Hey, good choice to get a boxed NGH...
For the serial numbers, if you have a low numbered one, like up to 35.000, you have a better RGB picture quality. But RGB picture is only used in Europe as a standard, you only have Composite, S-Vid and YUV.
If you consider to have a superior picture quality, you should get a Video-modded AES, like from Jeff Kurtz, with his well known video board.
If you buy a high numbered one, like numbering over 100.000 you have a better, but even NOT superior Composite video quality.
Boxed systems are ranged between $200 - $500 shipped, depending on where do you buy. Here at the ng-com forum, systems are fair priced, but the freaks out here have the knowledge to handle there AES conseoles well, so you won't be disappointed if you deal here. On places like ebay, you will get the cheapest prices, because all the japanese and chinese seller try to sell there consoles now, because prices go down very fast. I saw a boxed system on ebay once for like 180 bucks excl. shipping. Consider that you have to pay appr. $50 shipping for a boxed system from Japan.
For a boxed system, it depends on the offer, if you get some low-dollar games with it, like Fatal Fury 1, 2, Special, KoF94, 95 or Ghost Pilots...
Games like Last Blade, Metal Slug or the later Kof-titles are mostly sold seperatly, because of they're fairly high collector's value.
Congratz to your decision, you will not be disappointed with you new beauty, you AES... If you get one...
