Importing!

[jecca-neko]

We need another general gaming poll. Why? Because I said so. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[jecca-neko]

Anyway, my answers are Yes, Japan (home region is US), and Both consoles and games.

[RommieSG]

I only wish I could afford to do something like that. I guess I'm not enough of a hardcore gamer. /images/graemlins/shy00000.gif

Rommie /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[Chacranajxy]

Importing is stupid...


Not buying it? Erm, so yeah, I do import. Only games so far though -- haven't had the need to import a console yet, though that might change with the 360 surprisingly enough. Anyway, I mainly import from Japan, but there's a few freak cases like Tales of Eternia on the PSP where I'll need to import from Europe. I mainly import fighting games since those are typically the best games that don't get brought over but I also have some shmups, some Sega compilations on the PS2, and Final Fantasy X International.

For anyone who's thinking about importing games... don't. It will hurt your wallet more than you can imagine.

[Fieri]

[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:
Importing is stupid...


Not buying it? Erm, so yeah, I do import. Only games so far though -- haven't had the need to import a console yet, though that might change with the 360 surprisingly enough. Anyway, I mainly import from Japan, but there's a few freak cases like Tales of Eternia on the PSP where I'll need to import from Europe. I mainly import fighting games since those are typically the best games that don't get brought over but I also have some shmups, some Sega compilations on the PS2, and Final Fantasy X International.

For anyone who's thinking about importing games... don't. It will hurt your wallet more than you can imagine.

[/ QUOTE ]

But it hasn't hurt my wallet yet. /images/graemlins/wink.gif
On a different note... have you ever walked into a B&M and suddenly found that they are selling imported games?

[Chacranajxy]

[ QUOTE ]
Fieri said:
[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:
Importing is stupid...


Not buying it? Erm, so yeah, I do import. Only games so far though -- haven't had the need to import a console yet, though that might change with the 360 surprisingly enough. Anyway, I mainly import from Japan, but there's a few freak cases like Tales of Eternia on the PSP where I'll need to import from Europe. I mainly import fighting games since those are typically the best games that don't get brought over but I also have some shmups, some Sega compilations on the PS2, and Final Fantasy X International.

For anyone who's thinking about importing games... don't. It will hurt your wallet more than you can imagine.

[/ QUOTE ]

But it hasn't hurt my wallet yet. /images/graemlins/wink.gif
On a different note... have you ever walked into a B&M and suddenly found that they are selling imported games?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, at Best Buy like a month ago. They had Breath of Fire III from the UK there and it was kinda... weird.

[Mateo_home]

[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fieri said:
[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:
Importing is stupid...


Not buying it? Erm, so yeah, I do import. Only games so far though -- haven't had the need to import a console yet, though that might change with the 360 surprisingly enough. Anyway, I mainly import from Japan, but there's a few freak cases like Tales of Eternia on the PSP where I'll need to import from Europe. I mainly import fighting games since those are typically the best games that don't get brought over but I also have some shmups, some Sega compilations on the PS2, and Final Fantasy X International.

For anyone who's thinking about importing games... don't. It will hurt your wallet more than you can imagine.

[/ QUOTE ]

But it hasn't hurt my wallet yet. /images/graemlins/wink.gif
On a different note... have you ever walked into a B&M and suddenly found that they are selling imported games?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, at Best Buy like a month ago. They had Breath of Fire III from the UK there and it was kinda... weird.

[/ QUOTE ]

I saw Jump Super Stars at a Best Buy in NYC. At first I thought the game secretly got a US release. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Fudce]

have a US PS2, and a Japanese PSP.

Have four PS2 games from USA:
Suikoden III (never released in UK)
Xenosaga (never released in UK)
Suikoden V (couldn't wait six months between releases)
Final Fantasy XII (couldn't wait four months between releases)

When a game I import comes out in both America and Europe, I tend to buy both versions of it, not to overstress my US PS2, which is a US launch model (I got it second hand a few years back)

I also have Dynasty Warriors & Ridge Racer Japanese imports on the PSP.

[Mateo_home]

Yes and from Japan. A little while back I imported some games I regret. Such as Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Kirby Canvas Curse, Yoshi's Touch & Go, Yoshi's Universal Gravitation, and Another Code (Did NOT see this one coming), and maybe Pokemon Emerald. So now it's ususally games that aren't likely to get a US release such as the Stafi francise (Nintendo/TOSE, please make a Stafi game for the Wii). Or games where I feel I get more out of the Japanese version like Sonic Gems Collection and Fire Emblem. Yeah, that last one is strange.

