Japan-only gems

[Smacktard]

I'm heading to Japan soon and I was thinking of maybe picking up a game or two while I'm there. I don't want to pick up just any old Japanese game just for the sake of getting one. Specifically I'm looking for something worthwhile that's:

• Completely unavailable in the west
• Worth playing
• Doesn't require any knowledge of Japanese to play

So like, Pokemon TCG 2 would be great, but it doesn't meet the 3rd criterion.

I'm thinking of picking up Otogi Katsugeki etc. because it doesn't seem text-heavy, it doesn't seem like it will ever have a translation, and it looks fun as hell.

Are there any other games you can think of that meet this criteria? Any system you can think of.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

You have a Sega Saturn or Dreamcast?

 

[Crystal]

If you see a copy of Super Tempo on the Saturn, buy it and show it to me and I will cry forever. Looking for that damn game for years...

 

[Smacktard]

No Saturn or Dreamcast unfortunately

 

[Crystal]

No Saturn or Dreamcast unfortunately

 

[Quagmire]

No Saturn or Dreamcast unfortunately

You could still pick them up for a collection to show off

I also recommend really any game you want to own but its too expensive in English. You can get some classic jrpgs for pretty cheap compared to what they would cost you in English

 

[Smacktard]

You could still pick them up for a collection to show off

I also recommend really any game you want to own but its too expensive in English. You can get some classic jrpgs for pretty cheap compared to what they would cost you in English

Maybe, but Super Tempo is... $450 loose? I couldn't justify a pricetag that high for a game I can't even play -- especially when Sega Saturn games are notorious for disc rot

 

[Crystal]

Maybe, but Super Tempo is... $450 loose? I couldn't justify a pricetag that high for a game I can't even play -- especially when Sega Saturn games are notorious for disc rot

Yeah, I wouldn't buy that one unless you were actually going to play it, that's a HUUUUUUUGE chunk of change for an ornament.

 

[Smacktard]

Yeah, I wouldn't buy that one unless you were actually going to play it, that's a HUUUUUUUGE chunk of change for an ornament.

Also, just learning now that Sega Saturns are region locked. I'd have to get a Japanese Sega Saturn on top of that to play it!

 

[Crystal]

Also, just learning now that Sega Saturns are region locked. I'd have to get a Japanese Sega Saturn on top of that to play it!

I have a US Saturn with an action replay and it allows me to play Japanese games. So, there are workarounds

 

[Smacktard]

I have a US Saturn with a Game Genie and it allows me to play Japanese games. So, there are workarounds

woah what

what black magic is this

 

[Crystal]

woah what

what black magic is this

Yeah, you can use an Action Replay (I said Game Genie, I've got NES on the brain, my bad!) and play Japanese games on a US NTSC Saturn

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Also, just learning now that Sega Saturns are region locked. I'd have to get a Japanese Sega Saturn on top of that to play it!

Nope. You need Action Reply.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Same with the Dreamcast. There's a cheat code disc that allows you to bypass region locking.

 

[Smacktard]

I'm thinking of getting the following (all for Switch):

• Grandia HD Collection
• Zelda BotW + Season pass (on-cart DLC)
• Sea of Stars (cause the Japanese box art is way better than the stuff released in the west)

Also thinking of picking up a PS3 controller... Any other non-Saturn game suggestions?

 

[Fool's Requiem]

The Fatal Frame games for the Wii were Japan only, but apparently they were re-released worldwide last year for modern consoles.

Wii was region locked, too. But I'm sure there was a hack made for it.

 

[Smacktard]

Thinking of maybe picking up a Wonderswan color and some Wonderswan Classic and/or Color games. Let's see if I can find one. It was only released in Japan.

Got this today:

BotW w/ DLC on-cart.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Thinking of maybe picking up a Wonderswan color and some Wonderswan Classic and/or Color games. Let's see if I can find one. It was only released in Japan.

Got this today:
View attachment 12713
BotW w/ DLC on-cart.

nice. I have the Wii U version. Unlikely I'll play the DLC for it.

