Gamelore Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 So this morning I find myself in Tokyo. Only waited about 25 years to cough up the money to fly here. For the next few days I'm a man on a mission: Buy all crazy Japanese games I never had the chance to buy in the US (despite the weak-ass dollar today). The question is, which great games were never released in the US and might be commonplace in Japan? I'm particularly looking for older games (from Megadrive to Dreamcast), but I'd also easily buy newer games (PS2, DS, PS3 etc) if they were just great. I don't care if I can't play due to the language (studying). Games I like: Top-down, Sim-City-like, turn-based strategy. Beat games. Side-scrolling beat-em-ups. Deep anime-influenced RPGs. Censored games. Other wackiness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenrir Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Go to any video game store, especially if you're anywhere near Akihabara in Tokyo. I'd venture to say it's about half and half for Japan-only titles, maybe more, depending on how raunchy the shop is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XZero Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Mother 3 GBA Tales games for PS2 (Destiny remake, Destiny II) Soul Bringer DS - Edit: SOMA Bringer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pezman Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I don't care if I can't play due to the language (studying). You're going to have more of a problem than that. The DS is region-free, but just about any other system isn't. So you'll need to buy an appropriate system there or use... shall we say... alternative means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Coop Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 -=Sega Master System=- Dragon Crystal (Maze) * Ninja Gaiden (Action Platformer) * Power Strike II (Shmup) * Sagaia (Shmup) * Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Platformer) * Sonic Chaos (Platformer) * *= May not be a Japanese version available, but there are European versions that may show up in Japanese shops. -=MegaDrive=- Alien Soldier (Run 'N Gun) * Eliminate Down (Shmup) * Gley Lancer (Shmup) * Monster World IV (Action Platformer RPG) * Pulseman (Action Platformer) * Super Fantasy Zone (Shmup) * Thunder Force IV (Shmup) * Twin Hawk (Shmup) * Undead Line (Shmup) * Zero Wing (Shmup) (European version) *= Japanese version -=Saturn=- Assault Suit Leynos II (Action Platformer) * Battle Garegga (Shmup) * Blast Wind (Shmup) * Darius II (Shmup) * DonPachi (Shmup) * DoDonPachi (Shmup) * Dungeons and Dragons Collection (Hack 'N Slash Compilation) * + Galaxy Force II (3D Shmup) * Gradius Deluxe Pack (Shmup Compilation) * Hyper Duel (Shmup) * Kyukyoku Tiger II Plus (Shmup) * Layer Section II * (Shmup) Marvel Superheroes vs Street Fighter (Fighting) * + Metal Black (Shmup) * Night Striker S (3D Shmup) * Radiant Silvergun (Shmup) * Salamander Deluxe Pack (Shmup Compilation) * Samurai Shodown Best Collection (Fighting Compilation) * + Sokyugurentai (Shmup) * Stellar Assault SS (3D Shmup) * Strikers 1945 (Shmup) * Thunder Force V (Shmup) * Thunder Force Gold Pack 1 (Shmup Compilation) * Thunder Force Gold Pack 2 (Shmup Compilation) * Vampire Savior (Fighting) * + X-Men vs Street Fighter (Fighting) * + *= Japanese version += Requires 4MB cart -=Dreamcast=- Border Down (Shmup) * Ikaruga (Shmup) * Under Defeat (Shmup) * Zero Gunner II (Shmup) * *= Japanese version Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamelore Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 You're going to have more of a problem than that. The DS is region-free, but just about any other system isn't. So you'll need to buy an appropriate system there or use... shall we say... alternative means. Yeah, I have that covered. I bought this gigantic suitcase (3" x 2" x 1") entirely empty to fill up with all required Japanese consoles. Not going to alter my existing systems. I feel like I'm going to enter one of these stores in Akihabara and spend 6 hrs in a daze, and walk out utterly confused about what's actually good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Coop Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 A few more... -=PC Engine CD=- Akumajō Dracula X Chi no Rondo (Action Platformer) * Rayxanber II (Shmup) * Rayxanber III (Shmup) * Spriggan (Shmup) * Spriggen Mark II (Shmup) * Super Darius (Shmup) * Super Darius II (Shmup) * *= Japanese version -=Playstation=- Gradius Gaiden (Shmup) * Namco Museum Encore (Compilation) * Raiden DX (Shmup) * X2 (Shmup) * *= Japanese version Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkwing Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 If you can find Seiken Densetsu 3 for the SNES, buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollgagh Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 If you can find