helping a beginner collector make the right choices

[kakutolives]

Hello,

I am finally waiting to receive my turbo duo-r. In the mean time I have been looking at some places to buy some games. As a beginner and not being sure what could be excessive gouging due to the rarity of games I thought I open a thread asking what would be "reasonable" prices for a couple of games. I understand that prices can vary but I figure I ask input from the experts as to what would constitute a fair deal when hunting the following games:

Legend of Xanadu (interested since some peeps seem to be talking about this game around these parts)
Steam Hearts
Cotton
Dracula X
Fausette Amour


all these titles (with the exeption of Xanadu) seem to go for crazy 100+ prices so I figured if people could help me figure out which ones are genuinely worth the insane price tag and which ones could be probably be acquired reasonably if i looked at alternatives


thanks in advance

[esteban]

You can't go wrong with Dracula X.

As for the others... well, your mileage will vary.

[Samurai Ghost]

I can usually get games cheaper here in Japan but here is what I consider fair prices for these, and my opinions on them.

Legend of Xanadu - Haven't played it myself so I can't rate the game. You could probably find it under $25

Steam Hearts - Seems to be far inferior to the Saturn version, so I'm not too interested in it myself. Up to $60 would be a good price.

Cotton - Seems like a fun little game. Could be had for around $60 if you are patient enough.

Dracula X - Awesome, awesome, amazing title. My favorite Super CD. Up to $75 for a copy without a spine card and in good shape is a pretty good deal. If you need a spine card you'll start getting in the $100 range. I'm totally insane and have 5 copies of this game at the moment.

Fausette Amour - An underrated and really fun title. I enjoy this one a lot myself. $70 for copy would be a good price. Whether or not it's worth this price-tag is debatable, but in my opinion it's one of the best platforming action games on the Super CD platform.

[kakutolives]

thanks for the replies so far.

I can usually get games cheaper here in Japan but here is what I consider fair prices for these, and my opinions on them.

Legend of Xanadu - Haven't played it myself so I can't rate the game. You could probably find it under $25

Steam Hearts - Seems to be far inferior to the Saturn version, so I'm not too interested in it myself. Up to $60 would be a good price.

Cotton - Seems like a fun little game. Could be had for around $60 if you are patient enough.

Dracula X - Awesome, awesome, amazing title. My favorite Super CD. Up to $75 for a copy without a spine card and in good shape is a pretty good deal. If you need a spine card you'll start getting in the $100 range. I'm totally insane and have 5 copies of this game at the moment.

Fausette Amour - An underrated and really fun title. I enjoy this one a lot myself. $70 for copy would be a good price. Whether or not it's worth this price-tag is debatable, but in my opinion it's one of the best platforming action games on the Super CD platform.

Thanks for this info. I figured the ebay prices would be a bit excessive. I guess in order to get these games in reasonable i will need to be patient. There are some crazy bastards selling Dracula X for over a 120 without the spine card :/ on ebay.
Cotton, I guess i will just play the waiting game to snatch for a decent price. Also regarding Steam Hearts I did see videos on the saturn version on youtube, but I figured "hey if I have a DUO might as well". Do you have any suggestions of japanese game stores that might have online stores that might be willing to be a bit nicer with the prices than ebay?

[Samurai Ghost]

Well eBay prices are just that, eBay prices. I usually get my more expensive titles off of Yahoo Auctions Japan. Most of the used games sites overcharge for expensive titles. It's a lot of the waiting game with auctions. I might let a game pass five times before it finally goes for a low enough price. But it's usually worth it in the end as I can save a lot of money and have plenty of other games to play in the mean time. If you are looking for anything in particular, just let me know, I can probably get you a good deal on a copy or I might have a duplicate around. You can also try putting up a WTB thread on here, as people might sell you a copy for a good price.

And regarding Steam Hearts, there's a lot of other PCE shooters I would get first. Spriggan, Nexzr Summer Carnival '93, Gate of Thunder, etc. As a shooter Steam Hearts seems pretty forgettable to me.

[kakutolives]

I am gonna check on those titles you mentioned.
By the way thank you for being so much help since I registered here!

[RegalSin]

The games you mention are all nice to play, but I would understand a bit of history of the PCE before playing direct. Like how one man said "hey, why not make a game system that have animation graphics", and how Nintendo copied of Hudsons idea to create the cheap Famicom. Also a PCE is a pure 2d and no 16-bit, alternative to a Sega Saturn or PSX. So it is like that. Many TUrbo CD games are also nice to play as well. The way I see it, is the PCE was a true gamers haven, with little curruption.

About ebay prices. Prices are prices, but you should purchase based on your preference, of gaming.

If you want to get into it, just think about series that you have played before. I started by ordering a bunch of games in one, and seeing what this little machine was made out of. Then you can plant yourself, and enjoy a type of series

Legend of Xanadu - If you like Y's then checkout this game. However it is more open and challenging.

Steam Hearts - a legendary shooter 100+

As a shooter Steam Hearts seems pretty forgettable to me.

That is so not true. SH is designed to be reasonable shooter, with a reasonable story. Yes there are other shooters.....on the NES, as well that are good as well.

Seems to be far inferior to the Saturn version,

That is because it was released first. You rather play the original game instead? The PCE is the most complete version of the game, while the Saturn moves away from the story and trys to make it more to a younger audience, and has two players.

Cotton - another shooter 60-100+ An arcade port, The PC is most unique
and non-computer port of the game.

Dracula X - a legendary game 100+ This is the idea Dracula game.
A perfect balance of gaming goe. However I suggest playing the previous castlevania first.

