Comments 353

Re: "Beyond Incredibly Dumb" - The Internet Doesn't Like People Sealing Up Graded 3DS Consoles

JJtheTexan

If someone is dumb enough to pay WATA to "grade" and seal their games / consoles, so be it. If someone else is dumb enough to pay money for a "graded" game or console, fine. It's their perogative, and you know what they say about a fool and his money.

I have a sealed New Nintendo 2DS, which I bought on clearance at Walmart for $99 U.S., knowing full well it would be worth considerably more in just a few years but mostly because I wanted a backup in case my old daily driver 3DS failed. I was torn about ever opening it in case I wanted to sell it someday, but it's getting to the point where I need to just crack open the box because that battery isn't going to last forever.

Re: Talking Point: What Are Your Retro Gaming Resolutions For The New Year?

JJtheTexan

I hate to admit it, but after nearly 40 years of collecting, I am pretty much bowing out. It's gotten too expensive, and I just don't have room to keep hundreds of games I may play only once every few years (if at all). I sold a chunk of my collection last year, and plan to gradually unload more this year.

Of course, I will hang on to stuff that has strong sentimental value, like my original NES I've had since 1988, my CIB copy of The Legend of Zelda, etc.

Re: Prices Of Second-Hand Nintendo 3DS Consoles Spike Online

JJtheTexan

I bought a New Nintendo 2DS XL on clearance at Walmart for $100 US in 2019, I think? I have kept it sealed in its box in case I ever need to cash out. I imagine it's more likely I'll end up using it, since my longtime New Nintendo 3DS XL needs repair to its B button and C stick.

Re: Reports Suggest Arcade1Up Is Shutting Down

JJtheTexan

That's a pity. Terrible news for everyone losing their jobs.

I love the Arcade 1Up concept, but I could never come up with the physical space nor the financial justification to buy one. I have other ways of playing every game they've ever released.

Re: The Battle Arena Toshinden Trilogy Is Coming To Modern Platforms

JJtheTexan

I would LOVE this. I admit the BAT gameplay has not aged particularly well, but I love the characters, and the first game's soundtrack is far, far better than it has any right to be.

Edia did a nice job with the Valis series and several other semi-obscure properties from the 1990s with modern ports, so I'm feeling confident about playing Battle Arena Toshinden again soon!

Re: "I Told Him I Loved Him, Because I Do" - A Tribute To The Late Dead Or Alive Creator Tomonobu Itagaki

JJtheTexan

@Themilkman thank you so much for sharing this. It brought me to tears. I am glad to know you had a chance to say goodbye. I lost a dear friend and mentor recently and we hadn't spoken it a while, and it still haunts me.

I hope you're able to finish your book on Itagaki-san. I've long thought of him as the rockstar of Japanese auteur game developers. I love his games, especially DoA 4 and Ninja Gaiden II, and I hope your efforts can help more Western gamers learn about this industry legend.

Re: "I Still Think The Virtual Boy Was Probably Just Too Ahead Of Its Time" - Japanese Developers On Nintendo's Most Infamous Flop

JJtheTexan

I am one of the lucky few to have received a Virtual Boy as a gift the year it came out, and I still have it (and it works, though I had to have it "refurbished" by an expert). I can attest that, yes, as a 15-year-old, I did prefer to play while lying on my back, with the unit resting on my face. No, it wasn't comfortable, but it was much better than the horrible neck / back strain caused by trying to play it as intended, on a tabletop.

I did experience some mild eye strain back then, but I still enjoyed it to some degree. The last time I tried using it, about a year ago, I got a headache almost immediately, and the eye strain was so severe I had to stop after about five minutes.

Still, I am a Virtual Boy sicko and I will be purchasing the Nintendo Switch VB dock thing ASAP and look forward to wrecking my 45-year-old neck, back, and eyes further in February 2026.