[XBOX] Shenmue II has Arrived!!

Welcome back gamers and collectors!

To yet another addition to my XBOX collection, and here I have... SHENMUE II! About time right? I was surprised by how I won the auction for it. Usually it's auction gem, people scramble for it. Even better yet, Shenmue II hardly ever shows up for auction, and even, even better yet when it does it's incomplete. So this was a win-win situation here and I'm glad I finally have Shenmue II.

So after calming down I own this game complete, and Australian release I should add. I started reading the manual and just got stuck into it, like a good comic not sure why though. It also helped that it's in colour too, black and white manuals are just stupidly cheap. SEGA hardly do this apart from OutRun 2 I believe, for a A+ title like Shenmue that just CANNOT be done. I'll be honest though, I haven't played Shenmue before, so I won't be playing this until I play Shenmue. I can't comment on gameplay or anything of that nature just yet.

I'm shocked, literally shocked by the condition of this game. It's like new, even the cover doesn't have any marks on it whatsoever  DVDs are not marked either. This would have to of been one of the best gem wins in a long time.

More games to come during the week, see you there!!

[XBOX] Panzer Dragoon Orta has Arrived!!

Hi gamers and collectors!

Welcome back to yet another addition to my XBOX collection, and here I have Panzer Dragoon Orta. This title was recommended to me by the ASSEMblergames community. I was putting this title off due to the fact or the Panzer Dragoon Orta Limited Edition system that was released in Japan, since that system is so rare and expensive. I decided to grab the game sooner, it was a smart choice anyway since I got this copy for $16. It's usually a expensive title for the XBOX library, let alone in PAL format.

I decided to give this game a quick test, I can assure you the training mode is vital it's quite lengthy so I skipped it to test the disc. I had to go back to go through the training mode, can't stress this enough it's needed... Well for me at least.
Game look great overall and story seems rather strong, I believe this game can run in 480p too. I can see why this game was recommended, and given it's own Limited Edition system. It's a true XBOX gem.

The condition, well... Case is in fair condition together with the manual, DVD is in rather collectable condition.

That's about all for me, more games to come during the week. See you there!

[XBOX] OTOGI Special Pack has Arrived!!

Hi gamers and collectors!

Welcome back to yet another addition to my XBOX collection and here I have "OToGi Special Pack". What makes this pack so "special"? This pack contains both OToGi and OToGi 2.
OToGi is put simply as a hack and slash type game, there's various enemies to hack up and obstacles to avoid. The enemies in the game are demons, which you must destroy to "purify" the land. If you still not understanding what O To Gi is all about, let me explain it to you with current generation games. If you mix Bayonetta with N3: Ninety-Nine Nights you'll get O To Gi. Hopefully that makes sense :p

OToGi is an XBOX Exclusive, most menus in the game are translated. however in OTOGI 2 the game is mostly in Japanese apart from the menus, therefore; voices and subtitles are in Japanese, sadly I can't play the second one, but I'll be fine with the first. A little weird why the second one is completely in Japanese, why couldn't it be the same for both? Luckily the game has had an international release by SEGA, so I'll be grabbing the image for that.

So the condition: This was yet another game that came with the Smoke Black XBOX, as most games were  fantastic condition from that bundle, OTOGI is exactly that. Perfect.

More games to come during the week, see you there!

[XBOX] GunValkyrie has Arrived!!

Hi gamers and collectors!

The best buy this month! GunValkyrie is quite a gem in the PAL regions, and I grabbed it for $3.50. I'm not shitting you. Around the world of eBay this game in PAL format can go for around $26+... Weirdly Tomb Raider Legend cost me more than GunValkyrie, yeah wrap your head around that. Anyhow, I have the game now and I won't need to look for another copy as it's in great shape...

The condition you ask? It's good for how much I paid for it that's for sure. Manual had a pre-owned sticker from my favourite place, really those stickers come from hell... If they're stuck on for more than 1 year it becomes hard and just grapples onto the surface. It's not so bad on the case as you can soak the case in hot water and they come right off, but doing that for a booklet isn't exactly the best idea... I managed to remove the sticker and minor damage to the manual in the process, the yellow from the sticker rubbed off onto my skin, that's just how much pressure I had to use to get the damn thing off. After 20 minutes of scrapping it's off, damn my nails hurt afterwards!

The DVD is spotless, I was surprised actually the owner really took care of it. This is surely the best buy this month without a doubt.

More games to come, see you there!

HEX1GON's top 10 most memorable video game soundtracks

Hi gamers!

Here are the top 10 video game soundtracks that always stick in my complicated brain :3. No songs in particular, but I usually relate them to the game's title anyway.

10. Flatout Ultimate Carnage

9. Super Mario 64

8. Super Smash Bros Series (as it's usually compilation of other video game soundtracks, it still has it's own)

7. Flatout 2

6. Roadsters (Nintendo 64)

5. Bettle/HSV Adventure Racing

4. Blur

3. Vigilante 8 2nd Offense

2. Daytona USA (Arcade)

1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

So, there you have it gamers my most favourite video game soundtracks. Sure, I have them on my phone to play while I commute. It always helps my mood to begin a day.

