Curious why MVS isnt in the DP guide but Vectrex is?

[The Collector]

I was thinking about this today and i think there are a few similarities between the two.
Both use carts, both have their own monitors, both have there own controllers, and both are portable(kinda ).
I'm just wondering because I am a little disappointed there isnt a MVS list in the DPA guide. I think it should be.

What exactly qualifies a system to in the guides?

Anyone care to point out why it shouldn't be?

[max 330 mega]

ive been wondering that myself.

[tholly]

i would have to say that the DPA guide deals with consoles and portables (not sure if gameboy, etc. was included, still waiting for mine)....and the MVS is technically an arcade machine, not a console or portable.

also, the mvs was not made readily availble to be purchased in any normal store....when it was new, most people couldnt just drive to toys r us and pick it up, but you could with the AES

since it was never really marketed to the home user, it doesnt really fit into the guide, but, i would still love to see it in there....maybe in edition 2 of the dpa

[-hellvin-]

Hrmm...I thought MVS was going to be included in this guide. Would have been cool to have it thrown in there but I kinda agree with tholly on it not being very publicly accessible.

[Videogamerdaryll]

Hmmm.......

[Ed Oscuro]

Why would the MVS be in the guide, when we could include the AES? ;D

Good question all the same.

It could be that nobody's stepped forward to do it, of course.

[rbudrick]

Well if we include MVS, we oughta just have every arcade machine. THe AES could be done in the guide, but the MVS was meant for arcades. Maybe an arcade version of the guide should be made?

-Rob

[fishsandwich]

I would vote that the MVS games belong in an arcade book, not the 16-bit home guide.

By the same token, you'd have to include Sega's Titan ST-V arcade games, which also came in cartridge format (Die Hard Arcade, VF Remix, Golden Ax, Radian Silvergun.) While it certainly lacks the games and pedigree of the MVS, it's basically a cartridge-based Saturn with more RAM.

Cheers

Fish Sandwich

[ClubNinja]

It could be that nobody's stepped forward to do it, of course.

Funny.. I did the MVS section. I thought it was getting into the guide - at least it was submitted before the deadline. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but that still kind of sucks

[digitalpress]

It could be that nobody's stepped forward to do it, of course.

Funny.. I did the MVS section. I thought it was getting into the guide - at least it was submitted before the deadline. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but that still kind of sucks

MVS *IS* in the Guide.

The section was written strictly with home games in mind, as all of our work has ever reflected. A last-minute decision to include MVS rarity and prices is IN THERE, they're listed within the descriptions of all AES titles.

If you're asking why "arcade only" games aren't included, it's because we don't do a book on arcade games.

I don't really understand your Vectrex analogy. Vectrex carts are meant for the Vectrex home system. The Vectrex never appeared in arcades. MVS cartridges are specifically designed for arcade cabinets.

Hopefully this explanation suffices.

[The Collector]

It could be that nobody's stepped forward to do it, of course.

Funny.. I did the MVS section. I thought it was getting into the guide - at least it was submitted before the deadline. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but that still kind of sucks

MVS *IS* in the Guide.

The section was written strictly with home games in mind, as all of our work has ever reflected. A last-minute decision to include MVS rarity and prices is IN THERE, they're listed within the descriptions of all AES titles.

If you're asking why "arcade only" games aren't included, it's because we don't do a book on arcade games.

I don't really understand your Vectrex analogy. Vectrex carts are meant for the Vectrex home system. The Vectrex never appeared in arcades. MVS cartridges are specifically designed for arcade cabinets.

Hopefully this explanation suffices.

Wow, i feel like an ass . But when i saw this list (taken from the DPAdvance page):
32X
3DO
CD32
CDTV
CD-i
Dreamcast
Game Boy
Game Boy Color
Game.com
Game Gear
Genesis
Jaguar
Laseractive
Lynx
Memorex VIS
Nintendo 64
Neo-Geo AES
Neo-Geo CD
Neo-Geo Pocket
Nuon
PC Engine
Pico
PlayStation
R-Zone
Saturn
Sega CD
Super NES
SuperGrafx
TurboGrafx-16
Virtual Boy

Its doesn't list MVS in there. Sorry if i jumped to conclusions. I just though since it wasn't listed it wasn't in the book. I should have asked around first.
Sorry

~bill

[ClubNinja]

It could be that nobody's stepped forward to do it, of course.

Funny.. I did the MVS section. I thought it was getting into the guide - at least it was submitted before the deadline. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but that still kind of sucks

MVS *IS* in the Guide.

