price questions on saturn/dreamcast shmups

[w-ring]

What would be considered a reasonable price for the following shooters, assuming they are in good condition and complete. I am off to Japan and don't wanna be ripped off:


saturn:

Shienryu
batsugun
hyperduel
donpachi
blast wind
metal black


dreamcast:

zero gunner 2
mars matrix

[genetik]

Here's what I paid for those shmups. Apart from Zero Gunner 2 which I bought at the moment the reprint came out, all the other ones I bought in the last 3 years. All of them are in excellent condition. I don't own Hyper Duel....yet.

Saturn:
Shienryu 20$ (bought over 2 years ago)
Batsugun 45$ (bought over a year ago)
Donpachi 30$ (bought over a year ago)
Blast Wind 60$ without spine (bought in the last year)
Metal Black 30$ (bought in the last year)


Dreamcast:
Zero Gunner 2 40$ brand new (when the reprint came out)
Mars Matrix 50$ brand new (bought recently 2nd hand)

[ROBOTRON]

From that list I have 2.

Blast Wind I recently bought CD only for $32 on Ebay. It normally goes as high as $100 with original insert and spine card. So I would say $50 or under is a good deal.

Mars Matrix I bought as soon as it was released in Japan...with shipping I think it was around $50? I'm not sure what the going rate is now. Personally I would not pay over $40.

[Fighter17]

My Japanese Saturn shmup price guide.

List updated as of 1/31/08.

Note: Prices are for first print-run copies. Some of these games where reprinted (Metal Black, DoDonPachi, and more). If you see a reprint copy (it'll be under the SegaSaturn Collection reprint), try to spend send less for them.

* Price on the low end: Make sure it comes with the disc, case, and manual.
* Price on the high end: Make sure it comes with everything (even the reg card and the Spine Card). Some games came with special items (listed below, games that came with special items are highlighted).

Batsugun: $40-$60
Battle Garegga: $60-$80
Blast Wind: $60-$100
Bokan To Ippatsu Doronboo Kanpekiban: $15-$30
Capcom Generation 1 (1942, 1943, 1943-Kai): $10-$25
Cho Aniki Kyukyoku Otokonogyakushu: $20-$30
Cotton 2: $20-$40
Cotton Boomerang: $40-$60
Darius Gaiden: $10-$20
Darius II: $15-$30
Detana! Twinbee Yahho Deluxe Pack: $10-$25
Dezaemon 2: $20-$40
Dodonpachi: $25-$40
Donpachi: $20-$25
Fantasy Zone: $10-$20
Game Paradise/Game Tengoku: $20-$30
Game Paradise/Game Tengoku Special: $30-$70
Gekirindan: $20-$30
Gradius Deluxe Pack: $20-$30
Guardian Force: $20-$30
Gun Frontier: $25-$50
Gunbird: $10-20
Hyper Duel: $100-$150
Image Fight/X-Multiply: $60-$85
In The Hunt (Kaitei Daisensou): $20-$30
Jikkyo Oshaberi Parodius (Parodius Forever With Me): $20-$30
Kingdom Grandprix (Shippuu Mahou Daisakusen): $15-$30
Kyuukyoku Tiger II Plus (Twin Cobra II): $30-$40
Layer Section II: $20-$30
Layer Section: $10-$20
Metal Black: $20-$30
Parodius Deluxe Pack: $10-$25
Radiant Silvergun: $150-$200
Salamander Deluxe Pack: $30-$60
Sengoku Blade: $40-$65
Shienryu: $20-$30
Skull Fang: $20-$30
Sol Divide: $25-$40
Sonic Wings Special: $20-$30
Soukyugurentai Otokuyo (White Border): $20-$30
Soukyugurentai: $10-$20
Space Invaders: $5-$10
Steam Hearts: $40-$60
Strikers 1945 II: $20-$30
Strikers 1945: $10-$20
Super Dimensional Fortress Macross (Two Disc Shmup): $10-$25
Thunder Force V Special Pack: $70-$90
Thunder Force V: $15-$30
Thunderforce Gold Pack 1: $20-$40
Thunderforce Gold Pack 2: $40-$60
Twinkle Star Sprites: $40-$80

No prices (if you have a price range for these games LMK. I didn't do enough research for them):

Planet Joker (you're much better off without it)
Terra Cresta 3D (look at Planet Joker)

Special List:

* Game Paradise/Game Tengoku Special: Came in a special box with the special Anime VHS tape and the game.

