HoshiChiri

January 8, 2021

Quick update: since I hadn't received any updates on my gift card situation, I decided to double-check the balance on the old card... they did reload it. It just took several days. Despite the email specifically saying they'd have to mail a new card. *sigh* it's fine though- since literally none of the games I wanted were available locally secondhand, I did an online order: 1 pre-owned AC New Leaf for my niece's birthday (since she will not care if it's cart only), 1 new copy for me (so we can play together), a pack of AC amiibo cards & a mario ornament to pad out for shipping. Between the birthday coupon, the CAG coupon, the pro certificate & the gift card, cost me $26. Don't often get to feel like I did good at Gamestop these days.

We'll see if that lasts once the order comes in.

January 7, 2021

Sounds good- glad you're not dead! ?

January 7, 2021

It's probably worth asking for a partial refund if you know you intend to keep it either way- the response might dictate your choice.

Leaving anything other than positive feedback can hurt a seller, so the question is: are you bothered enough to want to ding the guy? If not, no feedback is best- that's the true neutral these days (no punishment & no gain). If you do ask for the partial refund & get it, positive will pretty much be required.

January 6, 2021

Like the others, I'm fine with waiting for a complete copy- but since it's been 2 months, I thought I'd check in. Any progress on printing?

January 4, 2021

I'm currently in a bout of modern gaming fatigue. I'm not so off-put by the fetch quests & such as long as it's not overly grindy & the gameplay is generally fun. What usually brings it on for me is play session length. Modern games are typically big sprawling things with lots of cutscenes & sidequests & pretty visuals, that TAKE TIME to absorb. You don't play a modern game for 20 minutes. It's gonna be a notable part of your day if you're gonna be properly immersed. And sometimes, I don't want to dedicate that time to a game.

The usual response is to just go back to an older title- right now I'm playing the copy of Talmit's Adventure I got for AA's Secret Santa. No constant cutscene or drawn-out tutorials or weird side events. The Mole King kidnapped the Princess, go save her! Then you're playing- no tutorials, figure it out! You can beat a stage in just a few minutes, & the password/continue setup is very forgiving so super-short play sessions are still satisfying. It's great!

But I know me, eventually I will crave a meatier experience, then it's back to the Yakuza series ?

January 2, 2021

So, something I just learned: I had a Gamestop gift card & decided to use it to buy a replacement Pacman tamagotchi. I set up a 'pickup in store' order- and it was canceled for lack of stock. That's fine, system only showed 1, inventory errors happen. I went to re-order at a different local store... and the gift card no longer worked. Apparently, if Gamestop cancels your online order & you used a gift card, they don't just reverse the charge, they mail a different card. So not only did I have to pay fully out of pocket, I have to hope the new card comes before the end of the month so I can use it on my birthday coupon game instead. What the heck kind of company can't reverse a charge on their own gift cards?! It'd make some sense if it was a proper online order, or if I'd done the cancelation... but seriously, the card can't be refunded 30 minutes later? *sigh*

January 2, 2021

1 hour ago, ClassicGMR said:

So, aside from shipping hassles, why not just buy a Japanese PS2 and then sell one of your extras? I haven't seen that mentioned yet and it was my first thought honestly.

Oh, that's basically what I've done! The set from Amazon Japan with 2 games & memory card is bought, they just can't mail it. Once they can- or once I find a local deal & cancel the order- my current slim will go to my sister (she's been getting back into gaming lately.) The second slim is technically my fiance's, so it's boxed up in his stuff- and the fat I've got hooked up is my original from 2001, & it ain't going nowhere! ?

January 2, 2021

23 hours ago, phoenixdownita said:

Not sure where the current crops stands? Are Switch, PS4, PS5, XB One and XB One "seriously whatever" still region locked?

I'm not sure for Xbox, but PS4 & Switch are very much NOT region locked. I've got European games for both & Japanese/Asian releases on Switch, zero issues. In fact, many games on Switch will see your system's language info & automatically run the English version of the game for you! Online is still locked though- I was disappointed to learn my import copy of Taiko no Taisujin couldn't use DLC from my US account. Luckily the US digital release went on sale for like, 10 bucks shortly after & that fixed things ?

January 1, 2021

On 12/29/2020 at 6:21 AM, godslabrat said:

"Challenge accepted." - grease

Hey, if I can open an Xbox controller & find a teaspoon's worth of birdseed, im sure grease can work through a few curvy vents!

December 31, 2020

On 12/29/2020 at 6:42 AM, Austin said:

Since you're not willing to do ISOs, unfortunately your best option is to buy a Japanese PS2.

I'd go Fat if possible. I picked up a Japanese Slim and years back and it put a ton of circular scratches in my discs (apparently the ribbon cables are prone to popping up and hitting the discs when they are spinning).

Yeah, I came to the same conclusion- except I did pick up a slim 75000 model. Reason being, I have one of the Joytech LCDs, but it's only compatible with a slim (and doesn't lock properly on models newer than the 75000.) This way I don't have to futz around with hooking it to my bloated entertainment center for a quick play session. Plus, I'll be able to play PS1 imports too!

