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The PlayStation 2 may be the role-playing game (RPG) giant today, but it wasn’t always so. Back in the early 1990s the Super Nintendo, aka the Super Famicom, was undoubtedly the place to go for a large variety of solid RPGs. It featured great games like Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, Breath of Fire, Lufia, Earthbound, Secret of Mana, Super Mario RPG and Ultima. That may seem like a long list, but there were even more great RPGs which didn’t make it stateside.

At this point, it is possibly pointless to look for some of these old classics. They might occasionally pop up on eBay, but its not worth selling a kidney or lung to buy them. There are shady ways of acquiring these titles, but that isn’t recommended as it is illegal.

Today Important Importables honors Live A Live, Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu, Star Ocean and Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon: Another Story.

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So now that the holiday has come and gone, you may be a bit upset as your Christmas grab bag was sadly lacking when it came to visions of video game goodness. A recent Play-Asia update has the cure if you’re a fan of the popular courtroom drama that is Phoenix Wright. One item is ridiculously overpriced and quite possibly useless and the other is delightfully entertaining.

Both items are labeled as Gyakuten Saiban merchandise, the Japanese name for the series. The Gyakuten Saiban Card Case is the premium item for fans with far to many business or credit cards. For $69.90 you get a leather card holder that has an imprint of Apollo, from Apollo Justice, on the front and also just happens to be brown. Of course for the more practical fans of the series, there is also the set of Gyakuten Saiban cards. As expected, this is a set of common playing cards featuring the cast of both Phoenix Wright and Apollo Justice. It is much cheaper than the other licensed item at $19.90, but that still is an insane price for playing cards.

If you really want to go all out, then get the card holder and the cards. The card holder is a bit too small to hold a full deck, but you can carry around your favorite cards. You could even pull them out and throw them at people, shouting, “Objection!”

Read [Technofranki] Also Read [Nine Over Ten] Site [Play-Asia]

Yes, the DS is a unique little handheld system, but it apparently isn’t unusual enough for some Japanese video game developers and publishers. They decide that it isn’t enough for their games to just have touch screen support, they need to branch out into uncharted territories. They need crazy, potentially useless, peripherals.

When compared to other handheld systems across the ages, the DS has acquired a collection of the most outlandish devices ever to be jury-rigged onto a system. So far the only useful additions have been a web browser and TV tuner, and sadly the TV tuner only works with Japanese television stations.

Not all of the peripherals are as insane as the others. It is a gradual slope from a cute gimmick to what-were-they-thinking. The thing is that the success or acceptance of one outlandish peripheral seems to encourage the creation of another.

So let’s look through the DS’s sordid past and discover just what people have been shoving into the GBA slot. Our journey begins with the Oshare Mahou Love and Berry card reader, and will take us through the Otona no DS Kao Training camera, Slide Adventure: Mag Kid slide controller and far too many Arkanoid DS paddle controllers.

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For hardcore gamers a rare, imported game could make their holiday extra special. The only problems are that there are tons of games out there and they can be pretty pricey. Also the key is to find a game which is easy to play even if the only Japanese you know is “Domo arigato Mr. Roboto.”

So, for this installment of Important Importables, I’ve put together a small compilation of Nintendo DS, PSP, Playstation 2, and Xbox 360 import games which are sure to delight any gamer. You’re probably wondering why there aren’t any Wii or PS3 games listed here though. The fact is that there really aren’t that many games for those two systems in Japan that aren’t already available here. If there is a game that isn’t available here yet, it will be in a few months. Its pointless to import something when waiting two or three months will yield the same game, only in English and probably $20 cheaper.

In an attempt to keep things fairly simple, I’ve picked three games for each system and are either really easy to get into or have walkthroughs available online. Each game is from a different genre, so you should be able to find at least one game on this list which will appeal to either you or a friend.

