English AOF 3 Cart!

I actually own one of these rare gems. Got this from the Neo Geo Store in Thailand. Pretty reliable I must say. If you guys want rare titles, check them out! I can't believe that I own AOF 3 and an English cart at that! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> I really enjoy the AOF series and I'm happy my collection is complete. AOF 3 is a good game, not as hard as AOF2, but still good.

Umm... how do we get in touch with them? You didn't give any information other than the fact that they're located in Thailand! <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

What a coincidence!

I just got my copy of AOF3 US this past Friday night.

I'll bore you guys with my AOF3 story...

A few weeks ago I decided I really, really had to get a copy of AOF3 on homecart. I inquired about it here and there and began to realise that although most people bag on this game and claim not to want it, it is fairly scarce. I inquired with a few Japanese sellers, but learned that the Japanese version is more rare than the US version, at least in practice (One of the few...) and that it would be easier and cheaper to go after the US version. So I'm looking everywhere, even posted in the 'Wanted' section here (Although to Lord Akidadus' credit, se said he could probably find me one..).

So that brings me to last Friday. I get off work and have a couple of hours to kill, so I decide to go to the rather imfamous GAMEDUDE here in LA, which almost NEVER has any good homecarts, mostly older titles. As I'm driving there I say to myself "Wouldn't it be wierd if they had a copy of AOF3 in stock, yeah right! Haha..."

So I go in and peruse their small Neo Geo section....

What?

They actually have it!

Needless to say I bought the SOB and it remains, to this day, the only time I've ever had instant gratification with a Neo cart purchase (As I almost always buy through the mail...). Even though it cost me $249, which is actually a good price.

BTW, I really dig this game, so I'm in the middle of writing a review for it right now.

Congrats on your bargain neobuyer! But it`s definitely not true the jap AoF 3 is more rare than US. Many of my friends have jap AoF 3 but no US. In fact Thailand Neo Geo Store is the only store I know of that has US AoF 3 in stock. You know it`s kinda funny, this store seems to specialize in some certain games - I can`t explain why he always keeps getting US AoF 3 and US Double Dragon e.g., although often at quite high prices and w/out manual

[ October 24, 2001: Message edited by: Kyokugen Star ]

i luv aof 3 its one of my faves..kick ass game!
i have a jap and u.s i like it so much..

Originally posted by Kyokugen Star:
<STRONG>Congrats on your bargain neobuyer! But it`s definitely not true the jap AoF 3 is more rare than US.
[ October 24, 2001: Message edited by: Kyokugen Star ]</STRONG>

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oh bugger !


here we go again

japanese aof3 and ninjamasters are definitely harder to find than us counter parts

<IMG SRC="smilies/cool.gif" border="0">

Scott,congrats again for your purchase

and remember

COME BACK WHEN YOU GROW UP !!!!!!!

The URL for the store is http://neogeoshop.tripod.com. They are reliable and everything I received was how they advertised it. I noticed that they have a lot of games without manuals. My complaint is that they really sock you for the rare titles with the manuals. If I bought AOF 3 without the manual, I could've paid like $200-250. I paid $345 for the whole thing. It's costly, but it's probably not a bad deal compared to prices that other stores would be charging.
Before you start ripping on me (which I fear might happen), keep in mind that I'm new to owning an AES, so I'm not an expert on pricing.

Originally posted by Endtime:
<STRONG>The URL for the store is http://neogeoshop.tripod.com. They are reliable and everything I received was how they advertised it.</STRONG>

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What was shipping like, I tried to fing a link for shipping cost but couldn't find one. If the shipping is cheap I might buy my AES System from there. SoSo Prices, and a great selection I surelly have to check back there before making purchases.

japanese aof3 and ninjamasters are definitely harder to find than us counter
parts

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Fran, plain and simple: No. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

<now waiting for Simone to jump in and attack from behind> <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

The reason I said the US ver of AOF3 is harder to find is based upon 2 things:

1) I talked to several sellers in Japan, and each one told me that AOF3 is extremely scarce there. They said at least $350 for it.

