My Top 30 Pick Ups of 2021!

[theflea]

Its a new year and time to look back on the best games I added to my collection.
As always I'll pick out 30 games and they are based on how bad I wanted them, Being pricy and found a good deal
or just because I think its super cool. I'd love to hear your best pickup from 2021, you don't have to list 30,
maybe your top 5, or top two. I know not everyone gets as much as I do in one year. 

30. Circus Convoy (Atari 2600)
When I heard two of the original Atari 2600 Activision Developers where making a new game for the Atari I had to get a copy.
They even included patches and special patches if you made a high score (just like back in the day)
A quality game that feels like it could have come out in the 80s. A must own for Atari fans.


29. Castlevania Resurrection (DC)
When I found out a Dreamcast Castlevania prototype was found I was hoping someone would make a homebrew physical version.
I found someone who did and had to buy one. The game is no where near finished and is just buggy test levels it still great to see what
could have been. Fun to mess around with but that's about it.


28. Danganrompa Trilogy (PS4/Switch)
When this game first came out  on PS4 I didn't buy it due to I had the original CE for each one. Thought... Eh I'll pick it up later.
Then the game because rare, and prices shot up to well over $100. My local used game store even got a used copy and wanted $145 for it.
Then NIS decided to make more copies and I nabbed one before they sold out. Sucks to be one of those who payed over $60 for one now.
They also just released it for the Switch and I got the Collector's Edition of it too.


27. International Superstar Soccer 2000 (N64)
I'm slowly going for a complete collection for N64, The one game that I can never find in the wild is this game.
Online its been going for $70+, I found a copy and made an offer for $40 and the seller excepted. Down to only 4 games to complete
the N64 collection as of writing this.


26. Papers, Please (VITA)
As one of the last games released in the US I knew this game was going to sell out fast. I got on LRG's site as soon as they went for sale
and they sold out before I could finish checkout. So... I had to buy the bundle for $300. (came with other games and collector's Editions.)
Took almost a year to get to me. I had to do the same thing with Super Meat Boy and I hope I don't have to wait as long... But I fear I will. lol


25. Woody & Kunta: Treasure Island (GP32)
Many of you are thinking "WTF is this game?" It's for a rare handheld I picked up last year. When I picked up the system
it didn't have a game for it. I finally found a game CIB and was under $100. Just hate having a System with no game for it.


24. Mines of Minos (Atari 2600)
It's rare I pickup an original Atari 2600 game because most of the games I'm missing are super rare to find in the wild.
I saw an open Auction for this game I needed and I won it for a low amount. I want to say I got it for $11. Label isn't perfect
but the price was right.


23. SNK Gals Fighters (NGP)
This is one of the most wanted games for the Neo Geo Pocket. My local used game store got in a batch of NGP games and I saw they got in
Gal Fighters (US version) for $80. Online people want over $200 for a loose cart of the US version. Think they might have priced it based on the Japanese
version.


22. Tamashii (PS4)
When Limited Rare games had a surprise game go up for sale on Halloween last year I jumped on it and got in a order.
Then later they dropped another game I still hope will show up in the mail. Then Limited Rare claimed "Their site was taken over
buy someone else" and they got it back, They claim Tamashii wasn't theirs. This publisher is so trolly I have no idea what to believe.
Just glad I got this game in my collection. Limited Rare just gets weirder and stranger every year.


21. Bishojou Alien Battle (FDS)
When Ebay announced that many offensive "Porn Video Games" would be removed from being sold, I looked up Adult games for consoles
and found a few that might get banned. Many will go under the radar, but a few could have issues. This could be one.
I sent an offer to the seller and got it for a decent price. I'm not going into details of this games content, but its kinda F'd up.
So far you can still order any "adult" console game on Ebay, I think the only ones effected are PC. You can still order The Guy Game and it was the first
I thought would be effected.


20. Sony Pocketstation
I can't believe it took this long for me to get one of these, Some say its a console, but I just think of it as Sony's version of the Dreamcast's
VMU. It's a cute mini LCD game. I got the Clear version and it came with a game.