* Gun Frontier: Came with the special Gamest booklet.

* Sengoku Blade: Came with special Fan Disc.

* Sonic Wings Special: Came with a special Music Mini-Disc.

* Thunder Force V Special Pack: Came with the special Best of Tecnosoft Music CD (on the TFV disc it saids Special on it).

* Twinkle Star Sprites: Came with the special Fan Disc.


I might need more work for the Special List. If any other shmup came with anything special like the ones above LMK.

[genetik]

My Saturn price guide:

Cotton Boomerang: $25-$40
Game Paradise/Game Tengoku: $10-$25

I would say that Cotton Boomerang is more $40-60. I've never seen it go for as low as $25. No way that Cotton 2 sells for the same price as Boomerang.

As for Game Paradise/Game Tengoku, $10 seems really cheap comparing to what it usually sells for. I would say that $20-30 is more the common price.

[Fighter17]

My Saturn price guide:

Cotton Boomerang: $25-$40
Game Paradise/Game Tengoku: $10-$25

I would say that Cotton Boomerang is more $40-60. I've never seen it go for as low as $25. No way that Cotton 2 sells for the same price as Boomerang.

As for Game Paradise/Game Tengoku, $10 seems really cheap comparing to what it usually sells for. I would say that $20-30 is more the common price.

I might have to agree on Boomerang. I seen it a little cheaper in Japan, but $40-$60 is reasonable.

As for Game Tengoku I would also have to agree as well. I seen it in Japan for around $15-$20 but since this list is for us outsiders I think $20-$30 is perfect.

[spadgy]

Are you US based then W-ring. If you're UK based and it would make life easier, I can glance over my collection and tell you what I'd paid in 'er majesty's sterling.

[genetik]

Well since w-ring said:

I am off to Japan and don't wanna be ripped off

Prices in Japanese Yen would be even more useful.

[neist]

As far as the going rate in Japan, its hard to say, but last I heard around 115 yen = 1 dollar.

[w-ring]

I am uk based.

I am pretty lucky really cos my girlfriend is Japanese, so she helps me out looking online on Japanese game sites and also some of her old school friends are shooter fans so they sometimes hook me up with some good stuff.

The Saturn shooting scene is pretty new to me to be honest. I used to play mainly pc engine shooters. I have Dodonpachi and Soukyugerentai but was looking to pick up some more on my next trip over there.

I ordered Gunbird, Layer Section 1 + 2 and Sengoku Blade which seemed like a pretty good deal for (4260 yen)

[genetik]

I ordered Gunbird, Layer Section 1 + 2 and Sengoku Blade which seemed like a pretty good deal for (4260 yen)

Excellent deal since Sengoku Blade usually sells for that price by itself.

[w-ring]

spadgy, yeah prices in GBP would be very helpful, cheers.

The games I am particularly interested in are:

zero gunner 2
mars matrix
donpachi
darius gaiden
batsugun

but I have to be picky about my purchases because I am short of cash. I have played zero gunner 2 and thought it was excellent, but not played the others. Anyone suggest a 'weak link' in the list to save me a little money?

[spadgy]

Will do mate. I'm busy this morning, but I'll edit in here later today when I get a chance.

[boagman]

The games I am particularly interested in are:

zero gunner 2
mars matrix
donpachi
darius gaiden
batsugun

Anyone suggest a 'weak link' in the list to save me a little money?

Weak link = Mars Matrix. Still don't see why anyone would like and/or enjoy that game. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough, and I only paid $20 for it when it was brand new. Ick.

[genetik]

spadgy, yeah prices in GBP would be very helpful, cheers.

The games I am particularly interested in are:

zero gunner 2
mars matrix
donpachi
darius gaiden
batsugun

but I have to be picky about my purchases because I am short of cash. I have played zero gunner 2 and thought it was excellent, but not played the others. Anyone suggest a 'weak link' in the list to save me a little money?

