Where to buy Oddball Japanese arcade games [Family Friendly]

[JaffaMused]

Does anyone know a good source for Japanese Video Games?

I'm looking specifically for quirky stuff that's very typically Japanese, but not regularly seen in the US.
Games also need to be family friendly (no Boong-Ga Boon-Ga), and intuitive to play (Don't need to be able to read Japanese).

Tall order I know, but I thought if anyone would know this, it would be you lot.

Cheers!
[h2][/h2]

 

[VidyaGamez]

Captain's Auction regularly has weird Japanese games but they're always quite large cabinets, and you have to factor in that you're paying ~30% extra from the sale price because of taxes and fees.

 

[JaffaMused]

This time I'm not paying with my own money so I don't care so much about the auction premium.
Often, the big ones go cheap because no-one can haul them back home.

Thanks for the tip. It's been a long time since I went to a Captain's auction.

 

[Ghostlyguy]

Often, the big ones go cheap because no-one can haul them back home.

It used to be that way. Now the auction prices are jacked up. Big games, especially Japanese titles, go for big money. Lots of shill bidding & other bizarre phenomena.

But like VidyaGamez mentioned, it is probably the easiest place to find such titles.

 

[Dr. Willy]

There are two importers that are close by (seeing how your in CA) Game Saru is in Reno and is an importer of Japanese games and KC who is an importer in the LA area. They both have active threads over at arcade projects which show games they have coming in.

 

[VidyaGamez]

This time I'm not paying with my own money so I don't care so much about the auction premium.
Often, the big ones go cheap because no-one can haul them back home.

Thanks for the tip. It's been a long time since I went to a Captain's auction.

They just did an auction on the 24th, and I think they're still doing online only with viewing by appointment. They do them every month or so. As Ghostlyguy said I really question the legitimacy of some stuff there, seems like every auction there's junk that goes for $$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Onyx Jaguar]

I stopped paying attention to Captains as I got real shady vibes from the last couple I partook in. They do carry Japanese imports and luckily there seems to be a little less demand than Western games. I know over on arcade-projects there was a guy who would routinely import shipments of vewlixs however apparently Taito/SE stopped making those so I'm not sure the current supply.

 

[JaffaMused]

There are two importers that are close by (seeing how your in CA) Game Saru is in Reno and is an importer of Japanese games and KC who is an importer in the LA area. They both have active threads over at arcade projects which show games they have coming in.

Awesome, I will check them out. Thanks!

 

[JaffaMused]

It used to be that way. Now the auction prices are jacked up. Big games, especially Japanese titles, go for big money. Lots of shill bidding & other bizarre phenomena.

But like VidyaGamez mentioned, it is probably the easiest place to find such titles.

Shill bidding? In an auction?

 

[KaPH33n]

are you looking for full game cabinets or just PCBs? There's nothing stopping you from making an account with a reshipper and buying games from yahoo auctions japan. They use it how we use eBay here. I got quite a few games this way, but haven't done it recently. It can be kind of addicting to be honest.

 

[Onyx Jaguar]

are you looking for full game cabinets or just PCBs? There's nothing stopping you from making an account with a reshipper and buying games from yahoo auctions japan. They use it how we use eBay here. I got quite a few games this way, but haven't done it recently. It can be kind of addicting to be honest.

I do this all the time and then get sick when I realize that the fees are coming. So then I buy some more as surely at some point all the fees cancel out... right!?!?!?

 

[Brentradio]

On the arcade-projects.com for sale forums, there is a guy who brings in a lot of games from Japan. Or at least he used to. I can't remember his name, but he deals in a lot of games.

 

[djpubba]

I have a Jatre Specter cocktail in San Carlos, CA for $150. It's a Space Invaders clone but very quirky Japanese cabinet. The base looks like it's way too small to fit any guts.

Missing the top glass which is why it's cheap. There's no artwork on the original glass so you can get a plain piece of tempered glass cut for around $80.

 

[KaPH33n]

I have a mr driller 2 japanese region pcb I will sell you for $150 + shipping if you are interested.

 

[JaffaMused]

are you looking for full game cabinets or just PCBs? There's nothing stopping you from making an account with a reshipper and buying games from yahoo auctions japan. They use it how we use eBay here. I got quite a few games this way, but haven't done it recently. It can be kind of addicting to be honest.

They need to be full machines, but this is a great idea. Not sure how pricey the shipping would be though :O