Which shoot 'em up is the rarest of them all?
And which is the most valuable one?
(No PCBs!)
Which is the rarest commercially sold shmup video game?
"Expensive" and "rare" are two different things.
Anyway, the most expensive are probably:
- Blazing Star (Neo Geo AES)
- Twinkle Star Sprites (Neo Geo AES)
- Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (PC-Engine)
- Recca (Famicom)
both NG carts go for around $800, Sapphire and Recca for about $300.
As for rare, well it's hard to say. There's a number of shmups that aren't so expensive, but are really hard to find. Space Manbow for MSX, or Rayxanber for FM Towns, or Kamui for Windows, or the US SNES version of Aero Fighters for example.
Nothing commercially released is really THAT rare though. And we're talking commercial releases only, right?
Anyway, the most expensive are probably:
- Blazing Star (Neo Geo AES)
- Twinkle Star Sprites (Neo Geo AES)
- Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (PC-Engine)
- Recca (Famicom)
both NG carts go for around $800, Sapphire and Recca for about $300.
As for rare, well it's hard to say. There's a number of shmups that aren't so expensive, but are really hard to find. Space Manbow for MSX, or Rayxanber for FM Towns, or Kamui for Windows, or the US SNES version of Aero Fighters for example.
Nothing commercially released is really THAT rare though. And we're talking commercial releases only, right?
Recca probably is the rarest, at least for the complete package. You don't see it on eBay often (if at all), and usually have to go to YAJ for it, and even then it usually appears as cart-only. One lucky bugger on the forum nabbed the boxed complete Recca a while back and had pics of the set.
I wouldn't call Sapphire rare, just stupidly expensive.
I wouldn't call Sapphire rare, just stupidly expensive.
You can snag the bare cart of Recca for around $140 or so. The $300+ is for complete copies. It's worth mentioning since it's easier to find bare carts than full boxed copies (unlike the other 3 games mentioned).CIT wrote:"Expensive" and "rare" are two different things.
Anyway, the most expensive are probably:
- Blazing Star (Neo Geo AES)
- Twinkle Star Sprites (Neo Geo AES)
- Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (PC-Engine)
- Recca (Famicom)
both NG carts go for around $800, Sapphire and Recca for about $300.
Choutetsu Brikin'ger on Neo-CD sells for around $250 or so.
Pulstar for AES is up around $500 normally.
Well, Kamui is still doujin soft... and most doujin soft don't have enormous print-runs (although, Kamui did have a reprint).CIT wrote: As for rare, well it's hard to say. There's a number of shmups that aren't so expensive, but are really hard to find. Space Manbow for MSX, or Rayxanber for FM Towns, or Kamui for Windows, or the US SNES version of Aero Fighters for example.
I didn't think of AES carts when asking the question. Of course the Neo Geo collectors brought this on themselves by making that pricelist at neo-geo.com which everyone seems to accept at face value. Just have a look at what Metal Slug 1 AES is supposed to be worth.
Ok, apart from Neo Geo AES, which are the rarest commercially sold home system shmups?
And which are the most expensive ones?
Recca for Famicom, Sapphire for PCE and Brikinger for Neo Geo CD seem to be good bets. Any really expensive shmups for other consoles?
Ok, apart from Neo Geo AES, which are the rarest commercially sold home system shmups?
And which are the most expensive ones?
Recca for Famicom, Sapphire for PCE and Brikinger for Neo Geo CD seem to be good bets. Any really expensive shmups for other consoles?
Well this is going to be difficult to tell without knowing the exact numbers they were manuafactured in.
Just by judging on supply and demand alone would be misleading, considering there are plenty of games that were made in small quantities but still have no high value because there is no demand for them. And others are deemed Rare just because there is so much demand that it drove up the price. Therefore I don't think the rarest shmup could possibly be on any of the bigname consoles (Sony, Sega, Nintendo).
For the most valuable and rarest I would guess Brikinger for NeoGeo AES. If there really is an AES version of it (probably not, can't remember if this ever got confirmed).
I would take a wild guess that "Xenon 2 Megablast" for the CDTV can't possibly have been made in many copies (considering how small numbers that system was made in, and how fast it dissapeared from the market).
If anyone actually managed to release a shmup for the C64GS (yes the console system), then it must have been made in a small amount of copies
Just by judging on supply and demand alone would be misleading, considering there are plenty of games that were made in small quantities but still have no high value because there is no demand for them. And others are deemed Rare just because there is so much demand that it drove up the price. Therefore I don't think the rarest shmup could possibly be on any of the bigname consoles (Sony, Sega, Nintendo).
