Post every time you buy/trade something Part VIII

My recent haul finally all arrived...



Goes nicely with the rest of my PSO games/items

 

I'd like a 2nd Twin Stick to play with a friend too.

I don't have Starlancer and I probably sold my copy of Alien Front Online some time ago as I cannot find it so I cannot test the HKT-7500 Twin Stick with it for you sorry

As for price, it was more than a little but less than a lot It was listed as unboxed, which saved money and it also had no picture of the actual item which reduced competition. I took a gamble on the unit and it paid off, so I saved a small fortune. I'm very happy with my purchase, especially as I haven't overpaid or undersold for once

SCPH-75003 Sony PlayStation 2 Slim & Microsoft Xbox Debug Kit

Some more items arrived for my Sega Dreamcast collection today.

What arrived, I hear you ask?

SCPH-75003 Sony PlayStation 2 Slim



Microsoft Xbox Debug Kit



Why these particular items?

Well the first thing you're probably thinking WTF have these got to do with the Sega Dreamcast, so why would I want to collect them?

With regards to the SCPH-75003 Sony PlayStation 2, after the Dreamcasts' demise, Shinobi was ported to the system. Waste not want not eh? Shinobi was also followed up by a sequel of sorts - Nightshade. There is also Virtua Fighter 4 which is a Sega Naomi 2 game. The Sega Dreamcast wouldn't have had the same horsepower for a straight port but it is reasonable to assume a release would have been made in due course. As these games amongst others were destined for life on the Dreamcast at some point but it never came to be, I'd like to experience what could or should have been. Believe it or not this is not only the first Sony PlayStation 2 I've ever owned, but the first slim I have ever seen. When the original Sony PlayStation 2 was launched, a friend of mine bought one and I would just go round to his house and use his. I was tempted to buy a Slim when they were announced at £100 or so in 2004 but I just never bothered.

I was actually shopping for a SCPH-90003 with the internal PSU and flakey backup support. I didn't really care about whether or not it would play backup media as I'm going to buy the retail copies of games anyway, I just wanted the last / best revision hardware with the most space saving and power saving potential. The price of this SCPH-7503 unit was just too tempting to resist though!

With regards to the Microsoft Xbox Debug Kit, it is a similar story. Gun Valkyrie, Jet Set Radio Fiuture, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Sega GT 2002 and Toejam & Earl III Mission to Earth all had a life planned on the Sega Dreamcast. Shenmue II was released on the Sega Dreamcast, but without the english language voicerovers present in the Xbox version. Great, but then why buy a Microsoft Xbox Debug Kit? Well betas for the aforementioned titles pop up from time to time and when they do, I would like to have the means to be able to play them! I did used to own a DVT4 for this reason reason but I sold it last year due to two issues. One issue being the DVT4 is unreasonably loud, the other being I needed the money.

Issues

Well really it is a non issue. The items all arrived quickly, cheaply and very well packed. I did notice as you probably have too, that there is an absence of Debug Kit text on the front of the system. upon inspecting the system's underside however it does indeed have all of the right markings to do the job I intend for it to do. This doesn't really bother me that much. Why? Because I was tempted to put an Xecuter 3 modchip and control panel on the thing anyway. Now that it is bland, I definitely will. Some people will whine about modding a development system, but really, these things are pretty common so its bland front panel. There will be plenty more Microsoft Xbox Debug Kits left to continue the species until entropy inevitbly runs its course!

I wasn't actually going to publish my blog yet as I'm keeping my eye out for a delivery which was actually expected yesterday, but I was hoping it would come today instead. Thus farthe package has failed to materialise, but Royal Mail / Parcelforce haven't made an pass yet and there are many other couriers who could be doing the job. It is a shame I have not racking number really as then at least I'd know who to look out for.

Anyhow... I have some gaming to do. TTFN!

 

Nice XBOX Debug Legit, mine should be here soon

 

HKT-7300 Arcade Stick by Sega for Sega Dreamcast

A few behemoths arrived today!

What arrived, I hear you ask?

2x HKT-7300 Arcade Stick by Sega for Sega Dreamcast



Why these particular items?

Well if you've followed my recent posts, now that there are no games left for me to buy on Steam (lol) I have been collecting items related to the use of the NEOP22020 SNK Neo Geo Pocket Color to Sega Dreamcast communication connector cable.

The problem is, many of the linkable games are fighting games and the ones by SNK do not even support the standard controller's Analog stick so you are forced to use the Dreamcast D-Pad. As nice as the Sega Dreamcast is, it has probably one of the worst D-Pad's ever conceived. It is not so bad if menus or items are bound to it, but for actual direcitonal movement when controlling a character, forget it. There is a low amount of accuracy and a high amount of pain!

Back towwards the main point though - I don't just want to sync information between compatible games. If I am going to do a fair review of the feature I'd like to playtest them thoroughly. In the case of these fighting games then it would be fair to say that to get the best review, I'd need the best experience and for that I'd need the best equipment, hence the HKT-7300 Arcade Stick by Sega for Sega Dreamcast. It cures all of the D-Pad only problems for the SNK games and for the others, I can at least have the ability to replicate the home arcade feel and perform the special moves with more ease and less pain!

