Imports vs. Domestics

[durias]

Is it fair to say that, in general, imports are better than domestic versions of the same game?

What do I mean by "better?" I dunno. I'll let you define "better." Grin.

For instance, PS2's Gradius V ranks second on the all-time shmups list. Should I try to track down the Japanese version over the American version? Or Gradius (NES) vs. Gradius (Sega Saturn import)?

So far, I only have imports for my Sega Saturn and I'm trying to decide if I should stick with imports for my PS2. I have American versions of Gradius V, Silpheed, and Raiden III all still sealed so I can use 'em to trade up. If import versions are "better," I'd gladly take that route.

I'm new here and all your responses to my various noob threads have been super-helpful as I've rediscovered a genre that I never thought existed. You are appreciated.

[JJG]

A lot of times with imports you get extras like an LE version, they rarely do this with domestic versions. Also with import versions you don't have to listen to horrible voice acting heh.

[BulletMagnet]

It really depends on the individual game...in some cases the import is better than the domestic release for whatever reason, while in others the latter is just as good (sometimes better), and often cheaper.

[louisg]

I usually go for domestics if I can, just because I try to avoid paying too much for the same game. The majority of domestic versions of shmups are, to my knowledge, not changed from the original. But, I'd take it on a case-by-case basis.

[Fighter17]

Imports, becaue the packaging is better.

Megadrive packaging kicks the westerns packaging big time.

El Viento US art:



El Viento JP art:



I rest my case.

[Acid King]

A lot of times with imports you get extras like an LE version, they rarely do this with domestic versions. Also with import versions you don't have to listen to horrible voice acting heh.

If I had the US version of Shikigami 2, I'd definitely leave the cut scenes on.

[durias]

A lot of times with imports you get extras like an LE version...

What's an LE version?

[Sonic R]

There are very seldom times that import is better.

Example may be Shikigami no Shiro for the Sony PlayStation. The USA is lacking tate mode

Raiden Project is not have proper tate BUT with help from Game Shark, this problem can be fix.

Gradius on NES vs Gradius (Saturn) - the NES is a very unique game where Saturn/PlayStation is arcade original. Same for Gradius II. Famicom Graduis II is awesome and special game different from arcade original.

All that marlaky about box art is nonsense. We are to play games not boxes Boxes/cases is place to protect and store games. If box is that important maybe it is best to leave video games in look into art paintings, stamp collecting, or collecting cards. games are to be played.

I bought USA Raiden III and sold my Japan Raiden III.

[Limbrooke]

If a game I want is availible in both regions and has no big differences between the two, I will get the domestic version. Raiden 3 is the one exception since I got the import copy when there was no other version availible (on PS2) and I didn't think it's release domestically was in the cards, no matter.

Apart from availibility, I will go for the best version between the regions either way. Whether it's from here or there, as long as it's the top.

[durias]

Apart from availability, I will go for the best version between the regions either way. Whether it's from here or there, as long as it's the top.

Thanks for your input! Keeping your above statement in mind, have you found that a higher percentage of the games you buy are either import or domestic? Or maybe it's closer to a 50/50 split?

Thanks again!

[shinsage]

Keep your domestic PS2 games, there is no reason at all to sell them and get the Japanese versions that are exactly the same.
The only instance I can think of where a shmup got released here is Einhander, where they excluded the stage select for some reason. But that's hardly a reason to get ants in your pants.

Your NES Gradius vs Saturn Gradius is unfair, since the NES version had to work with the system's limitations, whereas the Saturn replicated a perfect port.

[durias]

@ shinsage

Thanks for that input. As usual, super-helpful.

[J-Manic]

Imports all the way. Everything is best experienced in it's original version, and that includes video games.

[Carmen]

I'd rather be spending money, I'd want the superior presentation and packaging that aren't put into domestic retranslations. A game like Gradius V, the domestic version is really good, I mean, full colour booklet and care put into the packaging, but most companies just slap a three page black and white pamphlet - making you wonder what they do with that extra money if not packaging? Its not the sort of business practices I want to financially support. Its a reason I really respect Working Designs for taking so much time and devotion to localise games with top quality standards...

[glitch]

my ps2 won't even play domestic stuff. besides, my continent sees even less domestic shmup releases than the US, and when it does they're often messed up in the conversion. anything of my interest that gets released in the US has a japanese release, but not vice versa, so the choice between US imports and japanese imports is pretty trivial (not to mention the huge delays before a US release appears, if at all...). and i kinda enjoy deciphering japanese manuals... -_-;;

also, here in Euro-land it's cheaper to import games from japan than to buy them in the average game shop, so even financially i'm better off importing. ^_^

[BulletMagnet]

What's an LE version?

"Limited Edition," usually would come with a soundtrack or figure or something, though the game itself was almost always the same. Pretty much something for the collectors.

besides, my continent sees even less domestic shmup releases than the US

I don't have precise numbers to compare side by side, but offhand I think that Europe got a good deal more shmup love during the PS2's time than the US did, though apparently the quality of said ports varied somewhat.

[nZero]

HONDA POWER

...I mean, whatever the cheapest version without sacrificing features is. Bonus points for being available in my first language.