For the most valuable and rarest I would guess Brikinger for NeoGeo AES. If there really is an AES version of it (probably not, can't remember if this ever got confirmed).
I would take a wild guess that "Xenon 2 Megablast" for the CDTV can't possibly have been made in many copies (considering how small numbers that system was made in, and how fast it dissapeared from the market).
If anyone actually managed to release a shmup for the C64GS (yes the console system), then it must have been made in a small amount of copies
So yeah, anything over $200 apart from Neo Geo homecarts would be:
- Sapphire (PCE)
- Recca (FC)
- Brikinger (NGCD)
Air Raid for Atari 2600 is ridiculously expensive too (around $800-$1000). Afair it's also a shmup?
Not sure what Space Manbow (MSX) goes for these days. I remember hearing it's pretty steep though.
Then there's a whole crapload of games in the $150 range, like Sylphia, Magical Chase, R. Silvergun, Border Down Limited, GG Aleste, Eliminate Down, etc.
About rarest: It's just really hard to say.
- Sapphire (PCE)
- Recca (FC)
- Brikinger (NGCD)
Air Raid for Atari 2600 is ridiculously expensive too (around $800-$1000). Afair it's also a shmup?
Not sure what Space Manbow (MSX) goes for these days. I remember hearing it's pretty steep though.
Then there's a whole crapload of games in the $150 range, like Sylphia, Magical Chase, R. Silvergun, Border Down Limited, GG Aleste, Eliminate Down, etc.
About rarest: It's just really hard to say.
I snagged it shortly after it was released (dropped around $45 for it from Himeya Soft, but I'm glad I did).CIT wrote:I've been looking for Kamui for about 2 years now. Even searched my ass off in Japan. No luckKiken wrote:Well, Kamui is still doujin soft... and most doujin soft don't have enormous print-runs (although, Kamui did have a reprint).
The big problem is that Siter Skain never posted a full product-ware version on Vector Soft after both printings of the CD-ROM. They really ought to do this as it would allow a ton of people to finally play the full version. Then again... maybe someday before I die, they'll release RefleX. :/
There was never an official cart release of this game (it's officially a Neo-CD exclusive title). However, there has been a movement to convert the data to MVS cart form.visuatrox wrote: For the most valuable and rarest I would guess Brikinger for NeoGeo AES. If there really is an AES version of it (probably not, can't remember if this ever got confirmed).
Maybe it's rare, but definitely not sought after - the one I picked up was laying on a shelf at the store, and the guy was more than happy to sell it for 7 euro.visuatrox wrote:I would take a wild guess that "Xenon 2 Megablast" for the CDTV can't possibly have been made in many copies (considering how small numbers that system was made in, and how fast it dissapeared from the market).
*too bad that it had no red book audio - or, rather, there's some crap metal redbook in there which has nothing to do with the game...
I had no idea GG Aleste was rare. It's the same game as Power Strike II for Game Gear, right?CIT wrote:Then there's a whole crapload of games in the $150 range, like Sylphia, Magical Chase, R. Silvergun, Border Down Limited, GG Aleste, Eliminate Down, etc.
Sylphia is another story; I've seen fewer copies for sale than (real) Fukei Ginga Densetsu Sapphires. I currently happen to have 2 copies, though
Last edited by Ceph on Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
This site: http://www.famicomworld.com/
hints at the possibility that Recca may have not been a commercial release.
hints at the possibility that Recca may have not been a commercial release.
No, that's GG Aleste II. Not as pricy or rare.Ceph wrote:I had no idea GG Aleste was rare. It's the same game as Power Strike II for Game Gear, right?CIT wrote:Then there's a whole crapload of games in the $150 range, like Sylphia, Magical Chase, R. Silvergun, Border Down Limited, GG Aleste, Eliminate Down, etc.
SOUNDSHOCK
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ParegoricKid
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I know you excluded NEO GEO AES's Ceph but still I had to post this link although it's somewhat offtopic:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_%28console%29
Check out the Home Cartridge section, there is a claim that Kizuna Encounter (fighting game) sells for 25-30'000$. When you follow the Kizuna link there's another claim at the bottom that the last Kizuna european version sold for 12K bucks.