19. Gryphon Knight Epic (PS4)
This was a game I missed ordering when it first came out. Then the price shot through the roof. I found a seller with Best offer and got him to except
at about half what people are asking. Its a fun shooter, I don't know if its worth $200-$300 fun. But fun to play.


18. S.O.S. Sink or Swim (SNES)
I've been hunting for most any non-sport games I need for SNES, I found this game in the wild with it's Manual and the store owner made me a
good deal for it. I never played it and its an puzzle adventure game that takes place on a flooding underwater base. Glad to finally play it.


17. Musya: The Classic Japanese Tale of Horror (SNES)
Another game that I finally found in the wild, Not the greatest game but not the worst ether. I don't know if I'd call it a "horror" game like in the title.
But I haven't seen this game in the wild in forever, when my local used game store got a copy in for almost half the price online I had to get it.


16. SWAT Kats (SNES)
Another SNES game I found at my local used game store at a good price. Again a game I almost never see and I had to get it. The game is...
Okay. Basic platformer shooter based on a failed cartoon. Glad to add this odd game to my SNES collection.


15. Donkey Kong Jr. Game & Watch
I stopped at my local used game store and I saw this in their cabinet. I asked to see it and it was next to new. As I was checking it out another
video game collector saw me looking at it and was hoping I'd pass. But it was under what it was going for online and this was complete and mint.
I had to buy it and add it to my small G&W collection.


14. Snow White and the 7 Clever Boys (PS2)
I remember first wanting this game when I saw the AVGN talk about it's ugly cover... Oh boy the Nerd really needs to play these games. lol
These Disney knockoff games need to be seen to believe how bad these are. I just love the ugly cover and the cartoon has to be seen to believe
how bad it is. This is the rarest of the Phoenix Disney rip offs and I'm proud to add it to my collection.


13. Legend of Oasis (SAT)
I'm always on the hunt for Saturn games I'm missing. I was at a gaming expo early this year and found this game there and the seller made me a deal.
The game is actually pretty good. An over head action game that not polygon graphics. Its holds up better then most Saturn games.


12. Collector Vision Phoenix
I was happy to get a pre-order for the Phoenix. It plays Colecovision games real well on a HDTV. Best way to play CV games today.
Now I haven't tested every game, but I tested many of it's popular games and it seems to play them pretty good. Glad I got one.


11. Metroid Dread Collector's Edition (Switch)
I was super excited to see a new Metroid game in the 2D style. I tried to pre-order it and it sold out everywhere by the time I found out.
Lucky for me on the night before it came out many stores had it up to order, so I ordered the Collector's Edition and Amiibo set.
I love this game, I was more excited to play this then Metroid Prime 4. I hope Nintendo makes another Metroid in this style in the near future.
Don't make us wait another 10 years Nintendo. lol


10. Oretachi Game Center Zoku Sono 15: Akumajou Dracula (PS2)
This was the arcade version of Castlevania, mainly released in Japan but supposedly it was released in the US as Haunted Castle.
The only version of it on home console was on the PS2 in Japan. I finally got a copy for my Castlevania collection.


9. Phillips Videopac+ G7400
Did you know there was an Magnavox Odyssey 3? In Europe it was released as the Videopac Plus and played both Videopac and Videopac Plus games.
The system is only slightly better then the older model. It was supposed to be released in the US but because of the crash of 1983 it was canceled.
Well I finally found one and made and offer and got a decent price for it. Glad to finally have one in my collection.


8. Hyper Shot and Space Shadow (FAM)
The second I saw this thing I had to have it. A machine gun Light Gun. It can play with any Famicom light gun game and has its own game that uses all it's
features. A light gun game that you can go full auto with and it even vibrates and has sound coming out of the gun. It even has a built in control stick and B button.
If it had an A button you technically could play any Famicom game with it. Only down side is you can't use it on a NES.


