Until recently (I’d say at least the last 10 years), living in NZ we have been subject to games being released months after their release dates, same with movies and music, it’s only in recent years that we have caught up due to things like the internet and publishers realising they can’t with hold product from us for too long otherwise we may find other ways to watch/play/listen (this doesnt always stop them from holding back though).

This will probably be the last in the line of the Thrill Of The Hunt series, I wanted to keep it strictly inside NZ but at Armageddon I had people asking questions about imports from overseas.

In the past, we saw a lot of hardware never reach here, such as the Super Scope, or get released in rather limited numbers (such as the Sega 32X, a very hard to find addon over here). This makes it hard to find within our own shores (such as places mentioned in Part 1), so sometimes we inevitably have to start looking outside to places like the US, Japan and UK.

In this edition we’ll be looking at places to purchase these online, ways around un-needed region locking and how to go about getting your goodies to our fine shores.

Before diving into the world of the internet and online shopping I highly suggest you read the entire article, as it’s all extremely relevant to the whole topic of importing.

Part 1- The stores themselves

Consolepassion.co.uk

These guys have been recommended by a popular-ish retro gaming mag called “Retro Gamer”, back in issue 43. I know many people over in the UK who use them, and with them being based in the UK, 90% of their stuff is PAL, save a few imports and hardware pieces they have in stock, they are great for us due to no incompatibilities to our region.

They stock both hardware and software for a massive variety of systems (48 in total). Credit card payments accepted via Paypal and they are very fast at replying to emails.

Prices are reasonable, but certain rare items sell fast and are subject to stock available and they also deal with game trading, but that will likely be prohibitively expensive with what shipping prices tend to be…more on that later.

Japangamestock.com

This place is 100% NTSC Stock. Based in Japan, you aren’t going to be hideously gouged on pricing. Their site states that it is Y1860 (roughly $28nz give or take) to ship a 1kg package to NZ. Many of the games their can be bought cart only, and they also stock a great deal of hardware.

Email replying is fast, but may take a little deciphering..Eg:

hi there

we can ship to NZ.;we have already shipped there
unfortunately the country is not listed..but no problem

use Japan as country..then choose IPMO/bank transfer as payment even if you want to pay by CC/paypal

put in the comments your real address and full adress in the comments..we will modify manually the order with the correct delivery address and email you instructions for payment later one (once done)
shipping cost will be adjusted to NZ…before you pay anything you will have the total.please choose USD as payment radther than JPY if you want to pay by CC/paypal ..you will then be able to pay in your local currency
if you pay by bank transfer choose JPY as the currency on our website

regards
JGS staff

I’m basically assuming all the shipping info is entered into the comments, then they bill you separately for it all…otherwise just continue as normal. Slightly risky, but may be worth it for their stock and shipping prices.

Make sure you have the appropriate modded consoles, or converters to hand to play stuff ordered from here, unless it is listed as PAL.

Stoneagegamer.com

Another NTSC site, this time based in the US of A. Plenty of hardware, including some stuff that I most certainly now have my eye on, like the RetroGen handheld.

Upon inspection this is the most expensive thus far, with it being $US54 for 1 loose game cart and a RetroGen, whether this is just standard or flat rate, I’m not sure, as I haven’t received a reply yet.

Make sure you have the appropriate modded consoles, or converters to hand to play stuff ordered from here, unless it is listed as PAL.

Ebay.Com.Au/Ebay.com

Ebay, like TradeMe, is an online auction site. There are buyer protections in place, but it would be the last place I would personally go after hearing many ebay horror stories. Make sure to fully read what you are purchasing, and whether the sellers even ship to NZ.

Amazon.com

Amazon started as an online bookshop, quickly branching out to selling DVD’s and music, and eventually allowing people to use it as a front for selling stuff online at set prices. As above, read the fine print, and make sure the sellers ship to NZ. Amazon themselves don’t for certain electronic items (I used the RetroGen as a test), due to export taxes/customs reasons.

Part 2- Playing the games

Most of you, if you’re already buying, will likely own a PAL console, as it is what was released here. You wont have to worry if your games originally come from Oz or the UK, as these play perfectly fine in NZ PAL consoles. It’s when you head to the US or Japan that stuff starts to get sticky.

Thankfully, there are ways of getting around this.

Game Genie/Action Replay

The first and foremost way of playing import games without busting open your console the Game Genie/Action Replay Carts and dsics

Both the Game Genie and Action Replay were released for many systems and used many methods to circumvent protections.

On the Megadrive it was a case of plugging in your import cart on top, and inserting it all into the top of your console.

Other consoles like the SNES/Nintendo64 it utilized what is called a “pass through” system, where you plug a PAL game into the back, and then your import game on top. It then uses the “header” information from the PAL game to replace that if your import game and magically boots it all up.

Ripping open your console and soldering bits into it

The least recommended method (or the method where you get a friend who is a dab hand at electronics, alternatively find a place selling console pre modded), is cracking open your console, and slapping in a mod chip, or in the case of the Megadrive, a switch and a resistor.

There are plenty of places online which will give you guides to modding your consoles for 60HZ NTSC game playing, but make sure you (or your friend) know what they are doing.

A simple Google search yields many results for stores that mod, or how to do it yourself.

Modding a SNES – http://www.gamesx.com/importmod/snes5060.htm

Modding a Megadrive – http://www.gamesx.com/importmod/gen2import.htm

There are plenty of other, and better guides out there, parts are cheap and can easily be found at places like Dick Smith for less than a few dollars

Buying a Licensed remake/remodel

The great thing about old consoles it, that due to a thriving community and electronics industry, people out there have remade a lot of the old consoles, sometimes combining two at once. They tend to be cheap, but also tend to be compatible with most first party controllers and games.

Some examples are; AtGames Twin Pad Player (Megadrive Variant),  Retro Mini X (NES Handheld Variant with TV out) and the Retro Duo NES/SNES System

Often these consoles come with a variety of games built in, and aren’t too expensive at all. Generally no more than $50+shipping (shipping price varies depending on store).

Final short note: On TradeMe, especially with the PlayStation, you will find a majority of the consoles are modded already, thus saving you the hassle of DIY or Find a Friend, or purchasing boot discs.

Part 3- Shipping.

This is the worst part about importing. In some places (I’m looking at you America) it will end up costing more to ship, than the actual items themselves. So when you’re going over what you are buying be sure to check out and account for the shipping costs! Most sites include an FAQ which will go into detail about their international shipping policies and charges. Be sure to read before handing over your credit card info for your truckload of goodies.

If somewhere doesn’t ship to NZ, then use a service like Shipbuktu.com. They act as a US based address to receive items and send them here.

And that pretty much concludes Thrill Of The Hunt for now, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 if you haven’t already!

Words by Ross/F33dback