Ok now that is out of the way, why buy two? Why not stick with one. Well why have one when you can have two? haha! Fighting against the CPU can be fun for all of 5 minutes in most cases. The real longevity of the gaming experience lies in playing with a friend. It would be unfair of me to hog the stick and lumber them with the D-Pad, or vice versa. At least now my friends and I will have a level playing field so our skills will do the talking!

Both units came unboxed. Again, I don't care about the box because I am buying to use them items, not stick them on a shelf nor do I have the space to store the boxes even if I wanted to. The lack of box also lowered the price enough to warrant the pruchase. Sadly I didn't get a bargain on these as I paid around the going rate but I am pleased regardless.

Issues

These things are rather large. Infact ,the base is about as large as my HKT-7500 Twin Stick by Sega for the Sega Dreamcast. I had to take them both downstairs the the lounge as my room just cannot accomodate them and even then, I can only fit around three of these beasts on my coffee table, which is very a tight fit.

The other issue there was some mild drama with regardspayment to shipping. In order to even pay for these, I had to transfer money from my direct debit account to make the payment on my card. The catch being I had a direct debit due the following Tuesday so I thought no problem I'll pay some cash into my account first thing Monday morning, end of my problem right? Wrong! It turns out that the following Monday was a bank holiday, so I couldn't pay money into my account in time so my Direct Debit on Tuesday would bounce and I'd be lumbered with fees. Luckily, I managed to get hold of a friend and he paid a few pounds into my account via an internet banking tranmsfer so I could meet my commitments.

As for shipping, I waited for the seller to ship the package out, but there was no contact, nothing. On the 8th day I conbtacted them to ask where my item was, and 3 days later I got a response basically saying sorry and they will give me a free VMU and game as compensation (BTW the game was a sealed PAL copy of Jet Set Radio!). Hooray I htought. I waited in Wednesday, nothing, though to be fair I didn't expect 24 hour delivery for the price I paid. I waited in Thursday, again a no show. I was beginning to get a little nervous. On Friday, again nothing. I was beggining to get a little disgruntled as even a late Tuesday pickup via 48 hour service should have come by then. Saturday up until 1300 (close of business) nothing. I contact the seller, asking them if they have a tracking number etc for it so I can contact the courier and see what is going on. An hour later, the package arrived... via Yodel -_-

I haven't had time to test them yet as the downstairs TV is currently in use (Dragnet on DVD in case you were wondering) and I have other stuff to be getting on with but I am eager to try them out. There looks to be some minor rusting on the stick part themselves. Anyhow I look forwards to putting these bad boys to good use in due course. I think one of the main things on my current agenda is to improve the visual quality of my gaming experience so I need a new monitor and hook ups or something to get the very best from the Sega Dreamcast system.

 

Picked up a counter-top arcade machine, two person seated arcade cab with Ms Pacman, two Master Systems and games, Game Gear with Master System converter and a game, 19 NES games. Grand total was $45 USD.

Here's an album I made for another community if you want to see more.

 

Nice stuff!

 

A "Rail Chase" arcade PCB... tested working

 

Is it still possible to order it with the enhancement disc?

 

A copy of Heavenly Sword (£2.50) and a copy of Brink (X360, £4) at a local car boot.

 

Some stuff acquired in the last few months:

 

That 3DS looks awfully familiar. Where have I seen it before?

Anyway, glad you're back from where ever you were. You were quiet for a few weeks.

 

So I guess we can assume that you're a sealed game collector AND a big fan of the Sonic franchise....

 

Just really good at getting a great deal! Actually paid only little bit more than I did for just a cart of Sonic 2 a few weeks ago.

Can't deny being a Sonic fan though. Old pic. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P9ovoYbcCuc/UE6h9-vdk8I/AAAAAAAAAak/sIvdxd3nodM/s400/fddffg.jpg

 

Hehe! That 3DS works like a charm, and I just got 3 more games for it yesterday (New Super Mario Bros. 2, Starfox, Pilot Wings Resort), will post pics soon

I've been terribly busy with work and the university, so not much time to linger around the boards nor play too much games unfortunately

Btw, I just realized I never sent you those designs for the shirts ! I have them at home, will email them to you as soon as I can, hope they are still of use to you!

 

2210-50, MK-2101-05 PAL & T-1401M Soul Calibur by Namco for Sega Dreamcast

The postie man came bearing gifts in the rain today.

What arrived, I hear you ask?

2110-50 Sega Game Gear & MK-2101-05 PAL Sega Game Gear TV Tuner by Sega for Sega Game Gear.



T-1401M Soul Calibur by Namco for Sega Dreamcast



Why these particular items?