7. 1001 Spikes (PS4)
This was a game that the only physical copies made where sent to reviewers, I was able to negotiate a deal with a seller and got it close to half off his asking price.
This game could still get an official release, but its been out a while now and still only physical copies are super rare.
Glad to get it incase it is never officially released.... And if it does get a release I over payed for this game. lol


6. Gourmet Sentai Bara Yarou (SFAM)
A strange beat em up that I've wanted in my collection for some time, I was able to get a cart at a decent price. This game may be a little on the weird side,
But its a lot fun. I can see why Piko Released it as a Translated Homebrew (Gourmet Fighter).


5. Kyuin (PS1)
A strange "Cute'em up" that's been on my most wanted Imports for some time. I've see complete copies selling for $500-$1000+, I sent an offer to a seller
and it was excepted. A shoot'em up where you play a kid riding a vacuum shooting strange things. I had to have it. lol


4. Metal Warriors (SNES)
I was on the hunt for this game, I was at a Game Expo and a seller there made me a deal for a CIB copy for the same price other sellers want for a loose
cart. Was not expecting to get a CIB at all. This game is fantastic, I was playing it for hours.


3. Harmful Park (PS1)
Another "Cute'em up" that was number one game I've wanted in my collection for what seems like forever. I finally pulled the trigger when I got a copy
at the right price. If you like weird and silly shooters its a must own.


2. Burgertime (Arcade Cabinet)
I only have space for so many Arcade Cabinets and Burgertime was one on the top of my list. I've been searching for an original Arcade for years.
I finally see one pop up on FB Marketplace and it was at a good price. After seeing it I had to buy it. I love this Cabinet.


1. The Daewoo Zemmix
I've been hunting for an original Zemmix sense I first saw one in a gaming museum many years ago. A few popped up on EBAY but always sold for way more
then I wanted to spend. Finally one showed up and I made the seller an offer and to my surprise he excepted. This has to be one of the rarest consoles in
my collection. I'm so happy to own one after many years of searching. 


Again post your best pickups of 2021, I don't expect 30, just your top 5. 

[bikingjahuty]

I don't remember a lot of the individual pickups, but here are a few.


- Bought my wife's cousin's childhood game collection last spring. It had a lot of very desirable titles and consoles, but the highlights were his Sega CD stuff by far. I ended up getting Snatcher, Popful Mail, Lunar, and a bunch of other really good games out of it. That whole lot was definitely a top 5 pickup of all time for me.


- Related to the lot I just mentioned, I traded a lot of the Sega CD stuff to a local collector for some CIB N64 and SNES games. Included were Mario Party 2, Kirby 64, Pokemon Stadium, Superman 64, and Tiny Toons Buster Bust Loose to name a few.


There are probably some others I'm not thinking of, but those were definitely the highlights.

[vivigamer]

That reminds me I still need to see about getting a PockStation myself

While I can't count to 30 I'll certianly list what I think were some of my best gatherings:

Consoles:
Xbox One X - For 4K native system & the price got one, I am very happy! Currently replacing PS3 ports for backwards compat' 360 versions.

Games:
Zone of the Enders Premium Package (PS2-JP) - Always wanted a Konami Premium Pack & The Artbook is huge!
Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core Limited Edition + Guide + Art Print eBay bundle (PSP) - Snagged all this very cheaps!
Life Is Strange 2 (Xbox One) - After the botched PS4 release it was great to finally play this game!

Soundtracks:
Final Fantasy X Picture Disc Vinyl Set
Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake Vinyl Set
Shenmue II Data Discs Vinyl
Shenmue III 6-CD Boxset

Artbooks:
The Art of Gravity Rush (1 & 2) - Lovely artbook with content from both games!
Shenmue III Kickstarter Backer Artbook (Spare)
The Bouncer Maximum - Very insightful with Artworks I've not seen before!

[alligo]

Kirby Planet Robobot
Ridge Racer 2
Tourist Trophy
Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Geneva
Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight
Horizon Chase Turbo
Tembo The Badass Elephant
Yoku's Island Express
Persona 5 Strikers

[telekill]

#1 - Mass Effect: Legendary Edition - PS4/5



I had started the series with the second game on PS3 right when the third had come out. I had gotten it on sale to give it a shot and had no idea that it would eventually become a favorite. I found that the third had gone on sale before I could even finish the second and picked it up to play the story back to back. When I eventually sold my PS3, I figured I'd just buy the PC version of the games but never got around too it. Finally, they announced the Legendary Edition with all three games and all DLC was going to be released. Very happy to have it back in my collection and upon replaying it, the series is my second favorite of all time with only Uncharted beating it out.



