From the Nintendo Famicom to the Playstation 2
THANK
YOU FOR VISITING RETROGAMING IMPORTS!
About this seller:
From the Nintendo Famicom to the Playstation 2, I specialize in the sale of
vintage Japanese video games. Based in Lawrence, Kansas, I am able to
provide Japanese import games with the security, ease, and low cost of shipping
within the United States. I receive shipments from Japan on a weekly
basis, so please check my store often to see what new selections I have for
sale! Unless stated otherwise, all games and items for sale have been
tested and work properly.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
DUE TO USPS RATE AND SERVICE CHANGES, THERE WILL BE A MODEST INCREASE IN
SHIPPING COSTS. THIS AFFECTS BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES, AND
WILL BE EFFECTIVE MAY 14, 2007.
The newest shipping/handling policies (effective May 14,
2007):
For Domestic Shipping: For games: 1 standard-sized game: $5, 2 games: $6.50,
3 games: $8.00, 4 or more games: flat rate of $9.50. For larger items, see
the auction description. Packages are sent by USPS 2-3 day priority mail
with electronic delivery confirmation. First class mail is also available
for packages under 1 lb; rates start at $3.50 for one game. For books: $6
for one book, $8 for two books, $9.50 for 3-11 books (or however many could
comfortably fit into a flat rate box).
International shipping: Calculated based on the weight and size
of your package.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. How are packages shipped? When do you send items?
For small orders, such as those that consist of one or two games, expect your
package to be mailed within one or two business days. Larger orders may
take a longer time to process and package. Unless otherwise stated, I use
the United States postal service to send all packages, and the mail carrier
comes by to pick up packages five days a week. Due to my busy schedule,
however, I cannot entertain special shipping requests, or provide any services
that require me to physically go to the post office.
All packages are sent with extra
cushioning material (bubble wrap, peanuts, newspaper, cardboard backing, etc.)
to help protect the condition of your purchases during transit.
Regarding domestic shipping:
Unless specified otherwise, packages within the 50 United States, APO/FPO
addresses, and all US territories and possessions (such as Puerto Rico, USVI,
etc) are sent by USPS Priority Mail with online delivery confirmation. The
average delivery time for such packages is usually 2-3 days, but this is only a
guideline, and not a guarantee. Media mail shipping is available for books
within the continental United States; it is significantly cheaper than priority
mail and is recommended for heavier packages, but delivery time is slow (allow
up to 2-3 weeks for delivery). However, due to US Postal Service
regulations, I cannot send games by media mail. Insurance is available for
all domestic packages; please note that I cannot be held responsible for
uninsured packages.
Regarding flat-rate shipping:
I am pleased to offer flat rate shipping for buyers within the United
States. If you purchase four or more games, and your order consists
entirely of regular-sized items (such as single Famicom/Super Famicom
cartridges, single or double CD cases, etc.), shipping will only be $9.50.
There is no limit, if you buy 100
games, as long as they're all regular-sized items, shipping will only be $9.50. Please note that for heavier and larger items, such as
books, Neo Geo carts, MSX games, limited-edition boxed sets, etc. the $9.50 flat
rate shipping will apply only if the entirety of your order could fit in a USPS
priority mail flat rate box. Otherwise, if you placed a large order,
expect to pay a nominal charge of $1-$2 per "heavy" item on top of the
flat rate shipping costs. Please contact me if you have any questions
regarding flat rate shipping.
Delivery Confirmation:
All domestic packages are sent with printed label with electronic
delivery confirmation.
Regarding international shipping:
I ship worldwide.
I offer shipping by Global Express Mail (approximately 3-5 days), USPS
International Priority Mail (approx. 1 week delivery), and International First
Class (1-2
week delivery). Global Express Mail offers complimentary insurance of up
to $100, all other international packages are insured via Endicia
and the cost of insurance is already included in the shipping & handling
costs. Package tracking is only available through Global Express Mail;
please choose this option if you wish to have a tracking number. I am
not responsible for any taxes or custom duties you may have to pay
when you receive your package, but I can mark packages as a gift if they
are. I print labels for all my international packages, either via Paypal
or Endicia, do not ask me hand write mailing labels.
2. What forms of payment do you accept?
My preferred method of payment is Paypal, but I will also accept money
orders, cashier's checks, and personal checks (allow a week to clear). If
you outside the US, and wish to pay by money order, please make sure it is an
international money order drawn in US funds; all other money orders are useless
here.
Because of the way the buyer and seller protection policy works on Paypal, I
will only send packages to the shipping address linked to the Paypal account
used to send payment. Do not ask me to send packages to any other
address.
3. Are Japanese games compatible with non-Japanese systems?
In most cases, no. Most video game systems have territorial lockouts
that prevent you from playing games from other regions. Some online stores
sell converters or can modify your system to play Japanese games, but they are
not always reliable and I do not offer such items or services. The
absolute best way to ensure that a Japanese game will work is to play it on a
Japanese system.
Note that handheld systems do not have lockouts, so a Japanese game would
work on an American/European unit, and vice versa.
Also, the following systems can play Japanese games without modification:
-MSX: Most Japanese MSX titles are compatible with MSX computers from other
regions
-PC Engine CD: Japanese PC Engine CD games can be played on American Turbo Grafx
CD systems, Hucards do not work however
-3DO: Most Japanese games can be played on a non-Japanese system. There
are some exceptions however, such as Sword & Sorcery.
-Neo Geo (both home carts and CDs): no compatibility problems to my knowledge
4. How do Japanese guide books compare to those in English? Why
would a single game have so many different guide books released for it?
It is important to note that in Japan, the game guide book (kouryakubon)
publishing industry is quite large compared to that in the US. As such, it
is very common for a single game to have as many as five or more different guide
books available. The quality of a certain guide book depends on a number
of factors, e.g. whether or not it is official, who published it, what aspects
of the game are covered, etc. As a general rule, the first guide books
released for a game are beginner's guides; they cover basic gameplay strategies
and may only have a partial walkthrough. These books typically are
not comprehensive but are usually the only types available at the game's release
date. (The "V-Jump" game guides are usually of this type.)
The "perfect" guide books usually do not show up on the shelves
until a few weeks (or even months) after a game's initial release. These
guides, however, are much more complete, usually including full walkthroughs,
advanced strategies, and even extras such as staff interviews. If the game
is exceedingly popular, then more specialized books are likely to be released
for them as well; these include art books, character bibles, world/setting
guides, etc.
A common practice in Japan is to split a game guide into two or more volumes
and sell each volume separately. Each volume would cover a different
aspect of the game. These volumes are treated as separate books (they have
different ISBNs), and you would have to get each volume for the complete guide.
As for how Japanese video game guides compare to English video game guides,
it is tough to answer, because there are so many such books in Japan, and these
books vary heavily in quality. Some Japanese guide books I have read
were rather lacking in substance, but on the flipside I have read a number of
Japanese guide books that went into an excruciating level of detail completely
unheard of in their English counterparts.
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