Epic IMPORT Video Game Pick Ups From Our First Swap Meet in 14 Months!

In this episode, for the first time since February, 2020, we head to a video game swap meet get some Epic IMPORT Pickups From Our First Swap Meet in 14 Months at the Bloomington/Normal Game Con.

In some ways it seems longer, but other ways it doesn't seem like it has been 14-months since the last time we were able to attend a swap meet and game con, but it has been. In early February 2020, we attended the Bloomington/Normal Game Con, so it only seems appropriate after a year of lockdown the 2021 edition was where we'd make our return. A lot has changed since the last one of these, a new venue for the event, COVID-19 guidelines, and people have generally been looking forward to being able to do something like this again. Held on April 17, 2021 at the Interstate Center in Normal, IL, we not only attended to get some pickups, but we also helped out our local Retro Game store, Live Action Games from Champaign, IL. We were also lucky to be able to hang out with Gaming Off the Grid's Wes & Robert, who made the drive down the Friday before the event to hang out with us. We also got to see our good friend Adam from 1Up Card.

Going into the event, there were a few things I was looking for specifically. As I have recently demonstrated on the channel, I have picked up a stand-alone Famicom Disk System to connect to my HDMI-Modded NES. I love Famicom Disk System Games anyways, so being able to play via HDMI now makes it even better. I really would like to get all 3 Castlevania games for the Famicom as the soundtracks are so much better than what we got here in the States. I also wanted to get my hands on Kabuki Quantum Fighter for the NES, a game that, if you liked Batman for the NES you'd also appreciate. Beyond this, if I happen to see any good deals on Turbo Grafx16 Games or Controllers, I'll snag those too.

I arrived Friday Evening with a load of items for sale for LAG. I helped get the booth setup, and then began to scope out the area. Almost imeadiately, something unique caught my eye. Several somethings actually. I've never seen a Japanese Super Scope 6, but several vendoes had them there and they looked AMAZING! I also saw Famicom Disk Systems, AV Famicoms in-box, and a Super Famicom Jr in the box. It wasn't time to shop just yet, so I went back to the booth to finsh setting up. Once done for the evening, it was off for food and games with the GotG guys and Adam from 1Up at a local Barcade in Normal.

Saturday morning came by way too quickly, but we arrived at the convention early and ready to help Live Action Games & get some cool gear. There was a HUGE line waiting to get in at 9AM, and the crowds stayed consistent all day long. I stayed in the booth for the first hour to hour and a half, and things were flying out the door. Some of the more unique items people snagged from LAG include a Sega Mark III, CIB Conker's Bad Fur Day, a copy of Doki Doki Panic, and even a Virtual Boy. Very cool indeed!

After the crowd lightened up a bit I started looking for deals myself. I didn't have to go far as a vendor right across from us had some awesome import titles. I noticed the Famicom carts on his table first, but then I saw them: Disk System Games! And not only did he have FDS Games, but there was one of the games I was looking for - Akumajou Dracula or Castlevania 1. After a little back and forth, I managed to pick it up! The first buy was something on my list, how much more luck would I have this day?

I snagged a few other games, including trading duplicate copies of SMB3 & Tetris plus Turok 2 and Diddy Kong Racing for the Japanese N64 for a copy of Tiny Toon Adventures - Dotabata Dai Undoukai for the Super Famicom and $20 my way! Sweet! Shortly after this purchase, my wife Ginger & youngest daughter Ellie came to hang out. I mentioned the 2 pickups that I managed to find, and also mentioned the boxed Super Famicom Jr I saw the night before. It was at this point when Ginger asked "So, you're getting it, right?". I have wanted one for some time, but I have a standard SFC so I didn't really "need" this. Adrain and his wife Kristen both started saying I needed to go get it. Only Adam from 1Up tried to talk me out of it. In the end, I gave in, made an offer, and brought it home.

Purchases:
Akumajou Dracula
Value: $55
Paid: $45

Tiny Toon Adventures - Dotabata Dai Undoukai
Value:$8
Paid: -$20!

Super Genjin 2
Value:$14
Paid: $15

Mickey no Magical Adventure
Value: $14
Paid: $15

Super Famicom Jr (CIB)
Value:$250
Paid: $190

#RetroGames #FamicomDiskSystem #SuperFamicomJr #Pickups

The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107

(Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L. 101–650, title VI, § 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L. 102–492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)