#2 - KRIKzz Everdrive X7 for Sega Game Gear



I've been wanting one of these for years... basically since I had first learned about the original version. They were spendy though and at the time I still preferred growing the actual collection to having this. Of course, that was when many of the games were still affordable. Once Game Gear games started to skyrocket in price the asking price of the newer and improved X7 Everdrive seemed like a deal. I picked one up and have enjoyed getting to play many of the Game Gear games I otherwise wouldn't have gotten the chance too.


#3 - Judgment - PS5



I was big into Shenmue and heard that this was a more modern action version of Shenmue. Given that I had missed it while it was on PS4 and found the PS5 version was on sale... and a severe lack of anything else that I found interesting on PS5 during it's first year, I decided to give it a try. The game is fun with a great story but I severely underestimated how long it would take to complete it. I expected a 10-15 hour game and it was a 30 hour game minimum. I look forward to the sequel eventually.

#4 - Guardians of the Galaxy - PS5



I'm a huge fan of the movies and when I saw they were making this game, I was skeptical they would be able to capture who the characters are given that they couldn't even use their likeness from the films. Happy to say, I found this on sale for Black Friday and gave it a shot. I've only just started it but the game is actually rather good. They've got each character's personality intact and the game traversing and combat is fun. Story is good so far so I hope it continues. A pleasant surprise to say the least.

#5 - Jet Moto 2 - PS1



I picked this up again to relive the torture of the series. I meant to get the first game but couldn't find it anywhere at the local retro shops. They had plenty of the second game though so I picked it up remembering some enjoyment from it. I did forget how completely unforgiving some of the tracks are, but the gameplay is still solid. I kinda wish they would make a new Jet Moto for PS5.

[ignition365]

I'm going to, as best I can, just go in chronological order rather than try and rate them.

1. Picross 3D Round 2 (3DS):
A fine gent on one of my discord servers was gracious enough to help me get a specific candy bar only available in Europe, I offered to pay and everything, because I was wanting to get like a big 40 count box of the candy, but he insisted it was his treat, and with the candy he included this game because I had in passing way before made mention that I love Picross 3D and wished that the physical release had come stateside.  I already own it digitally, and at the time I had no way of playing import 3DS games (system is region locked after all ), but just an absolutely awesome get. Thanks Dave.

2. Star Tropics (NES):
This will be me being a little petty, but I had this game on my wishlist years ago, back when it was like $20 CIB, and I had explicitly marked that I wanted it CIB to go with my Star Tropics 2 CIB.  Secret Santa that year sent me this loose and another $5 game and called it a year.    I wanted to get it CIB, but I kept not even trying because I already owned it loose.  A guy on one of my discords wanted to buy my loose copy along with other games because I was selling large chunks of my collection (wound up selling next to nothing in the end because it was a hassle and folks kept backing out).  I was confident the guy wasn't going to back out and I found a CIB copy for ~$20 so I jumped on it.  The day the CIB copy arrived in the mail, the guy who was going to buy my loose copy backed out.  Not really proud of the whole situation, but it's a lesson learned, Star Tropics bites me in the ass again, and I finally have this CIB.

3. Robotics;Notes Elite (NS):
There seems to be a bit of a trend here.  A guy on one of my discords saw this down to $10 at his local BB, I feel like preGCU getting full on killed, so he bought it and shipped it to me for like ~$13 total.  Not much else to this story other than the kindness of others and it was a good deal.

4. Mario Kart Live (NS):
Not much to this other than I found a copy of this for ~$40.  Don't know if I'll ever even open it, but I just couldn't turn it down for $40.