 

[Smacktard]

@Crystal @Fool's Requiem
Convince me to buy a Sega Saturn

 

[Crystal]

@Crystal @Fool's Requiem
Convince me to buy a Sega Saturn

The fact that you want convincing shows you're already teetering on the edge of doing so. Factor in amazing games like Shining the Holy Ark, Guardian Heroes, Albert Odyssey, Vandal Hearts and so many more...it's a great, super underrated console. It had a limited life in North America, but in Japan they released games for several years, so many titles to look for, and lots of hidden gems.

Downside -- the North American releases are PRICEY! You can find better deals on the Japanese versions, but even there exclusives games like Radiant Silvergun and Super Tempo are super expensive. It's a worthwhile console with some awesome releases, the North American library is only 155 games, so it's an easy one to collect for...but it is pricey.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Do you like 2D fighting games?

 

[Smacktard]

I've picked up a few games so far, but haven't been able to find anything big. Lots of Sega Saturns for sale... Might pick one up if I can't find a good Twin Famicom. I found one but it was broken. Probably just the belt, but it was the same price as buying a fixed one on eBay, so eh. I have a few more places to check out first before I commit to anything.

 

[Smacktard]

I impulse bought a Sega Saturn. Need JP only recommendations. I'll look out for Super Tempo

 

[Crystal]

I impulse bought a Sega Saturn. Need JP only recommendations. I'll look out for Super Tempo

Welcome board

As for recommendations, the most obvious is Radiant Silvergun, but...that's extremely expensive. Some others:

-Tryrush Deppy
-Silhouette Mirage
-Shadows of the Tusk
-Bomberman Wars
and many, many more, but these are the key ones I would focus on. There's a list here for games from least to most difficult to play without knowing Japanese. I don't know how fluent you are, but this guide can be useful: https://segasaturngroup.proboards.com/thread/5796/

 

[Smacktard]

Welcome board

As for recommendations, the most obvious is Radiant Silvergun, but...that's extremely expensive. Some others:

-Tryrush Deppy
-Silhouette Mirage
-Shadows of the Tusk
-Bomberman Wars
and many, many more, but these are the key ones I would focus on. There's a list here for games from least to most difficult to play without knowing Japanese. I don't know how fluent you are, but this guide can be useful: https://segasaturngroup.proboards.com/thread/5796/

Crystal I swear, you are going to single-handedly forge my Sega Saturn collection

 

[Crystal]

Crystal I swear, you are going to single-handedly forge my Sega Saturn collection

What can I say? I love the Saturn

 

[Fool's Requiem]

 

[Crystal]

Oh, Christmas Nights into Dreams, great one!

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Oh, Christmas Nights into Dreams, great one!

I just bought a copy on eBay. Nice to know that the Japan version is in English.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

BTW, Sega Lord X has LOTS of videos like that. Great way to find about the most random Saturn and Dreamcast games out there. He gets a little too critical of bad games, though, as if their existence was a slight against his honor.

 

[Smacktard]

Sooooo I've started looking for 8 different Saturn games and I haven't been able to find any yet.

I also can't find a Wonderswan Crystal. Found a couple but they had scratches so I passed. Should've gotten it anyway.

 

[Crystal]

Hopefully you're able to find them!

I also can't find a Wonderswan Crystal

Yeah, those Crystals...always trouble...

 

[Smacktard]

Bought my first Saturn game today -- Dragon Force 2.

Almost got XMen vs Street Fighter and Outrun as well, but the X-Men disc was looking HAGGARD and the Outrun disc gave me a slight pause. Later found out Outrun was released in the US on a Saturn collection disc, so that would be even better.

I'll take pics of the stuff I picked up while I was here when I get back.

 

[Crystal]

Good pick, Dragon Force 2 is a solid game!

 

[Smacktard]

Good pick, Dragon Force 2 is a solid game

I'm on the lookout for more Japan-pnly games! Apparently the shop I visited today had a Bomberman Wars too so I'll have to head back cause I couldn't find it

 

[Crystal]

I'm on the lookout for more Japan-pnly games! Apparently the shop I visited today had a Bomberman Wars too so I'll have to head back cause I couldn't find it

Absolutely! If they have it, grab it, because that's a fun, hectic bomberman!

