Saturn (either this or a PCE duo, getting both will be too expensive)
- Used system ** (which particular model is best to get for durability?)
Possible to get unboxed working bog standard saturn for low cost, but budget for 2980 worst case. Retro Store in Aki used to have boxed machines for around that price. $35
- essential accessories?? (advice)
if you have a TV that can take RGB, then the RGB cable, but not easy to find. Failing that an Svideo cable at least is an upgrade.
- Radiant Silvergun (expensive but might be cheaper in Japan than ebay/trading, where to buy?)
Nakano Broadway, Galaxy - have had a couple of damaged copies as low as 7000 yen recently. If you want a AAA grade copy then you can wave goodbye to a good $150 or so of your budget right here.
- Battle Garegga, Batsugun (where to buy? whats a good price in yen for these?)
Again, Galaxy - damaged (and i'm sure you'll struggle to see where it is) and obi-less copies around 3500 yen. Expect to pay at least 6000 yen for Garegga and 4800 for Batsugun AT LEAST elsewhere. Other places to try in Aki - Mandarake (mother company of Galaxy) , Traders, etc.
PC Engine/Duo
- Used Duo system (expensive? what are my options?)
$130+ depends on the model. I highly recommend saving up and getting one of the upgraded Duo models on ebay with the improved cd drive and the RGB mod.
- Whatever shmups I can find (Nexzr, Lords of Thunder, others?)
lot of reasonably priced shmups in the 1000 - 2800 yen range. Should be able to get Gates/Lords for that amount. Rtype complete/Side arms/Goffer usually quite cheap but possibly redundant.
- Other PCE games (had a TG16 so I'd like a retro fix with cool english-friendly PCE games - advice?)
too many to mention ! will think later. Very Cheap goodies (may not be to everyones taste) : Gomola Speed, Zipang.
PS3
- 3000yen PSN card for JP PSN shmups (I think its enough - is there an updated list of JP PSN shmups?)
will get you 5 games. Should keep you going.
Wii
- Radirgy Noa (any good? will get if recommended - haven't played the first one)
not my cup of tea, find a Book Off, 1980 yen used.
PSP
- Darius Burst (recommended?)
again, wasn't that impressed by it - 2980-3980 at the moment. it's about 3480 in Sofmap right now.
PS2
- PS2 saturn controller (I know, my odds of finding this at a reasonable price are slim to none..where'd be a place to find this?)
- alternatives to saturn controller? I only have a DS2
can't say i've seen one. Only other alternatives i can think of is one of the hori wireless which i used a lot and enjoyed but probably not necessary and a bit expensive.
If you have an X360 machine capable of playing Japanese games, you might want to hunt down Ketsui. Not only is it great, but it's hit 2980 yen NEW in a lot of places. Really shouldn't be missed at full price, but at that price it is essential.
Anything else I should consider? Also stores to go to in Tokyo, Osaka?
can only say for Tokyo - not all of these are the greatest in terms of price - if you have time do a good loop around all the stores and keep track of price. If you find something you DESPERATELY want though that you think is rare, then sometimes it's good to jump on it. I've missed a few items i wanted because i went to check it wasn't in somewhere else for cheaper only to come back and find it gone.
As a rule of thumb - Den Den Town in Osaka has cheaper prices than Akihabara. Quite a bit lower in fact. It's been a few years since i've been there so that may have changed so perhaps someone else can advise on that.
- Nakano Broadway - Galaxy - lots of retro games, some great prices if you aren't looking for AAA quality packaging. Some extremely rare items.
- Akihabara - Mandarake - retro centric, some good prices and a good selection of shmups. Some bargains to be had on the retro front.
- Akihabara - Traders - on the main street, their new building - again good selection of new and retro games with some good / bad prices. A good place to check first for second hand hardware like your saturn.
- Akihabara - Super Friends - some good awful prices in this place, yet in amongst all that there's always some cheap stuff to be picked out. Mainly Snes/NES/PCE but definitely worth a look. Not the sort of place to shop in first.
- Akihabara - Retro game - again, some crazy prices, but a decent selection, they have a bargain rail on the second floor with some great finds for 50-100 yen. Worth checking.
- Aki/Osaka - Super Potato - a lot of price variance here! Some of the games prices are way way WAY out of hand, that said their bargain section is usually stocked with some genuine well priced goods. Hardware selection is good - theres a Famicom Titler in the Aki branch right now too - and they have a stack of unboxed hardware so you maybe able to find a good , cheap Saturn there.
- All over japan - Book Off - really good bargain hunting to be had in these stores. They are dotted all around Japan and are always worth checking. You really never know what you will find and a lot of the time the prices are way below Akihabara. Could also be a good place to find a cheap saturn - the sister store Hard Off is more hardware centric and also worth a punt.
- Akihabara - in general - hit the back streets behind the Club Sega on the main street. Half of the fun is dashing in the (now sadly less and less in numbers) smaller stores and seeing what you can find.
Super Aki tip - like ramen? Go to the large Yodobashi camera store's food floor and find a place called Komen. They have a ramen called "Kogashi tantanmen" and it's absolutely amazing, adding dried garlic flakes makes it absolutely pant shaking!.
