Maidens of the Kaleidoscope

~Beyond the Border~ => Akyu's Arcade => Topic started by: Savory on July 04, 2012, 12:22:45 AM

Title: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Savory on July 04, 2012, 12:22:45 AM

This is pretty much a term I came up with to describe the kind of game that, when released, is very well received and highly praised, but afterwards, starts to become rare on the market (to the point where you feel lucky to have even owned the game at all).

When I first used the term "novelty games", it was after I had previously owned the games The World Ends With You and Muramasa the Demon Blade. The former I sold and the latter I still own and play. After buying this, they were still on stock at the Gamestop I frequently visited for about a month if memory serves right. And these were games that were extremely hyped. I don't think I ever saw them in stock again. Another great title I still own that I consider to fit in this category is Knights in the Nightmare. Same deal; bought it, was still in stock for a while, then POOF!

So were there any games you guys owned that fit such a category? Do you still own them? Do you still play them? Talk about it!

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Kasu on July 04, 2012, 02:47:02 AM

Hmm...  I'd say that this term fits pretty well with the game Gotcha Force.

I bought it years ago and I still occasionally play it when I have nothing else to do.

As for whether it was hyped up or not, I'm not entirely sure, though I do know that I haven't seen the game on any shelves at pawn shops or any other stores since.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: trancehime on July 04, 2012, 04:14:52 AM

Literally Valkyrie Profile 1 for the PSX, not Valkyrie Profile : Lenneth.

I regret not selling my VP1 copy for moar monies! :C

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Third Eye Lem on July 04, 2012, 05:12:19 AM

I remember the Custom Robo series, one for the GC and one for the DS. I played the GC one, it was interesting and fun, but I never finished it. Nintendo should bring that back, or something similar to it. The Duel Masters PS2 game was also quite fun, as was the card game in general, though that's getting a reboot. There was also Monster Tale for the DS, it had a good premise, but the exploration aspects weren't that great and the game was pretty grindy if you wanted to get the best powerups (also, the bosses had way too much health). It's a shame, though, I liked the game's spritework and how it controlled.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: B?t V?n Tử on July 04, 2012, 08:11:59 AM

The Devil May Cry 3 - Special Edition, there was time I want to buy for my cousin and they said the game was out of stock for few weeks, and that happened after the game had been released for a year. And yeah I still playing it on my still-breathing ps2, to be honest, imma go play right now lol

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Sophilia on July 04, 2012, 09:01:58 AM

First US prints of Disgaea 1 and SMT: Nocturne.  Atlus USA underprinted everything until P3FES.  Of course they're not as rare now that they have remakes and rereleases, but they still are pretty far from Mario or Madden.  When I picked up Disgaea used, there was a whole row of NIS grinders there, and I suspect they were sold back because of religious parents.  The Nocturne was picked up new on release day, because I was pretty sure I'd never see a copy otherwise.  I still have both of them, though I don't play them much nowadays.

Also holy shit Custom Robo.  My brother had that for a while and sold it to get money for Zelda: TP.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Yog-N'yggoth on July 04, 2012, 09:03:46 AM

Steambot Chronicles - This was a interesting gem from the PS2. The plot is a bit hard to explain, but the start beings with (surprise surprise), a main character with amnesia who winds up playing in a band with a couple mecha fights along the way. A interesting bit they've done with the character is the dialogue options. You could make him a selfish ass who's money-oriented, nice but cowardly, and other just with the various lines. And there's quite a lot to do in the game. There's of course, the whole playing a instrument (each one having a different mini-game), being a make-shift taxi, being a professional mecha arena fighter, and other random things to deter you off the main story.  As for customizing your titular vehicle, there are a ton of parts to make it suitable to whatever you'd like.

 On the other hand, the game is pretty clunky, especially when it comes to the controls. There was going to be a sequel, but sadly, it doesn't seem like it'll come to light any time soon.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Mr_Bob on July 04, 2012, 09:29:41 AM

Einhander (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3YKsb-Lr6s&fmt=18), unfortunately it wasn't mine, but I was the only one who still played it on occasion

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: trancehime on July 04, 2012, 10:36:15 AM

Quote from: Bob 2.3 on July 04, 2012, 09:29:41 AM

Einhander (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3YKsb-Lr6s&fmt=18), unfortunately it wasn't mine, but I was the only one who still played it on occasion

Einhander was the shit, I remember playing that a lot when I was a lot younger and finding the post-apocalyptic-esque atmosphere really cool.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Hanzo K. on July 04, 2012, 10:54:08 AM

Quote from: Yog-N'yggoth on July 04, 2012, 09:03:46 AM

Steambot Chronicles

I hear there was a a game that was a spiritual successor to both this, and Tail Concerto(An old PS1 game with a similar lift-and-throw mechanic).
Solatorobo: Red the Hunter. For DS.


