Reliable PC-Engine / TG-16 Vendors

[esteban]

Many reputable vendors and ebay sellers have come and gone over the years, but I'd like this thread to establish a listing of the more "permanent" merchants who have been selling TG-16 / PC-Engine / PC-FX items on a regular basis for at least a year.

I mainly purchase PCE stuff, so... Below, I have listed the vendors who I've purchased 30+ items from, over countless individual transactions, over the past few years.  ALL are highly recommended.  Also, in case you were interested, I've purchased many MegaCD, Saturn, Famicom, Super Famicom, etc. items from these vendors as well.

The West Exit -- Dedicated website (and ebay occasionally).  Very good prices on most things, though the popular / highly sought after titles are on par with average ebay price.  West Exit used to stock a much larger inventory, so it is a bit leaner now. Excellent communication and service.  Items tend to be in "good" condition, so if you are a collector who wants minty fresh merchandise, be sure to inquire first. This vendor also sells on ebay (U.S. based).

Wolfgames -- well, this site won't be around much longer... only a handful of PC-Engine items are left. Nearly everything is 50% off.  This was one of the more expensive venues, but the communication and service was excellent. Items tended to be in very good condition, but inquire first.

Mad Gear / 16-bit -- Ebay only. Sometimes you can pick up a sweet deal, but prices tend to be on the high end... however, if an item doesn't sell initially, he will usually lower the price for the next round.  ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT SERVICE, PRODUCT and COMMUNICATION.  Over the years, I've seen many good sellers come and go, but this fellow has remained and is as reliable as ever.  Highly recommended.  Based in the U.S., 16-bit tends to stock items that are in very, very good condition (except for the loose famicom carts). If you want minty fresh, he's your man. If you have a limited budget, you will find his prices TOO HIGH.

Hit-Japan -- Ebay only. Based in Japan, this is a very reliable seller.  You will only get your money's worth if you buy a bunch of titles at once.  Overall, decent prices -- even when you average out the shipping costs (assuming you buy 5+ games): the best scenario is to find 1-2 titles that U.S. sellers really gouge you on... then pick up a few more games to spread out the cost of shipping.  When he lists the quality of games, he tends to classify most items as a "B"... just be forewarned that although a "B" will be in decent shape, it will likely show signs of wear and will not feel minty fresh.

Turbo Zone Direct -- Still around, still excellent service.  You won't necessarily find the lowest prices here, but considering you're getting *verifiable* brand new merchandise, this is still a wonderful resource.  

NOTE: TZD is the only TG-16 merchant on my list because I simply haven't purchased many TG-16 items off of ebay (no need to , thankfully!), so if there are long-standing, reliable sellers of domestic software/hardware, I'd love to hear it about them. Please indicate how long you've been dealing with them and some measure of frequency (i.e. a rough estimate of the number of individual transactions and total products  purchased... this really helps capture a better picture of a merchant).

[Keranu]

Excellent links! Sucks that Wolfgames is going away though.

[PC Gaijin]

I've dealt with all the vendors you listed and generally agree with your assessment of them, except for Hit-Japan. I haven't been too happy with his grading; he rates almost everything a "B" and the stuff I've gotten from him has ranged from almost mint to just fair (heavily scratched CDs, faded/torn/creased/generally worn instruction manuals, cracked cases, etc.) Pretty decent prices if you buy in bulk, but I'm wary of buying from him again given my past experience. He probably makes a nice profit raiding the bargain bins in Japan (they sell slightly damaged used games for ridiculously low prices) and reselling on eBay.

16-bit has some great stuff but man, his prices (which were high when he started) have really skyrocketed lately

[GUTS]

God that Mad Gear guy's prices are all like double what the games are actually worth, that's crazy.

[lord_cack]

Yeah his prices are high, but he does (seem to) have quality stuff. I know the topic of Bull Eye has been a big one lately but I mean if you want a domestic title he is about the only one on Ebay with any. There are three people I see regularly with domestic titles. All of there prices are high, because the demand for domestic I believe is alittle higher.

I think that the problem is that Ebay is the only real place to find MOST domestic titles. So these people can charge just about whatever they want.

But, the cost of domestic titles seem to always be in flux. Some card game prices are going down and there seems to be alot of "card only titles" as well. But, there are a select few titles that seem to be either going up or reached a peak (Magical Chase, Bomberman '93, New Adventure Island, and Bonk 3).