As for consoles, I usually don't like to. I have a US PS2 and a Japanese PStwo. I'm thinking of also getting a Japanese Wii, but I'm still hoping that NCSX will have a mod chip offer for that or just get a freeloader. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Jaynin]

I import some from Japan. Mostly I can only play the region free handhelds, so I have some DS games (Ouendan, Jump Super Stars, Jump Ultimate Stars on preorder, Xenosaga I+II), and am considering a couple PSP. I have a few PS2 games (the Xenosagas, Namco x Capcom) and there's a bunch other I want but have no way to play them as I've been a little intimidated to go the modchip route and everytime I think about importing a Japanese PS2 I can't bring myself to spend the money. So While I think it's great the PS3 is region free, I'm bummed that doesn't carry over to PS2 and PS1 games. And I am extremely disappointed in Nintendo getting my hopes up then dashing them regarding Wii being region free. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

[Collectonian]

Nope...and no interest in it. I already have a big enough backlog of US released /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Johnny]

Do I have to answer? /images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Anyway yeah I import games and consoles from the US and Japan and "other" (I buy some Asian releases and have one Korean game /images/graemlins/tongue.gif) and imports make up the majority of my collection.

But then again, I don't have much of a choice living in Europe, home of delays, shoddy conversions and games not even being brought over.
That said, the UK definitely has the best import scene anywhere in the world and it's a fantastic little community for the most part /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[Johnny]

[ QUOTE ]
Mateo said:
[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fieri said:
[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:
Importing is stupid...


Not buying it? Erm, so yeah, I do import. Only games so far though -- haven't had the need to import a console yet, though that might change with the 360 surprisingly enough. Anyway, I mainly import from Japan, but there's a few freak cases like Tales of Eternia on the PSP where I'll need to import from Europe. I mainly import fighting games since those are typically the best games that don't get brought over but I also have some shmups, some Sega compilations on the PS2, and Final Fantasy X International.

For anyone who's thinking about importing games... don't. It will hurt your wallet more than you can imagine.

[/ QUOTE ]

But it hasn't hurt my wallet yet. /images/graemlins/wink.gif
On a different note... have you ever walked into a B&M and suddenly found that they are selling imported games?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, at Best Buy like a month ago. They had Breath of Fire III from the UK there and it was kinda... weird.

[/ QUOTE ]

I saw Jump Super Stars at a Best Buy in NYC. At first I thought the game secretly got a US release. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah I read that. How many parents do you reckon will ignore the Japanese text/language warning sticker and buy it for kids this Christmas because they see Naruto on it? /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[Suwako Moriya]

I've thought about it multiple times, but I usually decided not to bother. It's mainly because my main reason for importing would be to get games from Japan, I fear would never come out here. Which leads to two problems. My lack of understanding of Japanese being the first. The second being I already have my hands full with games released in the U.S. That's both in terms of buying and playing the games.

Of course there was the time some import Sega Saturn games like Castlevania: Nocturne of the Moonlight were picked up. However those were at either EB or Gamestop, I believe. It's not like I went to a site and ordered them directly from Japan.

[naiera]

I import games from the US (RPG's, basketball games) and games from Japan/Asia (shmups). I couldn't imagine not importing. I'd be waiting AGES for RPG's to be ported (and some would never come out) and I wouldn't have a single Cave shmup if I couldn't import games from Japan via Hong Kong.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:
For anyone who's thinking about importing games... don't. It will hurt your wallet more than you can imagine.

[/ QUOTE ]

It doesn't hurt your wallet nearly as much as buying R2 anime regularly. R2 anime is costly for only a few episodes. For a video game you're still getting the full video game. At least, that's how I justify it to myself. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Fieri said:
On a different note... have you ever walked into a B&M and suddenly found that they are selling imported games?

[/ QUOTE ]

Power Gamer in Glen Burnie, MD does and has ever since they've existed. However, Power Gamer is kinda like a small-time Pandora's Cube. They do have some bootleg anime in there. The games are legit, but the import games are unnecessarily expensive. It's cheaper to buy online.

[ QUOTE ]
Mateo said:
Yes and from Japan. A little while back I imported some games I regret.

[/ QUOTE ]

When you import games, you have to decide what kind of gamer you are. See, someone like johnny could wait for a US release or a European release of some of the games he imports. However, some of these games he wants so much that he doesn't want to wait. If getting it sooner is satifactory to you, then you can get whatever.

However, it sounds like that's not the case for you. My suggestion is to be very choosy. Get only stuff that you don't think will come to the US and if it does, that it should get significant changes to it (for example, Ouendan and Elite Beat Agents). If you're unsure if it will come to the US, wait a little while, like maybe a few months. Video games don't go OOP as fast as anime in Japan. However, they still go OOP faster than the US so after 4-6 months make your decision.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
Jaynin said:
I have a few PS2 games (the Xenosagas, Namco x Capcom) and there's a bunch other I want but have no way to play them as I've been a little intimidated to go the modchip route and everytime I think about importing a Japanese PS2 I can't bring myself to spend the money. So While I think it's great the PS3 is region free, I'm bummed that doesn't carry over to PS2 and PS1 games.

