Collecting Consoles

[Breetai]

Does anyone here have a hobby of collecting game consoles? I'm having fun doing it!

I'm lucky to have a wife that doesn't leave me for this crazy hobby!

The collection so far:

Atari 2600 VCS
Bandai Wonderswan Color
Microsoft X-Box
NEC PC Engine (Turbografx-16)
NEC PC Engine GT (Turbo Express)
NEC PC Engine Duo (Turbo Duo)
Nintendo Famicom
Nintendo NES
Nintendo AV Famicom
Nintendo Gameboy
Nintendo Gameboy Color
Nintendo Super Famicom
Nintendo Super NES
Nintendo 64
Nintendo Gameboy Advance
Nintendo DS Lite
Nintendo Wii
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega CD
Sega Genesis
Sega CD
Sega Saturn
Sega Dreamcast
3DO
SNK Neo-Geo AES
SNK Neo-Geo CD
SNK Neo-Geo Pocket Color
Sony PlayStation
Sony PlayStation 2
Sony PlayStation 3

 

[XBoy360]

I want a:
Nintendo 64
Sony PlayStation 3
Nintendo Wii.......I only have an Xbox360

 

[Breetai]

I want a:
Nintendo 64
Sony PlayStation 3
Nintendo Wii.......I only have an Xbox360

If you have a chance, I would recommend a Wii. It has the virtual console, so you can download some of the best N64 games on it, as well as most of the 8/16/24-bit systems.

The PS3 games aren't much different from the 360 games. If you have one of the two, there's not much need for the other unless there's some exclusive game that you MUST play. I'll probably never buy a 360 unless a miracle happens and Shenmue 3 is released only on it.

 

[Cabal]

One word:

Emulators.

To me at least, it's essentially the same thing. I honestly don't find actual console hardware that exciting, as it's just a means to an end really - the only things that tend to be the exceptions are PCs, handhelds and controllers on occasion (specifically one in particular, the N64 controller).

 

[Breetai]

One word:

Emulators.

One word:

Illegal.

There's a reason Nintendo was putting up a big fuss a decade or so ago. Same reason The Dump never featured games for any Nintendo system and was eventually shut down. If you know what I'm talking about without doing an internet search, then I'm impressed.

To me at least, it's essentially the same thing. I honestly don't find actual console hardware that exciting, as it's just a means to an end really - the only things that tend to be the exceptions are PCs, handhelds and controllers on occasion (specifically one in particular, the N64 controller).

Well... emulators running copied games are fun and all... but quite often they aren't perfect. The control is almost never quite right. Compare something like F-Zero running on 9x(running on your console/PC of choice... I've done them all), and then on an actually SNES (or even the Virtual Console on the Wii). It's just a bit off. How about Pilotwings or Megaman X3. Not a chance.

I also find it more enjoyable to use the original controllers while running the games on their original consoles. Hense, the entire point of this thread. (you're a mod?)

Does anyone on these forums have a Saturn, or, even more interesting, a PC Engine?

 

[Cabal]

One word:

Illegal.

Technically emulators aren't, copied ROMs are. But not if you have the originals. And it's all legal within 24 hours of download, so deletion after 23 hours FTW.

Well... emulators running copied games are fun and all... but quite often they aren't perfect. The control is almost never quite right. Compare something like F-Zero running on 9x(running on your console/PC of choice... I've done them all), and then on an actually SNES (or even the Virtual Console on the Wii). It's just a bit off. How about Pilotwings or Megaman X3. Not a chance.

I guess, in the sense that you can't vary pressure on a keyboard (no analog stick) but nothing plugging in a controller can't solve.

I also find it more enjoyable to use the original controllers while running the games on their original consoles. Hense, the entire point of this thread. (you're a mod?)

Yup, I'm a mod...?

Anyway, as I said, not everyone's cup of tea, I'm happy playing games on whatever, as long as I get to play games somehow. Just my 1p (2c).