But man, Steambot Chronicles. So much time logged on that thing making awesome mechs, crests, and just doing whatever.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Sana on July 04, 2012, 02:33:28 PM

Is it really a "novelty game" if the game itself is good? That sounds more like games that are rare and valuable in spite of being bad :V

Anyway, I remember buying Odin Sphere then never being able to find it again at any stores.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: chirpy13 on July 04, 2012, 03:11:23 PM

I'm not really sure what qualifies as rare, but I guess some of my more notable games would be FF 4/6, Mario RPG, Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, and Tactics Ogre: LuCT.   I used to borrow Star Ocean 2 off a friend of mine for months at a time, but I've moved away since then and and I really regret not trying to buy it off him, since I've ever seen it for sale anywhere.  Then there's a few I have seen for sale that I regret not buying. That I can think of, there was Vagrant Story, Parasite Eve, and FF5 (Super Famicom version).  I hope to find a Seiken Densetsu 3 cart for sale someday...  Such a ballin' game.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Hello Purvis on July 04, 2012, 10:51:05 PM

Xenogears.

/me collects thread trophy, kickflips out

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Fightest on July 05, 2012, 07:13:40 AM

I have a copy of the apparently hard-to-get Infinite Space for the DS, that's about my only claim to fame.

I imagine this thread will be instantly won by whomever claims to have a copy of Radiant Silvergun kicking around?

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Jam-Kiske on July 05, 2012, 08:31:54 AM

Quote from: Sophilia on July 04, 2012, 09:01:58 AM

First US prints of Disgaea 1 and SMT: Nocturne.  Atlus USA underprinted everything until P3FES.  Of course they're not as rare now that they have remakes and rereleases, but they still are pretty far from Mario or Madden.

Pretty much this. Finding any SMT game older than Persona 3 is a pain and when I do find them at Gamestop they're like 40 bucks.

I managed to snag Digital Devil Saga at least.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: The Greatest Dog on July 05, 2012, 09:17:16 AM

It's no Radiant Silvergun, but I have the Ikaruga for GC.
And... Knights in the Nightmare, Digital Devil Saga, The World Ends with You...
Uhh, I really don't know what else I could consider a novelty game by these standards. Hmm.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Mr_Bob on July 05, 2012, 09:56:38 AM

Quote from: The Man From P.U.R.V.I.S. on July 04, 2012, 10:51:05 PM

Xenogears.

I'm currently borrowing this from a co-worker.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: trancehime on July 05, 2012, 10:12:01 AM

I've beaten Xenogears twice myself, the first time when I was much younger and couldn't understand the story, and then the second time when I could actually understand the trainwreck that was Xenogears PLOT. I still really like the game!

I guess I have a copy of the Japanese Pokemon Red game if that counts, since people are actually citing games that are good. :V

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: NekoNekoRex on July 06, 2012, 12:25:39 AM

Earthbound?

I've never had too much trouble finding any of the above games I've owned or wanted.
All my NIS games I've found really cheap. Even Phantom Brave I found in prefect condition and with the soundtrack~
TWEWY was a pretty easy find too.

Xenosaga games are the only ones I've had decent trouble acquiring , but that only took going a bit out of my way in terms of finding Gamestops.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Garlyle on July 10, 2012, 12:14:39 AM

I own Steambot Chronicles as well!  ...Sadly I kinda came out feeling underwhelmed, but

being able to make up the main character's backstory like everything else about him and having it mean nothing

was such a wonderful break from cliche that I can forgive it.  Also, Bumpy Trot 2 (the sequel that was going to be on PS3) was officially announced as scrapped a while ago, so... yeah D:

Christ, what do I have that's rare though?  I do own a copy of Nocturne... I have a deluxe edition of Growlanser Generations, which nobody has ever heard of but you really need to play (Probably my favourite SRPG(s) of all time and I can't wait for IV's release on PSP next month)...

I probably have some really rare and sought after games that I don't even think of as that rare/valuable, actually, but I'd really have to comb through my collection.  I know The World Ends With You has been getting harder to get ahold of though due to the recent surge in TWEWY interest due to Kingdom Hearts 3D, but... hm.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Esper on July 13, 2012, 01:31:12 PM

Persona 4. Mushihimesama Futari if it counts. That's about it and it might not even be that rare. :fail:

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Zil on July 20, 2012, 10:48:11 PM

I dunno. I guess I have some games that could be considered hard to find, simply because nobody gives a crap about them. As far as games that are hard to find despite being well known, I can't say, since I'm not too savvy about any of that.

