Why are imported retro games so cheap?

[lotusoftheleaf]

I'd like to learn Japanese and I've lately gotten interested in playing imported games. So far, I've only imported DS games since they're region free, but I'm considering modifying my SNES and importing some of my favorites. I've noticed on eBay that imported SNES games are ridiculously cheap. For example, I bought my NTSC copy of EarthBound off of eBay for $60, cartridge only. I can buy a Japanese Mother 2 for $20 or less, and it comes complete with box, manual, ads and inserts in like new condition!

From what I've read online, modding an SNES is a simple procedure, so why are imported SNES games selling for so cheap? Is there no demand for them or something? I'd think the fact that it costs more to buy from an overseas store than a local one and the fact these games are considered old (which I guess means I'm considered old since the SNES came out during my generation  ) would make these more expensive.

I'm just curious (and trying to add to the forums in some way since all I seem to do here is read and/or request).

[KaiserWAVE]

RPGs are very text-based. A lot of reading and if you don't understand the language then playing through the Japanese version of an RPG like Mother or Chrono Trigger is no fun. You don't understand the story, sometimes even the menus are in Japanese so you don't know what you are supposed to do. I guess that's why the demand for Japanese versions of these types of games is lower than with others. If you search for games that don't rely as much on text and understanding it you'll find some very VERY expensive games. Try Undercover Cops for SNES. It's a Final Fight type of game and usually goes for >$100 on ebay, and that's for a loose game without a manual

[Arseen]

Bit off-topic, but:

If you want to mod your US SNES to play JAP games, it's easy.

But if you want it to play PAL games don't bother, it's simpler to buy PAL SNES and correct power cord.

Assuming your have flat screen TV you don't have to worry about the TV signal (actually most of the newer tube TV's do PAL also).

[lotusoftheleaf]

Ah. Well, that's a good reason. That's not much of a problem for me since I've played the English versions of the games I intend to buy so I know the story already. I guess not many other people are willing to buy a game in a foreign language if they already own their native language's version.

I know there's some games that never made it to America like Mother and Mother 3 that I've been wanting to play for years. I guess for those I'll have to rely on sites like GameFAQs. Hopefully there's some spoiler-free, basic walkthroughs, or better yet, some script translations on the web. It's always more fun when you explore and find things on your own than having things written out for you step by step. That's how I feel, anyway.

[KaiserWAVE]

I got the Japanese version of Resident Evil Nemesis for PS1. It was still a blast to play but it really annoyed me that I couldn't read all those files and get into the story. It's still Resident Evil so you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what's going on watching the cutscenes and listening to the spoken dialog. But it really annoyed me that I missed out on all the little things that were in the files or some comments your character made when you interacted with the environment. So I guess that's why most people who can't read and/or understand Japanese only look for Japanese versions of games they really don't need any other info about than what's on the screen.

[Arseen]

Ah. Well, that's a good reason. That's not much of a problem for me since I've played the English versions of the games I intend to buy so I know the story already. I guess not many other people are willing to buy a game in a foreign language if they already own their native language's version.

I know there's some games that never made it to America like Mother and Mother 3 that I've been wanting to play for years. I guess for those I'll have to rely on sites like GameFAQs. Hopefully there's some spoiler-free, basic walkthroughs, or better yet, some script translations on the web. It's always more fun when you explore and find things on your own than having things written out for you step by step. That's how I feel, anyway.

Mother is available as Earthbound zero in cart form in English unofficially.

[shenske]

The reason why some games are so cheap is simply because they sold much better in Japan. Games like Crono Trigger and Earthbound didn't catch on well to the mass media at first in the US. Even though the games are highly regarded as some of the best RPGs on the snes they didn't sell well because it wasn't in the interest of the average snes consumer.

Later on people found out what great games these were and simple supply and demand took place. The demand is huge and the supply is small here in the US so that's why our copies of the game cost so much. In Japan Crono Trigger and Mother 2 sold like hotcakes. There is an abundance of those two games in Japan so the demand is not very high thus making the price lower significantly.

I bought my copy of Crono Trigger shipped from Japan for $5 (eBay). I also got Mother 2 shipped with 9 other super famicom games for $25(eBay), cool part is I resold Mother 2 for $55 and kept the other 9 games w/ profit

[argobeat]

I mean just look at Panzer Dragoon Saga, $200+ here, $25 Japan... it's irritating, to say the least haha

[Doom]

I wish Nintendo would release Earthbound on the VC. Copyright concerns with the songs in the game is probably the reason we haven't seen anything yet.

[shenske]

I mean just look at Panzer Dragoon Saga, $200+ here, $25 Japan... it's irritating, to say the least haha

Yeah it can be irritating but same story as before. The saturn actually did quite well in japan and a lot of people bought the system and the games. In America the saturn was pretty much a failure and there weren't nearly as many games sold comparatively. Supply and Demand 

[the7k]

Yeah, as Shenske said, this is simply a matter of these games doing WORLDS BETTER in Japan than they could ever hope to do in America.

I've gotta lot of imported Saturn games. In fact, I'd say 90% of my Saturn collection consists of imports, and it's mainly do to the fact that the Saturn sank like a led zeppelin in America, but was a legitimate threat to PlayStation in Japan, especially after their legendary marketing campaign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3lCF8O2N50

[Beastman1975]

I mean just look at Panzer Dragoon Saga, $200+ here, $25 Japan... it's irritating, to say the least haha

guess im glad i found mine for 15$ just before the fall of the saturn  lol

[BadChad]

Try Undercover Cops for SNES. It's a Final Fight type of game and usually goes for >$100 on ebay, and that's for a loose game without a manual

My solution for this game....reproduction cart! Still need to grab this one.

[juan0tron]

Defintely a supply and demand thing, because you look at some NES games in America such as the Mario/Duck Hunt cart and they go for around $5 because of how many copies are out there. Plus I imagine Mario specifically isn't in great demand on any certain console because there are so many ways to get/play it these days. My only other guess might be that the conversion rate works in our favor, but I could be wrong.

[tiktektak]

but was a legitimate threat to PlayStation in Japan, especially after their legendary marketing campaign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3lCF8O2N50

Funny and weird...