I would say that Batsugun is a definite must buy. Zero Gunner 2 is also excellent, altho not a very traditional shooter with it's 360 degrees rotation.

Donpachi is nice, but Dodonpachi is so much better. Mars Matrix and Darius Gaiden are nice, but they're definitely not in my top ten shmups. But Darius Gaiden usually goes for really cheap. Any nice shmup under $15 is worth it.

[w-ring]

boagman, can I ask what you didn't like about mars matrix? I thought it was generally very well received.

Also, I have Dodonpachi, so is it worth me getting Donpachi or is DDP better in every way?

[MX7]

Mars Matrix is awesome, don't listen! It has almost limitless depth, and is nowhere near as stupidly hard as you think it is when you first boot it up. Insane fun. The best shooter on Dreamcast, with Under Defeat a close second.

If you get just these two games, you'll have enough to last you for years.

[w-ring]

Is there any difference between the Jap and US versions of Mars Matrix? The reason I ask is because I heard the US one is cheaper.

I have a European and a Japanese Dreamcast, so if I play the US release with a boot disc will it play at 60hz?

[spadgy]

Will do mate. I'm busy this morning, but I'll edit in here later today when I get a chance.

Sorry mate. Here they are. These are the prices I 'paid' in Game Focus in cntral London where they always have shooters in. They are a little pricier than eBay at times, but you can trade in DVDs, Games, gaming gear etc. Basically you pay for the fact there's usually stock in on the shelves:

Batsugun: £50
Zero Gunner 2: £45
Mars Matrix US: £28
Mars MAtrix JAP: £35 (I went for the JAP)
Donpachi: £45
Darius Gaiden: ???

Other Saturn/DC games I've bought there as a comparative price guide:
The Game Paraidse: £40
Battle Garegga: £50
Border Down: £40
DDP: £38
Strikers 1945: £22
Shienryu: £35
Layer Section: £28
Soukyugurentai: £40
Detana Twinbee and Parodius were about £30 each I think
Sonic Wings Special was about £35 - 40 but might have been less.

I saw Gradius deluxe pack for £12 there once, but it got snapped up.

Prices there vary depending on how much stock they have, so this isn't a definitive UK price guide. JAP PS2 games are good value there. I got ESPgaluda for less than £30. JAP Psyvariar and stuff are like £15. UK versions really cheap.

As a comparison to eBay, I got Pys 2 on it for £26, and it's £32 at Game Focus.

Happily for me I've paid £8 in total for all the above games and around 5 - 10 more all together, as all the other money has come from trading in shit modern games. That's about 33p each!

[genetik]

Will do mate. I'm busy this morning, but I'll edit in here later today when I get a chance.

Sorry mate. Here they are. These are the prices I 'paid' in Game Focus in cntral London where they always have shooters in. They are a little pricier than eBay at times, but you can trade in DVDs, Games, gaming gear etc. Basically you pay for the fact there's usually stock in on the shelves:

Batsugun: £50
Zero Gunner 2: £45
Mars Matrix US: £28
Mars MAtrix JAP: £35 (I went for the JAP)
Donpachi: £45
Darius Gaiden: ???

Other Saturn/DC games I've bought there as a comparative price guide:
The Game Paraidse: £40
Battle Garegga: £50
Border Down: £40
DDP: £38
Strikers 1945: £22
Shienryu: £35
Layer Section: £28
Soukyugurentai: £40
Detana Twinbee and Parodius were about £30 each I think
Sonic Wings Special was about £35 - 40 but might have been less.

WOW thoses are some crazy expensive prices. Alot of them are about double what you would pay on this forums or even eBay.

[FIL]

UK prices are always higher on new and used games. Full retail price for current gen games can be as high as £40-£50.

[spadgy]

WOW thoses are some crazy expensive prices. Alot of them are about double what you would pay on this forums or even eBay.

They are, but this is the country where 20 cigarettes is nearing £6 now. And that's a game shop in the very centre of London; a city thats about 50% more expensive than the rest of the country.

I guess at least medical stuff and health care is super cheap here, and with the dollar so bad right now buying stuff from the states is extra-super cheap!