Well, I shouldn't say I picked one up yet- turns out Japan's turned off most out of country shipping due to "super-covid" concerns ? So while I have an order in with Amazon Japan, I don't actually know when it'll ship! It's ok though- they won't bill me until it ships, so I have time to poke around more local sources for a comparable deal. Gonna be hard to beat though- at least I think so. Silver 75000 model, black oem controller & memory card, hookups, & copies of Ico & Final Fantasy 12- $92 shipped. Most appropriate slims I can find are more expensive and/or lack the extras.

December 28, 2020

Since you brought up shooters specifically- there's an accessory Fangamer sells called the Flipgrip that allows for a vertically-oriented screen in handheld mode. Here's a link to the games that support it- which, naturally, covers a lot of vertical shooters.

December 28, 2020

I'm still interested in one! Nice to see this finally coming to fruition! ?

December 27, 2020

7 hours ago, DJ Clae said:

In my PS2 days I originally had a Japanese console, then later replaced with a chipped US slim console, which I bought on ebay pre-modded new in the box. A chipped console can't cost that much now, can it?

Interestingly, they seem to be similar in cost to a Japanese console- and given the choice between a system from Serbia that I have to hope will work, or a stock console from Japan that will almost certainly work, I'd get the Japanese one.

December 26, 2020

9 hours ago, CaptainBreakout said:

Check out the manual in Nebs 'N Debs, the author signed it for you -and didn't call you Michael!

Oooo! *runs to check* and there's stickers too! Awesome!

9 hours ago, CaptainBreakout said:

I wasn't sure if you already had a method to play Japanese region games, but I figured if you didn't you'd probably enjoy figuring it out somehow.

Definitely- right now I'm debating between 'finding an appropriate swap magic setup' and 'buy an import console'. Swap magic let's me put my current spare ps2 to use, but is by far the harder option to come by. An import machine gives me access to ps1 titles & a chance to get my joytech lcd set up properly- but means I'll have a very superfluous 3rd ps2 hanging around. Decisions!

December 26, 2020

17 minutes ago, Steven Pendleton said:

Swap Magic is an option. Not sure if it works on the slim PS2, but that used to be a popular solution to it ~15 years ago or so. Not sure if Swap Magic is still obtainable, but it's probably out there somewhere.

Doesn't appear to be made anymore- there's a few copies on Ebay, but anything that isn't $100 or more is disc only- meaning on top of making sure the version is correct to my console, I need to find the appropriate sensor covers to allow the swapping to occur.

Also stumbled onto a scph-7500 satin silver Japanese PS2 on ebay... notable largely becuase it has the screw holes to accommodate my joytech LCD, and matches it in color- that's a mighty tempting find, to be honest! ?

December 26, 2020

13. Yakuza 4 (PS4)

Weird to think I've played 5 of these games this year! This one threw me with the split story- when I first realized I was playing Akiyama I was disappointed ("I don't want to be this lazy a$$!") but I quickly warmed up to the idea ("this lazy a$$ is actually awesome!") I'm taking a lil' break before I continue into Yakuza 5, as I fear I'm starting to burn out a bit. Not sure what I'll play next...

December 25, 2020

3 hours ago, RARusk said:

It has been years since I played the softmod scene but you might want to look into that and see if there is a softmod (via Free McBoot or other alternatives) that will allow for this. Will save you (or someone else) from opening up the unit and possibly blowing it up.

I already did some googling on Free McBoot... it seems that it allows for backups/homebrews, but not imports.

I certainly don't want to kill a console, but between me & my fiance we have 3 PS2s & only one of them sees any use- so I definitely have an 'experimental system', so to speak.

I honestly half-wonder if it'd just be better to get an import console- guarantees I could play import PS1 too. The only reason I'm kinda holding back on that is, quite simply, then I'd have 4 PS2s... and that's really kind of excessive!

December 25, 2020

If you haven't already, make sure your TV is outputting a 4:3 image. The stretch to 16:9 adds a LOT of fuzziness. I messed that up a bit when I got my first non-tube TV, just becuase it didn't occur to me that it would be such a big deal.

And definitely fiddle with your cables. Use the a/v coax adapter previously mentioned & try different cables for the connection if you got spares. Heck, if you're feeling up to it, open your consoles and jiggle around the wires internally. These are old machines, and they can be finicky- all sorts of things can help your picture. My intellivison was unplayable (no horizontal hold) until after I opened it. Didn't really do anything, just took out all the parts & put them back... and then it was fine. Experiment a little!

December 25, 2020

Having opened my Secret Santa presents this morning, I find myself very much in need of an import solution for my PS2- I'm hoping someone here can get me pointed the right way!

