Do you import games?

[Grandy02]

The title says it all. Have you ever imported games, and if yes, why?

I have a very small number of import versions of Nintendo games. The reason is not that I couldn't wait for them to be released in Europe, I almost never get games on "day one", but often months later instead. They are still as much fun, whether I play them early or later.

The three games I "imported" are titles that spawned my interest, but unfortunately, they never got released in Europe. Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble offered an interesting concept, and Kirby is one of my favourite franchises, so I bought this game. The same goes for WarioWare: Twisted!, I just needed this awesome gem. I first read about Starfy at TMK, which detailed Wario's cameo appearance in the third game. This raised my attention, but it took several years and Starfy's Brawl appearance until I finally got my hands on the little star, in particular Densetsu no Starfy 3, the game featuring guest character Wario.

All these games are for region-free handheld platforms, as I don't want to mod my home consoles, and the only Japanese version (Starfy) can still be played well without knowing the language. If the home consoles were region-free as well, I would have imported at least three more SNES games (SMRPG, KDL3, EarthBound), but thankfully, there are now imports available for the Wii (still waiting for EarthBound).

However, I fear that there will be not any new region-free handhelds from Nintendo in one of the next generations. But now, there are still a few region-free gems I plan to get, namely Rhythm Tengoku, Kururin Paradise, and, if NoE doesn't localise it, The Legendary Starfy (at least I will be able to understand what Starfy's folks say this time).

So the option I choose is "Yes, to get games not released in my region." What about you?

[Fryguy64]

Same. I imported Animal Crossing when it came out in the US, and my sister has gotten me import copies of Drill Dozer, WarioWare Twisted and Mother 3, none of which have been released here.

[8bitretroshit]

Allllll the time

I imported a friggen US Wii to get my grubby hands on a US copy of Smash Bros. Brawl before the European release 3 months later. Gave me quite a bit of trouble to get it to work, trying to find a converter that actually fits in a European socket. Funny thing is the same day it got officially released a local store was selling the game and Wii Free Loaders right there. My cousins and friends were all having fun playing the damn game on their PAL Wii's while I had to wait another 2 weeks for my copy to arrive by mail

Since it's a US Wii I have to import any Wii game I want to play now that they disabled those Freeloaders. On the plus side the US Dollar is puny and even with shipping saves me money. 50000 Wii points only costs me 35 bucks aswell and I get to play awesome Wiiware games that Europe usually gets much later.

Other than that I went through the trouble to get a US SNES just so I could play a legitimate copy of Earthbound. Since I couldn't find the PAL versions on Ebay, I went and got Kirby Superstar and SMW2:Yoshi's Island for it at the same time.

Then there's that Famicom and busted Disk System with a bunch of games, a US PS2 and a PC Engine and MSX system I both can't get to work....

So yeah I guess I'm pretty open to importing videogame junk

[Nester the Lark]

I don't import, and I guess it's because I've never really needed to. I live in the US, so most of what I want to play gets released here.

I also prefer games to be localized to the point that I can understand them. As much as I was hoping SaGa 2 on the DS would get released here, I wouldn't want to import it because I wouldn't be able to read the text. I don't understand why people are willing to play text-heavy RPG's if they aren't able read them.

[TV Eye]

Nope. I live in good ol' America. Everything comes out here in a relatively fair amount of time.

[Dances in Undergarments]

Yes, yes I do. Generally because I can get them quicker than waiting for the Australian release.

[Leon]

I imported the Sword of Seals a few years ago because I wanted to play it on the go. I also imported the dual language Phoenix Wright games after they sold out in North America.

Otherwise I just wait for a North American release and buy it then.

[Manspeed]

I just imported both Custom Battler Bomberman and Bomberman Story DS from England. No idea why they weren't released here.

[Savage Adam]

I'm open to the idea, but due to my inability to play foreign language games, and since the US gets pretty much all the good stuff sooner or later, I've never really felt compelled to do so.

Although, I've stated this already, but I will more than likely import Jam with the Band if it doesn't make its way over here, and once I get my PSP, I'm almost definitely getting the Breath of Fire III port.

Sooo... I have no idea which option that falls under. So I'll just not answer and say I did.

[Da Robot]

Imported the US version of The World Ends With You, because it didn't get released down here, but I think did get released in Australia though.

I was going to get Drill Dozer at the same time as TWEWY but Amazon couldn't send it. (WTF?)

Now I hope Jam With The Band get released down here.

[Deleted]

I'm not opposed to importing, but I've never really had a need to do it. The only games I've really considered were Tingle's Rosy Rupee Land and the Japanese version of Jet Grind Radio. Then again, I only wanted and ebay'd the latter nine years after the original had been released, so it doesn't really count...

[Wildcat]

I haven't yet, mainly due to most of the games I want have been released here. I'm gearing up to make my first potential import, depending on if Nintendo of America gets around to bringing Last Window over here.

[parrothead]

My parents are the only ones in my home that can do online-shopping, and if I want to buy something on there, I have to force them to buy Japan-only games and other stuff, while I pay them. If any Japan-only game is being sold by anyone in Asia, then my parents wouldn't let me.

Several years ago, when I imported Fire Emblem 6 through eBay, it later got stolen. Second time I imported it from the same site, its data-saving battery died, while I failed to open it with different tools other than what I didn't have: a very small, three-tooth screwdriver. On the third time from the same site, it didn't arrive. When I tried to import the fourth time after I bought the Japanese version of the Master Quest Zelda while it didn't work on my NA GCN, my parents prevented me from doing so. This made me decide to buy a 256 MB (Megabit) EZF Advance Flash cart, and later, an M3 DS Real bundle pack.

It's been a while since I last imported a Japan-only game. Perhaps I'll try Play-Asia or another similar website later. Otherwise, I'll continue with eBay.

[Deleted]

May 14, 2010 1:19:00 GMT -5 parrothead said:

My parents are the only ones in my home that can do online-shopping, and if I want to buy something on there, I have to force them to buy Japan-only games and other stuff, while I pay them. If any Japan-only game is being sold by anyone in Asia, then my parents wouldn't let me.

Several years ago, when I imported Fire Emblem 6 through eBay, it later got stolen. Second time I imported it from the same site, its data-saving battery died, while I failed to open it with different tools other than what I didn't have: a very small, three-tooth screwdriver. On the third time from the same site, it didn't arrive. When I tried to import the fourth time after I bought the Japanese version of the Master Quest Zelda while it didn't work on my NA GCN, my parents prevented me from doing so. This made me decide to buy a 256 MB (Megabit) EZF Advance Flash cart, and later, an M3 DS Real bundle pack.

It's been a while since I last imported a Japan-only game. Perhaps I'll try Play-Asia or another similar website later. Otherwise, I'll continue with eBay.

Just don't go back to the seller that kept losing/selling bum games to you...eBay common sense, mah boy. eBay common sense.