with a certain internet lot.

eBay it is, then?

Kinda surprised there isn't a dedicated retail space for that sort of thing online aside from the one that angelgrievous and I are avoiding mentioning by name. Ah well, eBay's not so bad. :)

 

[cj_iwakura]

Super Potato isn't even where you should be going. That place is for rarities, the stuff you're talking about can easily be gotten on the cheap from places like Mandarake and Book Off.

 

[angelgrievous]

I think you were about to shout exactly who I wanted to avoid mentioning and giving a shout to in the OP, too... Hehe. I used to order from them back in the day but I decided my business wasn't going to them anymore after they threw in with a certain internet lot.

eBay it is, then?

Kinda surprised there isn't a dedicated retail space for that sort of thing online aside from the one that angelgrievous and I are avoiding mentioning by name. Ah well, eBay's not so bad. :)

Click to shrink...

I just remembered Pink Gorilla from Kelsey Lewin of Metal Jesus Rocks fame. She does a lot of import stuff at her store, which has online ordering. Here's the link: http://www.pinkgorillagames.com/

 

[super moustique]

Short of visiting Japan and going to big retailers like Super Potato, what's my best course of action to try and get a hold of Japanese gaming goods, namely the hardware and the games?

Click to shrink...

Well, if you take the plane, check some book-off stores. PS2 games tend to be very cheap.

For consoles, don't forget to try them when you get back to your hotel. I bought a used DC the first time I went to Tokyo, went back to my room and start some Power Smash just to check if everything was working fine: the disc was spinning but the game wasn't launching so I got a replacement ;)

Super Potato isn't even where you should be going. That place is for rarities, the stuff you're talking about can easily be gotten on the cheap from places like Mandarake and Book Off.

Click to shrink...

Yup !

 

[Chakoo]

General/common stuff just use eBay.

If you are looking for rare or going hardcore then yahoo auctions jp using a proxy like buyee.jp. Yet I don't recommend this for commons as you'll probably pay more over proxy and double shipping charges.

 

[Fallen92]

Where do you live? I live in LA and there are a couple of import shops around. The most readily accessible one is in little Tokyo called Retro Game Camp, they sell Japanese imports both games and consoles from pretty much every generation. I've bought most of the import games I have from there. Alternatively, as others have said, ebay is your best bet if you wanna buy imports.