Though not a huge game collector, I do tend to invest in software for the more unique systems in my collection. I enter into this fully aware that the games (for the most part) will see limited action and will require me to pay a premium due to their limited availability andor production. This is something we all encounter to various degrees in our respective treasure hunts. That being said, there are some specific consoles that require heavy financial commitment to collect for, regardless of the title.
The systems listed below have software libraries that exceed, at a minimum, 20 titles. It is true that these could hardly be considered mainstream in regards to overall market penetration. With the exception of the Neo Geo AES, the remaining contenders were basically failures in the gaming industry.
One consistent characteristic shines through for each one of these consoles - the high price of their software. Regardless of the title, these systems have the highest average mean when it comes to collecting. This is mostly due to availability as well as how the system was initially marketed and the respective target audience.
Nintendo Virtual Boy System Released: 1995 Games Released: 22
Pioneer LaserActive System Released: 1993 Games Released: 44
In all honesty, I have no idea what the attraction is for this systemgames. Sure, it was innovative for the time, but all I get from an experience with the Virtual Boy is a severe migraine. The games overall are pretty crappy IMHO, but yet most CIB games will run you around $20-$25 at a minimum for the common titles. I am not exactly sure why games for this system fetch a high price tag. Want a Japanese version - tack on another 20% (for most titles) plus the extra shippinghandling .
The second most expensive game system ever released and the games will still hit your wallet pretty hard. It is true that most of the games for this system originally retailed at around $100 USD. In today's market, these Laser Disk games begin at around $40 USD and go on up. None are really anything to write home about, but I do admit that they do look impressive compared to a NES cart. Most of the games have to be imported from Japan, where the Pioneer LaserActive was a much bigger hit than in the USA.
Neo Geo AES System Released: 1990 Games Released: 154
Bandai Pippin System Released: 1995 Games Released: 93
Still regarded as the 2D powerhouse of the home console market, the Neo Geo produced games on cartridges that rival the size of a library book. Ginormous is the only way to describe them. Be prepared to shell out some cash to add some of these beasts into your library. The cheap games will fetch around $20 USD, but on an average you can expect to doll out between $50-$60 USD for most average titles.
Lack of availability completely drives the Bandai Pippin game market. The releases were pretty average for the day, but the system itself failed miserably trying to become the first true consolecomputer hybrid in the market. Most titles were released in Japan, but even there software is scarce. Expect your credit card to get beat on by an average of $50 USD (plus shippinghandling) when getting any title - much more for the true gaming software.
I used a 20 game minimum library to create this list. This takes out the truly obscure systems like the Capcom CPS Changer, Bandai SuperVision 8000 and the RDI Halcyon. Obviously, those systems with under 10 total games released command top buck.
Good article Marriott_Guy. Even though I have a Virtual Boy with mostly Japanese games, I have to agree that the reason these are costly is mysterious besides being something with the word Nintendo on it.
I actually really like the Virtual Boy and dont mind paying the prices for most of the games. The ones I have tried I have enjoyed and all things considered I would only have to pay those higher prices a handful of times to own the entire library.
I'd also love to grab a Neo Geo AES, but the extremely high price of the good software keeps me at bay.
I have to agree with Sirgin about the obscure systems. Unless there is an absolutely must have title for it then i dont see myself ever entering that arena.
I really am trying to start getting into Neo Geo AES collecting. There's abunch of awesome stuff about it and the reason I think are worth mentioning. If I can find a little historical perspective on SNK and the Neo Geo, I'll post it up as it says alot of neat stuff. As for your talking about how expensive some of the games are - that's nothing. I've seen carts of Metal Slug goin up for like $500. I'm really looking to get a copy of Garou: Mark of Wolves (Which is my favorite fighting game ever) and it's like $350.
I love my Virtual Boy, but unless I happen to come across those couple of expensive Japanese carts cheap, I probably won't be getting them anytime soon.
Another great read Terry!! I think its great to see someone who covers unloved/unpopular systems, and brings them to peoples eyes in a blog. I, myself who is just getting into older gaming finds these articles a great read. Keep up the good work
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You have stumbled upon my little piece of the RFG universe where you will find my published articles and various other writings / rantings. Having first hand experience through the evolution of the video gaming field (fancy way of me just telling you that I am old), the topics vary greatly.
