Cost of Super Famicoms in Akihabara

[Yukima]

My cousin is planning to go to Tokyo for Thanksgiving break, and she asked me if there was anything that I wanted so she could look out for it. Ha.

Two words: Super Famicom.

Hehe... anyway, I mentioned that she should absolutely go to Akihabara and look around, because there are myriads of shops there that sell many, many rare things - anime, books, games, etc. I mentioned Super Potato and other retro shops in particular, because of the mind-blowing retro gaming shrines that they are.

One question, though. What's the usual price range for Super Famicom consoles at Super Potato or any other retro shop in Akihabara, including both controllers, AC adapter and AV cable? I haven't asked my cousin about it yet, mostly because I wanted to make sure it was reasonably affordable.

[equalsign]

I haven't been to Japan or anything so I'm no expert, but I'd guess Super Famicoms are going to be common as all hell. From what I understand, Super Potato is expensive as all hell and loves to feed off of the tourists used to inflated import prices. I'd point your cousin to the smaller shops first.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Yup, a Super Famicom typically costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 to $15+ in most of Japan, but at Super Potato's or other specialty shops in Akihabara you're usually looking at something like $40-$50+ or so.

[Yukima]

Hmm... Thanks for the info!

$40-50? Ouch. Is that for a complete system in the original box? Or is it the total cost after you buy the console, controllers, A/V cable and AC adapter? (From what I heard and from what I saw in the youtube videos, all of the system components were listed and stored separately and you'd have to buy them all separately. Is this true? )

Are there any recommended shops to look at that would have lower prices? Maybe elsewhere in Akihabara or somewhere in Shibuya? I've looked at a map of Akiba and saw some other game shops, but the only one I've heard a lot about is Super Potato.

[BigTinz]

Absolutely don't purchase from Super Potato...just look.

Buy from a smaller shop that isn't blatantly ripping off tourists.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Hmm... Thanks for the info!

$40-50? Ouch. Is that for a complete system in the original box? Or is it the total cost after you buy the console, controllers, A/V cable and AC adapter? (From what I heard and from what I saw in the youtube videos, all of the system components were listed and stored separately and you'd have to buy them all separately. Is this true? )

Yup, that's the price for an individual LOOSE Super Famicom system without any cables or controllers.

Like we've been saying, Super Potato is a complete and utter rip off of a store. Go to a smaller store or any store that is not internationally recognized, etc...

[Breetai]

Hmm... Thanks for the info!

$40-50? Ouch. Is that for a complete system in the original box? Or is it the total cost after you buy the console, controllers, A/V cable and AC adapter? (From what I heard and from what I saw in the youtube videos, all of the system components were listed and stored separately and you'd have to buy them all separately. Is this true? )

Yup, that's the price for an individual LOOSE Super Famicom system without any cables or controllers.

Are you sure? They sell them both alone and with controllers/hook-ups. I thought $40-50 was with everything, but then again I don't look for Super Famicoms at Super Potato.

In their defense, all the systems there are tested and work. At a local shop or used "recycle" shop, that usually isn't the case.

In my opinion, find a "Momotaro" shop or a chain like that. The system will be tested and in good condition, and around the $15-30 mark. Unfortunately, you'll have to search around for a shop. They aren't in Akihabara. Go to Akihabara for convenience and to find what you're looking for.

If you're paying $5-15, it's probably from a recycle shop and it's untested and the condition can vary widely. The first two Super Famicoms I bought from a place like that (Hard-Off) didn't work. I ended up throwing them out. BTW, even Hard-Off often overcharges on power supplies and AV cables (except on Playstation/Saturn).

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Hmm... Thanks for the info!

$40-50? Ouch. Is that for a complete system in the original box? Or is it the total cost after you buy the console, controllers, A/V cable and AC adapter? (From what I heard and from what I saw in the youtube videos, all of the system components were listed and stored separately and you'd have to buy them all separately. Is this true? )

Yup, that's the price for an individual LOOSE Super Famicom system without any cables or controllers.

Are you sure? They sell them both alone and with controllers/hook-ups. I thought $40-50 was with everything, but then again I don't look for Super Famicoms at Super Potato.

From everything I've bee told on the net, yes. I could be wrong though, I've never been to Japan after all!

[Breetai]

From everything I've bee told on the net, yes. I could be wrong though, I've never been to Japan after all!

Ok, ok. I'm a semi-regular there (I go once or twice a month), but I can't quote SFC prices. PC Engine and Mega Drive prices, on the other hand...

I'm thinking of going there next Sunday to raid the "junk" boxes and hopefully pick up some good PCE and Saturn games. I'll try to remember to check out the SFC prices while I'm there (and from some other shops), and report back here.

[Yukima]

From everything I've bee told on the net, yes. I could be wrong though, I've never been to Japan after all!

Ok, ok. I'm a semi-regular there (I go once or twice a month), but I can't quote SFC prices. PC Engine and Mega Drive prices, on the other hand...

I'm thinking of going there next Sunday to raid the "junk" boxes and hopefully pick up some good PCE and Saturn games. I'll try to remember to check out the SFC prices while I'm there (and from some other shops), and report back here.

Thanks!

I did a little more research, and I actually stumbled upon Super Potato's website. According to this - http://superpotato.com/detail/169001015002/ - the price for a Super Famicom with the controllers and hookups is about $37-40. Not sure if this is online-only or if that's how much it is in the store.

I also looked at the website for another store ("Friends") and their prices for SFCs range from $10 loose to $30 with all the hookups. Not sure if they work, though - according to Google Translate, they're defective, and according to Babelfish, they're NOT defective. Uh... huh? *curses self for not knowing sufficient Japanese* The link is here - http://gameshop.ocnk.net/page/47 - if someone wants to take a look at it and confirm (the system listings are at the bottom of the page).