Has anyone sold NA/English Language games to Japanese game stores?

Astor ReinhardtAstor Reinhardt
in Everything Else
So I had a random thought pop into my head while I was watching a vlog of someone game hunting in Akihabara...



Bringing North American copies of games into Japan and selling them to game stores there. Has to be fairly unusual/uncommon to get NA copies of games...so would they give you more money for that reason?



Just a silly thought, but one I'm wondering if it might be worth doing.



Also anyone have any experiance selling to stores over there? Do they allow foreigners to sell stuff? They're not like...idk unwilling to accept games from people right? The only reason I could see for that is if you don't live there, they might be worried you're selling something "fishy" to them and they won't be able to contact you or what have you. Does that make sense?



And returning games...like say I go to Super Potato and buy something, then find it at another shop just down the street for quite a bit cheaper...can I just go back and return it with a recipt? I'm sure all stores are different but I'm wondering in general how Japanese stores feel about returns.

Comments

  • BouncekDeLemosBouncekDeLemos
    Man, you'd have to go into the whole economics of this, as it's a different culture. I don't think collecting or gaming culture in general is that prominent in Japan, or at least to the point where any would like to have any gaijin games. Not saying there isn't any, just not as rampant.



    I could be wrong, but I kinda have the feeling that rarity isn't as desired as much as desirability within a specific item? Like a game they may find fun, but not readily available.



    I've also read somewhere that the first sale doctrine doesn't apply very well over there, so that can put a bit of a halt on sales for custom works such as mods and reproductions.
  • IchinisanIchinisan
    I saw a USA R.O.B. the Robot at Super Potato in Akihabara. He had all the blocks and everything from Stack-Up. Saw some other USA stuff too (NES controllers and such).
  • Uncle MeatUncle Meat
    Originally posted by: BouncekDeLemos



    Man, you'd have to go into the whole economics of this, as it's a different culture. I don't think collecting or gaming culture in general is that prominent in Japan, or at least to the point where any would like to have any gaijin games. Not saying there isn't any, just not as rampant.



    I could be wrong, but I kinda have the feeling that rarity isn't as desired as much as desirability within a specific item? Like a game they may find fun, but not readily available.



    I've also read somewhere that the first sale doctrine doesn't apply very well over there, so that can put a bit of a halt on sales for custom works such as mods and reproductions.





    I don't think it is at all, their culture isn't so invested in owning a bunch of material shit on an average person basis.



    Not to mention the limited space alone, they can't compromise space to have 100s of carts laying around.
  • VGS_OptOutVGS_OptOut
    Short and dirty answer to this question is: not worth it.



    If you are on a trip to Japan, you do not want to be lugging around a bunch of cheap trade fodder through the airport and MRT system, and then wasting hours of time traipsing around various stores to give you quotes on your stuff. Plus, Japanese stores are sticklers for condition, so you will not be getting top dollar for anything other than the best of the best. Plus, most Japanese people have surprisingly poor English, so you would have to be conducting most of your negotiations in Japanese.



    I have been to Japan, to Aikihabara and Super Potato and the rest, believe me when I say you are MUCH better off with an empty backpack and a pocket full of cash if you want to make the most of your time there.
  • CheesemeisterCheesemeister
    We've had this thread before: http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=178581



    In short, just bring money and empty luggage space to fill up with goodies.
  • WATA GRADED WEBSITEWATA GRADED WEBSITE
    They're pretty strict on returns in Japan, it's not really a thing they do, especially on used goods like that. Plus it's rude to buy something and return it so save $2, it's cheap and petty. Anything your looking for would be cheaper outside of super potato for sure. They may have a small selection of USA games there but nobody is really looking for that there. Video game hoarding isn't really a thing there. Everyone lives in small spaces, no room for all that junk. Anyone buying old tapes there is just scooping something they'll play.
  • RoosterRooster
    My local game shop has a copy of Mike Tyson's punch out for NES on their rack. It's very nice looking condition, and if I remember correctly I believe it's priced at about 2000 yen, or somewhere around that price.



    In my experience, the big shops like Super Potato or Mandarake are good for tourists, or people looking for more rare stuff, but I probably would not really shop there regularly.
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