 

[Breetai]

Technically emulators aren't [illegal],

Some are, some aren't. CD-based ones usually are due to the programming that goes into the system bios.

...copied ROMs are.

Usually, depending on the copyright. The issue here is copyrights and theft.

But not if you have the originals.

Wrong. If you have the original, you own the casing; NOT the programming within. This varies by country, but for most western countries this is illegal.

And it's all legal within 24 hours of download, so deletion after 23 hours FTW.

Absolutely wrong. Why would you buy into that idea, let alone promote such a grey area on a Christian site? I'm not aware of what the law in the UK is, but the majority of the members here are not from the UK. Aren't you a moderator here?

I guess, in the sense that you can't vary pressure on a keyboard (no analog stick) but nothing plugging in a controller can't solve.

Not just that, but the programming put into emulators isn't the exact same as the system hardware/programming. There are graphical glitches, timing problems, etc. I suppose on an RPG timing issues aren't as noticable, but they most certainly are on any game requiring quick reflexes.

Yup, I'm a mod...?

Anyway, as I said, not everyone's cup of tea, I'm happy playing games on whatever, as long as I get to play games somehow. Just my 1p (2c).

From the CF rules:

Legalities
Don't promote illegal activity. Don't violate the copyright of others.

I would imagine that mods would put a little more research into any legal grey areas that they might be promoting, as opposed to breaking the rules of the very site they are moderating.

 

[Cabal]

Some are, some aren't. CD-based ones usually are due to the programming that goes into the system bios.

Obtaining your own BIOS from your own (Playstation, e.g) is legal.

Wrong. If you have the original, you own the casing; NOT the programming within. This varies by country, but for most western countries this is illegal.

Nope, usually counts as fair use if you own an original copy and you don't intend to distribute.

Absolutely wrong. Why would you buy into that idea, let alone promote such a grey area on a Christian site? I'm not aware of what the law in the UK is, but the majority of the members here are not from the UK. Aren't you a moderator here?

Majority of the members here aren't from Japan either, do you waste time checking intricate copyright laws (or any intricate system of laws come to mention it) before you make each post? Didn't think so. However, I appear to be incorrect on this one, so I retract the above 24 hour rule statement.

I would imagine that mods would put a little more research into any legal grey areas that they might be promoting, as opposed to breaking the rules of the very site they are moderating.

Legal grey area =/= illegal. Also, I'm not a culture mod.

(Also, you usually respond to grey area topics with black and white answers?)

To the best of my knowledge (and I have read material on this issue), nothing I said before is in anyway illegal, at least in my country (the only place whose laws I should be familiar with). I was wrong on the 24 hour rule (but you'd be surprised how widespread that urban legend is), and I retract that statement. But I strongly suggest you maybe make a few citations before you start flinging the rulebook around?

 

[Breetai]

Obtaining your own BIOS from your own (Playstation, e.g) is legal.

How do you do that? Obtaining a system bios from the internet is breaking copyright.

Nope, usually counts as fair use if you own an original copy and you don't intend to distribute.

Usually? In the US, where a lot of CF members are from, this is 100% illegal. I'm not American, but that's not the point. You're implying that this sort of thing is legal, where, in many cases, it is not legal at all. In Canada, this was legal... but not for much longer, as the laws are changing. In the UK, I don't know.

Majority of the members here aren't from Japan either, do you waste time checking intricate copyright laws (or any intricate system of laws come to mention it) before you make each post? Didn't think so. However, I appear to be incorrect on this one, so I retract the above 24 hour rule statement.

I'm not from Japan, I just live here. You're right, the majority of members here are not from Japan; they're from the US of A. Guess what, it's black and white illegal there.

Legal grey area =/= illegal. Also, I'm not a culture mod.

Grey area because it depends on what country you're in. How about from a Biblical perspective? For backing up your own things, then it would depend on the law of the land. For obtaining ROMS that you don't own, "Thou shalt not steal" makes that a black and white issue.

