How common are clean PC-Engine core grafx's in Japan?

Hi Everyone,

So I'm in the market for getting a PC-Engine core grafx (the kind that accepts AV output), but I noted that all the ones I see are really grimy and dirty. That, or they are brand new and cost an arm and a leg. How easy is it to find clean PC-Engine core grafx units in Japan? I assume fairly common? How much should one expect to pay for it? Any direction would be greatly appreciated as all I have to go on is places like eBay where even the most beat up machine goes for a fair bit of money.

Cheers!

 

They are very easy to find but for a nice clean boxed unit you are still going to pay a pretty penny. Say about 7000 yen upwards. In places like Hard Off you can find unboxed units in clean condition for about 2000 yen to 3000 yen that should come with a PSU, AV cables and controller.

 

Wow that's impressive. Western sellers charge a lot for them.

 

So would I if I was selling them. Not as much as the Ebay sellers but still enough to make it worthwhile.

 

That's what I figured. It's kind of depressing considering that they are available, just never offered unless your there in person. As to the condition, I'm not looking for anything boxed, just something that's loose but in excellent cosmetic shape (No dirt or scratches/gouges).

Perhaps if it's not too much trouble, would anyone who frequents these places be able to help me pick up a unit? I completely understand if it's too much trouble, but I'd be willing to pay for the time as I would much rather see the money go to someone here at Assemblergames, than to lining someone's else pocket on eBay. Especially considering the crummy quality of the systems being offered.

 

What about if I were to seek the crummy ones at a price worthy of bad shape? Is that possible?

 

You won't find that kind of pricing in Akihabara. Easily double what Yakumo said is normal as the # of stores which carry PCE has dwindled to a handful.

 

Oh yes, going to any place in Akihabara or anywhere that foreigners would shop at will have high prices for PC Engine stuff. Where I live there aren't many foreign people so prices stay low.

Trenton_net, I'm away from home at the moment but I can see about getting you a nice PC Engine when I get home or how about going for a set on Yahoo Auctions?

 

PC-Engine always haunts me, why I don't own one, just waiting for one with a good price and a box

 

@Yakumo: Yep, I've tried, but it's not working out exactly as I planned. Especially since the items on offer and quality of photos make it difficult to determine exactly what condition your signing up for. I assume doing the same job in person is way more faster and easier for someone. Anyway, I sent you a PM! I apologise in advance for the wonky formatting which happened during my cut and paste. (^_^);

@HeXiGON: I assume your task of finding a boxed one is way harder than mine. In comparison, it would seem my problem is rather trivial as I just need physical help. I'm not sure how often good boxed ones show up for a decent price. On eBay I see one boxed for about $199 USD, but for that price you might as well just pay an extra $100 or so and get a brand new unit off Yahoo Japan. At least the quality would be perfect. But I'll say for sure, provided you have lots of money, the job gets much easier down in the high end. Just find an item and plunk down the cash. I'd say it's hardest trying to find decent items at the lower end because speculators these days always gouge people out for retro goods, which kind of annoys me.

 

Also have to take shipping into account :/

 

Ya, that's another beef I have with sellers. Too many like to pad shipping to get around fees, some build it into the cost, some don't, some charge premium rates for sending by boat, etc. Of course, I can only speak for some sellers as others are awesome and really try to help you out. But I found them to be fewer and fewer on eBay.

All my best transactions take place on forums such as AssemblerGames. Because your dealing with people who are like-minded, and a good community mutually benefits everyone.

 

Can't say I blame them, if shifty. Japanese know most of us don't try to look up prices within Japan.

 

Always planned on getting a CoreGrafx or even a Duo-R. But the regular CoreGrafx is incredible expensive around here. Damn, anything gaming related in "rare" around here according to sellers.

 

I was in AKiba yesterday and went to Super Potato (aka the big ripoff). Bare Cores were 8000 yen.

 

8000 yen? Bloody hell. They are a rip off. The local Hard Off had unboxed units for 3800yen the last time I looked.

 

Man, even in Canada stores don't gouge that much. Beat up NES systems sell for maybe $30-$40 at most, and thats just because of all these "retro" crazy people who want to be hip. The SNES/NES Combo clones sell for even more. But still, if prices were at normal demand levels it would be way cheaper. People are just trying to cash in on the "retro" thing.

 

Ohhhh no you don't want to know how much beat up retro consoles go for here...

 

lol agree with you here matey....... I don't think people abroad have any idea what we pay for stuff here. As an example I did the simple AV mod on a 4 switcher (woody) Atari 2600 Game Traders sold it for $230! I charged them $25 to do the mod, which included pulling apart all the switches to clean, AV mod with flylead AV cable and a general clean and tidy up.

Someone on ebay Australia recently sold a Pikachu N64 with 1 control pad, 2 power supplies and an AV cable for $317!

 

Super potato prices have been over inflated for years, they live of their fame. The main problem is since the banking collapse of 08, foreigners currencies have dropped massively meaning everything looks well expensive to use.

Hard offs are great but they are pretty much all out in the suburbs, meaning the prices tend to stay low i bought a few pce from them recently and don't think i paid over 2000 for any of them.