I read some sick things here, like in that Zak thread the links to the Yahoo Japan auctions where some Donpachi BL poster went for 800$ which is almost unbelievable to me, but what do I know, but the 25-30K$ claim seems ridiculous.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_%28console%29
Check out the Home Cartridge section, there is a claim that Kizuna Encounter (fighting game) sells for 25-30'000$. When you follow the Kizuna link there's another claim at the bottom that the last Kizuna european version sold for 12K bucks.
I read some sick things here, like in that Zak thread the links to the Yahoo Japan auctions where some Donpachi BL poster went for 800$ which is almost unbelievable to me, but what do I know, but the 25-30K$ claim seems ridiculous.
Off topic
It's really demented to pay 12,000 USD for a copy of that game, considering you can buy an MVS Kizuna Encounter for as cheap as 18 USD. ;D
Yeah, supposedly there are only very few copies of the Euro version, however it may not be quite as rare as the nice people at neo-geo.com would like you to believe.ParegoricKid wrote:Kizuna Encounter
It's really demented to pay 12,000 USD for a copy of that game, considering you can buy an MVS Kizuna Encounter for as cheap as 18 USD. ;D
Last edited by Ceph on Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ceph wrote:Off topic
Yeah, supposedly there are only very few copies of the Euro version, however it may not be quite as rare as the nice people at neo-geo.com would like you to believe.ParegoricKid wrote:Kizuna Encounter
It's really demented to pay 12,000 USD for a copy of that game, considering you can buy an MVS Kizuna Encounter for as cheap as 18 USD. ;D
You're talking about Neo-geo collectors.
Logic leaves you once you step into that realm. And I say this as a professed Saturn nutjob.
RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!!!!!!
The american SMS version of Power Strike is rare also, the one w/ the B&W cover. I think they go for $75+ these days.Ceph wrote:I had no idea GG Aleste was rare. It's the same game as Power Strike II for Game Gear, right?CIT wrote:Then there's a whole crapload of games in the $150 range, like Sylphia, Magical Chase, R. Silvergun, Border Down Limited, GG Aleste, Eliminate Down, etc.
Sylphia is another story; I've seen fewer copies for sale than (real) Fukei Ginga Densetsu Sapphires. I currently happen to have 2 copies, though
Yo. (^_^)\/Icarus wrote:One lucky bugger on the forum nabbed the boxed complete Recca a while back and had pics of the set.
(I can do anime-smileys too!)
Well, there are few members here who have complete Recca, so I guess it could be anyone.
Anyhoo:
I'm guessing you're referring to "Other notable prizes include the relentlessly challenging Recca, given out at Summer Carnival '92."?Turrican wrote:This site: http://www.famicomworld.com/
hints at the possibility that Recca may have not been a commercial release.
This has come up before and like I said then, I say again: I believe Recca was a commercially released game. The full set looks like any other Famicom release with a manual explaining the story (heh) and everything. It even reads "FOR SALE and USE IN JAPAN ONLY" on the back of the manual. Yes, "and" is the only word that's not in all caps. The box has a barcode like it should.
Now, the game itself. If the game was the Score and Time Attack modes only, then it might make sense that it was for competition purposes only. But there's a whole complete game included as well, and I doubt that was played at the tournament. Also worth remembering how the PCE Caravan games (Super Star/Final Soldier, Soldier Blade) had seperate "caravan-only" versions created only for the tournaments.
I really can't imagine Naxat would build a normal game mode, create boxes with lovely art, type up a proper manual and all that just for something they're giving away.
PCE games Alzadick and Nexzr (Summer Carnivals '92 and '93 respectively) were also released commercialy, or at least there's never been any question of that. And Nexzr actually had two releases (one with the caravan modes and one without) and there aren't normal game modes in Alzadick at all, aside from few very short (caravan-length) stages with some story explained via text beforehand.
But I digress. I just have this fascination with the Summer Carnivals and could talk about them for a long while. Maybe one day we'll finally get a japanese user in here and we can solve this Recca mystery once and for all.
No matter how good a game is, somebody will always hate it. No matter how bad a game is, somebody will always love it.
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Lucky bastardGhegs wrote:Yo. (^_^)\/Icarus wrote:One lucky bugger on the forum nabbed the boxed complete Recca a while back and had pics of the set.
Are you sure? I for one only have the cart (and I was very lucky (and happy) to even get that).Ghegs wrote: Well, there are few members here who have complete Recca, so I guess it could be anyone.
Yes, specifically:Ghegs wrote:I'm guessing you're referring to "Other notable prizes include the relentlessly challenging Recca, given out at Summer Carnival '92."?Turrican wrote:This site: http://www.famicomworld.com/
hints at the possibility that Recca may have not been a commercial release.
