Interesting Korean Console Variations (Images)

Hi Gamers!

If you're a video game collector but usually collect more hardware than software, you'd notice the variations between different country releases, for example the Famicom and the NES. However Korea is a weird country when it comes to variation from consoles, first off other companies stamp their logos on the top, side or underneath while keeping all original licensing. Also they're only compatible with their own region games, and as far as I can remember, even the Korean Nintendo Wii has no cIOSs... What's with Korean consoles being so distant?

Without too much fluffing about how different they are, how about we take a look at some of them?

First off, we're looking at a Master System 2 and Original they're known as "Gam-Boy" systems published by Samsung

Here is a Nintendo 64 with Korean markings on the housing, nothing really different apart from that. On the expansion slot there is meaning to have "Super Com Boy 64" which has been scratched off for some unknown reason..
More differences are underneath. The Nintendo 64 was published by Hyundai.

Here we have a Super Com Boy (Super Nintendo) which only has some Korean titling on the front and power LED + Controller. Different labels of course and oops, looks like RF isn't an option, that damn sticker is in the way!

Also published by Hyundai for Nintendo.

Here is a 3DO by Goldstar, only noticable difference is the 'ALIVE' planted on the top of the console and some Korean translation for power, tray and reset.

Korean Gameboy which I'm guessing is published by Hyundai too, but no back image sadly...

Korean Neo-Geo AES, with Gray markings and no translated switches, why not?

Next we have a Korean NES which varies from the Hong Kong version, the NES also has a different name "COMBOY" You'd think it's a very good pirate system, but no it's genuine. Also published by Hyundai.

A system any collector would kill for, a Samsung Saturn, with different art on the CD Lid and SEGA Doesn't even get a mention on this one... "Nope it's our system, we made it!" - Samsung :P
Well actually Samsung I believe made the soundchip for the Saturn but that's another story...

Woah! What's this space ship do? Well no it's a Korean 8-bit system (I think) known as the Zemmix.

Well, that's all I have for you gamers at this stage, as usual I'll post another article here soon. Thanks for reading :>

Source, Images, Information from all the awesome people over at ASSEMblergames forum.

Refrain Love (Anata ni Aitai) and Pia Carrot he Youkoso!! (Shokai Genteiban) Arrived!

Hi gamers!

Here are the two SEGA Saturn games I ordered last month (yeah, last month -_-), they're both dating simulators just like Angel Graffiti S and Virtua Call S which arrived last few month as well. I bought these games for various reasons. Like I mentioned with Angel Graffiti S I love old style anime and both these games fit that perfectly, in fact many dating simulators are anime based, can you believe that?

Refrain Love comes with two CDs and a Heart Shaped Audio CD with 4 tracks from the game. The CD can be played on your Saturn as well, that's pretty cool! You're probably wondering how does the CD work exactly as it's not round, as long as you play this in a top loading system it will work. Put this in a slot loader and it will eat it, it really will!
A great plus which wasn't mentioned by the seller, this CD is still sealed! Made my eyes water :P

Pia Carrot is a game that was released on many systems back in the day PC-FX, PC-Engine, and the Saturn it's self. This game was one of the reasons why I wanted to import a PC-FX, but after many discussions with previous owners, the PC-FX is a system that's for collectors sake as there is only 60 games I think for the system it is also pointless if you don't understand Japanese.

More arrivals! Ridge Racer 64 and Dead or Alive: Gentei Seisan-ban!!

Hi gamers!

This morning I woke up and found a fairly large package when I was leaving for study, so I quickly ripped it open to find Ridge Racer 64 inside. The seller was so good at packing the game it looked like the pictures from the auction when I unwrapped it. It was covered in 2 rolls of bubble wrap, and then stuffed with shredded paper... unlike the sealed copy of Perfect Dark I got last year, which you can check out here and the follow up here.

RR64 - $30 | Dead or Alive - $16

Also, not only Ridge Racer 64 arrived, but Dead or Alive (Gentei Seisan-ban) did as well. If you're wondering what this copy of Dead or Alive is all about, it's a limited edition with a small booklet stuffed with sketches, and 3DGC renders of most DOA characters, and that's right you guessed. It features all the women but it's nothing too exclusive to this edition sadly.

More stuff arriving soon! Thanks for reading.

Virtua Call S Arrived!

Hi gamers!

I've gone a little Saturn mad this month, mainly because there are so many cool anime games for the SEGA Saturn you can't go without them if you're into Anime. Anyhow, as much as I love old Anime art style I've been ordering a lot of games with those style covers, and Virtua Call S just fits into that style perfectly.

I looked around eBay for this game for days, and I nearly bought a copy for $30! After checking out Yakumo's store from ASSEMbler forums I found the exact game with reg-card for $7, that's a major price difference. So I'd thought I'd try out his store and see how it is. I'm amazed at the condition for such an old game! Even the card cover was straight and not jagged edges, spine card was there, reg-card, and the manual was very neat. I recommend Yakumo's store any day for Saturn titles!! A link to his store at the end of this entry, so check it out ^_-

So for all of you wondering what Virtua Call S is all about, just like Angel Graffiti S (why so they all end with S?) it's another dating sim and only released in Japan. Whether you like it or not there are lots of dating sims for the Saturn and just for kicks I'll mention the PC-Engine too. It's a popular genre that many western gamers won't understand, but hey if you collect, you have to collect them all, so to speak.

If you don't know Japanese the game is very difficult to play, and like I said before this game has very nice art and it's what I bought it for... I have even ordered a few more dating sims as well just for this factor. Like many dating sims there are lots of FMVs to watch which the Saturn can pull off really well.

I personally enjoy the art style of these games, as much as I enjoy old anime series like VG, Sakura Wars and so on. So if you're into Anime and gaming and you *also* happen to collect retro consoles, the SEGA Saturn is surely a console you should think about getting.

Yakumo's Segagaga Domain Store

Angel Graffiti S arrived today! ^_^

Hi gamers!

This morning Angel Graffiti S arrived! I've been looking for this game for quite awhile now, the last time I was checking around eBay there was never any results even by searching the title in Japanese and just 2 weeks ago I thought I'd give it another try and search again.. what a turn around, there were pages of results. Many were incomplete as Japanese SEGA Saturn games came with a lot of stuff unlike the western releases.
I always aim for at least Manual, Spine card, Registration card and original case. Without the game being complete it's just not suitable for a collection I personally think.
So yes, the copy I managed to get from eBay was indeed complete with everything I mentioned above.

Exactly what is Angel Graffiti S? It's a typical anime love adventure game with walls of text and cute cut scenes.

It's surely a nice title to have in your collection if you haven't done so already, especially if you like anime as well. There are plenty of anime games for the SEGA Saturn, which makes the system a very fun system to collect for.