To the best of my knowledge (and I have read material on this issue), nothing I said before is in anyway illegal, at least in my country (the only place whose laws I should be familiar with).

Perhaps I've already read material on this issue? For someone promoting this stuff on an international forum, based in America, your country is irrelevant here.

I was wrong on the 24 hour rule (but you'd be surprised how widespread that urban legend is), and I retract that statement. But I strongly suggest you maybe make a few citations before you start flinging the rulebook around?

Not surprised on how widespread the "delete within 24 hours and it's legal" fib is. I've been seeing that one since 1996.

I don't feel a need to make many citations regarding this stuff, as it's very easily available via a google search!!! Heck, wikipedia even covers this issue. Nevertheless, here's one: http://www.law.northwestern.edu/journals/njtip/v2/n2/3/

 

[Breetai]

I have:

NES (75-100 games)
Super Nintendo (40ish games)
Nintendo 64 (20ish games)
Nintendo Gamecube (10ish games)
Wii (50-75 games)
Classic Gameboy x2 (30ish games)
Gameboy Color (IDK how many games)
Gameboy Advance (IDK how many games)
Nintendo DS Lite (50-75 games)
Sega Genesis (50ish games)
Game Gear (30ish games)
Playstation (30ish games)
Playstation 2 (50ish games)
Xbox 350 (50ish games)
An old Texas Instruments system (I'm guessing 20ish games)
An Action Maxx (all the games they made... Like 5?)

Awesome!

Is the old Texas Instruments system a TI 94/A? I had one as a kid, but it got sold in a garage sale. I used to have a Game Gear as well, but it was also sold.

What's your favourite system(s) out of the bunch?

 

[Cabal]

How do you do that? Obtaining a system bios from the internet is breaking copyright.

No idea, it was the example I was given. I wouldn't particularly want to emulate PSX myself, not a fan.

Usually? In the US, where a lot of CF members are from, this is 100% illegal. I'm not American, but that's not the point. You're implying that this sort of thing is legal, where, in many cases, it is not legal at all. In Canada, this was legal... but not for much longer, as the laws are changing. In the UK, I don't know.

UK and Ireland, it counts as fair use. Fine and dandy for me to suggest the legitimate, legal uses of it, please don't jump to the conclusion that I'm condoning illegal uses of it. I have cited nothing but legal uses of it, apart from the 24 hour rule and I have since retracted what I said.

And if the laws are harsher in your country, well too bad.

Anyway, aside from the emulators, the point I was trying to make was that with a decent legal emulation, I (and many others) are simply happy to play the games on any system without tracking down old hardware. Just a different point of view for you, though kudos for amassing an impressive collection.

I'm not from Japan, I just live here. You're right, the majority of members here are not from Japan; they're from the US of A. Guess what, it's black and white illegal there.

Again, too bad for them.

Grey area because it depends on what country you're in. How about from a Biblical perspective? For backing up your own things, then it would depend on the law of the land. For obtaining ROMS that you don't own, "Thou shalt not steal" makes that a black and white issue.

Yup, and according to the law of MY lands, it's fine. And guess what, ROM dumping your own ROMs is also fine here too. Are you going to give me a hard time if I happen to mention that I drank legally at the age of 18 too now (even if the law in the US says 21 is the minimum drinking age, again, too bad for them)? Do you normally give people who respect the law of their own lands this hard a time? As I said, I tend not to research American law before making each post of mine and I suspect you don't either.

Perhaps I've already read material on this issue? For someone promoting this stuff on an international forum, based in America, your country is irrelevant here.

Countries are irrelevant on an international forum? Whatever you say...

Not surprised on how widespread the "delete within 24 hours and it's legal" fib is. I've been seeing that one since 1996.
I don't feel a need to make many citations regarding this stuff, as it's very easily available via a google search!!! Heck, wikipedia even covers this issue. Nevertheless, here's one: http://www.law.northwestern.edu/journals/njtip/v2/n2/3/

As I said, you'd be surprised where the misinformation has ended up, I've seen that 24 hours fib in serious professional PC magazines. Thanks for the cite. I'll try and dig out the one on UK and Irish law I was reading yesterday.