The section was written strictly with home games in mind, as all of our work has ever reflected. A last-minute decision to include MVS rarity and prices is IN THERE, they're listed within the descriptions of all AES titles.

If you're asking why "arcade only" games aren't included, it's because we don't do a book on arcade games.

I don't really understand your Vectrex analogy. Vectrex carts are meant for the Vectrex home system. The Vectrex never appeared in arcades. MVS cartridges are specifically designed for arcade cabinets.

Hopefully this explanation suffices.

Hurray!

Not having seen the guide yet myself, I could only go on what was said in the thread, which I assumed was based on someone's actually having looked through the guide for it and not finding it. Much relief for me

[Ed Oscuro]

Oops, I should've checked out the guide myself before posting off that bad info...Sorry about that DiscoNinja! :P

[Geddon_jt]

Just wanted to add - the only MVS information is for games that have a home cart (AES) counterpart, so the MVS prices and whotnot in the guide follow the home cart listings and are by no means comprehensive.

I.e. there is no information or reference to any MVS exclusives, such as Shock Troopers, Puzzle de Pon, Fight Fever, Prehistoric Isle 2 etc....

[rbudrick]

Just wanted to add - the only MVS information is for games that have a home cart (AES) counterpart, so the MVS prices and whotnot in the guide follow the home cart listings and are by no means comprehensive.

I.e. there is no information or reference to any MVS exclusives, such as Shock Troopers, Puzzle de Pon, Fight Fever, Prehistoric Isle 2 etc....

I was wondering the same thing, but didn't know any names of exclusive games...great point, btw.

Joe, any chance of ever actually DOING an arcade guide? I know the DP plate is full enough but what a great book that could be!

-Rob

[Sylentwulf]

Well, the vectrex kinda was in the arcade, those little bartop minicades....

OK, done my anal comment.

[video_game_addict]

Well, the vectrex kinda was in the arcade, those little bartop minicades....

OK, done my anal comment.

TThose miniarcades are nice, but what like only 4-5 are even known to exist..

I think the Atari 8-bit has a better chance of being called an Arcade machine before the Vectrex

I also don't think the MVS qualifies for a console guide. Then what, maybe the ST-V will come next? & maybe CPS? It's an arcade media, whether there's some similarities or not. Doesn't belong in a console guide, jmho..

[The Collector]

But I'm not sure if any other arcade system besides the NEO can be played through its home console counterpart(with a Phantom 1 converter)? That's why i thought it would be more relavant than other arcade platforms. SNK made the systems and the games. Can ST-V games be played through a Saturn? How about Naomi through the DC?
(Asking legit questions here because i dont know what the true ST-V and Naomi to console compatibility is)


~bill

[Ed Oscuro]

Nope on both counts. ST-V carts, I would imagine, are about the size of Neo Geo carts, and quite a different shape on the bottom than the Saturn's cartridge slot allows for. Funny thing that Sega allowed for the "best of both worlds" in providing a cart slot - but not ONCE did anybody use it for anything other than quick graphics access or extra RAM, giving you an idea how popular the N64's format must've been.

Then there's the Naomi, and then look at this:
http://hankfiles.pcvsconsole.com/answer.php?file=388

The Naomi and Dreamcast have appreciably different specifications, but the Naomi is essentially a Dreamcast with more RAM, two PowerVR2 chips (DC has one), and a Videologic "Elan" texture & lighting chip.

The XBox is more powerful than the Naomi 2, though, at least overall.

[Sylentwulf]

But I'm not sure if any other arcade system besides the NEO can be played through its home console counterpart(with a Phantom 1 converter)? That's why i thought it would be more relavant than other arcade platforms.
~bill

Then there should be a supergun section of the guide?

[ClubNinja]

But I'm not sure if any other arcade system besides the NEO can be played through its home console counterpart(with a Phantom 1 converter)? That's why i thought it would be more relavant than other arcade platforms.
~bill

Then there should be a supergun section of the guide?

I have been seriously considering the pitching of this kind of idea recently, even as its own complete book. The main problem I see is that it's going to be difficult to catalog and rank (rarity/value) every arcade PCB ever. So where is the line drawn? JAMMA only? That alienates all the old stuff. Interchangeables? That eliminates the concern in splitting PCB from its full cabinet as only the cartridges would be listed (like the MVS was done). Unfortunately, it also eliminates a whole mess of games that are worth noting, but dedicated PCB-only. See how this can get complicated?