Seiken Densetsu 3 for the SNES, buy it. This. Buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Fox Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I suggest getting Scenarios 2 and 3 of the Shining Force Trilogy for the Sega Saturn. Good Stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dhsu Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Ah yes, a weeaboo's paradise. Although if games were all you were after, it would've cost a lot less to just import/eBay. DS: Osu Tatakae Ouendan 1 and 2 Jump Ultimate Stars Densetsu no Stafi Daigasso Band Bros DreamCast: Trizeal PS2: Mushihime-sama Ibara Espgaluda Arcana Heart Melty Blood Act Cadenza The Rumble Fish Saturn: Grandia PC: Touhou series. All of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pezman Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Saturn: Grandia K, this exists for the PSX. What's so special about the Saturn version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dhsu Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 The voice acting won't make you kill yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malaki-LEGEND.sys Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Final Fantasy IV DS. Do it. Do it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arek the Absolute Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Mother 3 GBATales games for PS2 (Destiny remake, Destiny II) Soul Bringer DS - Edit: SOMA Bringer you are my new ocr good buddy whatever he said times infinity YESSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gollgagh Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Final Fantasy IV DS.Do it. Do it now. He said "japan only" and I think I can be pretty sure in saying that they'll bring it stateside eventually if not fairly soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z3120 Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I love the PS2 Tales of Games (not the U.S. ones). Kingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix+ and Final Fantasy 12 International Zodiac Job System are awesome deals for Director Cuts imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dhsu Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Oh yeah, the 3D Chain of Memories remake on PS2 looked pretty sweet. Also check out Beatmania IIDX 13 Distorted and the Taiko no Tatsujin games. There's also a GBA Fire Emblem game that didn't come out in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-n-j-i-n Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 To me, the gist of the Japan only games that are noticeably absent in the American market is the dating-sim/visual novel games. Many recent lot of them being excellent or just masterpieces like Ever 17. I used to think Touhou games were great, but there are better alternatives out there I believe. Then there are the fighting games like Fist of the North Star and a few others. Most notable releases do come to the States, so I don't think that niche is much to talk about anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Legendary Zoltan Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I completely agree with the guy who said Tales of Destiny PS2 Remake. I haven't played it, but I played the original and this is more than just a port like FF Chronicles or whatever it was. To quote http://www.videogamerecaps.com/: This RPG is all about guys with "big swords and even bigger hair!" If you're into that kind of game, I think Tales of Destiny for PS2 is the way to go. I'd also recommend the PS1 remake of Tales of Phantasia. These remakes never came out in America yo! Another good SNES title that I think nobody mentioned is Bahamut Lagoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malaki-LEGEND.sys Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 He said "japan only" and I think I can be pretty sure in saying that they'll bring it stateside eventually if not fairly soon They'd damn well better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infinity's End Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Vib Ribbon if you can find it. It's a very quirky PS1 title. It's kind of a rhythm based game. It's made by the guy who did the Parappa series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brushfire Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Wangan Midnight for the PS3. http://epicgaming.us/?p=73 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazygecko Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Vib Ribbon if you can find it. It's a very quirky PS1 title. It's kind of a rhythm based game. It's made by the guy who did the Parappa series. That's not Japan-only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raziellink Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Berserk for PS2. I'm getting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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