Game Crazy is in the process of closing 200 stores across the United States. Yesterday, my wife and I visited a local Game Crazy where all items remaining in the store were 50% off.
I picked up the following:
AM CD/DVD Game Cleaner Manual Machine ($5, new). I bought this to replace a hand crank-style Maxell CD/DVD cleaner that I’ve used for about 10 years. One of the parts came off my Maxell CD/DVD cleaner years ago, but I still have it and just plug it back into place any time I needed to clean CDs or DVDs. The AM brand cleaner didn’t come with a lens cleaner disc, so I’m keeping my old Maxell disc handy.
Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand ($10, new?). When I spotted Boktai in the display case, I was somewhat surprised to see that it hadn’t sold already. For those not already familiar with the game, it’s a Gameboy Advance title that has a solar sensor built into the game cartridge. Playing where sunlight reaches the cartridge affects gameplay in interesting and creative ways.
On the drive home from Game Crazy and before I unwrapped the game, I felt a twinge of buyer’s remorse for buying a GBA game for $10 when I already have a backlog of games to get through. I was concerned that the solar sensor might just be a silly gimmick, but after playing through the game’s first mission, I found myself impressed with how the developers (Konami) incorporated the solar sensor feature without making the special hardware feel extraneous or tacked on. The game would be an impressive title even without special hardware, but the solar sensor adds to the experience.
Playstation 2 Guitar Hero Wireless Guitar ($20, new). I’d been keeping an eye out for an inexpensive used Playstation 2 or Wii guitar controller to play Guitar Hero games ever since I played Guitar Hero III on my best friend’s Xbox 360 several months ago. I had seen some used PS2 guitar controllers in good condition (though usually covered in stickers) at other used games stores, but never a new PS2 guitar controller for 20 bucks. Used PS2 games are cheap these days, so this is the economical way to play a bit of Guitar Hero now and then.
EA Sports Active Multiplayer Pack ($10, new). This may be the only item I regret purchasing. The pack consists of two items: A leg strap for a Wii Nunchuk and a “resistance band.” I use quotes because the so-called resistance band consists of a length of cheap stretchy material and two handles. Not only does the user have to assemble the resistance band (side note: helpful video available here), the material feels like it’ll break at any moment.
My suspicions were confirmed when I googled “EA Sports Active resistance band” and found reports of several instances where the resistance band broke. I wish I had read up on the pack before making the purchase. Had I known how flimsy the resistance band was, I probably would have skipped the pack and opted to make my own.
Sega Dreamcast Controller (Original Gray) ($1 each, used). Sure, the two Dreamcast controllers I already own work just fine, but I figure at a measly dollar each, it made sense to buy two controllers as backups or for those rare occasions when my wife and I have company and our guests are interested in playing a 4-player Dreamcast game. Can’t beat the price.
These will very likely be my last game-related purchases until Black Friday, when I plan to spend the remainder of the gift money I’ve hoarded over the last year.