I'd love to see a guide (or section) dedicated to all cartridge-based arcade systems (MVS, ST-V, etc), as those are my favorite things to collect personally. Unfortunately, there are all sorts of complexities and worthwhile games/items are bound to be left out. Also, these things are essentially a niche within a niche, which may not even warrant attention like that. To answer a previous question, the MVS made the guide because, of all the arcade systems, MVS games have become the most accessible and popular among average home gamers/collectors. Even people who aren't interested in arcade hardware may have some MVS games, along with a motherboard or Phantom adapter for their AES at home. Even if no other arcade platform is included, the MVS has become relevant enough among home gamers and collectors in recent years to deserve inclusion.

[Geddon_jt]

But I'm not sure if any other arcade system besides the NEO can be played through its home console counterpart(with a Phantom 1 converter)? That's why i thought it would be more relavant than other arcade platforms.
~bill

Then there should be a supergun section of the guide?

I have been seriously considering the pitching of this kind of idea recently, even as its own complete book. The main problem I see is that it's going to be difficult to catalog and rank (rarity/value) every arcade PCB ever. So where is the line drawn? JAMMA only? That alienates all the old stuff. Interchangeables? That eliminates the concern in splitting PCB from its full cabinet as only the cartridges would be listed (like the MVS was done). Unfortunately, it also eliminates a whole mess of games that are worth noting, but dedicated PCB-only. See how this can get complicated?

I'd love to see a guide (or section) dedicated to all cartridge-based arcade systems (MVS, ST-V, etc), as those are my favorite things to collect personally. Unfortunately, there are all sorts of complexities and worthwhile games/items are bound to be left out. Also, these things are essentially a niche within a niche, which may not even warrant attention like that. To answer a previous question, the MVS made the guide because, of all the arcade systems, MVS games have become the most accessible and popular among average home gamers/collectors. Even people who aren't interested in arcade hardware may have some MVS games, along with a motherboard or Phantom adapter for their AES at home. Even if no other arcade platform is included, the MVS has become relevant enough among home gamers and collectors in recent years to deserve inclusion.

You bring up some great points, so I might as well share my thoughts on this.

First, let me say that the MVS cart listings you provided for the guide are fantastic. I really think they are, in general, extremely accurate.

However, I must say, I wasn't so sure about MVS stuff being included in the guide for a number of reasons. (I've always been a longtime objector to the MVS price guide on ng.com, for the same reasons).

Basically, I don't feel like the recent (ie last couple of years) MVS "craze" justifies MVS carts being treated as collectible video games in the same sense that the AES, or other consumer consoles, are. Just because they are more in demand now than they used to be, or just because they happen to be compatible with the home Neo hardware, isn't enough to me. They are arcade PCBs to me, intended solely for arcade operators, and thus should not be lumped in with consumer consoles.

Furthermore I have always had a problem, generally, with people assigning "rarity" numbers to arcade games. Unlike everything else in the guide, MVS cartridges, when new, were never really available for public purchase. It is only in very recent years that collectors have found ways to buy brand new MVS carts without having to go through a special "hookup" from a distributor. Plus MVS cartridges were sold and marketed worldwide, often with no differences in packaging. Thus, I think it is *extremely* difficult to attempt to guage rarity, solely based on what we, as collectors, observe changing hands on online sites / ebay (arcade ops sitting on stockpiles of "worthless" old MVS carts are only beginning to catch on).

Things are similar in the secondhand market as well. How often has anyone seen an MVS cart at a flea market, thrift store, or mom and pop game shop? MVS carts, just like ALL arcade PCBs, are bought/traded/sold in entirely different avenues than consumer products.

Finally, pricing. Like I said above, arcade ops over the past few years have been catching on that old MVS games are actually worth something to someone else out there (guys like us). Generally, though, there is a great rule of thumb for arcade PCBs, MVS carts included. If the game is old enough that it no longer makes money when sitting in a machine it is basically worthless. Astronomical release price ---> certain time the game is profitable ---> worthless. Hopefully somewhere in the middle the arcade op can make his investment back. Obviously there is now a pretty sizable collectors market for these games, but MVS carts (with a few notable exceptions) still generally follow this principle.

Just my thoughts on these issues, for what it's worth.

[ClubNinja]

Lots of good stuff!

Let me start off by thanking you for the kind word on the MVS listings. I appreciate it.

Now, let me try to address what you're saying (which is totally valid stuff) from a different perspective. I'll try to be brief and to the point (unlike usual.)