[genetik]

They are, but this is the country where 20 cigarettes is nearing £6 now. And that's a game shop in the very centre of London; a city thats about 50% more expensive than the rest of the country.

I guess at least medical stuff and health care is super cheap here, and with the dollar so bad right now buying stuff from the states is extra-super cheap!

Well, I guess we have good up here in Canada. Health care is free and much better than in the US, the Canadian dollar is about equal to the US one now and new release for the 360/PS3 are $60 Canadian which is about £30.

But really, whats the point of buying locally Japanese games if they cost close to twice what they usually go for. Why not stick with import shops and trading forums?

I know that here in Montreal, Import shop are close to non-existent. There used to some a few years back, but with internet Import shops offering much better prices, the ones here closed up after a while. Last one I knew closed when Xbox and Gamecube came long. So buying imports locally here is not even an option.

[spadgy]

Personally I get plenty of free games for work, so I review 'em, and then trade them in for shmups, thus costing me nothing. Otherwise I'd use the trading forums here (which I do sometimes).

But otherwise? I guess London import shops are for London wages...

[Fighter17]

Will do mate. I'm busy this morning, but I'll edit in here later today when I get a chance.

Sorry mate. Here they are. These are the prices I 'paid' in Game Focus in cntral London where they always have shooters in. They are a little pricier than eBay at times, but you can trade in DVDs, Games, gaming gear etc. Basically you pay for the fact there's usually stock in on the shelves:

Batsugun: £50
Zero Gunner 2: £45
Mars Matrix US: £28
Mars MAtrix JAP: £35 (I went for the JAP)
Donpachi: £45
Darius Gaiden: ???

Other Saturn/DC games I've bought there as a comparative price guide:
The Game Paraidse: £40
Battle Garegga: £50
Border Down: £40
DDP: £38
Strikers 1945: £22
Shienryu: £35
Layer Section: £28
Soukyugurentai: £40
Detana Twinbee and Parodius were about £30 each I think
Sonic Wings Special was about £35 - 40 but might have been less.

You're lucky for getting most of them for trading in games. If you were paying for them I would think you're on crack.

40 pounds for Game Paraidse/Tengoku, LOLOLOLOLOL!

Stick to my price guide, it'll save you the trouble and the fear of not getting ripped.

[iatneH]

Fighter17, the ultimate authority on Saturn game prices and more!!!

[spadgy]

You're lucky for getting most of them for trading in games.

All of them! There's been four separate occasions when I've been £2 short on the trade in vouchers, but that's still about 33 pence each I've paid over all at the store!

Anyway, the games fly out that store. While my list was never meant to be an authoritative price guide, shmups fly out that shop every week at those prices. That might not be what they're worth, but it's what people in London
are paying!

And new PS3 games in the UK can be £50 standard RRP.

[boagman]

boagman, can I ask what you didn't like about mars matrix? I thought it was generally very well received.

I didn't like much of anything about it. I thought it played pretty badly, I thought it looked pretty hideous, and I got no joy out of the experience. It may have sounded decent...I honestly can't remember if the music was good, but usually after one level of a shmup (the first level is usually the one that's supposed to grab you), I can tell whether I'll like it or not. I played at least two levels, and couldn't return it fast enough.

Keep in mind that I'm someone who'll give Capcom the benefit of the doubt any day of the week, as I'm a fan of the company and much of their (especially old school) work. This one, however, wasn't even worth the $20 I paid at the time.

As always, personal tastes are just that, so YMMV.

[boagman]

The best shooter on Dreamcast, with Under Defeat a close second.

I cannot express in words how absolutely wrong this statement is. I could try, but I'd fail miserably, as words just aren't sufficient to emphasize to that degree. I'm afraid that the sacrifice of small woodland creatures would be necessary to emphasize how wrong this statement is, and I'm just not up for that tonight.

I mean, yike, dude.

[Fighter17]

Fighter17, the ultimate authority on Saturn game prices and more!!!

OK I've updated the price guide again.

I feel like I'm just about done on the Saturn shmup price guide. I might need to do a few more edits but I feel like it's complete. If you're looking for shmups for the Saturn this is a perfect guide for you.

This is something that should be sticked.

I might do a Japanese Megadrive shmup price guide and a JP PSX price guide in the future.