Japan only games?

Zython

Hey, right now, I'm in Tokyo, and I found a great video game store that sells games for pretty much every system from the Famicom onward. I was wondering, what games I should pick up? Here's a list of games I've gotten or are planning to get:

Ouendan
Ouendan 2
Jump Superstars
Jump Ultimate Stars
Rythem Tengoku
Rythem Tengoku Gold
Band Bros.
Mother 3

If you're going to recommend me a console game, any information of what I need to do to bypass the region lock would be greatly appreciated.

Djiem

From that list I own both Ouendans, Rhythm Tengoku Gold and both Band Bros, and I don't regret purchasing any of them. They're all excellent, especially Ouendan 2 and RTG.

If you like puzzle games, might I recommend Tetris Battle Gaiden for the Super Famicom? It's very import-friendly (meaning it doesn't matter if you don't understand japanese).

All you need to bypass region-lock on a SNES is to remove two pieces of plastic in the cartridge slot.
http://homepage.usask.ca/~mjo137/snesmod.html

Aoi

It looks like you're into the music/rythm genre. If you see them for the PS1, grab the Bust A Move games (edited versions were released in the US as Bust A Groove). They're awesome to this day. Skip out on the PS2 Bust A Move: Dance Summit 2001 though, it was pretty damned awful, and had some complete nonsense glove controlers.

Also, if you're into space shooters, the Sega/AM2 developed Macross game for the PS2 is amazing. There are two game modes that take you through both the movie and tv series storylines.

As for bypassing region, you should be able to find a fliptop/boot disk combo for the PS2 if you have the old monolith model. Not sure how it works on the new slimline ones, but I would imagine they're much easier to use the boot disks with.

Zython

Djiem wrote: »

From that list I own both Ouendans, Rhythm Tengoku Gold and both Band Bros, and I don't regret purchasing any of them. They're all excellent, especially Ouendan 2 and RTG.

If you like puzzle games, might I recommend Tetris Battle Gaiden for the Super Famicom? It's very import-friendly (meaning it doesn't matter if you don't understand japanese).

All you need to bypass region-lock on a SNES is to remove two pieces of plastic in the cartridge slot.
http://homepage.usask.ca/~mjo137/snesmod.html

That easy to bypass SNES region lock, huh? Better get that copy of Star Ocean I saw as well. Thanks!

By the way, I'm open up to any game suggestions. If it's good, I'll take a look at it. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I want to make the most of it.

Aoi

Up until the Wii, Nintendo has always had some pretty eaily bypassed "region protection". If you open the cartridge flaps on an N64 you'll see a grey piece of plastic that basically makes sure other region's carts won't fit right. You can either open it up and remove that plastic plate, or if you're bored/dumb/daring, you can actually just melt a couple pieces of the plate so that Japanese carts fit perfectly. I believe the NES just had simple plastic pegs that kept the carts from fitting right, too, and the Gamecube just needed a boot disk.

Djiem

Hey, quick question. I've re-read the OP, and you say you found that nice store. Out of curiosity, is it called "Retrogamers" or something like that? It's a small store with maybe 3 rows of shelves in Akihabara? Because then, unless they restocked I think I took the last copy of Tetris Battle Gaiden. :P

If you want good Kunio games:

Nekketsu Kakutou Densetsu (FC): Riki Kunio beat-em up. 2P co-op too.
Kunio-Kun no Dodge Ball - Zenin Shuugo (SFC): Remember Dodge Ball on the NES? They got it for SNES too. Except for the graphics, though, don't expect much more than the NES version.
Kunio Kun no Jidaigeki (FC): Sequel to River City Ransom.

NickTheNewbie

I found a copy a shin megami tensei for the super famicom for like 3 bucks when I was in akihabara. It was awesome.

RockinX

Djiem wrote: »

If you like puzzle games, might I recommend Tetris Battle Gaiden for the Super Famicom? It's very import-friendly (meaning it doesn't matter if you don't understand japanese).

Fuck yeah!! I thought I was the only one that had played it. Epic music and gameplay.

I hate Tetris, but TBG and Tetris Blast are awesome.

Viscountalpha

If you have a NTSC-J 360 or access to a few Japaneses arcade boards, Tetris grand master ACE and the rest of the Tetris GM series is totally recommended. I'm still pissed at THQ for blocking its entry into the states.