 

[Breetai]

Actually, I think it's a TI-99 "home computer." I could dig it out and check for sure, but I'm on my way to work in 30 minutes. Maybe when I get home.

Ahhh, you're right. It is 99, not 94. My memory is getting bad! That's exactly what I had; the TI-99/4A. My friends had an Atari 2600, and I had a TI-99/4A. I would always go over to their houses to play River Raid on the Atari. I remember I had some Space Invaders clone (apparently called "TI Invaders") on the TI-99, a snake game, some spider game and I think a version of Frogger... amongst other games. We had a couple of joysticks as well.

I like all for different reasons. I love the old school gaming of the NES and Sega, but in terms of games, I love a ton of games on the SNES ("Secret of Mana" for example). The system I play most, by far, is the Xbox. I'm deep in the throws of "Fable" and "GoW 2" and I love doing "CoD 4" and "CoD 2" online. Choosing a favorite system is just hard, because I like all of them for different reasons.

You mean the X-Box 360, or both the X-Box and the 360... or are you playing Fable on a 360? I'll just assume you like the 360 partly because it plays your original X-Box games! Backwards compatability is a great thing!

The only thing I think I can say for sure is that it's a close heat for least favorite console between the N64 and GameCube, and my favorite handheld is GameGear, even though it sucks batteries absolutely dry in like 2 hours.

The Game Gear, really? I liked it. Most of my friends had Gameboys, and I had a Game Gear, so I think they were jealous of me... but they might not 've been if I'd told them about the horrible battery life (and it took SIX batteries!!!). I had the battery pack and a car adapter, but still...

I only have a handful of games on the N64. It really was overshadowed by it's competitors; even by the Saturn's library of games. Yet, you can't beat the AAA games that Nintendo comes out with! Nintendo games are worth the price of any of their systems, IMO. If I were to buy a Gamecube (or, more realistically, invest in a couple of GC controllers for my Wii), I can only think of a small handful of games I'd want to pick up for it.

The Saturn version of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night runs for around USD$50 here. It's tempting me even though I own THREE copies of the PSX version (including one via the PSN on the PS3). I seriously love that game.

 

[Breetai]

UK and Ireland, it counts as fair use. Fine and dandy for me to suggest the legitimate, legal uses of it, please don't jump to the conclusion that I'm condoning illegal uses of it. I have cited nothing but legal uses of it, apart from the 24 hour rule and I have since retracted what I said.

And if the laws are harsher in your country, well too bad.

To be honest, I have no idea what they are in Japan. I'd hazard to guess that it's illegal here. Even renting video games is illegal here!!!!

Anyway, aside from the emulators, the point I was trying to make was that with a decent legal emulation, I (and many others) are simply happy to play the games on any system without tracking down old hardware. Just a different point of view for you, though kudos for amassing an impressive collection.

That's assuming you own an original copy of the game you're playing via an emulator, right (unless it is a system with a system bios... there's really no way around that one unless you own the old hardware.)?

Yup, and according to the law of MY lands, it's fine. And guess what, ROM dumping your own ROMs is also fine here too. Are you going to give me a hard time if I happen to mention that I drank legally at the age of 18 too now (even if the law in the US says 21 is the minimum drinking age, again, too bad for them)?

The point was that you were implying that this stuff was, in general, legal at a Christian site where most of the members are not living in your country. I also drank legally at the age of 18.

Do you normally give people who respect the law of their own lands this hard a time? As I said, I tend not to research American law before making each post of mine and I suspect you don't either.

When I'm considering telling people that downloading other peoples marketable good for free is legal, then yes... I do make a point of being careful with what I say.

