Wondering about in store deals for PS2 games in the USA

[Ducky]

Hi there.

I've heard from a lot of folks that now is as good as ever to be buying Playstation 2 games. By preference, I prefer to import NTSC PS2 games for various reasons (namely the spines and the fact I don't have to worry about 50/60hz with them). However, I go onto eBay and I find a lot of the prices difficult to stomach. I like all my games to be complete and mint, but should I really be paying $30US + shipping for games like God Hand, Persona 4 or Yakuza 1 and 2? I suppose it largely depends on the game, but that's the kind of price I'm seeing on average and it leaves me wondering why is now such a good time to be buying them?

Which lead me to wonder then if the deals aren't online that perhaps they're in stores. So tell me, what kind of figure do you guys expect to pay for complete PS2 games these days? I'm very curious because I'd love to expand my collection but unfortunately I'm on the other side of the globe.

Thanks in advance,
Ducky

[J T]

The games you are talking about are newer PS2 game and cult favorites, so they are going to be a little bit harder to find in stores and will likely be more expensive if you do.

I have the 4 games you mentioned. Yakuza, I found for $5, but it got more popular afterwards and the price went up. Yakuza 2 I bought for $13.50. It only came out in 2008 so it's price hasn't had a chance to dip down very low. It also didn't sell a lot at release, so it's harder to find and Yakuza 3's release drove up the demand for it and the price.

Persona 4 I got on release date, so it was $40. It has since gone down and I think I've seen it as low as $20, but again, it's only been out for 2 years and it's considered one of the last great games on the PS2, so the prices haven't dropped low.

God Hand I got as a gift, so I'm not sure how much mine cost. I don't see it in the wild very often, but when I do it ranges anywhere from $5-$20 used. Online it has suddenly become more expensive. There have been a few recent Kotaku articles expressing love for this game, which I think might have contributed to the price jump. People are starting to see the brilliance in the madness of God Hand finally.

When people talk about this being the time to buy your PS2 games, they usually mean games that are like 4 or more years old. I can easily find most games 2006 and older for under $10, and if I'm lucky, for under $5.

If you want to know more about the U.S. price trends of PS2 games, check out this site:
http://www.videogamepricecharts.com/con ... ystation-2

[CRTGAMER]

Click here and drool at some of the prices of used PS2 games. Some at 99¢.

http://www.gamestop.com/Browse/Search.aspx?N=139


EDIT

By preference, I prefer to import NTSC PS2 games for various reasons (namely the spines and the fact I don't have to worry about 50/60hz with them).

Get the PAL version of ICO, has more stuff and supports 60hz NTSC.
See my TEAM ICO signature link.

[Ducky]

Yeah I imagine that it would depends on a game to game basis, JT. Very interesting to hear what you had to say. Would you say, though, that the games are worth the price of admission? Is it sensible for me to pay roughly $30 for those games?
Actually, I can really relate to what you said about God Hand. I'd been watching it on eBay for a while, noticing that it was only $10 a pop for a sealed copy so I put other games in priority because I didn't think I was in any rush. Then one day they were selling for $30+, so I'm really kicking myself now. Same thing with both Yakuza's now that I think about it. I'd been admiring them before 3 was released in Japan. If only I knew what I know now back then, haha!

Actually funny that you mention that, CRTGAMER, I was looking at your Team Ico thread only yesterday. And yeah, I'm aware of some of the games where the PAL copies are superior. I own Ico and Shadow of the Colossus (their cardboard casing are so fancy), Zone of the Enders The 2nd Runner Special Edition, Odin Sphere, and I'm looking to buy Gregory Horror Show and Forbidden Siren 2 which I believe are both PAL exclusives. If you know of any more where the PAL versions are improved I'd love to know.

[J T]

Yeah I imagine that it would depends on a game to game basis, JT. Very interesting to hear what you had to say. Would you say, though, that the games are worth the price of admission? Is it sensible for me to pay roughly $30 for those games?

That depends on what type of games you like. Persona 4 is one of the best RPGs I have ever played, and I don't regret spending $40 on it. But it's not everyone. The game is strongly rooted in japanese culture since it takes place in Japan. It has a stylish anime style. The game is a mix of an RPG and a dating sim. It's very difficult by RPG standards. Battles take a lot of strategy and time. Save points can be an hour away. If you think you can get into that, it's worth $30.

God Hand is short, but it has decent replay value. It's a 3D beat em up with a very quirky yet dark sense of humor. The game is just weird. If you don't mind a short game, you like to challenge your thumb dexterity, and you like over-the-top bizzare humor, then this is worth $30.

Yakuza 1 & 2 are kind of like the Shenmue of PS2. It's a gritty crime story adventure. I haven't really had enough time to play my copies though to say if I think they are worth the $30 or not. I know some other people who would say yes. They were definitely underappreciated gems of the PS2.

[Ducky]

Oh, sorry! I know very well that I want those games, I was just wondering if it's a good idea to be spending that sort of money on those games? Although your explanation sure has reinvigorated my desire to buy them, haha!

I've played their PAL renditions before, but I'm just deciding if it's worth sticking to my guns and importing NTSC PS2 games even though some of the ones I want cost a considerable amount more than their PAL counterparts. Perhaps it's a silly question and that it's really one for me to decide.

Sorry for not making myself clear!