I want to run the original discs, not backups or rom/isos (just how I roll). I'm VERY willing to mod- I have a spare PS2 slim just waiting for something to do- but I have no soldering ability of my own, so if that's a factor I'd need someone who does installations to help. I'd prefer not to use 'lifehack'-style fixes that could strain the motor/laser (you know, 'use a paper clip to force the door open & switch discs while it's spinning!' kind of things.) If that's my only option though, I could try it... anybody got any thoughts?

December 25, 2020

OK! Christmas morning! Time to open my remaining gifts! First up is... UM...

*nervous cough* well, I do have a little collection going of odd peripherals... this definitely counts! I will... need to figure out how to clean this before I do much else with it... ? Moving on!

More snacks! I'm gonna good until like, March ? and an Antonia Levi book! I haven't heard that name in years, she used to be regular at my local anime con. This'll be fun!

BWAHAHA! NO Christmas is complete unless someone gets a toilet-themed gift! Normally it's my mom getting toilet seat covers from my aunt, but I did give my sister Hello Kitty paper once (it was fruit scented!) This will be handy if the hoarders kick in again! And- my first NES homebrew! I have a couple modern carts, but they're more 'late release' (Holy Diver, Jay & Silent Bob: Mall Brawl to be specific.) Looking forward to trying this!

And then, the Big One:

Now THIS. IS. AWESOME. I LOVE a good rythmn game, so I'm very aware of Beatmania, but it's always been niche enough to be juuust out of reach of me! I'm gonna be spending today looking into how to play imports (as there is a spare PS2 slim floating around here!) Thank you so much! I can't wait!

December 25, 2020

I just started playing again for the Christmas items... I have SO MANY extra hybrid flowers! Anybody want some? I don't want to toss 'em, but it's getting ridiculous!

December 25, 2020

So, since my fiance's family has opted to skip Christmas this year, I set myself up a lil' Charlie Brown-type tree & put out my remaining Santa gifts for tomorrow- becuase I could!

6 hours ago, eightbit said:

Lots of great stuff here! My daughter already stole the playdough and the thinking putty however. No worries, I have the candy!

Love the Pac Man Fever record...I did not have this (and I have around 1000 records!). The 45 adapter is awesome! Love the C128 magnet...placed it right on my Ray Carlsen metal power supply that is connected to my real C128

I'm glad you liked it all! I was a lil' concerned you might already have the 45- I figured being a 'not for resale' copy might justify the duplicate- glad it wasn't an issue!

The guys I bought the adapter from ended up sending me an extra, so I inadvertently got a gift for myself out of it! ? They are fun ones!

4 hours ago, SoulBlazer said:

So I'm just going to state this in case others are having similar thoughts....

I'm not as active here now as I used to be, so I know hardly anyone knows this, but money is really tight for me right now. I was laid off from my regular job in August. Although I found work a month later, it's only a temp job which is ending on 1-30 at which point I'll be looking again. Therefore I couldn't be as generous this year as I had been in past years.

I KNOW the suggested price is just a guideline, but seeing everyone blow out of the water what I spent (and on what my own Secret Santa spent on me) does make me feel a bit guilty.

Don't feel guilty! I get the concern (I certainly worry about it), but I don't think anyone here is seeking expensive or multiple gifts- just heartfelt ones. I'd be perfectly happy with one inexpensive thing that was clearly chosen for me than all the impersonal trinkets in the world! (Seriously, it amazes me that AA folk can shop better for me than some of my own family!)

4 hours ago, CaptainBreakout said:

Due to this, I actually had to reign myself in a bit on Secret Santa.

This is reigned in?! What the heck would all-out look like, a frickin' arcade cabinet?! ?

December 23, 2020

This thing, confuses me, so much...

When I first saw the trailer, I thought "oh, it's an air fryer", and that made some sense. Then it started flashing specs & I'm like, it's a PC?! But the comments insist it's an actual console & I have no idea if they're just speculating or if I missed something!

And of course, this is ignoring the whole 'is it even safe to keep frickin' CHICKEN in your gaming box?!' Wouldn't crumbs & oil be an issue?

I just don't get it!

December 22, 2020

I know that pirate game! We used to play the CRAP out of that! Great fun, but you need a lot of space if you get really into it ? (Mostly I remember my fiance getting mad when I got & opened a pack with all translucent cards/boats, & he realized I just pulled a particularly rare set ?)

December 21, 2020

26 minutes ago, CaptainBreakout said:

#HoshiChiri- Oh wow... You work at Michaels? I went in there twice before Thanksgiving looking for cross-stitch kits for you. My local Michaels didn't have anything.

Then right after I sent you the package, they put out a bunch of cross-stitch kits. I was like MEH!!!! I think they were all baby-Yoda themed ones (to me, Yoda will always be a very old muppet, not a hairless CG Furby, but that's me).

So, I guess things were in line cosmically after all, and I can confidently say there's nothing in that package from your workplace. Yay!

I probably would have been terribly amused to recognize something from the workplace- but I get a discount, so it's best if I buy it anyway ?

Not in a place to need a new kit though- I've been working on this one for quite awhile! (The stitched area is about 2 feet square!)