[glitch]

I don't have precise numbers to compare side by side, but offhand I think that Europe got a good deal more shmup love during the PS2's time than the US did, though apparently the quality of said ports varied somewhat.

did we? could be, i don't really keep track. i just never ever see them in shops here. and uh, many are butchered in the PAL-conversion and those don't really count. ~_^

it's a crime the US never got a Psyvariar Complete Edition though!

also, where is Silpheed from, originally? the japanese version is pretty much the US version plus japanese subtitles. @_@

[Never_Scurred]

I'd say stick with your domestics. Majority of the time, the differences are small and don't have any real bearing on gameplay. For games like Ikaruga, the depending on how anal you are or what experience you have had with the DC version, the differences may not be that big of a deal. I bought the GC port of the game and was satisfied with it. Sonic R made a good point about the box art thing.

[Ganelon]

Thanks for your input! Keeping your above statement in mind, have you found that a higher percentage of the games you buy are either import or domestic? Or maybe it's closer to a 50/50 split?

Thanks again!

For 100% of serious shooter fans, the majority of shooters will be imports, since too many haven't been released in the US.

The few US shooters that are actually inferior gameplay-wise to their JP equivalents were for the arcade (where there are indeed many games with differences between the JP and other versions) or PS. In fact, the only console games where the US version is missing important features I can think of currently are:

Sol Divide
Gunbird
Shikigami no Shiro
The Raiden Project

I'm probably missing something but even so, it highlights how little point there is in getting imports just for the sake of getting imports.

[Sonic R]

Thanks for your input! Keeping your above statement in mind, have you found that a higher percentage of the games you buy are either import or domestic? Or maybe it's closer to a 50/50 split?

Thanks again!

For 100% of serious shooter fans, the majority of shooters will be imports, since too many haven't been released in the US.

The few US shooters that are actually inferior gameplay-wise to their JP equivalents were for the arcade (where there are indeed many games with differences between the JP and other versions) or PS. In fact, the only console games where the US version is missing important features I can think of currently are:

Sol Divide
Gunbird
Shikigami no Shiro
The Raiden Project

I'm probably missing something but even so, it highlights how little point there is in getting imports just for the sake of getting imports.

Strikers 1945 II is also missing tate mode

As I have stated before a Game Shark or other "cheat" device can enable the proper controls for Raiden Project - and the code will save on the memory card!

Silpheed is hail from Japan - by Game Arts.

Many games are not realized in the USA but many (especially as of late) are just like Japan. Ikaruga, Chaos Field, Raiden III, Graduis V, Castle Shikigami, Mars Matrix, Gunbird 2, Giga Wing's, and Radirgy(soon!)

Crying over anything beyond game play is bleh I am happy that some small folks are take time to bring games to USA. I am import games because I want to play the game and it is not realized anywhere else besides Japan. If it comes to USA it comes to my game room.

[Never_Scurred]

Crying over anything beyond game play is bleh I am happy that some small folks are take time to bring games to USA. I am import games because I want to play the game and it is not realized anywhere else besides Japan. If it comes to USA it comes to my game room.

Amen.

[shinsage]

Yeah, I play my games in yoko anyways soooooo....I suck.

[GaijinPunch]

Crying over anything beyond game play is bleh .

So you have CD/DVD only copies, throwing away the packaging? Sorry, games are sold as a package, hence, all the pretty designs on them. Cut scenes, voice acting, and all that shit is part of the game. The way the graphics are displayed, the audio output, etc. etc., is all part of the whole. If only gameplay mattered, the discs would be sold in clear cases, the characters would be dots, and there would be no music.

[The Coop]

For shmups, it doesn't really matter if you go domestic or import. As long as the game hasn't been censored to hell, had it's music butchered, or had key gameplay elements removed or broken (no, I don't consider TATE to be gameplay related), there's not much of a core difference. Plus, it's always nice to actually be able to understand the text on the screen if it's available in your native language. So if it comes to the US unmolested, that's the version I get.

Regarding box art, it can go either way. I've seen good and bad on both sides of the ocean. And if you're really that concerned about what artwork is on the box, you can likely find alternate versions on the web to print out for yourself (or request one somewhere). I mean, nice box art is one thing, but I'm not paying $75 for the Japanese version over the $30 US version, just so I can have a prettier picture. It's not worth it.


Obviously, each person is going to give you a different take on the subject. Some have a "JAPANESE OR IT SUCKS!" mentality, others wouldn't care where it came from, or if the game came in a blank cartridge. But frankly, you'll be the one who has to weigh the pros and cons for each game, and what you're getting for the price. Be sure you look around for reviews or articles that give insights on any changes made between the import and domestic releases, and basically... just do your homework, and go from there.

[JoshF]

Mobile Light Force > Gunbird

[GaijinPunch]

Regarding box art, it can go either way. I've seen good and bad on both sides of the ocean.

Curious to see an example where the JPN is worse than the western. While I don't deny this is the case at times, I certainly can't think of one off the top of my head.

[BiQ]

I personally consider some points essential and some points optional (if too many, like two or more of these fail, then import it is).

Essential:

- 60 Hz mode (I live in Europe, you know...) as good as in import
- TATE mode (for horis) as good as in import
- Most gameplay elements (like bosses/level designs/scoring) intact.

Optional, still important:

- Music intact
- Graphics (like too dark/light/tinted) intact
- Few gameplay elements (like default lives IF user-settable, credit growing)
- Port addons

[Fighter17]

Third World War Mega CD:



Sega CD:



I have to admit that Sega CD art is better.

And I found this:



But still imports are better.

[GaijinPunch]

Well, they both suck, but I would definitely give points to the US then. And yeah, that Nekketsu Athlete is a scream.