Domestic CD titles seem to be cheaper. But I think thats because you can still get a few of them off of TZD. But there are a couple that are fairly rare (I own most of which already thank the gods)....BUT DAMN YOU MIGHT AND MAGIC III !!!!!!

[DragonmasterDan]

I've bought from everyone on that list at one point or another except for Hit Japan. The West exit is a great seller with great prices, I got a Duo tap from him really cheap.

[esteban]

I've dealt with all the vendors you listed and generally agree with your assessment of them, except for Hit-Japan. I haven't been too happy with his grading; he rates almost everything a "B" and the stuff I've gotten from him has ranged from almost mint to just fair (heavily scratched CDs, faded/torn/creased/generally worn instruction manuals, cracked cases, etc.) Pretty decent prices if you buy in bulk, but I'm wary of buying from him again given my past experience.

Yeah, I have gotten 2-5 games from him that I would grade as "C" at best (faded manual, slight scuffs on CD, etc.) -- when he claimed they were "B", but but out of 50+ games I purchased from him, these were the only 2-5. Maybe I should edit my post and put greater emphasis on my closing lines.

16-bit has crazy-high prices

Yeah, he does have pretty high prices. But if you watch his auctions and his pricing structure, you'll notice that he'll chop the price each successive week an item doesn't sell.  BUT BEWARE, the cycle will start over and suddenly the $35 game is back to $60!!!!! DAMN!!!  

Personally, I've been dissappointed with so many ebay auctions (all the usual reasons), that I appreciate 16-bit quite a lot.  He's the "premium service" to use when you really don't want any headaches.  Plus, he has an awesome selection of games, so you really do well with his shipping policy (again, you have to buy a bunch of games).  I am totally, totally poor right now, so I understand the concern over price.  I may edit my post emphasize this point.

[twor2005]

Yeah his prices are high, but he does (seem to) have quality stuff. I know the topic of Bull Eye has been a big one lately but I mean if you want a domestic title he is about the only one on Ebay with any. There are three people I see regularly with domestic titles. All of there prices are high, because the demand for domestic I believe is alittle higher.

I think that the problem is that Ebay is the only real place to find MOST domestic titles. So these people can charge just about whatever they want.

But, the cost of domestic titles seem to always be in flux. Some card game prices are going down and there seems to be alot of "card only titles" as well. But, there are a select few titles that seem to be either going up or reached a peak (Magical Chase, Bomberman '93, New Adventure Island, and Bonk 3).

Domestic CD titles seem to be cheaper. But I think thats because you can still get a few of them off of TZD. But there are a couple that are fairly rare (I own most of which already thank the gods)....BUT DAMN YOU MIGHT AND MAGIC III !!!!!!

And when Might and Magic III finally does come up, the bidding war is going to be TO THE DEATH!  
Its not going to be so much about what is a doable price, but who has more money at the time.

[DragonmasterDan]

Personally, I've been dissappointed with so many ebay auctions (all the usual reasons), that I appreciate 16-bit quite a lot.  He's the "premium service" to use when you really don't want any headaches.  Plus, he has an awesome selection of games, so you really do well with his shipping policy (again, you have to buy a bunch of games).  I am totally, totally poor right now, so I understand the concern over price.  I may edit my post emphasize this point.

At the time I got some good deals on Saturn imports from him. So I can't complain.

[Paladin]

The West Exit is always my first place to look when it comes to import Saturn and PC Engine imports. I would have to agree with Steve about the quality of his selection. He is good if you want good condition, working games. If you have to have a mint copy, ask him; he isn't going to lie about the quality to sell it to you. He has very good communication skills probably one of the friendliest sellers out there.  As a side note I got Dragon Force II off him recently. My Saturn hasn't seen such use since Guardian Heroes and Radiant Silvergun.

I've purchased off of 16-bit a couple of times. If you want a mint game his prices are kinda steep, but at least he leaves feedback and reponds when you e-mail unlike a certain prick we all know on e-bay. Stupid Bullseye . Anyhow I haven't had a problem with 16-bit, and his selection really is top notch.

I haven't dealt with Hit-Japan. I always see auctions of stuff I want from this seller but the rating system he uses doesn't really give me enough info on what I'm getting. I guess I should just ask, but I usually end up spending my money on something else. Its damn hard to balance money between video games and my anime addiction.