[/ QUOTE ]

So how do you play the Japanese games you have now if you do not have your PS2 modchipped and you don't have a Japanese PS2?

If you're serious about importing, my suggestion would be to buy a Japanese PS3 and keep your current PS2. The Japanese PS3 will let you play all PS3 games, plus Japanese PS1 and PS2 games.

I personally find it better to go the import console route if you can over modchips and other ways of beating the region checking system. Modchips are potentially dangerous if the person installing doesn't know what they're doing, and disc swapping methods may hurt the motor for the optical drive in the long run.

[ QUOTE ]
johnny said:
Do I have to answer? /images/graemlins/tongue.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

No. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif European gamers should have full rights to importing, IMO, because there's a lot of games that don't come out there and when they do, most take forever to come out.

[ QUOTE ]
Yuzu Hieda said:
I've thought about it multiple times, but I usually decided not to bother. It's mainly because my main reason for importing would be to get games from Japan, I fear would never come out here. Which leads to two problems. My lack of understanding of Japanese being the first.

[/ QUOTE ]

You seem to mostly play RPGs, so yes, this would be a problem. If you played other games that had a lot less text importing may be more worth it. For instance, music games, fighting games, platformers, etc.

[ic14]

Yes i do import, but very rarely, and only games that have no chance in hell of coming out in the UK.

Never import consoles, or get the whole pointing of doing so.

[jecca-neko]

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IanC said:
Never import consoles, or get the whole pointing of doing so.

[/ QUOTE ]

Besides the reasons I said above, one reason people also do it is to be more legit. It matters almost entirely for my conscience. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

I can't complain though. My Japanese PS2 seems far better made than the American PS2s. I'll be able to keep it for a long, long time without problems. I've already had it for about 4 years, no problems.

[battra92]

I used to buy a Japanese Super Famicom game or Gameboy game but I don't for my main consoles because I don't want to mod them.

[Chacranajxy]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Chacranajxy said:
For anyone who's thinking about importing games... don't. It will hurt your wallet more than you can imagine.

[/ QUOTE ]

It doesn't hurt your wallet nearly as much as buying R2 anime regularly. R2 anime is costly for only a few episodes. For a video game you're still getting the full video game. At least, that's how I justify it to myself. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not as good at lying to myself /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Mateo_home]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
When you import games, you have to decide what kind of gamer you are. See, someone like johnny could wait for a US release or a European release of some of the games he imports. However, some of these games he wants so much that he doesn't want to wait. If getting it sooner is satifactory to you, then you can get whatever.


[/ QUOTE ]

I used to be like that as you can see from some of the games I listed in my previous post. Then I realized how stupid I was and after seeing the US versions of them, it wasn't worth it. I don't regret the GBA and DS editions of WarioWare though (dubbed song tracks). /images/graemlins/wink.gif

So yeah, now it's whatever is most likely only coming out in Japan such as Stafi or some SNK fighting games (still on the edge for Project Hackers). Or where I feel I should have the Japanese version anyway like Fire Emblem. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Jaynin]

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jecca-neko said:
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Jaynin said:
I have a few PS2 games (the Xenosagas, Namco x Capcom) and there's a bunch other I want but have no way to play them as I've been a little intimidated to go the modchip route and everytime I think about importing a Japanese PS2 I can't bring myself to spend the money. So While I think it's great the PS3 is region free, I'm bummed that doesn't carry over to PS2 and PS1 games.

[/ QUOTE ]

So how do you play the Japanese games you have now if you do not have your PS2 modchipped and you don't have a Japanese PS2?

If you're serious about importing, my suggestion would be to buy a Japanese PS3 and keep your current PS2. The Japanese PS3 will let you play all PS3 games, plus Japanese PS1 and PS2 games.

[/ QUOTE ]

Heheh, I can't play the ones I have, they've been sitting on my shelf for ages. I kept thinking if I wait a little longer maybe the price of PS2 would drop, particularly around the time of the PS3 launch. And I guess it sort of did, yet I still haven't got one /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

Though getting a Japanese PS3 sounds like a good idea. I think I'll do that. Now I just have to wait for the price to drop and the availability to go up. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[BluWacky]

Yup, pretty much all the time; I import from anywhere and everywhere (another UK bod). While I do own quite a few PAL games as well, most of my PS2 stuff is imported either from the States or Japan.

