Would you purchase officially licensed and produced reproduction games

[ctophil]

I've been buying unofficial reproductions for the past few years anyway.  I especially like reproductions of games that never came to the U.S. back in the day.  With most games getting a fan translation these days, it wouldn't be hard for companies to commission these translations for the U.S.  But it is a pretty niche market, so crowd funding would be the best way to test the waters. 

I say niche market because most of my friends never heard of reproductions before.  And I have played video games with them for years now.  And people who do know about it would not put out the money to buy something like that. 

I personally like reproductions for the sheer value of collecting brand new copies in nice packaging and not have to pay a little fortune to buy these games on Ebay.  Like I said earlier, I do want to play certain games that never came to the U.S. in English form for the first time on actual hardware.  Emulation is not my cup of tea. 

[Black Tiger]

Like I said earlier, I do want to play certain games that never came to the U.S. in English form for the first time on actual hardware.  Emulation is not my cup of tea.

There is still a third option, which would save you from spending a fortune on pricey repros.

[Desh]

Like I said earlier, I do want to play certain games that never came to the U.S. in English form for the first time on actual hardware.  Emulation is not my cup of tea.

There is still a third option, which would save you from spending a fortune on pricey repros.

The solution is making your own on this one.  Sadly, with the price of even common titles going up it's not as cheap as it once was.  For purely NES games typical cost is say $3-$5 for a donor, $5 in eproms.  Misc wire and however fancy you get with the label.  I use a photo quality sticker, print in highest quality then put a laminate sheet over (just that self laminating stuff you can buy at Office Max etc.)

I feel like I'm pretty good at making them now but still usually takes me about 30 minutes to get the board finished.  If I don't already have a label saved there are literally hours poured into photo shop on setting up labels sometimes.

Of course, buying your eprom burner is a significant cost.  The Top 853 is cheap and effective at around $40-$50 dollars but won't do 16-bit eproms so you're limited to NES and some SNES stuff.  I've heard guys talk about a burner that Top makes that does 16-bit eproms and is around $100.  Minimum you should also have a solder sucker $20.  Thankfully there is some great freeware programs to help split your rom files or remove headers that emulators use to launch the game

[ctophil]

Like I said earlier, I do want to play certain games that never came to the U.S. in English form for the first time on actual hardware.  Emulation is not my cup of tea.

There is still a third option, which would save you from spending a fortune on pricey repros.

The solution is making your own on this one.  Sadly, with the price of even common titles going up it's not as cheap as it once was.  For purely NES games typical cost is say $3-$5 for a donor, $5 in eproms.  Misc wire and however fancy you get with the label.  I use a photo quality sticker, print in highest quality then put a laminate sheet over (just that self laminating stuff you can buy at Office Max etc.)

I feel like I'm pretty good at making them now but still usually takes me about 30 minutes to get the board finished.  If I don't already have a label saved there are literally hours poured into photo shop on setting up labels sometimes.

Of course, buying your eprom burner is a significant cost.  The Top 853 is cheap and effective at around $40-$50 dollars but won't do 16-bit eproms so you're limited to NES and some SNES stuff.  I've heard guys talk about a burner that Top makes that does 16-bit eproms and is around $100.  Minimum you should also have a solder sucker $20.  Thankfully there is some great freeware programs to help split your rom files or remove headers that emulators use to launch the game

Yeah, I've considered that option before, but it seems to be a lot of work for a professional-looking repro (complete-in-box with redone artwork on cart, box, manual, and inserts).  I have a friend who used to put out repros of his own hacked games with the help of a group of people--each specializing in an aspect of the reproduction.  I personally don't mind paying for reproductions at $100 or less because they are worth it (and the hard work put into it). 

[Necromancer]

The solution is making your own on this one.

Or a flash cart.

[Desh]

The solution is making your own on this one.

Or a flash cart.

Agreed and more convenient I just am collectarded and need them  carts on my shelf.

[gekioh]

I voted yes, would prefer for the packing to be branded as a reproduction but even if it wasn't I'd still buy.