Fausette Amour- another rare treat 100+ That is what is it, a challenging game to play for fun. However I suggest playing other and more affordable magical girl games then this first.

[vestcoat]

Well, you already made one good choice by going with a Duo-R.

Samurai Ghost's advice and prices will put you on the right track.

...Except don't pay more than $10 for Xanadu (here's one).  Xanadu II is rarer and even that's been auctioning for only $15 recently.

[lukester]

Hold on a sec! Don't go for the rare games yet! Take it slow and start out with some cheap and excellent HuCards!

Games

Parodius Da!(not sure if this is a lot now, but definately worth a pickup)
SonSon II(phenomenal action/adventure game. If you love Wonderboy, Zelda 2 or Black Tiger, pick it up immediately! Actually, it is the spiratual sequel to Black Tiger )
Salamander(fast, furious, and plain old awesome. I love it)
PC Genjin 2(yes, get the 2nd Bonk game first. I have it on the Wii, and it is one of the greatest platformers of all time. It's better than Mario World)
Pac-Land(excellant conversion of the arcade. very fun, with a ton of extra uber tough stages thrown in as well)
Parasol Stars(THE essential multiplayer platformer on the system. rare and exclusive Bubble Bobble sequel originally on the PC Engine)
Street Fighter II(one of the best conversions of Street Fighter II, but you should buy a 6 button pad)
Side Arms(ruthless but great arcade conversion. has remixed music by composer of Mega Man 2, who also did SonSon II(see above))
After Burner II(good Sega conversion, adrenaline packed fun, very tough)
Adventure Island/Wonder Boy III(I have not played this version, but it is said to be better than the Master System version, which is very good)

Hope this basic list helps you out !

[Black Tiger]

Parasol Stars(THE essential multiplayer platformer on the system...)

Next to Monster Lair of course.

[spenoza]

My advice is to be a player first and a collector second, or even not a collector at all. If you don't want to play it, maybe you shouldn't own it.

[kakutolives]

Hold on a sec! Don't go for the rare games yet! Take it slow and start out with some cheap and excellent HuCards!

Games

Parodius Da!(not sure if this is a lot now, but definately worth a pickup)
SonSon II(phenomenal action/adventure game. If you love Wonderboy, Zelda 2 or Black Tiger, pick it up immediately! Actually, it is the spiratual sequel to Black Tiger )
Salamander(fast, furious, and plain old awesome. I love it)
PC Genjin 2(yes, get the 2nd Bonk game first. I have it on the Wii, and it is one of the greatest platformers of all time. It's better than Mario World)
Pac-Land(excellant conversion of the arcade. very fun, with a ton of extra uber tough stages thrown in as well)
Parasol Stars(THE essential multiplayer platformer on the system. rare and exclusive Bubble Bobble sequel originally on the PC Engine)
Street Fighter II(one of the best conversions of Street Fighter II, but you should buy a 6 button pad)
Side Arms(ruthless but great arcade conversion. has remixed music by composer of Mega Man 2, who also did SonSon II(see above))
After Burner II(good Sega conversion, adrenaline packed fun, very tough)
Adventure Island/Wonder Boy III(I have not played this version, but it is said to be better than the Master System version, which is very good)

Hope this basic list helps you out !

Definitely going to check parodius out! ( i love the gradius series altogether) and street fighter II is on my hands now! (HuCards look really freaking cool) I also like Afterburner so I'll definitely check it on the platform! I will take a look at youtube to see how the other titles look!

@spenoza
I am a gamer first! Only reason why those games took my attention was because I went over youtube videos and on hardcore gaming 101! then I took it to go to ebay and check prices. Those ones peaked my interest. (castlevania looks AWESOME!) However I really dont mind going for the "cheapies but goodies" Please keep the suggestions coming guys. It will help me filter through the PC engines huge catalog for titles of potential interest.

[Samurai Ghost]

Yeah, with the PCE there are plenty of great games you can get for under $20 or so, but there are a lot of gems which are really sought after and expensive. It's good to have a well-rounded collection, so I'd say a good idea would be to come up with a list of games you want, be patient, and buy them whenever a good deal comes around. If you buy an expensive game at a good price you can sell for what you paid for it if it turns out it's not what you expected. The PC Engine Software Bible is good place to start if you haven't been there already: http://www.pcengine.co.uk/

I don't agree with all of the rankings, but it's a good guide, at you have the chance to see lots of gameplay videos, screenshots, mini-reviews, etc. Some of the great "buy" games can be had for $5-$10, some for $50-$150. It just depends.

[SuperDeadite]

Steam Hearts' PCE>>>>>>>>>>Saturn Steam Hearts'

Saturn version has nicer sprites and some fun gimmicky special weapons, but it's a mess.
Saturn version is just a wild spasm of enemies and bullets and really easy bosses.  PCE is
a much better designed shooter.  In truth the original PC-98/Win'95 version is the best version,
but I doubt anyone here cares

[esteban]

Steam Hearts' PCE>>>>>>>>>>Saturn Steam Hearts'

Saturn version has nicer sprites and some fun gimmicky special weapons, but it's a mess.
Saturn version is just a wild spasm of enemies and bullets and really easy bosses.  PCE is
a much better designed shooter.  In truth the original PC-98/Win'95 version is the best version,
but I doubt anyone here cares

The question is: is the PC-98/Win'95 Steam Hearts an average shooter?

I enjoy exploring all shoot-em-ups (no matter how mediocre) because I love the genre, but I was under the impression that Steam Hearts, even at its best, is a C+. Is this overly harsh?

Thanks for the scoop