This has come up before and like I said then, I say again: I believe Recca was a commercially released game. The full set looks like any other Famicom release with a manual explaining the story (heh) and everything. It even reads "FOR SALE and USE IN JAPAN ONLY" on the back of the manual. Yes, "and" is the only word that's not in all caps. The box has a barcode like it should.
Now, the game itself. If the game was the Score and Time Attack modes only, then it might make sense that it was for competition purposes only. But there's a whole complete game included as well, and I doubt that was played at the tournament. Also worth remembering how the PCE Caravan games (Super Star/Final Soldier, Soldier Blade) had seperate "caravan-only" versions created only for the tournaments.
I really can't imagine Naxat would build a normal game mode, create boxes with lovely art, type up a proper manual and all that just for something they're giving away.
PCE games Alzadick and Nexzr (Summer Carnivals '92 and '93 respectively) were also released commercialy, or at least there's never been any question of that. And Nexzr actually had two releases (one with the caravan modes and one without) and there aren't normal game modes in Alzadick at all, aside from few very short (caravan-length) stages with some story explained via text beforehand.
But I digress. I just have this fascination with the Summer Carnivals and could talk about them for a long while. Maybe one day we'll finally get a japanese user in here and we can solve this Recca mystery once and for all.
http://www.famicomworld.com/Shrines/Hol ... val_92.htm
Yeah, we discussed this before and I remember I agreed with you that it was a commercial release back then.
Still, if it wasn't, things would be more clear - like why there are so few around, and so expensive. Also, all those prices in the site are somehow special (usually gold cartridges), so it would be a little underwhelming to win the contest and just get a standard game that everyone can go and buy at the store, don't you think?
P.S. I really want this game - sellers, keep that in mind! Potential buyer!
Indeed. There's another weird thing: on that site of all the other grails it's said "given away as a prize" or something like that, clearly stating that you needed to win at something in order to get this. With Recca it's just "was given out in limited quantities". So it wasn't even a prize, it was just handed out? 'Course, that might be an oversight on the site's part and they meant to imply that it was a prize. Who knows?Turrican wrote:Also, all those prices in the site are somehow special (usually gold cartridges), so it would be a little underwhelming to win the contest and just get a standard game that everyone can go and buy at the store, don't you think?
I know of one for certain, and I seem to remember another one as well, but I'm not absolutely sure of the latter.Ceph wrote:Are you sure? I for one only have the cart (and I was very lucky (and happy) to even get that).
No matter how good a game is, somebody will always hate it. No matter how bad a game is, somebody will always love it.
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Nope. Power Strike II = GG Aleste IICeph wrote:I had no idea GG Aleste was rare. It's the same game as Power Strike II for Game Gear, right?CIT wrote:Then there's a whole crapload of games in the $150 range, like Sylphia, Magical Chase, R. Silvergun, Border Down Limited, GG Aleste, Eliminate Down, etc.
Which is a lot cheaper and easier to find.
GG Aleste (1) was never released outside of Japan. I've been trying to find a complete one for about three years now, but it always eludes me.
I know PlasmaBlooD has one! Grrrrrrrrrhhh!
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GaijinPunch
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I was lucky to find a loose GG Aleste 1 for $25 dollars buy it now on ebay, but it seems some places like Japan Game Stock actually sell it for over 100 dollars loose.CIT wrote: GG Aleste (1) was never released outside of Japan. I've been trying to find a complete one for about three years now, but it always eludes me.
I know PlasmaBlooD has one! Grrrrrrrrrhhh!
Concerning Recca, I did some research on the Japanese internet and I found the following:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/oroti/famicom/rea15.html
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Kni ... story.html
It is sold as official software for the "Summer Carnival" game event held by Naxat.
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So it was sold alright, but maybe only at (or for the duration of) the event.
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/oroti/famicom/rea15.html
Sales date 92/7/17 price 4980 Yen発売年92/7/17 定価4980
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Kni ... story.html
7/17 - [software] Naxat's "Summer Carnival '92 Recca" is released.7/17 【ソフト】ナグザットより「サマーカーニバル'９２ 烈火」が発売
ナグザットが開催したゲームイベント「サマーカーニバル」公式ソフトとして発売。
It is sold as official software for the "Summer Carnival" game event held by Naxat.
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So it was sold alright, but maybe only at (or for the duration of) the event.