I would tentatively add sportbettor (Vintage Videogames) to the list of sellers. Now on this board I guess he might not be too big of a hit since his selection of PCE/Duo stuff is limited, but his NES list of things is HUGE. He charges a fair amount for most of his stuff though some things see typical e-bay inflation. He has some PC-FX stuff too, I think I saw a copy of Farland Story going for about 40 dollars complete. He recently put up a new Super grafx in the box with all 5 games for it and Darius Plus for about 1K. There was something else with it but I can't remember. The reason I say tentatively though is because I have trouble getting feedback from him.  I don't know why. I've emailed him about it, but his communication skills are kinda poor. The items however do arrive in the pictured condition. Kinda a mixed bag, but his selection of boxed NES stuff gives is just astounding.

P.S. He has a sealed copy of the Lords of Thunder promo tape. It'll cost you 50 bucks though.

[Paladin]

The West Exit is always my first place to look when it comes to import Saturn and PC Engine imports. I would have to agree with Steve about the quality of his selection. He is good if you want good condition, working games. If you have to have a mint copy, ask him; he isn't going to lie about the quality to sell it to you. He has very good communication skills probably one of the friendliest sellers out there.  As a side note I got Dragon Force II off him recently. My Saturn hasn't seen such use since Guardian Heroes and Radiant Silvergun.

I've purchased off of 16-bit a couple of times. If you want a mint game his prices are kinda steep, but at least he leaves feedback and reponds when you e-mail unlike a certain prick we all know on e-bay. Stupid Bullseye . Anyhow I haven't had a problem with 16-bit, and his selection really is top notch.

I haven't dealt with Hit-Japan. I always see auctions of stuff I want from this seller but the rating system he uses doesn't really give me enough info on what I'm getting. I guess I should just ask, but I usually end up spending my money on something else. Its damn hard to balance money between video games and my anime addiction.

I would tentatively add sportbettor (Vintage Videogames) to the list of sellers. Now on this board I guess he might not be too big of a hit since his selection of PCE/Duo stuff is limited, but his NES list of things is HUGE. He charges a fair amount for most of his stuff though some things see typical e-bay inflation. He has some PC-FX stuff too, I think I saw a copy of Farland Story going for about 40 dollars complete. He recently put up a new Super grafx in the box with all 5 games for it and Darius Plus for about 1K. There was something else with it but I can't remember. The reason I say tentatively though is because I have trouble getting feedback from him.  I don't know why I've emailed him about it, but his communication skills are kinda poor. The items however do arrive in the pictured condition. Kinda a mixed bag, but his selection of boxed NES stuff gives is just astounding.

P.S. He has a sealed copy of the Lords of Thunder promo tape. It'll cost you 50 bucks though.

[Paladin]

Sorry, my bad meant to edit not quote. bah.

[Nemo]

The West Exit -- This is definitely the best of the bunch, though he tends to say everything is in mint-to-great condition, and a Spriggan Mark II and Macross 2036 I bought weren't as promised.  That's the only bad experience I had however.

Wolfgames -- His prices stink unless he has a huge sale, there's a reason why he's going out of business.  Cool guy though.  

Mad Gear / 16-bit -- I don't like this guy anymore, he used to be reasonable a few years ago but now he tries to gouge people like it's going out of style.  If you wait him out a few dozen weeks, you might actually get a "fair" deal on a game you want.  

Hit-Japan -- Good if you're not particular about quality.  As someone else said, his ratings are always "B" when that's seldom the actual condition.  Prices tend to be very reasonable though.  

Turbo Zone Direct -- Haven't used them in years, they need some new merchandise.  


Add (terrible seller):

Bullseye's Videogames Collectibles - Never bought from this joker and I never will.  His/her prices are just ridiculous and an insult to gamers everywhere.  Plus, he has so much underhanded nonsense going on too like "unoriginal games" which you're led to believe are authentic from the  auction header, "complete" games which aren't complete, and "log out of ebay and go to this link to buy this item".  Parasites like this guy make me sick.  Needed to vent.

[Ninja Spirit]

www.japangamestock.com

Located: Osaka Japan

Rating: I'd say 7 because of the shipping when you use EMS.
But great speed.

Got a boxed Super Famicom console with Rockman 7 straight from there in 3 days.

Incredible PCE inventory from what I last saw.

[GUTS]

Sportbettor is a good guy, I used to trade with him on Gametz.  He's about as honest a dealer as they come, so nobody should worry about dealing with him.