Well, as you may have noticed recently I stated I need to improve my visual quality, placed a WTB for a HKT-8100 Sega Dreamcast VGA box and I have ordered a Sega Dreamcast monitor. What I was actually doing was yanking your chain! Don't get me wrong, I do want a HKT-8100 VGA box and I will need a decent monitor to display my games on, but for the time being the AV in feature on the MK-2101-05 PAL Sega Game Gear TV Tuner by Sega for Sega Game Gear shall have to suffice

Originally, I was going to buy a Sega Game Gear with the MK-2101-05 PAL Sega Game Gear TV Tuner by Sega for Sega Game Gear with a bunch of games and bribe a site member with all of the games in exchange for carrying out the repair work, but I managed to find another listing ending sooner with 2 Sega Game Gears, 2 MK-2101-05 PAL Sega Game Gear TV Tuners and a few games so I offered them the spares plus the games as payment, which they accepted. I sort of felt bad about them getting a lesser deal for the same amount of work so knowing that they were a Sega Saturn fan, I sent some Japanese white Sega Saturn control pads I had laying around to sweeten the deal.

As for T-1401M Soul Calibur by Namco for Sega Dreamcast, there was no real reason I needed to buy this. I already have the PAL copy. The PAL copy contain's Voldo's original gimp suit which was altered for the US market so I wasn't missing any features. I guess I just wanted the Japanese copy because it would look better sat next to my other recent purchases than a hulking big blue PAL box so yeah...

Issues

Well as I have been messing around with my NEOP22020 SNK Neo Geo Pocket Color to Sega Dreamcast communication connector cable, my HKT-3010 Japanese Sega Dreamcast has been set up to get most of the use. When I tried to used it with the AV in feature of my MK-2101-05 PAL Sega Game Gear TV Tuner by Sega for Sega Game Gear, it didn't really work that well. it is black and white and off centre, which leads me to believe it will not work with an NTSC signal, only a PAL one. Fortunately it works fine with my HKT-3030 European Sega Dreamcasts without issue.


Updates may be a little slow over the coming weeks. I am still looking to upgrade my visual quality for my Sega Dreamcast gaming experience, however next payday I have my monthly Direct Debits to deal with and if I am lucky, maybe a couple more expensive items to pick up which will severely hammer my budget. If you'd like to help me make some Sega Dreamcast related purchases sooner rather than later, please check my for sale thread linked in my forum signature!


EDIT: Updated 14th September 2012


JY-10 by Casio... for Sega Dreamcast?

The post man arrived today, bearing yet another gift!

What arrived, I hear you ask?

JY-10 by Casio... for Sega Dreamcast?



Why this particular item?

Well if you followed my last blog post you will have noticed my Sega Dreamcast monitor was actually a Sega Game Gear using the AV in feature of the TV tuner add on LOL.

You may be interested to know there was an official Sega Dreamcast monitor of sorts, but it was only available in Japan via the Dream Point Bank system for a whopping 10,000 points. I think that would have taken at least 34 games purchased brand new to qualify for claiming which is an impressive feat. As such, not many people would have saved up to redeem this unit which is reflected in the resale price to collectors. There is an important, albeit minor variation on the Dream Point Bank version of the Casio JY-10 from the regular consumer model. Packaging aside, the JY-10 text vanished from the front of the unit, replaced by the Dreamcast swirl and text. Not much in it really is there, for the sake of a sticker?

I wanted the official product but without the colelctors pricing. Sure if I had deep pockets I'd pick up the Dream Point Bank version, but when people are practically giving these away since the analog TV signal shut down, I'd rather save a substantial sum of money which could be better spend elsewhere. An unscrupulous buyer may pick up an NTSC unit (mine is PAL-I BTW) scrub off the JY-10 text and apply the Dreamcast swirl and text to pass it off as an original product, after all it is 99.9% the same as the Dream Point Bank product. I won't be doing that, mostly because I really cannot be bothered to do so but also something to do with principles and integrity

Issues

The first problem I had was trying to open the bloody battery cover as it was stuck and I had no mains adapter for it Grr! It requires DC 6v in, which equated to 4x AA/R6 batteries. Once I cracked the thing open and dropped a couple of batteries borrowedfrom various remote controls, it powered up with no issue (sold as broken!) The next problem I had was no NTSC signal again doh, so I had to pull out my PAL Sega Dreamcast again to check this unit works. Then I was getting a lot of unpleasant noise but switching the composite video and audio sockets around on the 3.5mm stereo jack adapter remedied this. Lastly, the Sega Dreamcast menu was unreasonably bright and the adjustment dial didn't seem to cure this. Once I booted into Virtua Tennis 2 though all was fine, in fact better than fine.

I really wouldn't reccomend buying this as an alternative to a TV, but if you'd like to experience the best the Dream Point Bank had to offer without the huge price tag for the sake of a sticker, it is certainly a good time to pick a Casio JY-10 up!

 

Thanks DefectX11!!

 

My first debug system arrived this morning

 

Jet Set Radio @ £5.99 via Steam.

Nope, it wasn't on special offer. I haven't bought a game on Steam in a while, what with all of my recent purchases I couldn't really afford to. But anyhow, a friend sent me a message on Steam so after we had finished chatting I had a nosey on the Stiore to see what I've been missing.

It seems I was lucky to catch Jet Set Radio for sale when I did - it had just been rerelased today of all days. I rememebr buying this brand spanking new from an independant game store back in the day. I have a loose disc and even a sealed copy for my Sega Dreamcast collection. So what do you think I did when I saw a release in HD? I bought it immediately