2)I've also talked to several other collectors that prefer jpn ver carts who say they think that the jpn ver AOF3 is more rare.

I think that there are probably more jpn ver AOF3 carts in the US than in Japan at this point. So it's probably easier to find a jpn ver AOF3 here than in the Land of the Rising Sun,and for less.

That being said, the last two AOF3 carts I saw for sale were both US versions.

Originally posted by neobuyer:
<STRONG>1) I talked to several sellers in Japan, and each one told me that AOF3 is extremely scarce there. They said at least $350 for it.
</STRONG>

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That's utter bullshit. Aof Legends can still be had there for the equivalent of under or around $200. I could have had one myself at that price, not very long ago, two in fact, but I passed. Why? Because I want the English one. And I'm not yet prepared to pay some shitass price for it, since I stink at finding English games.

Or you could just buy a $60 loose Aof3 cart (thanks GoldenArmz), track down a snaplock case and find a friend to let you take his insert to kinkos to make a perfect copy like I did <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> I got lucky, and saved some major cash. And if you really need a manual just buy AOF3 on CD and toss that manual in there.

Seriously though, AOF3 was probably produced in similar quantities to other carts of the period in both formats. I have a friend in Japan who seems to get it regularly at under $200, which is around what it sells for over here. The only reason the US version sells for more is because of the current US cart craze, not necessarily because it is more "rare." But $350 in Japan for Jpn AOF3? I doubt it. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[ October 24, 2001: Message edited by: Geddon_jt ]

Well thanks for the clarification guys...

Damn price-gouging sellers...

Game Dude... Damn, I just went there today (before reading this thread). They still have a copy of Savage Reign US AES complete for about $125 if anyone is looking (the also have a loose cart + instructions if Geddon_it is listing <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> )

Originally posted by Fran:
<STRONG>

COME BACK WHEN YOU GROW UP !!!!!!!</STRONG>

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hahah... remember that?

<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

god i love aof3
great game..
really is very bueatiful..
but the game is fun too...
god kasumi s so fuking cool... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Bobak:
<STRONG>Game Dude... Damn...</STRONG>

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Hey man, I've got a theory...

If you looked at Gamedude's pricelist, they have KOF '00 and a few other rare games with UPDATED prices.

My theory is that they alter their pricelist when somebody actually brings in a cart to sell them. At that point, they go online and do a little research. A month ago, they had no KOF '00 at all on the list. I'll bet someone went in there with a KOF '00 cart and it threw 'em for a loop!

I think that they've probably had ALOT of rare carts go through their doors... but they get bought up IMMEDIATELY.

I couldn't believe it when I saw that AOF 3 cart in there, I had been there a week before and they still had NOTHING (Unless you count the Savage Reighn cart...)

I bet they, from time to time, get some extremely choice carts, and either people that work there snap 'em up, or collectors who visit regularly buy them the instant they see 'em.

This makes me want to keep a few hundred in reserve and wait for a US Ninja Masters to surface... Well, I can hope, eh?

Originally posted by rarehero:
<STRONG>
hahah... remember that?

<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

</STRONG>

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course i remember bro


good old days

<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Shipping isn't too bad from the NeoStore in Thailand. I think shipping was like $10 and that was using DHL's Express shipping. I was told 3 days, but the package was stopped by customs, so I had to wait longer. They're prices aren't too bad, but they are reliable.

And to respond to Geddon_jt's post, I have to say that although you made some good points, I'd rather have the original package! <IMG SRC="smilies/drool.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by neobuyer:
<STRONG>I couldn't believe it when I saw that AOF 3 cart in there, I had been there a week before and they still had NOTHING (Unless you count the Savage Reighn cart...)

I bet they, from time to time, get some extremely choice carts, and either people that work there snap 'em up, or collectors who visit regularly buy them the instant they see 'em.

</STRONG>

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I agree with your theories. I remember when was shocked to see a SSIV US sitting on their shelf.