Welcome back. By now you know how this list goes: I got rare games, I got a list of them. If it isn't even of interest of you have a better collection to gloat, please refrain from any wielding. Everyone has their own collection and it's my list. With that here are the rest.
15. Tales of Symphonia
This beloved prequel to the Tales series was met with much praise and highly regarded as the best Tales game out there, next to Vesperia. Pfft, it doesn't beat Phantasia on the Super Famicom in my opinion. In any case, this will be a bit of a challenge to find if you want to experience the game itself. I liked it, kinda pissed off about a heel turn, but that's the whole emotional investment in the game. That's how it hooks you. Currently Tales of Symphonia is available in the second hand market complete for about 36.00. I would pick it up as well as a Gamecube to experience such a great game. Bamco announced that there will be a release known as Tales of Symphonia Chronicles on the PS3 in September which will include Symphonia and Dawn of the New World. Europe goers will get the Japanese audio track...lucky.
14. Vagrant Story
One has to wonder why Jrpgs are a bigger investment than their Western counterparts? Vagrant Story was a complex RPG that had a complex story with a steep gameplay learning curve and some mythos behind it. Plus the music composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto was an intense treat as you as Ashley went up against Wyverns and Ifirit. Like most Square RPGs back then, they went up in demand and price. Unfortuntely thanks to PSN and emulation, the value of Vagrant Story went down.
13. Super Mario RPG
I have a personal love for this game as it was the first in a legacy of Mario based RPGs that went on to bigger things. Back then this was a joint effort by Square and Nintendo and back then it was a huge success. Fun, funny, and self impose challenges galore, this brought a plethora of love to the table. The one part of the game which is hard is the optional boss Culex. He is not easy. 12396 HP to be exact in total with the 4 crystals. Of course with the VC and emulation practices all too common these days, the value of the original cart has reduced. It's still a collector's gold mine for a sealed copy worth $715 on average. It's that good! Super Mario RPG can be obtained for 800 points on the Virtual Console. Definitely worth every virtual cent. On a special note: Yoko Shimomura, Koji Kondo, and Nobuo Uematsu composed the music. And it's awesome. There's also a Let's Play of this done by both Chuggaconroy and NintendoCapriSun. Both are well recommended.
12. Final Fantasy Anthology (Black Label)
This compilation game marked the debut of Final Fantasy V in the States as well as VI with an added fmv and extras such as a jukebox to listen to all the tracks, a bestiary, and concept art. (VI was originally 3 to us). The major difference between this and the Greatest Hits version released years later is the soundtrack included. I thought the soundtrack was nice, but ultimately half assed. As I said, small trinkets like that raise the rarity of the item. Since then, you can pick up both games separately for pennies on the dollar with the VC and PSN. Both are available for 800 wii points/9.99. If you are searching for the Anthology itself, the Greatest Hits version can still be found for about $15, but the Black Label will set you back $40 for a complete version. Note: FF All the Bravest is out on IOS and not worth your money. Do not get it!
11. Final Fantasy Chronicles
Basically the same as Anthology above, but with a retranslated Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger. This version of IV however was tweaked from it's SNES counterpart in that it's a bit tougher, the way it was supposed to be. And Chrono Trigger because why not? Also included were new fmvs for both games. However, both Anthology and Chronicles suffered from long loading times which came with the territory of the Playstation, but if you have the patience like I do, it's worth it. Unfortunately, both FFIV and Chrono Trigger are easily found everywhere, including IOS. I wouldn't support the IOS because nothing beats a physical copy of the game in your own console.
10. Gitaroo Man
You might be wondering, what the hell is this doing here? This, fellow reader is the reason why I got into rare games. What started as a curiosity found on Xplay back in the humble year of 2004 became a lifelong journey into a cult classic. This was a rhythm game that has an ass kicking soundtrack with the quirkiness of Japan mixed in. By rotating the analog stick and pressing the Circle button to the lines shown on screen, you basically created gitaroo bliss as you fought against aliens with the power of gitaroos. Once you, and in U1 (Yuichi) collected all the legendary gitaroos, he became the legendary gitaroo man. Everybody got that? What makes this a personal favorite was that it was the first time that a game like this was even brought to US shores. Eventually falling into obscurity or absurdity, it reached it's peak in price at $150. I found it twice for $17 each. Since then there was a remake on the PSP called Gitaroo Man Lives, but it doesn't beat the original.