Making backups of CDs and games is also legal where I'm from, but I am well aware that this isn't the case of many countries; I ought to be if I'm going to post about the subject on an international forum. You should be to, especially considering your moderator status here.

As I said, you'd be surprised where the misinformation has ended up, I've seen that 24 hours fib in serious professional PC magazines. Thanks for the cite. I'll try and dig out the one on UK and Irish law I was reading yesterday.

It would be an interesting read, I'm sure. Perhaps if we keep talking about this, we should make a new thread. This thread is already way off topic as it is.

 

[Caedmon]

Sega Game Gear may have sucked up batteries, but it put Nintendo's Gameboy to shame, in terms of technology, not to mention it exposed Nintendo's greed, for one reason: a lit screen, not to mention color. Sega Game Gear had a lit screen in 1991. Nintendo's Gameboy didn't develop a lit screen until 2003, with the advent of the Gameboy Advance SP, 12 years later, and color wasn't added until 1998 for the Gameboy Advance, 7 years later. This made playing the pre-lit generations of Gameboy impossible to do in a dimly lit room, not to mention the dark. And it made color unavailable on a Nintendo handheld for a majority of that timespan.

But my major point of contention was the lit screen. Every time Nintendo came out with a new manifestation of the Gameboy, I said to myself, surely, SURELY, they're going to break down and do what Sega did years before, and make their handheld console viable in dark conditions. But no. Even though the technology was surely there, they kept cranking out expensive handhelds without a built-in light that you would have to buy a light for, shell out more money for, and look like a dork.

Finally, the SP had a light, and I praised the heavens that Nintendo finally got it through their noggins how stupid the idea of a portable system that you can't play in low-light actually was, 12 years later. Now I own a DS. I'm just glad that I waited for the DS Lite instead of buying that hunk of plastic that was the original DS on the spot, only to have to shell out the money for the lighter version a few years later.

Of course I've always hated how they release their hardware. Here's Nintendo's MO:
1. Develop amazing console.
2. Release said console with substandard design.
3. Sell until sales wane.
4. Lower price "just in time" for Christmas.
5. Release console with newer design or add-ons.

They did it with Gameboy, Gameboy Advance and Nintendo DS. You can't tell me the more slimline versions weren't feasible from the get-go (slimline original Gameboy, clam-shell Gameboy SP). Now they're making the even slimmer DSi (minus a GBA slot), and I bet they'll sell it for a price comparable to the first DS release. And for what it's worth, the same principle explains why they're waiting to release the newer DSi in 2009. Guitar Hero needs a GBA slot, and they're using it to add to DS sales for Christmas 2008. Then after those people are suckered into getting the DS Lite for Guitar Hero, they'll find out the next year that their current console is "obsolete," and will have to shell out still more bucks if they want to "get with the times."

That's not to say I hate their hardware and games, I just don't like their sales tactics.

*vent over, deep breath... deep breath...*

 

[Caedmon]

To more properly address the OP, I own, or have owned at some point, the following consoles:
Atari 2600
NES
SNES
N64
Sega Genesis
Sega CD
PS1
PS2
Xbox
Game Gear
Gameboy
GBA
GBA SP
DS

 

[Breetai]

Now they're making the even slimmer DSi (minus a GBA slot), and I bet they'll sell it for a price comparable to the first DS release. And for what it's worth, the same principle explains why they're waiting to release the newer DSi in 2009. Guitar Hero needs a GBA slot, and they're using it to add to DS sales for Christmas 2008. Then after those people are suckered into getting the DS Lite for Guitar Hero, they'll find out the next year that their current console is "obsolete," and will have to shell out still more bucks if they want to "get with the times."

That's not to say I hate their hardware and games, I just don't like their sales tactics.