Merry Christmas! Go play Christmas Nights!!!

Hi gamers!

Just wanting to say hope tonight is the night everyone gets what they want for Christmas, and get to see their family and friends to celebrate this once a year event tomorrow. If you don't celebrate Christmas then Happy Holidays :)

We have an exciting year next year, Nintendo's Wii U will be out around March* the two handhelds Nintendo 3DS and SONY PSVita will be head to head, I can see amazing games coming out for both systems. Super Smash Bros 3DS is announced and may come out next year. Any how I won't hype it up for myself or you guys but anyway, Happy Holidays and have a great time.

Tonight I'll be playing Christmas Nights just to stay in the Christmas mood.
Also I'll mention a special Merry Christmas to all my friends that have given me gaming stuff to put towards my collection through out the year together with all the support for the drama that happened! Thank you so much guys, Merry Christmas to you all!

Production Quality SEGA GameGear by a Japanese modder

Hi gamers,

This is surely one the *the best* console mods ever done, it's a SEGA GameGear mod made to look like a Mastersystem. Right down to custom outputs to polystyrene box inserts (yes a custom box was made).
It really deserves a trophy, this could easily be sold in stores and it's even better than those re-released Atari and SEGA consoles.. the official ones I mean.

You can check out the process of this lengthy mod here.

Sources: Johnny | Process

Affordable Megadrive/Genesis Flashcart is on it's way! By Haunted360

Hi gamers!

For any SEGA fan let alone a Megadrive fan will know how important it is to preserve their cartridges. There are ways of doing this but many of them require you to use the cartridge it's self.
There is the alternative of a flashcart, many many of these are on the market with various quality difference, some may have friendly UI and some might not. There are countless difference between them, and then comes the price.. This is what steers a lot of gamers away (including myself), as many of these cartridges are handmade they're also very difficult to make.

Haunted360.com has been developing a flashcart for a little while now it's still in early development however. It's in working state and does it promises, runs games. He aims for the flashcart to be affordable, and easy to use for all gamers, and with a clean simple UI. That's something to look forward to. I can't say too much yet as it's in early development stages, but looks very promising and sounds very interesting.

There is also some rolling footage (also known as a video) of it in action below.

You can follow it's progress here and also from Haunted360's twitter feed. Of course in the near future more progress will be made and reported here :)

Drowned SEGA Megadrive Turned Into A Clock!!! - By Haunted360

Hi gamers,

We've seen consoles being modded to look different or operate differently, but never another use for the system it's self. One of my friends Haunted has made a clock out of a dead Megadrive he found on the side of the road that got drowned in heavy rain. Hahaha, pretty good use of a dead Megadrive at least the system didn't get crushed in the garbage :)

Pretty unique idea I must say and looks awesome :D. Job well done there Haunted! At least it's not another Tissue box :P I do want one though!!!

The result of this weekends' game hunting

Hi gamers!

Today I went with a friend to the city to find some more Playstation 2 games at random EB Games stores. I managed to pick up two games that I haven't seen from my two local stores. I picked up RC Revenge and Resident Evil Code Veronica X, both were very nice condition but I'm guessing they were buffed/re-surfaced.

While walking around the city I wondered into JB-Hi-Fi and found SEGA Rally for $9, every where else has it for $30 *over priced?*. Wasn't worth leaving so I bought that as well, especially for $9 :)

Tekken 6 and Burnout 3 are my friend's games.

On the way home, I stopped by another JB and my friend found X-Blades another game I was looking for. I managed to get it for $24, GAME was selling it for $44 and it was a ex-rental, -shhheeesh!-.

So that's really about it for today's game hunting, more next weekend!

The last of the amazing Bayonetta news!! Well, maybe..

Hi gamers!

This will be the last instalment of Bayonetta news, but it's great news! I received my Climax Edition Bayonetta along with the gun, soundtrack, and game box. It looks a lot better in person than people's images of the gun.

Unfortunately the gun has got the sight chipped off on the left, apart from that it looks near new.

The boxes are in great condition and so is the art book, My only complaint is that I'm disappointed with the art book there are not many concept images or many pages for that matter.
I couldn't really complain though, I only spent $50+$20 shipping in total $70 which is really good considering that there are only 1,500 made in the world.

I already owned the game for XBOX 360 so it slips into it's box nicely and now the complete set is all together in perfect harmony... nawwww.
Now I can sleep without worrying about this being lost or damaged during transit, I had to go pick it up from the post office though.. Stupid post man!

In conclusion I'm very happy with the set, it looks very cool and got it for an amazing price.

A Working SEGA Neptune prototype LOST in a move!