Remember, the Xbox 360 and PS2 are region-specific. If you want to play the games I’ve recommended for those systems, you need to have a Japanese system or risk modding your US model. DS and PSP games are region free though, so import away. That being said, on with the gift guide.

Nintendo DS

We’re going to start with the DS, not because its my favorite, but because I’m most familiar with these games. Jump Ultimate Stars, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 and Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It’s a Wonderful World are three great games to import as gifts.

Jump Ultimate Stars is a fantastic fighting game along the lines of Smash Brothers, only its portable and features 300 characters from 40 different Japanese mangas. It also features battles online over Nintendo’s WiFi Connection. You can typically find it online for about $49, but sometimes a site will have a sale and reduce the price to $39. A guide is necessary for determining what to unlock in the story mode, but Gamefaqs has a great one.

Ouendan 2 is the sequel to Ouendan, the game which Elite Beat Agents was based on. It features more of the music puzzle goodness that was found in both of the previous games. Like Jump Ultimate Stars, expect to pay around $49. No knowledge of Japanese is necessary to play.

Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It’s a Wonderful World is a fairly new RPG from Square-Enix which features a story set in Shibuya, Japan, and battles that cover both screens. It is a strange hybrid of rhythm game and RPG, but it works. Rumors are swirling involving a US release, but I’m recommending it anyways. It is text heavy, but there’s a guide at Gamefaqs so never fear. Due to the size of the game, it costs $59.

PSP

Our second import-friendly handheld also has quite a few importable games that are delightful, but I managed to narrow the list down a bit. The three best import game gifts for this system are DJ Max Portable 2, Bleach: Heat the Soul 3 and Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street.

DJ Max Portable 2 is the best known of the three. It is a music game where you press various combinations of buttons to play over 70 songs. The best part is that there’s an English language option, so everyone can enjoy it. Many of the songs are in English as well. There’s no reason not to get this game for a PSP owner. It can be found online for $49.

Bleach: Heat the Soul 3 is probably one of the best fighters for the PSP. It features 70 different characters and a variety of game modes. The best part is that it is a PSP the Best title, which means a huge price drop. You can pick this one up online for about $29, the same as a domestic game. Since its a fighting game, the language barrier isn’t really an issue.

Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street is my final PSP choice and is a great party game for Monopoly and Mario Party fiends. The game is all about buying properties and building shops on them to get a certain amount of money. You get to choose your favorite Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy character as your avatar as well. This game is kind of old, so it may take a week for the store to find it for you. Like DJ Max Portable, it’ll be around $49.

Playstation 2

The Playstation 2 is an importer’s dream, as it has tons of games which were only available in Japan. Of course you have to own a Japanese system, or void the warranty on your American one by modding it, to play the games. Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+, Bleach: Blade Battles 2nd and beatmania IIDX 13 DistorteD are my picks for the PS2 stocking stuffers this year.

Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ is one of those games where you wish they’d translate it and bring it overseas. Yes, it is essentially Kingdom Hearts II, but really, its better! This one has extra scenes, an English voice option and a PS2 version of the DS game Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. Sadly it will never be released outside of Japan, but you can pick up a Japanese copy for $69. Yes, it can be text heavy, but there are guides so it isn’t an issue.

Bleach: Blade Battles 2nd, like the PSP game, is a fighting game featuring characters from the Bleach anime/manga. Like the PSP game (and the DS games) it is totally worth the money and is loads of fun. You don’t even need to know what the series is about to enjoy it. It’ll cost you about $64 . Don’t worry, language won’t be an issue.

My final PS2 choice is beatmania IIDX 13 DistorteD. Its a music/rhythm game similar to the PSP game DJ Max Portable, only without the English option. There are tons of songs and its pretty entertaining as well. Another plus is the only reading necessary is to sort through the menus. You can probably expect to pay around $64.