9. Conker's Bad Fur Day
This is the dichotomy of all the N64 titles. When you compare the past titles and how they are rather kid friendly to some extent, this basically takes all that, and takes a crap on them and the N64's reputation. Of course it got controversial because of the content and the sales weren't that great. However, because of the raunchy black humor Conker's Fur Day reached cult status, in fact the #1 cult classic. There was a remake released on the original Xbox and is readily available on the XBL marketplace, but it's inferior to the original that censors the infamous Great Mighty Poo song. Since Rareware, not me was bought out by Microsoft their quality has never reached it's former shine ever since. The latest they ever did and will ever amount to now is Kinect games. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
8. Final Fantasy XII Collector's Edition
Final Fantasy 12 is a great game and also the second best recent FF game next to X. The collector's edition is a semi sought out piece because not only does it include a DVD which tells the history of Final Fantasy as well as shows a small preview of the future and polarizing 13, but it comes in a steelbound PS2 case. That alone will be worth $45 alone while the regular version is part of the Greatest Hits lineup. I'd pick this game up anyway.
7. Legend of Mana
Many claim that Secret of Mana as the Magnum Opus of the Mana series, but I'm going to point to the right and say Legend of Mana. The beautiful storybook like graphics, the incredibly somber music, and the branching storylines equal to an amazing experience. Sure the AI wasn't the sharpest and the weapon/armor crafting was limited, but that doesn't deter from what would be a personal gem. Currently Legend of Mana is available on the PSN for $5.99, and for you enthusiasts can find a complete copy for $65. Completionists out there take note that this will be a bit of a challenge.
6. The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword (Gold bundle)
I'm giving this a bit of leeway since this is commonly available anywhere, but the version that I'm talking about comes with a golden controller. What is considered the prequel that started the series chronologically, Skyward Sword proves it still has the chops despite the mixed reactions to it. At first I was skeptic to the position of Link's sword as he was originally a southpaw, but I've gotten used to it. Plus the dungeons and the puzzles are very well created. Might I even say I got a kick out of one of the bosses in the game. Depending on your opinion of Skyward Sword, it's still worth picking up. The gold bundle is worth on average $100, so prepare to pony up the mad ruppee for this great game.
5. The Last Story Collector's Edition
This one is a recent find and a rather special one in it's lineage. What started as a fan project turned global demand named Operation Rainfall The Last Story was part of a trio of games that at first were not being planned to come to the states. A couple of years later, the fan's demand was met with great celebration as this game along with Xenoblade Chronicles and now Pandora's Tower all have reach us shores. I decided to not open my copy because something like this deserves to be preserved. Besides, I got a used copy anyway. Although The Last Story was released to general praise, sealed copies are going up in price at about $67 on average and will soon rise up. Pick up the game regardless of edition. It's still a great game from Mistwalker.
4. Brave Fencer Musashi
This action/RPG is rather an oddball in the Square lineup. It's an action/RPG with full voice acting in a weird food named setting Allyoucaneet with Miyamoto Musashi looking for 5 wall scrolls so he can return home. However it's the silly setting that makes it stand out among the other action/rpgs released at the time by Square. Not only does Musashi have two swords (Lumina and Fusion, but he can assimilate his enemies attacks via Megaman. If the enemy has a shot attack, he can take that shot attack. Musashi also has a few other gameplay mechanics. Not only does he have to sleep to gain BP, but his performance will hinder if he doesn't have that, by eating food he can gain back that BP. There's also a day/night mechanic that affects the environment by what day it is and if it's night or not. Also based on the numbers of factors including wakling, fighting and overall performance, Musashi can gain levels. All this with a soon-to-be all star cast of Mona Marshall, Sandy Fox, David Lucas (Steven Blum), Barbra Goodson, Crispin Freeman etc, Brave Fencer Musashi is worth seeking out.