Hi gamers,

Every SEGA fan knows the story behind the one and only Neptune, it's mainly just a stand-alone 32X anyway. It was going to be a in-between the Megadrive and Saturn time frame to prolong the life of the Megadrive.

Recently a prototype collector that goes by the name of drx contacted a 1st party SEGA producer, as he was asking more questions about the system and just about to finally have it in his collection the producer said he lost it while moving houses. Sounds like a lie right? It most likely is. drx has many weird boards from SEGA as he claims, and I do believe him, he is fairly trusted by the community he has released a lot of prototype material in the past.

How could a professional first party producer lose such a rare piece of hardware, hell it's not rare it's ONE working on earth, and it's now misplaced. Now don't get confused with the many that people have "spotted" they were just case prototypes, no guts inside.

We may hear about the one and only Neptune again some day, but for now it's going to fade into the past. Sad day for many SEGA freaks including me, I could of seen a HD image of one of these oh well.

Source: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35859

Daytona USA XBOX Live Leaked Gameplay

Hi gamers!

It's what we were all dreaming of, Daytona USA coming to XBOX Live and PSN Store here is some awesome leaked game play footage running on the XBOX 360, nice widescreen and 60fps port :)

More Bayonetta News!!

Hello gamers, once again!

Last night I made an amazing discovery on eBay, no I didn't buy a Biohazard Code Veronica Dreamcast, or a working Atari Jaguar CD but I did manage to grab a Bayonetta Climax Edition complete with famous pre-order only bonus gun. Not only did I manage to actually get a hold of one, but the amount of money I spent on it is a miracle.

I got this for $70AUD, I'm dead serious! However it came without the game, but the game it's self is selling in stores for about roughly $20AUD, the good thing is it came with the sleeve for the game to slip into I also have the game by it's self so now this will be a complete item once it arrives, how cool is that?

After doing more research, SEGA says it's strictly limited and only 1,500 units. The UK, Australia and New Zeeland got the pre-order bonus however the UK got a plain white box, as a posed to the NZ and Australian release got printed box. The item I bought is the one with the printed artwork, awesome!
With the gun being strictly limited, brand new in the box it fetches $400+ -- wow. So the item even being opened like the one I'll be receiving would be worth just as much or a little less, I could possibly place $350 as it's value.

The seller possibly just didn't know what they had, or wanted a quick sale. Miracles do happen and many collectors pick up the rarest things for very small amounts of money from time to time. So finally it's happened to me and hope it happens again another time, because damn it's awesome :D

This item will be included in my next collecting video, as I've been a little tight on money recently it might be rather short.

Below you can find images of the item I *should* be receiving.

This is HEX1GON signing out.

SEGA Mega Drive Asian PAL - Some are shady jobs!

Hi gamers!

Today, I jumped on YouTube to check my status of my videos which most of us do. Anyway as I was looking through my subscriptions I noticed a restoration video of the MegaDrive. Through out the video TheDamoMonster was restoring the MegaDrive to it's original NTSC-J state, he explained the story behind the Asian PAL systems. What would of happened back in the day is people from Hong Kong would order a Japanese MegaDrive and convert it to PAL and then sell them as PAL versions with just a few cut traces and a modulator. By the looks of the mod it was horrible, everything was lose, and just crappy cut in the case with a cable sticking out, you can learn more about the restoration in Damo's video here.

After watching the video, I checked my MegaDrive (when I bought this I was told it could play PAL, NTSC-J and NTSC-U in laymen's terms it was region free). Flipped over the system and saw on the sticker "PAL-I", there are no modifications from what I can see and nothing lose like as mentioned in Damo's video. Many gamers are confused when they see a Japanese MegaDrive, there are actually to versions (no I'm talking about the Megadrive 2 and 3) one was ONLY sold in Japan and there was also a model that was sold in Japan, Taiwan and Philippines. The model that had labelled "For sale in Japan, Taiwan and Philippines" is the Asian PAL-I system, and vice versa.

A very easy way to find the difference is either on the box or at the bottom of the system where the sticker is located.

'Sold only in Japan' model/box art

'Sold only in Japan, Taiwan and Philippines' model/box art

 Thanks for reading, this is HeXiGON signing out.

SEGA 32X value is rising, what?

Hi gamers,

For anyone who is a fan of AVGN would know how much the 32X sucked ass. While only being 6 months in production before SEGA pulled the plug, the system it's self is very rare not so rare that's it's exactly hard to find, but rare as not many were made.

Amazingly you can pick up a brand new 32X for around $160, yeah it's not my type of cake either but the demand for these have risen. The used value is a bit hard to determine mainly the reason behind this is, if the previous owner had a model 1 Megadrive/Genesis the metal slot insert would come with it, and with the model 2 it wasn't required, however the video communication cable is usually a missing piece.

Not many collectors keep track of the 32X hardware as the software library just wasn't solid enough, even I haven't kept track of it. The demand in the hardware market has changed, SEGA hardware is becoming VERY collectable and the 32X is becoming one of the most collectable systems, together with it's software library.