Xbox 360

I’m going to start off by admitting that I don’t own an Xbox 360, and I have no desire to. Nonetheless, a few of my friends do, and through them I’ve been educated about a selection of games. Hopefully The Idolm@ster, Operation Darkness or Oneechanbara vorteX will appeal to the import Xbox gamer on your list.

The Idolm@ster is both a music game and a simulation, and is probably the most well known Japanese Xbox 360 game. In it you create an idol and manage her, trying to make her famous for her singing and dancing in just a year. You can also chart your progress and compete with others over Xbox Live. Since this game is part of the Platinum Collection, you can find it online for $34. Yes, there is a lot of Japanese text here, but there are also guides online so it shouldn’t be too difficult to play.

Operation Darkness is an RPG for the Xbox 360, but don’t let that scare you away. There is an option to change all of the text to English, and there are even English subtitles for all of the cutscenes. The game is a fantasy, strategy game with a storyline thats a tad cliched, but still enjoyable and cute graphics. You can find it online for $64. Oneechanbara vorteX is a button-mashing hack and slash action game where you guide the heroines through oodles of zombies. I suppose a good way to describe it is an unholy mashup of Resident Evil, Devil May Cry and Soul Caliber. Since the whole point is to kill zombies, and kill them good, language isn’t really a problem. Its gruesome in a way, but in a good way. Like The Idolm@ster, this game is part of the Platinum collection and will set you back $34.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Next week I really will discuss the Must Import game for the Nintendo DS.

Also in case you missed it, last week’s column covered reliable websites that sell import games. If you’re looking for a place to pick up any of these titles, try checking there for a store that suits your needs.

Welcome to the first installment of Important Importables, a new column that will appear exclusively on Gamertell. Each weekend, Jenni Lada will point and stare like a giddy tourist at some the best, weirdest or simply her favorite videogame goodies not sold in the US. So get your PayPal password ready and clean out your mailbox, it’s time for some Important Importables.

If you own a PSP or a Nintendo DS, you probably know the great little secret behind each system. No, not that one, perverts. All PSP and DS games are region-free meaning that someone can buy a game from a different country and run it on their own machine. It also means that someone could purchase a handheld system from another country to use.  It’s complete and utter freedom.

The bad news is that there are a lot of incredible video games out there that never make it to North America for one reason or another. Not to mention the delayed and limited releases European and Austrailian gamers can get.

Console importing has also become quite popular. The Japanese PSPs and DSes are available in different colors and styles than North American ones, like the popular and recently released Crisis Core: Final Fantasy PSP in Japan. Plus, if someone wants to play a Japanese PS2, PS3, Wii or Xbox 360 game, they first have to buy a console from that region. (Of course they could mod the system they already own, but that can be tricky and voids the warranty.) The trick to importing is finding a safe, reliable, and well stocked online store that carries the games and systems you want.

Japanese Imports

I’ll begin with my favorite online store , Play-Asia. This site is the best for import gamers for a number of reasons. First, the service is incredible. If you have a problem or issue, you’ll likely get an email response that same day, even though the company is located in Hong Kong. Second, the shipping is dirt cheap. I always choose the cheapest option (at times it ends up being under $3.00), and yet it will always arrive at my home in a week. Next is the selection. They have games, domestic and import, for every system, including the classics. If there’s a game you want that is old and out of stock, they’ll even find it for you. Plus they also sell toys, music, movies, and magazines. I saved the best for last though: the Bargain Section. Many a day have I come home, popped on just to browse, and ended up with a steal. This week’s reckless splurge: the limited edition version of Audition Portable for the PSP. Normally its $99.99, now its $49.99.

Next up is NCSX, also known as the National Console Support, Inc. This company is located in the US, so your game will arrive a little faster and you won’t have to worry about your items making the overseas trips. Despite my rabbid fangirlism up there for Play-Asia, NCSX was the first place I imported from. Ever. That’s a special, sacred bond. NCSX doesn’t have as wide a selection as Play-Asia, and the shipping is a bit more, but occasionally they will have a game that Play-Asia doesn’t carry any more. They also have other video game related imported paraphernalia, like toys, books, music. NCSX really focuses on games though. Once again they have great customer service.