Most of the time it's cheaper, faster and better to do so, although I'm a bit screwed by the PS3's non-backwards compatibility with imports (and the current lack of Blu Ray region free-ness, although no doubt Datel or someone will come out with a software fix for that). I won't be picking a PS3 up until Euro launch most probably, which gives me four months to finish the swathes of US and Japan PS2 games on my shelves; Xenosaga III's nearly done now, and after the Tales of Destiny remake turns up in a couple of weeks I think I'll be calling it a day with PS2 games.

[jecca-neko]

[ QUOTE ]
Jaynin said:
Though getting a Japanese PS3 sounds like a good idea. I think I'll do that. Now I just have to wait for the price to drop and the availability to go up. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Waiting for the availability to go up is fine, but I will warn you that consoles don't seem to go down in price so much in Japan. It kinda sucks. But it may be worth it to you if you want to play those games. It's up to you.

[Puppet Master]

I don't import any games or anything of that nature period.

[DiGiKerot]

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BluWacky said:
I won't be picking a PS3 up until Euro launch most probably

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are still err'ing on it, methinks you won't be picking one up until well after the Euro launch unless you had the foresight to pre-order one four or five months ago /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

[DiGiKerot]

Hmmm, need you ask? /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

Yeah, I'm another Brit, and an RPG addict, so importing is pretty much essential to me.

[BluWacky]

[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
[ QUOTE ]
BluWacky said:
I won't be picking a PS3 up until Euro launch most probably

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are still err'ing on it, methinks you won't be picking one up until well after the Euro launch unless you had the foresight to pre-order one four or five months ago /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Suits me; maybe it'll be cheaper when they actually come back in stock in 2010.

Or actually have some games worth buying by then... (sorry, but racing games and FPSes do nothing for me; bring on Lair and Heavenly Sword and then we'll start talking about buying a PS3...)

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
Anyway, my answers are Yes, Japan (home region is US), and Both consoles and games.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same here.

Actually I only buy Japanese region consoles (even though home region is US). So I'm pretty much restricted to buying import games. That's okay as it keeps me from going on a spending spree. Only 8 PS2 games in my library!

[Nork22]

I import for a few things.

The first is mainly I won't see certain games in PAL for a long time (Xenosaga, Tales of the Abyss, Melty Blood). Second is because the PAL version went thru some crappy conversion and they remove certain features, mainly having pro-scan removed (stuff like Tekken 5, Soul Calibur 3, Star Ocean 3).

I prefer going the modchip route because I do go for more than 1 region, and it's easier than having 3 differnt consoles to play each of the 3 regions. That said though, I'll probabily buy a 2nd PS2 to put in my room. I currently have the 5000x model, and I'm thinking I need the slim one as well.

[fantasydewdrop]

I've got a few imported games.
Snes - one of the Sailor Moon games. I haven't had the time to set my SNES back up and play it though; I picked it up at AWA this year (the dealer already proved it boots up on his system and showed me how to make it region-free).

GB - the Pokemon TCG game. First one. Acquired at a trade show. Traded a couple of cards for it since I wanted the card it came with and I wanted to try it. Got pretty far before my godbrother accidently errased my save.

GBA - Daisuki Teddy. Picked it up while in Japan because it was cheap and came with a cute teddy bear. Unfortunately I'm having difficulty with looking up the kanji (I suck at counting strokes or something), so I think I'm on a quest, but I'm not sure. And I haven't been able to find a guide when I look.

I'm planning on more. The kanji dictionary for the NDS is a must for me, might go for a Starfi game (sounds up my alley), if I like Elite Beat Agents I'll go for the Ouendans (J-Rock yay!), etc. Maybe more Sailor Moon games.

[ayareiko]

Yes, games only. I have no reason to import consoles.

GBA-
Azumanga Daioh Advance

PS2-
MB: AC
My-ZHiME (Lena... sekushi... I can't believe you spawned Arika.)

[Azumangaman]

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
Yes, games only. I have no reason to import consoles.

GBA-
Azumanga Daioh Advance



[/ QUOTE ]

Holy crap, is this available anywhere anymore? I must have it!

[animejulie]

Heck, ya I import! I usually stick to music games like DDR and Pop'n Music, though. I have tried importing RPGs, but since my Japanese skills never progressed beyond a couple of semesters in college, I find them extremely frustrating to try to play.

The music games, however, totally rule. I have a Flux and a couple of official Konami arcade controllers, so my little music studio is all set. Drives the hubby nuts!

[Gersen]

[ QUOTE ]
jecca-neko said:
We need another general gaming poll. Why? Because I said so. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I import most of my PC and PS2 games from the US, PC games because I can't stand French dub and PS2 games because... well... if you are a RPG fan and live in Europe then you don't realy have the choice /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Gersen