Also that new witch touching game is out now for the DS. And that new korg DS synth player.

Gilder

If you don't mind getting the thing to play import PS2 games, absolutely pick up the Gunstar Treasure Box. It's Sega Ages volume 25 and it's an incredible collection. It includes Gunstar Heroes, Dynamite Headdy, and Alien Soldier. It has things like the japanese and english versions of every game, I think it has the beta for gunstar heroes, the game gear version of Dynamite Headdy, lots of concept art and scans of the manuals/covers, and a bunch of other stuff. While Alien Soldier wasn't my cup of tea due to controls, Gunstar Heroes and Dynamite Headdy are both incredible games and well worth the bargain bin price.

Keep in mind though that it is a blue disc game so if your PS2 has trouble reading those it might not be able to read the boot disc for CD PS2 games. Like mine can't, that son of a bitch. Right after I got the Monster World collection too, which I also recommend.

Fig-D

Gilder wrote: »

If you don't mind getting the thing to play import PS2 games, absolutely pick up the Gunstar Treasure Box. It's Sega Ages volume 25 and it's an incredible collection. It includes Gunstar Heroes, Dynamite Headdy, and Alien Soldier. It has things like the japanese and english versions of every game, I think it has the beta for gunstar heroes, the game gear version of Dynamite Headdy, lots of concept art and scans of the manuals/covers, and a bunch of other stuff. While Alien Soldier wasn't my cup of tea due to controls, Gunstar Heroes and Dynamite Headdy are both incredible games and well worth the bargain bin price.

Keep in mind though that it is a blue disc game so if your PS2 has trouble reading those it might not be able to read the boot disc for CD PS2 games. Like mine can't, that son of a bitch. Right after I got the Monster World collection too, which I also recommend.

Regarding the blue disk problem:

You probably just have to get the suction cup replaced on your PS2. Have you tried any of the various "put material on top of the disk around the clear center" tricks for a quick fix?

Or is it a laser problem? You can get those replaced as well.

Gilder

I think it's just old age getting to my PS2, I got the last fat model they made before they started only making slims. I actually have a friend who might be able to fix this problem but I just haven't gotten around to it. It's mostly getting picky and choosy about stuff. Like it won't read the CD boot disc but it'll read something like Shattered Soldier fine. It won't read my DMC3:SE but it'll read normal DMC3.

Djiem

Please don't talk about the Tetris GM games, every time I hear about them it just makes me cry to think that we can't have these gems of Tetris insanity over here.

Viscountalpha

Djiem wrote: »

Please don't talk about the Tetris GM games, every time I hear about them it just makes me cry to think that we can't have these gems of Tetris insanity over here.

I'm sorry. You might want to ignore my 360 gamer sig too.

PikaPuff

Did he mention if he knows Japanese? I didn't see it mentioned, and I guess it'd help a lot with people's suggestions.

I don't know if Rhythm Tengoku Gold = RT DS, but RT DS is coming to the US.

As for suggestions. ParaParaParadise for the PS2. Idol M@ster 360

Djiem

PikaPuff wrote: »

Did he mention if he knows Japanese? I didn't see it mentioned, and I guess it'd help a lot with people's suggestions.

I don't know if Rhythm Tengoku Gold = RT DS, but RT DS is coming to the US.

Yeah, it is, but we don't know when, while the japanese one already came out. It's very import-friendly too, so I didn't wait.

Tiemler

I contemplated ordering VOTOMS, Another Century Era 2, Front Mission 5, and the first two Earth Defense Force games along with a Japanese PS2, from Play-Asia. What stopped me was that they didn't have Metal Wolf Chaos as well. And that's one of the titles I have to know I can find before I go off the deep end with a big investment in last-gen import games.

Sixfortyfive

Gilder wrote: »

If you don't mind getting the thing to play import PS2 games, absolutely pick up the Gunstar Treasure Box. It's Sega Ages volume 25 and it's an incredible collection. It includes Gunstar Heroes, Dynamite Headdy, and Alien Soldier. It has things like the japanese and english versions of every game, I think it has the beta for gunstar heroes, the game gear version of Dynamite Headdy, lots of concept art and scans of the manuals/covers, and a bunch of other stuff. While Alien Soldier wasn't my cup of tea due to controls, Gunstar Heroes and Dynamite Headdy are both incredible games and well worth the bargain bin price.

