3 replies to this topic

[AtariK2]

I came across this auction today and had a question.

Is the statement made in the listing actually true:

"This is the Japanese version of the Virtual Boy and is considerably rare in comparison to the more common USA Version"

If so what is it about the Japanese version that makes it more rare - availability?

[Ze_ro]

It might be less common, but I don't really see much appeal in getting the Japanese version. The Virtual Boy is universal, so there is no region coding at all. I imagine the only difference is that you'd have Japanese stickers on it (that might be in english too), and japanese manuals.

My guess is that the guy is just trying to drum up his auction to raise the price. Don't bother with it.

--Zero

[Rezrov]

AtariK2 said:

... what is it about the Japanese version that makes it more rare - availability?

According to Virtualboy.net "700.000 Virtual Boy units were sold in the USA and 150.000 units sold in Japan" So, the machine's a bit less common than the US unit, but it's not rare by any means. I see them auctioned constantly on Yahoo Japan for the same price range they sell for on Ebay. Not too may people buy Japanese Virtual Boy units because, as Ze_ro said above, the systems are not region locked; so a US VB will play every Japanese game without any problems. It also costs money to import one of these guys from Japan, which would add a lot to the price of purchase. Unless you're doing it to build a Virtual Boy collection ,there's no point in owning a Japanese system.

- Shawn

[shep]

man now im gonna go play some Galactic Pinball...I love you virtual boy!