3. Bust a Groove
Released in the 90s as a quirky Music/Fighter by Enix at the time and 989 Studios (where did they go?), Bust a Groove was a groovy game with a killer soundtrack and a unique fighting system. Here's how it goes: While the music is playing, the beats of the song guide you. You input what appears on the screen in 4 beats. The first 3 prep you for the 4th one as you press the right combo of buttons. The better you get, the closer the camera gets to you. You can also use special attacks to catch the opponent off guard which will mess up their groove. It sounds complicated, but it's really simple. There were changes to the US version that were left behind of the Japanese version. For example in Hamm's theme, the female singer said Nigga in the middle of the song. By today's standards there's a certain double standard that some people can say it, but are still offended by it. Regardless, this is a fun game that should be sought out.
2. Lunar 2 Eternal Blue Complete
The Lunar series is the most underated jrpg series of all time. Compared to Final Fantasy, World of Mana, Tales of, not many remember it. But back when Working Designs (R.I.P) came around they localized and published it for the US market. They went all balls out with the Playstation version. Both Eternal Blue and Silver Star Story was one of those holy grails that many people thought was hard to find. Not only did they include the game, but other premium extras such as a hardbound leather instruction booklet, a soundtrack, and an omake box that included paper standees and a replica of Lucia's Pendant. Back then I found it for 50 bucks, but as time goes on that price has skyrocketed that collectors sought it out online and sellers were selling it for at max 300 bucks for a sealed copy. Years later, XSeed re-released Silver Star Story as Silver Star Harmony on the PSP which also had a special edition that is worth checking out. Oh and you can pick it up for 20 bucks on PSN.
Before I go onto number 1, a few honorable mentions. The rare games that could have made it, but weren't worth it's value as much as many hardcore collectors would believe.
* FireFighter F.D.18
This is a strange game in that it's a full blown action game that plays kind of like that movie Backdraft. You play as a fireman who has to trench through drenching fires and save people. You even get to fight against boss monster fires. Silly sounding but are worth the challenge with names like Inferno, or Blaze. I know, it sounds crazy, but it actually works. The controls take getting used to as they are kind of tank-ish, but this game is still fun. It's only worth $24.00 on average, but I'd pick it up just because it's quirky.
* Incredible Crisis
I can't really explain the premise of this. So here's a video. It's worth at least $27.00 on average.
* Muramasa the Demon Blade
This game features 2 story campaigns, beautiful 2d visuals by our friends at Vanillaware and it's stunning. Unfortunately it was slightly Bowlderised due to either the text limitations of the Wii, or some lines that were too risque for the T rated crowd. Such as after the fight with Raijin and Fuujin in Momohime's campaign, Fuujin says, "I'm rather fond of you." However in the original version he says to her along the lines of, "but I love your fat ass." Yeah, that won't fly well with Nintendo. Also, it's worth $31 and MarvelousAQL formally Ignition Entertainment announced a Vita version of Muramasa. The Limited Edition will set you back 50 or 60 bucks and will go up just like all LEs do. I'd pick either the Wii version or the Vita version, both should keep you going until Vanillaware releases another game (Dragon's Crown)
* Mana Khemia Alchemists of Al-Revis (Cool intro music by the way)
This series is a spin off of the Atelier series where you create items and fight with them. Only this time around you play the role of an amnesiac named Vayne Aurelius and his mana cat Sulhper. Vayne is found by one of Al-Revis' professors and is invited to join the academy of Al-Revis. The game follows his attempts to fit in (complicated by the fact that his timidness and desire to help others make him a doormat) and the slow discovery of his personal past. What makes this special among the other JRPGs within the Atelier series is that it's taken place in a school where you do tasks to gain grades to advance the plot. Plus if you do well you can have more free time to do whatever. There is a PSP version of Mana Khemia, however it suffers from long loading times which you can fix by downloading or installing. Still trying to figure the latter.
1. Persona 4 Golden Solid Gold Edition
This one is a personal one because I actually did the insane thing and preordered the game for the Vita even though I haven't gotten the handheld. Unfortunately, due to some "issues" with the preordering process and Gamestop being Gamestop, they cancelled my preorder and took my money on top of it. Now why is this important? Well, because I love Persona 4 and it's a fantastic game that I did a whole month on how awesome Persona 4 is. Since then, the aptly named Going 4 Gold edition has long gone up in price. I paid 14 more than the regular price which at the time was $69. Now it's going up as high as $500. Five Hundred Dollars! Holy hell! The standard version of the game is still regularly available for around $30 and if you have a Vita it's worth having and telling those naysayers that the Vita actually has games.
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