Keep in mind though that it is a blue disc game so if your PS2 has trouble reading those it might not be able to read the boot disc for CD PS2 games. Like mine can't, that son of a bitch. Right after I got the Monster World collection too, which I also recommend.

Alien Soldier is the best game on that disc.

The learning curve is pretty much a 10-story vertical wall, though. You're expected to master every single move from the start.

Delzhand

Try to find Front Mission: Gun Hazard. It's a mech based platformer with amazing gameplay that stacks up against today's best offerings. If you can read Japanese, that is.

Edit: Super Famicom

Xenogears of Bore

I wonder if it's still possible to find Naruto:GNT 4 for the Gamecube for a good price over there.

It's easily the best anime based fighting game ever, and since you have JSS/JUS in your list I think you might like.

RainbowDespair

Tiemler wrote: »

I contemplated ordering VOTOMS, Another Century Era 2, Front Mission 5, and the first two Earth Defense Force games along with a Japanese PS2, from Play-Asia. What stopped me was that they didn't have Metal Wolf Chaos as well. And that's one of the titles I have to know I can find before I go off the deep end with a big investment in last-gen import games.

Do you have a Japanese XBox to play Metal Wolf Chaos?

Xenogears of Bore

MWC is expensive as fuck.

Maybe worth every penny.

I thought it was decently easy to mod an xbox for region free play?

I installed a switch in my Gamecube in about 90 minutes, still works great.

Dartboy

If you're looking for kickass mech games, Another Century Episode 2 and 3 (for PS2) are both good. I'd steer clear of 1, as it has wonky control issues, but the other two are awesome. If you're not aware, think Zone of the Enders but with mechs from various mecha anime form the past 20 years. I'd say you don't really need both, but each has some mechs that the other doesn't, so it would come down to which ones you're more interested in.

Tiemler

RainbowDespair wrote: »

Do you have a Japanese XBox to play Metal Wolf Chaos?

Ah, dammit. Can't believe I searched the PS2 section for it for like, ten minutes.

I'll probably get over the temptation to import in a couple days, anyway. Got a huge backlog as it is.

Regicid3

I'm on the last song in Ouendan (Ready, Steady, Go) and I'm playing on Normal.

This song is impossible.

And I'm only on NORMAL! I don't even want to imagine it when I'm playing on Very Hard.

Geez.

MEGA MEGA PANZER POPE SAN

Regicid3 wrote: »

I'm on the last song in Ouendan (Ready, Steady, Go) and I'm playing on Normal.

This song is impossible.

And I'm only on NORMAL! I don't even want to imagine it when I'm playing on Very Hard.

Geez.

The Japanese, as a people, are insane addicts. News at 11!

Kelor

Dartboy wrote: »

If you're looking for kickass mech games, Another Century Episode 2 and 3 (for PS2) are both good. I'd steer clear of 1, as it has wonky control issues, but the other two are awesome. If you're not aware, think Zone of the Enders but with mechs from various mecha anime form the past 20 years. I'd say you don't really need both, but each has some mechs that the other doesn't, so it would come down to which ones you're more interested in.

Both of these are really nifty, though it's a shame I can't understand a word anyone is saying. But it has giant robots fighting!

You don't really need to get both Jump games. Ultimate Stars is the second of the two and has more characters/content. And online multiplayer to boot.

Zython

Kelor wrote: »

Dartboy wrote: »

If you're looking for kickass mech games, Another Century Episode 2 and 3 (for PS2) are both good. I'd steer clear of 1, as it has wonky control issues, but the other two are awesome. If you're not aware, think Zone of the Enders but with mechs from various mecha anime form the past 20 years. I'd say you don't really need both, but each has some mechs that the other doesn't, so it would come down to which ones you're more interested in.

Both of these are really nifty, though it's a shame I can't understand a word anyone is saying. But it has giant robots fighting!

You don't really need to get both Jump games. Ultimate Stars is the second of the two and has more characters/content. And online multiplayer to boot.

No, I HAVE those games. I got them both when they came out.

So, I looked into those games you guys mentioned, and found none of them. I may pick up SMT and ToD 2, though. I also managed to snag a copy of Mother 1 + 2 in Akihabara.

Anyhow, thanks alot for the suggestions.

Regicid3

Seriously, this song is just cruel.

Zython

Regicid3 wrote: »

Seriously, this song is just cruel.

...I beat it on Very Hard...