Why is Kizuna Encounter (European version) so rare?

[oliverclaude]

The question was already answered in one post of mine thought. Shock Troopers 2 got no english release, so when i buy a copy of em go figure.

No need to get excited, I could imagine lithy's question did not concern jpn-only releases, but those released both inside and outside of Japan. And yes, they sold those, too. SNK had no strict consistency, so did MARO.

That's the key question with that advert - it doesn't say whether the titles are Japanese or English, ...

But at least it does say Ultimate 11, not Super Sidekicks 4 or Tokuten Ou - Hono no Libero. Anyway, I'm with frazer99 here:

I believe Kizuna and Ultimate 11 to be genuine and I would expect that SNK shipped a small amount to the distributors in Europe (Germany, UK, possibly Italy/France) to test the market for those titles. Effectively sale/return basis. If no-one bought them (and they clearly didn't) they returned them to SNK and they were re-purposed for the Japanese market. Production runs around 1996 I would expect to have been around 500 carts but that is just my estimate (not fact).

This is also evident:

Given the cartridges themselves were universal it was only a matter of printing an insert, manual and sticker to make an 'english' copy.

A friend of mine, Takato, had an Ultimate 11, which he sold to, iirc, FTL, who came with Fran to Köln to pick it up first-hand. According to Takato, his copy had a double label, which fits frazer99's test the market assumption. It would be interesting to know, if all U11's came with double labels. Then again, both Kizuna's I know (formerly Herzog Drei & BRANDI copies) have no doubles, so it could be either way.

 

[chamane]

I have seen a U11 with double label (it came from Switzerland and had no manual).
My copy and Bahamut's one had only one euro sticker).
Regards.

 

[Kid Panda]

Yes, even MVS copies of Kizuna Encounter (again English in particular) are quite scarce. Especially the art packs & kit boxes. They are practically like English Last Blade 2 rare!

Is this why I had three copies and a kit bit/box come through my hands within 2 years of each other? Seems kinda odd that three copies would be in my city sitting in a ops place.

 

[SuperGun]

Is this why I had three copies and a kit bit/box come through my hands within 2 years of each other? Seems kinda odd that three copies would be in my city sitting in a ops place.

Your mileage may vary.
Seriously though, some carts turn up less often in different parts of the country; and the world. Remember when a dozen bran new mint US MVS super dodge ball kits turned up in Austria? Shawn couldn’t give them away at $50 a pop. Now, you can’t even find a loose English cart for $200.

 

[neo_mao]

Pointless thread because Kizuna is lame terrible game and that is an indisputable fact...worst character design of any SNK game EVER!!! Worse than Savage Reign!!!

Ninja Masters > Kizuna Encounter by a bajillion miles.

Anyone who disagrees is a bloody fool!!!

 

[oliverclaude]

Well, better a bloody fool, than a bloodycelt...

 

[DevilRedeemed]

Pointless thread because Kizuna is lame terrible game and that is an indisputable fact...worst character design of any SNK game EVER!!! Worse than Savage Reign!!!

Ninja Masters > Kizuna Encounter by a bajillion miles.

Anyone who disagrees is a bloody fool!!!

I must be a bloody fool. I like the gayness that is Kizuna Encounter. The gameplay is silly though

 

[evil wasabi]

Ninja Master’s is the better game though. It’s not even close.

 

[massimiliano]

yeah but can't play in tag team, four players....

 

[DevilRedeemed]

Ninja Master’s is the better game though. It’s not even close.

I don't know why moe compared the two (I might be out of the loop on this).
Ninja Masters is the real deal. Kizuna is a great diversion

 

[neo_mao]

It’s best not to try and find reason for why I do the things that I do

 

[DevilRedeemed]

It’s best not to try and find reason for why I do the things that I do

From the bottom of my heart
Sorry

 

[evil wasabi]

It’s best not to try and find reason for why I do the things that I do

Haram.

 

[neo_mao]

Haram.

Salam. Lotfan twalet kojast?

 

[evil wasabi]

Salam. Lotfan twalet kojast?

Halal

 

[LoneSage]

Assalamu alaikum

 

[evil wasabi]

Assalamu alaikum

Ok Uighur.

 

[neo_mao]

Ok but seriously, Wasabi can I have your Ninja Masters homecart? Early Christmas present. Lotfan

 

[evil wasabi]

Ok but seriously, Wasabi can I have your Ninja Masters homecart? Early Christmas present. Lotfan

It’s for sale. Just send me $2000. Considering inflation and cost of sellers remorse, that’s a good deal.

 

[kernow]

Yeah, I thought it was not a separate cart either. Also, isn't there another Neo Geo game that has a 4 player board?

Neo bomberman was supposed to be four player, it has placeholders for the 3/4p icons

 

[supergoose]

Remember when a dozen bran new mint US MVS super dodge ball kits turned up in Austria?

Spain. Amano Jacu got me one of those for 59€ shipped before the remaining kits were shipped out to Shawn.

 

[DevilRedeemed]

Neo bomberman was supposed to be four player, it has placeholders for the 3/4p icons

it lives!















Still eating them pasties?
God bless you Kernow
God bless you

 

[kernow]

 

[Late]

Hi kern!

 

[kernow]

Hey buddy!
Who's the sysadmin nowadays?
Have they heard of let's encrypt?