Thursday, September 08, 2011

Reason #396 I could be considered an 'eccentric' (aka bat-sh*t crazy) gamer

How's this for eccentric (or bat-shit crazy, if that's the terminology you prefer)? Not only am I a self-proclaimed "box-art whore"--as in, I buy, or at least I want to buy, certain games simply because of the art that graces their box covers--but I'm a box-art whore who often finds himself desiring games that he can't possibly play (because I don't own the systems that are needed to play them).

Here are a few recent examples:

Fantasy Zone II for the Mark III

Panorama Cotton for the Mega Drive

Rainbow Islands Extra for the FM Towns

Yume Meikyū Kigurumi Daibōken (aka Dream Maze) for the Super Famicom

I also really want to buy copies of Bubble Bobble for the FM Towns (cover art shown in this recent post) and Puzzle Bobble Mini for the Neo Geo Pocket (cover art shown in this post).

I can't be the only gamers who thinks this way, can I?

14 comments:

Marcus said...

You're not the only one! I've been after certain games for years just because they would look oh so nice on display. I also find it harder and harder to justify used game purchases from stores or swapmeets if they don't come with a cover. It's a necessary part of the package (and often a beautiful one)!

Similarly, I like to collect "controversial" games. A lot of the time they are abysmal (like Playboy the Mansion...) but it's nice to have them around to show friends.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Marcus! Ah, I'm glad I'm not alone :) I'm like you, by the way -- although I'm willing to buy a "loose" game now and then, esp. if a CIB version is really expensive, in general I like to own the box, manual, etc., as well as the game. Like you said, it's part of the package (pun intended).

It's interesting that you say you like to collect controversial games, too. I can understand that! Which ones do you have -- other than Playboy the Mansion, I mean?

LottieTwintails said...

Ahh, that Panorama Cotton box! Totally 90s anime <3

So many of the great boxarts fall into both the "retro" and "only in Japan" categories, which makes them difficult to collect. But I guess their rarity adds to the allure?

Motherplayer said...

Interesting topic. But that's fine with PC cause quite frankly a game that rare is gonna be hard to get in a complete set anyway. :P. But I do tend to have some problems like that. For example the Super Bust-a-move game on PS2 with the baby making colorful spit bubbles. I quite like the Bust-a-move games but just on principle, I can't buy that. I mean its a fun game cause I've played it but....Damn that box art.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yes, you're right, Kamiwoo. Most of these games are quite rare (the Super Fami game being an exception, I think), which makes the situation even worse for folks in the same boat :( That said, if I ever see either of the FM Towns games (Bubble Bobble or Rainbow Islands) on eBay, I'm snatching them up no matter what. I'll worry about finding an actual FM Towns (Marty?) system in the future :P

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, yes, I agree, Motherplayer -- the opposite is true, too. Sometimes, a game's box art is so hideous that I don't want to buy it. Or I want to buy the Japanese version instead, even if I can't understand it :)

Marcus said...

Oh, mostly just modern games that ever caused a fuss. The Guy Game (recalled due to an underage girl in it - oh no), Rule of Rose (people seriously managed to ban this game in other regions because of "lesbians" and children being "sexual" with each other - false claims mostly) both Manhunts, Rumble Roses, Luna 3D, Leisure Suit Larry games, etc. Actually it's more "sexual" games than anything else but of course anything "sexual" draws a lot of attention from the media.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Huh. I've never even heard of 'The Guy Game,' Marcus! Nor have I heard of Luna 3D. I've heard of the rest, though. Speaking of which, do you like Rule of Rose? I've heard good things about it and I'm definitely curious about it as a result...

Viewtiful_Justin said...

The Rainbow Islands box art is great! I'm more the kind of person who would collect the absolute stinkers like Mega Man.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ha ha! I'd like to see that collection, Justin. I wonder which others could be a part of it? There are quite a few horrible NES box arts, that's for sure...

Marcus said...

The Guy Game was really only out for a month and then got pulled off shelves for the reason specified earlier. It's basically just a game show thing with girls on spring break vacation :\.

Onto Rule of Rose though, yes, I love it! It leaves a lot to be desired in the combat control department but most horror games of the past do. Beyond that though, it has a great atmosphere, music, and creepy characters. If you ever see a copy around you should definitely pick it up :).

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thanks, Marcus! I'll definitely have to pick up a copy of Rule of Rose at some point.

Sean said...

I'm with you Bryan, that isn't too eccentric. Maybe a bit eccentric, but not too much.

I have a copy of Lode Runner for the MSX, a system that I don't own and never plan on owning. Seeing it though I just had to have it for the awesome cover art.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Sean! Yeah, I think it would be more crazy/eccentric/weird if I went around spending a lot of money on these games I can't play. As it is, I may one day buy one or more of them, but only if the price isn't too high.

Also, I'm going to have to look up images of the MSX Lode Runner cover now :P