5. Worms Armageddon (N64):
I kept not buying N64 games because I was so closed to the end and I just really had no interest in paying the costs for the last 3-4 games I needed.  I found what was described as a really bad condition copy for ~$100, but I had store credit so I got it for "free", and the condition really wasn't bad, just a little wear.  Just down to the last 2 I need (plus never owning Sculptor's because no thanks)

6. Philosoma (PS1):
In a situation of why did I do this?  I saw this go up on a site that "guarantees" condition for ~$30, so I bought it, turned out it was in great complete condition and it was the longbox variant.  Great price, but unsure if I made the right decision as I really don't know anything about the game.

7. The ~150 games I picked up in November:
I won't list them, but so many places were doing B2G1 deals and sales and were allowing price matching, so I got things B2G1 at the like 50% off price, so I got tons of games at like a fraction of the cost.

8. Walmart's crazy clearance sale:
Again I won't really list, but late Oct/early Nov Walmart had clearanced out a ton of NS/PS4/PS5/XS/X1 games down to $1-7 and I bought a bunch of them.  Biggest one I'm looking forward to jumping into is the Nioh Collection

9. Gamestop's 50% off games under $20 deal:
Gamestop's under $20 section is already usually criminally underpriced... but they almost all come loose, but I bought so many games and I think maybe 2 games came loose total, it was a fantastic situation... that meant my wallet took a bigger hit than expected because I was expecting to return more than half of it.

10. Razer Kishi android controller:
Game pass on android has been used quite a bit for me this year, especially situations where I was stuck not being able to be at a TV or something, but carrying a controller around just wasn't reasonable.  This thing is fantastic and makes my phone feel like a switch to be honest, but I can play Game pass games on it.  Waiting for that still Nintendo/Microsoft.  Anyway, I managed to get this for ~$25 instead of whatever it normally goes for and it's great.

11. Busted PS3:
A local game shop was doing 50% off clearance and busted consoles.  They had a couple of busted slim PS3s (not super slim) so I bought both for $30 total.  I bought both because it sounded like worst case between the two I could make 1 good console, best case two good consoles.  1 was described as fine, but couldn't do bluray discs, that's fine worst case as I have a working super slim, I just wanted something to hack to play delisted stuff like Punisher No Mercy.  Worked fantastic.  The other PS3 was described as perfectly fine, just there is a short in the power switch that requires you to pry the button panel otherwise it power cycles.  Well, I tried that and it turns on and just makes a terrible grinding noise.  I might mess with it later, but I'm thinking they were mistaken in what's wrong with it.  Regardless, it's a win as I have a functioning slim ps3 that does exactly what I need it to do for way less than I'd pay otherwise.

12. Scott Pilgrim Best Buy flash sale:
I'm actually of the opinion that companies are realizing that there's no reason to let certain deals expire, so I don't really expect this game to get delisted, and regardless I bought the game digitally and if the marketplace ever goes down there is the pirate route... and I bought the game physically from certain scum bags... but for $10 per game (less than the digital price) I bought a handful of it to give as gifts, to have for myself, and maybe trade off down the line... and BB still didn't sell out.  It's kind of funny, obviously certain companies are claiming they are selling more than they really are.  Copies printed =/= copies sold.

Bonus:  I'm proud that I made 0 gaming purchases in May.

[wartoy]

I like this idea it's fun to see everyone's top picks.I will try to put mine in order but some items could be off by a bit.

30.Temco Cup Soccer Game, Nes.
29.Team Buddies, Ps1
28.Double Dungeons, Turbo 16
27.Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, Snes.
26.Splatterhouse 2, Genesis
25.Blazing Lazers, Turbo 16
24.Sonic R, Saturn
23.Sonic Jam, Saturn
22.Blue's Journey, Neo Geo AES
21.S.O.S. (not sink or swim), Snes.
20.Oscar, Snes.
19.Swat Kats, Snes.
18.Sword Master, Nes.
17.Flink, Sega CD.
16.Avenging Spirit, Gameboy
15.Ardy Lightfoot, Snes.
14.The Jetsons, Nes.
13.Space Megaforce, Snes.
12.Giga Wing, Dreamcast
11.Persona 2,Ps1.
10.Project Justice, Dreamcast
09.House of the Dead, Saturn
08.Dragon Force, Saturn
07.M.U.S.H.A., Genesis
06.Robo Aleste, Sega CD
05.Android Assault, Sega CD
04.Magic Night Rayearth, Saturn
03.Crusader of Centy, Genesis
02.Final Fight Guy, Snes.
01.International Superstar Scoccer 2000, N64 (this was my last game to complete the set and the first set I ever completed.)