European Imports

The next site I have mixed feelings about. I’m including it because eStarland is really the only trustworthy site I have found for getting European imported games. (Occasionally Europe will get games North America should have gotten, but didn’t including Freshly Picked: Tingle’s Rosy Rupee-Land for the DS or Tales of Eternia for the PSP.) Like NCSX, eStarland is another online video game retailer based in the US. Their primary focus isn’t on imports, but they carry most of the really popular ones at reasonable prices. The bad part is their policy on constantly confirming the information you’ve supplied. It can be horribly annoying and can keep your purchase from being shipped for three to four days. The good part is that they carry European imports and also stock used copies of all imported games when they can. Since import games for the DS and PSP can run between $39-49, a preowned copy for $29-39 starts looking pretty good.

From time to time you might also be able to find European versions of games on the NCSX site. The thing is, when they are on the site they won’t be marked as European under region, so you need to be aware of what titles are European exclusives. It isn’t too bad when they are PSP or DS games, since those are region free, but European games won’t run on the North American console systems. Also you will usually have to search for the exact title, because the game might not show up in the normal game list. A good example is the Tingle game for the DS mentioned earlier. If you look through the general DS game listings, it won’t show up, but if you check for it with the site’s search engine, you’ll find it. Another thing worth noting is that a European game at NCSX will cost more than the identical game at eStarland, provided eStarland has it.

Other Sites to Consider

These are just my favorite sites and they aren’t the only shops online out there. YesAsia is also a great, reliable site for importing video games, music, books, toys, and other items from overseas. The only reason YesAsia doesn’t have a paragraph up there with the other Japanese import sites is because they tend to focus focus on other imports.

If you’re an eBay fan, a lot of import games and systems can be found there as well. You have to be cautious when dealing with vendors there though - you never know what condition the game is or if it is a legitimate copy and not a knock-off. Sure it looks like a good deal initially, but it won’t be once you get it home and discover it is a knock-off. At times it is worth the risk though, because eBay sellers will have the lowest prices.

JBox/JList is also a great retailer who I have personally purchased items from, but like YesAsia they specialize in items, accessories, computer games, toys and magazines. So at JBox/JList you will find many licensed Nintendo items, video game related novelties and Japanese iTunes card, but you won’t find any actual games (except dating sim PC games) or systems. In fact, J-List/J-Box is the only site I have come across so far that carries the Japanese iTunes cards, which, when purchased, allow you to download music from the Japanese iTunes store.

Coming Next Week

Next week we’ll start talking about some import DS and PSP games which are worth your money. First up, the best import game available for the best handheld console on the market, the Nintendo DS. The great thing about this game is if you look carefully online, you may just find it on sale.

Site [Play-Asia] Site [NCSX] Site [eStarland] Site [RenChi] Site [YesAsia] Site [JBox/JList]

It is no secret that Facebook has sold out, capitalizing on it’s success to try and make more money. (Not many more features though. Of course it already is enough like Myspace as it is.) A new kind of vendor is placing ads on Facebook for the first time though. On November 9, 2007, Renchi became the first online video game retailer to be affiliated with Facebook.

The move was made in an effort to boost communications with potential customers. By having a business profile on Facebook, Renchi hopes it will be easier for customers to voice their opinions. The new business profile will also provide Facebook users access to special offers and coupons that won’t be available to the general public.

Renchi is a Hong Kong-based retailer which primarily deals with videogame imports including games, consoles and accessories from all regions. I have noticed when browsing through their store that the selection is a bit limited, and there are no sale sections. It seems like a reputable and responsible site, but also seems to be lacking when compared to Play-Asia or YesAsia.

Read [Yet Another Review Site] Site [Renchi]