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Importing games
MegaChops
Registered User new member
Registered User new member
A few years ago I used to import games for a Japanese PS2 I had bought and for my dreamcast. I stopped importing due to the cost and at the time my lackluster job.
Now, however, I've recently become interested in importing again. My question; Is it worth it to import again? I noticed i can purchase a japanese PS2 from play-asia for $169.99 and the games are the same price if not a little cheaper then their american counter parts. However, with translation times between Japan and the US markets becoming shorter and shorter I was just curious if it were still worth it to invest in importing.
Now, however, I've recently become interested in importing again. My question; Is it worth it to import again? I noticed i can purchase a japanese PS2 from play-asia for $169.99 and the games are the same price if not a little cheaper then their american counter parts. However, with translation times between Japan and the US markets becoming shorter and shorter I was just curious if it were still worth it to invest in importing.
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Its very worth the price especially considering some of the bargins that come out of Play-asia discounted section.
My favourite PA comic.
Anyway, for me it's been 50-50 on whether or not importing is worth it. One example I can use is Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles and Tales of Symphonia. When I imported them, FF:CC was coming out within 2-3 months I think while ToS was not coming out for almost a year in North America.
For me, FF:CC was not worth it for I never got into the game and it was very soon that the game was released in NA.
ToS on the other hand to me was really worth it. When I first bought it, I played maybe 30 minutes and got bored. Fast track to about March (the game I think came out in July/August in NA). The hype of the game started and I started getting interested in it. Knowing I had the game, I started playing it and I had a blast. I put about 50-60 hours in it during March - May. It was great.
I realize that does not really answer your question, but I think it all depends on how interested you are in the game, how much drive do you have to have it NOW!
fix'd
Personally, I don't think importing is worth buying a system for. Maybe worth buying a boot disc. No way is it worth it for something that will eventually ever be released here. For major releases, just wait and play something else. The PS2 has more amazing domestic titles than anyone could ever play.
re-fix'd
I'm defeated, you found my only weakness, Beatmania!
Being from europe Importing a console is almost essential being a gamer.
I was just in the HMV in middlesborough, and they were selling USA versions of Children of Mana alongside UK versions. The rating was different (iirc USA version is ESRB 3+ UK version is rated PEGI 6+) the boxart is different and the UK boxs have clear cases and are a little thicker.
Is this legal? I asked the guy at the till, I just wanted to give them a heads up incase their supplier was screwing them over, but he said the manager knew about it allready, and it wasn't a problem.
They were both at the same price, £29.99
I don't think it's 'illegal'. Some companies might not like it, but that doesn't make it illegal, right?
Although they may not mind all that much as HMV were still selling them for the normal cost.
Switch - SW-3699-5063-5018
That and I still want Ys Strat for the DS, regardless of how good or bad it is.
Now, I'm a huge rhythm game fan, and I found the United States' offering boring. You have your DDR, your Guitar Hero, your EBA, and really, that's about it. Some of the more obscure titles (Taiko, Gitaroo Man, Frequency/Amplitude, and the like) are either priced highly or impossible to find. So, I turned to getting a Japanese PS2 so I could get my fix.
What sort of games do you like? That's all you really need to ask yourself before deciding. For me, it was very worth it to pick up games like beatmania IIDX and the early PS1 DDR games and have them work with no problems. I also plan to pick up some fighting games, like the Narultimate Hero series or some Capcom fighters that may not have made it here. The Gunstar Treasure Box also looks appealing.
Look around. eBay and Play-Asia probably are the easiest places to find a Japanese system, and oftentimes, a private agreement is best if you trust the person. It's a good investment, as well, because Japanese video games oftentimes don't lose their value as quickly as their American counterparts. Their value is in their rarity.