 

[dashv]

Its a new year and time to look back on the best games I added to my collection.
As always I'll pick out 30 games and they are based on how bad I wanted them, Being pricy and found a good deal
or just because I think its super cool. I'd love to hear your best pickup from 2021, you don't have to list 30,
maybe your top 5, or top two. I know not everyone gets as much as I do in one year. 

…

2. Burgertime (Arcade Cabinet)
I only have space for so many Arcade Cabinets and Burgertime was one on the top of my list. I've been searching for an original Arcade for years.
I finally see one pop up on FB Marketplace and it was at a good price. After seeing it I had to buy it. I love this Cabinet.


…

Again post your best pickups of 2021, I don't expect 30, just your top 5. 

Nice. I didn’t know you collected arcade games too!

Here are my top 10

1) bought out another collectors Sega collection including:
CIB Genesis Model 2
CIB Sega CD model 2
Sega Nomad with original box
CIB 32x
CIB Sega CDX

Several complete Sega Saturn Games including Nights and Die Hard Trilogy. :-)

2) Virtual Boy with a handful of CIB games

3) Lynx model 2 cib with a handful of CIB games

4) TMNT pinball machine (stern)

5) Swords of Fury pinball machine

6) Finally was able to snag a PS5 without paying scalper prices

7) Analog Pocket with Dock

I guess I only made it to 7 things. :-)

[sworddude]

10. Oretachi Game Center Zoku Sono 15: Akumajou Dracula (PS2)
6. Gourmet Sentai Bara Yarou (SFAM)
5. Kyuin (PS1)
3. Harmful Park (PS1)

you went hard on some excellent imports quality adds.

_____________________________________________________________________


For me personally my top 30 was pretty nice in 2021 managed to add some pretty wanted titles for especially snes this year.

1: Pokemon emerald store display Nostalgia bias for this one, first generation for me pokemon wise, had allot of fun times with emerald I really love having a small standee for it.

These 6 games overall really pleased to have these in the collection

2: Pocky & rocky 2 overall for some strange reason had allot of pocky & rocky deals this year lol
3:  Pocky & rocky + usa version. might be cheating with this one considering i included 2 games but they are the same, pretty funny to score a usa version for cheap pretty shortly after the pal one.
4: Radiant silver gun dreamcast
5: Batman & robin snes
6: Mars matrix dreamcast
7: Megaman X Has taken me many years but I'm pleased to finally score one. X2 and X3 might be impossible for cheap but i was confident to eventually get this one.

8:  Sly cooper thieves racoonus press kit
9: Contra the alien wars factory sealed gameboy
10: Demi kids light version gba
11: Rolans curse gameboy

12: Mario smash football pak Pack of my favourite mario sports title, my friend had this pack in the past aswell.

13: Mario baseball gamecube one of my last gamecube games that I really wanted nice to finally add this one to the collection.

14: Persona 2 ps1

15: Dragon quest V strategy guide They Might just be strategy guides but these are guides of some of my favourite games of all time thus they deserve a spot on this list
16: Skies of arcadia strategy guide

17: GBA advance super Mario world pack
18: Castlevania adventure gameboy
19: Radirgy dreamcast
20: act raiser
21: Super widget
22: UN squadron snes
23: turtles back from the sewers
24: Dragonball z ultimate saiyan snes
25: lone ranger

26: Contra hardcrops sega genesis glad to score one in the flesh the excellent manual was unexpected, if only i didn't sell my excellent boxed non ex rental copy shortly before this deal 
27: Thousand arms ps1
28: Dinosaurs for hire sega genesis
29: Trizeal dreamcast

30: Chaos field gamecube nothing to special for someone in the US. but as a gamecube fan from europe it's always awesome to score these kinds of imports.