*vent over, deep breath... deep breath...*

They aren't making an even slimmer DS (DSi). They've already made it and released it here. It's selling faster than fresh raw tuna on vinegared rice on Sunday morning. I'm not sure when it the parts of the world that don't eat raw fish for breakfast. As Guitar Hero isn't really that popular in Nintendo's home country, I don't really think it got much consideration when they decided to drop the GBA slot. I think that cutting down 50% of the ways to pirate games had a bit more to do with that, as did making it region-locked.

Region-locked DS = I don't even considered buying it. My DSlite is just fine.

BTW, I absolutely agree with your points!

 

[Breetai]

To more properly address the OP, I own, or have owned at some point, the following consoles:
Atari 2600
NES
SNES
N64
Sega Genesis
Sega CD
PS1
PS2
Xbox
Game Gear
Gameboy
GBA
GBA SP
DS

Sega CD! You need a Saturn and a Turbografx-16.

I found a used multitap thingie for the PC-Engine (Turbografx-16) for about $5 yesterday that I almost picked up... until I remembered I don't have the system it goes with!

 

[Caedmon]

They aren't making an even slimmer DS (DSi). They've already made it and released it here. It's selling faster than fresh raw tuna on vinegared rice on Sunday morning. I'm not sure when it the parts of the world that don't eat raw fish for breakfast. As Guitar Hero isn't really that popular in Nintendo's home country, I don't really think it got much consideration when they decided to drop the GBA slot. I think that cutting down 50% of the ways to pirate games had a bit more to do with that, as did making it region-locked.

Region-locked DS = I don't even considered buying it. My DSlite is just fine.

BTW, I absolutely agree with your points!

Region-locked is another down side. I also thought that the DSi did weigh a little less, that's what I meant by "slimmer."

Sega CD! You need a Saturn and a Turbografx-16.

I found a used multitap thingie for the PC-Engine (Turbografx-16) for about $5 yesterday that I almost picked up... until I remembered I don't have the system it goes with!

Wow, talk about collecting fever. But yeah, I'm not really sure where the Sega CD is, and as I remember, we only had a few games, and they sucked. I still consider myself a moderate old-school gamer though.

I have some rpg remakes for the DS, including FF I, II, III and VI, and Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, Metroid Zero for GBA, as well as Super Mario 64 for DS. And I wouldn't consider these old-school technically, but rather in spirit, but I play Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia. I think that type of platformer is one of my favorite genres for the DS console. I don't think the DS is good for some other types, esp. FPS's. I don't care how much the fanboys rave over Metroid: Hunters. It just doesn't work.

Now, I know that these are even less technically old-school, but I'm still a very active player of Xbox and PS2 games. I consider the Xbox to be esp. close to becoming old-school, since it's 'dead' as a console, with no new games being released for it. My reasons for playing Xbox and PS2 is half interest, half necessity, since the 'next gen' consoles are so expensive.

And speaking of 'next-gen,' you know, I, as of yet, have still not been blown away by the 360 or PS3. Sure, the textures, bump-mapping, polygons and drawing distance have improved, but overall, I'm just not getting the wow-factor that should go with a supposedly 'next-gen' console, and I think they're depending too much on peripherals (like Blu-ray) to sell the systems. I also think they've gone waaaaay overboard with the specular lighting; there's no freaking way things are that shiny in real life. I think it'll take one more generation before they impress me. Of course, by that time, I'll be justified in buying the 360 and PS3, so I guess I'll enjoy Xbox and PS2 till then.

 

[Breetai]

Wow, talk about collecting fever.

That would be an accurate description...

I've found so many cheap and wonderful things in various used shops here. My Saturn was 2500yen (100yen is generally around US$1, although it's worth more now due to the global economic problems). I even found a couple of Saturn arcade joysticks that weren't working properly for 10yen each. After taking them apart and cleaning them, they worked fine. My Dreamcast was 2500yen as well. Yesterday, I found some decent Neo Geo games for 500yen, which gives me hope that I'll end up with a Neo Geo AVS soon for cheap. They are usually between 10,000-15,000yen used. The PC Engine is usually around 6500-10,000yen, but I've been finding some cheap things for that lately, so maybe a cheap system will show up soon.

