Retro Game Finds - Topic

Member

Posts: 7,317

Joined: Feb 13 2007

Gold: 805.00

Jul 18 2021 09:31am

New pickups from my local store:

Grabbed a bunch of Wii stuff.
I have really been interested in the Wii lately.
I have already rambled on about how now is the time to get in lol
But I was already shocked to see what they were asking for some games.
Things like Wii Sports, Twighlight Princess, Mario Party 8, etc were priced at $40+
The days of cheap Wii games are coming to an end.

But there is still a lot of sleeper hits out there!
The Wii has such a weird library with tons of shovel ware.
If you dig through the garbage though, there is a lot of great stuff out there.
Now that the Wii is 15 years old, there are a lot of resources out there to find which games are worth playing.

I just think there is a lot to enjoy about the Wii's library over PS3 and Xbox 360:

(1) The graphical style is more akin to the GameCube.
Some might think that is a negative, but it's the graphical fidelity I personally prefer.
There are a lot cell-shaded games that keep that retro feel.

(2) I tend to dislike games with voice acting (particularly RPGs).
Reading the dialogue is just more engaging to me.
360 and PS3 games really try to push the cinematic experience.
I prefer the more text based simple stories of many Wii games.

(3) Finally, I actually like the motion controls!
Well, when they are implemented correctly anyway lol
More than other console, I think it will be a real challenge to translate the Wii to a future virtual console platforms.
Sure, it has been done already (i.e., the new Skyward Sword and Mario Anniversary collection on Switch).
But each of these games compromise the Wii-motes capabilities.
Many of these games need the physical hardware which means they will hold their value.
Especially once the Wii nostalgia bump really kicks in a few years from now.

Anyway, I digress lol
Here is what I picked up:

Donkey Kong Country Returns - Wii
Samurai Warriors 3 - Wii

I am not the biggest fan of platforming games..
But I couldn't leave behind DKC Returns lol.
I actually have some nostalgia for the series.
I played the SNES games with friends as a kid and had some of the GameBoy ports.

This game is a 'return' to the 2D platforming style.
I popped it in for like an hour and it is pretty fun!
Definitely adds some new interesting mechanics.
It's pretty tough though (but I'm just bad at platformers).

Samurai Warriors 3 is kind of a weird pickup for me.
It is a cross platform game that plays like Dynasty Warriors.
Just dumb, hack-and-slash fun mowing down armies lol
I don't have many games like that, so it is nice to add something different.

However, there is a unique feature on the Wii version that motivated me to pick it up.
There is a Murasame Castle bonus mode!
Many people probably aren't familiar with the Murasame series..
But it was the 'sister' game to Legend of Zelda on the Famicom.
The original runs the same LoZ engine but with a little more polish.
Unfortunately, it never saw a western release.

The bonus mode in Samurai Warriors 3 is supposed to be a faithful recreation!
Except it is translated to a Dynasty Warriors type experience.
I just think that is really neat!
I'm looking forward to playing it

Zack and Wiki - Wii
Okami - Wii

A couple of Capcom classics.

I have been keeping an eye out for a copy of Okami.
It is a pretty high regarded, but affordable game.

The game took a lot of inspiration from Twilight Princess.
In general, it is regarded as a Zelda-type game.
However, this game has a refreshing traditional Japanese art style.
It's a beautiful looking game.

It was also released on PS2.
But both versions are great and cheap pickups.
I hear it is long, but pretty easy.
I'm looking forward to playing it eventually

Zack and Wiki is a game I had heard of but didn't know much about.
However, I started playing this game a few days ago and I am hooked lol
It might be my favorite Wii game already lol.

It has a graphical style akin to Windwaker.
But a setting and charm that remind me of Skies of Arcadia.
Except, it doesn't play like either of those games at all.
It is a point and click adventure with engrossing puzzles.
It's heavy on motion controls but they are intuitive.
The game is pretty slow-paced too so it doesn't feel frustrating.
It's a challenging but really rewarding experience.

Zack and Wiki didn't sell well, but I can't rave enough about it.
It's refreshingly different and a ton of fun.
It's a pretty cheap too!
I highly recommend it

Riviera The Promised Land - GBA

This was a blind buy..
But that ATLUS logo caught my eye.
ATLUS is known for bringing over Japanese games that others don't think will appeal to western audiences.
They definitely have some successful franchises like Persona.
But they have a more rabid cult following.
Their games always hold some value.

I like a lot of ATLUS games.
Tactics Ogre, Trauma Center, etc.
Unfortunately, Riviera is not my kind of game.
It is a pretty unique JRPG but implements social dating sim elements.
...No disrespect, but dating sim games are just not my thing.

Oh well, I didn't need to add another 30+ RPG to my backlog anyway lol
I think I can sell it off to recoup most of my money on this lot!

Spent $55 on this haul.
A pretty great price for a non-thrift pickup!