Well here's a list of some old stuff I used to play that may or may not be rare.

Rogue (the old dungeon crawling thing)
Cold Shadow
The Bombing Islands
Twisted Metal
Shadowgate Classic

Yeah, I don't know. :V

e: Oops, did I necro this thread?

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Sanger Zonvolt on July 22, 2012, 10:10:22 AM

Quote from: Kasu on July 04, 2012, 02:47:02 AM

Hmm...  I'd say that this term fits pretty well with the game Gotcha Force.

I bought it years ago and I still occasionally play it when I have nothing else to do.

As for whether it was hyped up or not, I'm not entirely sure, though I do know that I haven't seen the game on any shelves at pawn shops or any other stores since.

Gotcha Force is my favorite gamecube game, good times.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Narmy on July 23, 2012, 05:29:13 AM

These are some of the (somewhat) rare games that I have in my collection:

Shining Force 2
Phantasy Star IV
Xenogears
Kartia
Legend of Legaia
Dark Cloud 2
Shadow Hearts
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All

I used to rent games often back then, so I've played some other rare games like Tomba and Einhander that I regret not buying at the time...

Quote from: Yog-N'yggoth on July 04, 2012, 09:03:46 AM

Steambot Chronicles - This was a interesting gem from the PS2. The plot is a bit hard to explain, but the start beings with (surprise surprise), a main character with amnesia who winds up playing in a band with a couple mecha fights along the way. A interesting bit they've done with the character is the dialogue options. You could make him a selfish ass who's money-oriented, nice but cowardly, and other just with the various lines. And there's quite a lot to do in the game. There's of course, the whole playing a instrument (each one having a different mini-game), being a make-shift taxi, being a professional mecha arena fighter, and other random things to deter you off the main story.  As for customizing your titular vehicle, there are a ton of parts to make it suitable to whatever you'd like.

 On the other hand, the game is pretty clunky, especially when it comes to the controls. There was going to be a sequel, but sadly, it doesn't seem like it'll come to light any time soon.

I'm actually playing that at the moment, it's pretty interesting. :3

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Menorah Jams, Pham on July 23, 2012, 05:49:58 PM

Senko no Ronde?  Nobody?  Man, I should actually play that again.  It's the ultimate novelty game - barely getting any release in the US as WarTech: Senko no Ronde, it's basically a mix of slower-paced fighting game and some danmaku mechanics. 

Also nthing a billion times Steambot Chronicles.  It was fun as hell.  Especially the part about seducing the female leads, double especially the Hot Coffee reference that was the part of it. 

Dammit, now I gotta go play it again and get my swaqq on with the other ladies. 

Also HARMONICA HERO. 

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: InfernalExuro on July 23, 2012, 06:04:08 PM

I still have both of my copies of Tomba! And Tomba! 2, which probably would be the most well-known of my collection. Some of my older games are ones that are impossible to find anymore, even at stores specializing in that sort of thing. The original Bionic Commando and Bomberman, the Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt/Track and Field combo, and possibly a few others that I can't be bothered to dig up.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: DX7.EP on July 23, 2012, 06:22:15 PM

Among others I have in my collection:
 - Toy Commander (DC)
 - Crazy Taxi (DC)
 - Shenmue (DC)
 - Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure (PC; even came with a port of the 2600 game :V)
 - KOF 98 Ultimate Match (PS2, uncommon US version)
 - Parodius Collection (PSP)
 - ReVolt (PC)
 - Guilty Gear Judgement (JP PSP; had GGX2 /Slash while US and EU ones had #Reload)
 - NiGHTS Into Dreams (Saturn)
 - Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition (Saturn)
 - Sam & Max Hit the Road (DOS, CD version)

Used to also have a copy of Age of Empires complete with the CD OST (missing in rerelease versions such as Gold Edition); alas I lost it a long time ago :<

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Tao-Sensei on July 23, 2012, 08:34:21 PM

I'm PRETTY SURE I may have a copy of Shantae for the gameboy...

If I did, I can't seem to find it.

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Third Eye Lem on July 23, 2012, 08:56:46 PM

Quote from: Tao-Sensei on July 23, 2012, 08:34:21 PM

I'm PRETTY SURE I may have a copy of Shantae for the gameboy...

If I did, I can't seem to find it.

GBC Shantae is coming to the 3DS' Virtual Console soon :V

Title: Re: "Novelty Games"
Post by: Tao-Sensei on July 23, 2012, 09:24:23 PM

Quote from: Third Eye Guy on July 23, 2012, 08:56:46 PM

GBC Shantae is coming to the 3DS' Virtual Console soon :V

GAAAAAH...

Oh well, it's still a rare GBC game. If I can find it I can still make money off it. Or keep it for keeps.