MVS games, like all PCBs, were (for the most part) not available at the consumer level - I'll give you that. Neither were prototypes, competition cartridges, and others of that sort. Yet, we still include these in our guides. Last I knew, the Blockbuster Genesis cartridge was included, as were the full "Prototype/One-of-a-Kind" sections in the book. While I'm not arguing the validity of their inclusions, I do feel the MVS can fit into the same category without much of a stretch at all. Regarding the question "How often has anyone seen an MVS cart at a flea market, thrift store, or mom and pop game shop?", I can positively answer that I have found more arcade PCBs and parts for sale in such places than I've seen prototypes (for the record, I've found 1 prototype that way, as opposed to the numerous arcade items I've come across). The guide has never discriminated against "means of distribution and acquisition" in the past, so why now?

Now, if you asked the average gamer/collector of things/whoever back in 1984 if they felt the worthless Atari cartridges piled up in bargain bins would ever be identified as collectibles, I'm fairly sure they'd have told you "no way". 20 years later, they're the arguable centerpiece of our entire hobby. MVS cartridges are in more demand now in the same way that 2600 cartridges were in more demand in the mid-90s. Collecting evolves and the MVS (as well as PCBs in general) are part of the new wave. Why exclude them when we can adapt for them instead?

Finally, pricing. I turn to the previous example again. I'm sure that some of today's rarest of the rares once spent a few weeks at the bottom of a bargain bin. Old stock, worthless to the store, no one cares about that system anymore. A more recent example - a buddy of mine bought Panzer Dragoon Saga at Walmart for $4.91 back when they were clearing out those "old, worthless" Saturn games. The same can be said for this arcade stuff. MVS cartridges and PCBs are becoming collectible, which means that values are going to naturally be assigned. While these prices and values are coming from transactions in specialized online forums, eBay, etc, other vendors will eventually catch up. Chase the Chuckwagon used to be the dirty old dog food game that no one cared about. The collectors cared though, and between themselves would charge $100+, even though the average outside seller wanted 25 cents. Now, outsiders are getting smarter and prices are going up. Sometimes, warehouse stocks are found, and rares become less rare. It's the way collecting evolves. Relative to the Atari 2600, MVS collecting is still a toddler, but I believe it's following the steps that other, completely acceptable parts of the hobby have in the past.

None of this is to say that you're wrong - it's just how I see it and justify it.

[Geddon_jt]

Lots of good stuff!

MVS games, like all PCBs, were (for the most part) not available at the consumer level - I'll give you that. Neither were prototypes, competition cartridges, and others of that sort. Yet, we still include these in our guides. Last I knew, the Blockbuster Genesis cartridge was included, as were the full "Prototype/One-of-a-Kind" sections in the book. While I'm not arguing the validity of their inclusions, I do feel the MVS can fit into the same category without much of a stretch at all. Regarding the question "How often has anyone seen an MVS cart at a flea market, thrift store, or mom and pop game shop?", I can positively answer that I have found more arcade PCBs and parts for sale in such places than I've seen prototypes (for the record, I've found 1 prototype that way, as opposed to the numerous arcade items I've come across). The guide has never discriminated against "means of distribution and acquisition" in the past, so why now?

...

None of this is to say that you're wrong - it's just how I see it and justify it.

Good points.

Let me just say a few things - prototypes/demos/competition carts etc are in the guide because they are still software for consumer consoles. I think we can safely say that the guide, for the most part, features only software that interfaces with consumer-sold game hardware. MVS cartridges are just a modular form of a normal arcade PCB in my eyes.

Plus, doesn't it bother you that there are scores of MVS exclusives that aren't listed because they dont have AES counterparts? And if the solution to that is, create a MVS section, then why not a Crystal system / Taito F3 / Sega STV section? (or any other modular PCB) Its a can of worms that is dangeous to open.

Again, just my perspective. Yours is equally valid. And even I am coming to terms with the increasing value of the MVS cart market these days

[ClubNinja]

Plus, doesn't it bother you that there are scores of MVS exclusives that aren't listed because they dont have AES counterparts?

This is strictly due to our time restraint. Including MVS was a *very* last minute decision (like five days before the book was to be sent to press, or something along those lines), which meant I could really only include those titles that were paralleled in the existing AES section. With more time available, future editions will include all the MVS-exclusive goodies

And if the solution to that is, create a MVS section, then why not a Crystal system / Taito F3 / Sega STV section? (or any other modular PCB) Its a can of worms that is dangeous to open.

I'd actually love to open that can of worms. While I obviously wouldn't be able to field the whole project myself, I'd be filled with all kinds of joy if a full section or entire book was dedicated to modular PCBs. They're delightful!