Money Spent: $2816
Total Sales: $2731
Profit: -$85

MrDestroyer

Member

Posts: 7,317

Joined: Feb 13 2007

Gold: 805.00

#322

Jul 24 2021 01:12pm

Sold Test Drive Le Mans - Dreamcast for $13
Sold Ratchet and Clank Going Commando - PS2 for $15

Money Spent: $2816
Total Sales: $2759
Profit: -$57

MrDestroyer

Member

Posts: 7,317

Joined: Feb 13 2007

Gold: 805.00

#323

Jul 24 2021 01:19pm

Goodwill pickup from the other day:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Playstation 1

Just a small grab.
They actually had a couple PS1 games.
Nothing too noteworthy, but always nice to see.

Don't know a lot about this game..
I see it pretty often on PS2/GameCube.
I didn't know it was also released on PS1!

Apparently it holds a little value?
Not a lot, but it was only $2.
Hopefully I can turn it around for an easy $10

Money Spent: $2818
Total Sales: $2759
Profit: -$59

MrDestroyer

Member

Posts: 7,317

Joined: Feb 13 2007

Gold: 805.00

#324

Aug 1 2021 11:14am

Sold Soul Blade - PS1 for $25
Sold Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - PS1 for $13

Money Spent: $2818
Total Sales: $2797
Profit: -$21

MrDestroyer

Member

Posts: 7,317

Joined: Feb 13 2007

Gold: 805.00

#325

Aug 1 2021 11:26am

Small grab from Goodwill the other day:

RE: Code Veronica X Strategy guide

I rarely pick up a strategy guides.
I usually don't even check for them on my Goodwill runs.
They are generally difficult to sell and bulky to ship.
People certainly collect them, but it is more of a niche market.

Imo, there are only a couple types of guides worth picking up:
(1) Guides for rare and pricey games (Earthbound, Suikoden, etc.)
(2) Popular franchises that people collect for (Zelda, Metroid, etc.)
I think RE games definitely fall in the latter category

This guide was in overall great shape!
The 'secrets' section was even still sealed:

Who knows what I can get for it..
I expect it will take a good while to eventual sell.
But it was only $1 so there is no real risk here!

It's kind of cool to browse through it.
Would have preferred finding an actual copy of the game though

Money Spent: $2819
Total Sales: $2797
Profit: -$22

Joekel

Member

Posts: 34,958

Joined: Sep 14 2005

Gold: 1,000.69

#326

Aug 1 2021 12:32pm

That guide looks in good shape.
For only 1$ really worth the pick-up
Still tracking this topic :thumbsup:

MrDestroyer

Member

Posts: 7,317

Joined: Feb 13 2007

Gold: 805.00

#327

Aug 1 2021 04:29pm

Quote (UCALL @ Aug 1 2021 02:32pm)

That guide looks in good shape.
For only 1$ really worth the pick-up
Still tracking this topic :thumbsup:

I appreciate it!

I keep this blog going as a fun way to look back in what has come and gone over the years. It is also wild to look back to see how cheap I sold some games that now go for crazy prices! Plus, keeping track of sales has really helped me not overspend. Sometimes I see cool shiny stuff at market value but then I remember that I have a stack of games waiting for me to finally play through lol I’ll get through them all eventually haha

But knowing people track it is a nice motivation to keep it going, so thanks

Spruce

Member

Posts: 23,113

Joined: Jul 31 2010

Gold: 54,300.69

#328

Aug 5 2021 07:21am

Have you played Okami? I tried it forever ago and hated it, but gave it a spin again in the last 2 years and completely changed my mind on it. Excellent game.

If you don't have a copy of Haunting Ground (or Dimento), keep an eye out for that one too. It's a personal favorite from the survival horror genre, and a bit of a sleeper. Ditto Fatal Frame(s) but im sure you've got those.

MrDestroyer

Member

Posts: 7,317

Joined: Feb 13 2007

Gold: 805.00

#329

Aug 8 2021 12:25pm

Quote (Spruce @ Aug 5 2021 09:21am)

I have not played Okami yet
I'm about to take my PhD qualifying exam in early October so I am swamped preparing.
I hear it is a long game (like 50+) so I am shelving it until after then.
Mostly been playing stuff that is a more 'bite-sized' experience.
I'm close to finishing Zack & Wiki and about 1/2 way through DK Returns.
I am looking forward to giving it a play though, looks great!

And thanks for the recommends!
I don't play many PS2 games (only have about 8 or so).
I also have traditionally not been a survival horror fan.
However, in the last couple years I have played some good ones:
RE remake for GameCube, RE4, Silent Hill, and D.
I really enjoyed all of those and have been wanting to play more!

I am familiar with Haunting Grounds.
Looks cool but it is expensive as hell lol
Don't know much about Fatal Frame.
Other than being vaguely familiar with the series names.
I'll have to check it out!

MrDestroyer

Member

Posts: 7,317

Joined: Feb 13 2007

Gold: 805.00

#330

Aug 8 2021 12:27pm

Sold Veronica X Guide for $21

Money Spent: $2819
Total Sales: $2818
Profit: -$1

Go Back To Other Games Topic List