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Later found out Outrun was released in the US on a Saturn collection disc

Yeah, Sega Ages. Good luck getting it cheap.

Sega Ages Prices Sega Saturn | Compare Loose, CIB & New Prices

www.pricecharting.com

Supposedly, they removed the Arcade soundtrack and replaced with a remixed soundtrack to save space on the disc and to give players a "refreshing experience."

 

[Smacktard]

Yeah, Sega Ages. Good luck getting it cheap.

Sega Ages Prices Sega Saturn | Compare Loose, CIB & New Prices

www.pricecharting.com

Supposedly, they removed the Arcade soundtrack and replaced with a remixed soundtrack to save space on the disc and to give players a "refreshing experience."

ok nm buying outrun JP edition

 

[Fool's Requiem]

when in doubt, get the Japanese version. They'll almost always be cheaper. Even Panzer Dragoon Saga. You just need to be fine with not understanding dialogue. Not much of an issue when playing 2D fighting games. Menus are in English. I have the Japan import of Panzer Dragoon Zwei and I can't understand a single word of dialogue, so I can't follow the story.

 

[Smacktard]

when in doubt, get the Japanese version. They'll almost always be cheaper. Even Panzer Dragoon Saga. You just need to be fine with not understanding dialogue. Not much of an issue when playing 2D fighting games. Menus are in English. I have the Japan import of Panzer Dragoon Zwei and I can't understand a single word of dialogue, so I can't follow the story.

I feel like RPGs are the one time you need to be able to read, no? I'm mostly planning on getting Japan-only releases while I'm here. Saturn games be fuckin expensive, yo.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

I feel like RPGs are the one time you need to be able to read, no? I'm mostly planning on getting Japan-only releases while I'm here. Saturn games be fuckin expensive, yo.

Some games have fan translation patches, but I don't know how that works.

 

[Crystal]

Saturn games be fuckin expensive, yo.

Welcome to my nightmare, lol. Been trying to flesh out my collection for years...

 

[Smacktard]

what is this game and why is it like $3500

I found Tryrush Deppy but it was like $50 overpriced so I didn't bite the bullet

 

[Crystal]

That is an overpriced copy of Delisoba Deluxe

Delisoba Deluxe Prices JP Sega Saturn | Compare Loose, CIB & New Prices

www.pricecharting.com

 

[Smacktard]

That is an overpriced copy of Delisoba Deluxe

Delisoba Deluxe Prices JP Sega Saturn | Compare Loose, CIB & New Prices

www.pricecharting.com

DAAAAAMN WHY ARE SATURN GAMES SO EXPENSIVE

 

[Fool's Requiem]

DAAAAAMN WHY ARE SATURN GAMES SO EXPENSIVE

I think that game is just really really niche. The Saturn was a pretty big success in Japan, just like the Dreamcast was.

 

[Crystal]

DAAAAAMN WHY ARE SATURN GAMES SO EXPENSIVE

For that one, probably like @Fool's Requiem said, pretty niche, but in general...well...kinda' the name of the game for the Saturn, sadly.

 

[Fool's Requiem]

Almost got XMen vs Street Fighter

So, I kinda want to get that game now, because they have Rogue in the game and she can Kirby enemy abilities.

 

[Smacktard]

So, today is my last day in Japan and I MAY have spent way too much fuggin money on games. Next credit card bill is going to be an absolute doozy.

Wouldn't be so bad if you lot hasn't convinced me to buy a Sega Saturn I'm holding you two personally accountable, @Crystal and @Fool's Requiem

But I AM a bit excited to share my finds

 

[Crystal]

So, today is my last day in Japan and I MAY have spent way too much fuggin money on games. Next credit card bill is going to be an absolute doozy.

Wouldn't be so bad if you lot hasn't convinced me to buy a Sega Saturn I'm holding you two personally accountable, @Crystal and @Fool's Requiem

But I AM a bit excited to share my finds

Hey, you're on holiday, you've gotta' spend . Anyway, I'm so broke I've gotta' spend vicariously through others these days anyway, so...you're welcome