I've definitely got collecting fever, but at least it isn't totally killing my wallet. It's fun! I actually have more fun shopping for the stuff than playing I think.

But yeah, I'm not really sure where the Sega CD is, and as I remember, we only had a few games, and they sucked.

There were a few great games on it... but not that many. Definitely not enough good games to really justify the $300 price tag on it when it was new. Silly me... I got it when it was new.

I have some rpg remakes for the DS, including FF I, II, III and VI, and Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, Metroid Zero for GBA, as well as Super Mario 64 for DS. And I wouldn't consider these old-school technically, but rather in spirit, but I play Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia. I think that type of platformer is one of my favorite genres for the DS console. I don't think the DS is good for some other types, esp. FPS's. I don't care how much the fanboys rave over Metroid: Hunters. It just doesn't work.

You have FFI and II on the DS? Do you mean the GBA versions?

Haha, most of my DS/GBA games are remakes of older games. I think Astroboy on the GBA is one of the only really great platformers to be exclusive to the handhelds, other than the Castlevanias of course. All six of those are great! (3 on DS, 3 on GBA) Killing Dracula never gets old. I'm having a heck of a time killing him on Order of Ecclesia right now. His second form keeps killing me when he sends the stream of bats.

Now, I know that these are even less technically old-school, but I'm still a very active player of Xbox and PS2 games. I consider the Xbox to be esp. close to becoming old-school, since it's 'dead' as a console, with no new games being released for it. My reasons for playing Xbox and PS2 is half interest, half necessity, since the 'next gen' consoles are so expensive.

And speaking of 'next-gen,' you know, I, as of yet, have still not been blown away by the 360 or PS3. Sure, the textures, bump-mapping, polygons and drawing distance have improved, but overall, I'm just not getting the wow-factor that should go with a supposedly 'next-gen' console, and I think they're depending too much on peripherals (like Blu-ray) to sell the systems. I also think they've gone waaaaay overboard with the specular lighting; there's no freaking way things are that shiny in real life. I think it'll take one more generation before they impress me. Of course, by that time, I'll be justified in buying the 360 and PS3, so I guess I'll enjoy Xbox and PS2 till then.[/quote]

 

[Caedmon]

You have FFI and II on the DS? Do you mean the GBA versions?

Oh yeah, that's right. I have the GBA FFI&II comp. Silly me.

Haha, most of my DS/GBA games are remakes of older games. I think Astroboy on the GBA is one of the only really great platformers to be exclusive to the handhelds, other than the Castlevanias of course. All six of those are great! (3 on DS, 3 on GBA) Killing Dracula never gets old. I'm having a heck of a time killing him on Order of Ecclesia right now. His second form keeps killing me when he sends the stream of bats.

I'm kind of interested in Astroboy for GBA, but I didn't see it when it came out, and it's kind of rare even in the shops I frequent. Then again, with so many games of a higher graphical and gameplay quality for the DS, it's hard for me to justify buying it right now. Besides, I have waaay too many games for GBA, DS, Xbox and PS2 as it is.

I still haven't beat Circle of the Moon or Portrait of Ruin, even though I've had them both for more than a year. I keep chickening out when I get to Dracula. Circle of the Moon was particularly tough for me, because of the major level-grindage involved. It's a shame, because there's so much replay value for both of them, although I have to admit, going through Circle of the Moon four or five more times doesn't appeal to me, again because of the serious grindage. I'm about a quarter of the way through Order of Ecclesia.

My Xbox is at my other place right now, but I've got three 'new' games to try on it when I get back: Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, and Dead or Alive 2: Ultimate. Not to mention I've got the plethora of PS2 games I can borrow from my bro for use on the tiny, spanking new PS2 I got for Xmas. Too bad school takes up so much time. Oh well, it's a passion for me, one that makes money with which to buy more console and game pleasure... oh, and personal fulfillment in a career and all that other crap.