The Future of Retro Gaming - The Repros

Written by Nate
Video by Canadian Zangief

If you consider retro video game collecting is evolving from it's infancy to adolescence, there are many future trends developing and it is our goal to document these trends as they unfold, news you can use!

The argument is out, are reproductions a true extension of this retro gaming culture or no more than glorified bootleggers? Reproductions can allow the retro game fan to play rare and expensive video games in their original format and even allow for a whole market of new, home made games (homebrews) for retro consoles. But why are some people against something that is seems so great? How can this be a danger to high priced collectors? Reproduction games are present in today's retro gaming culture, make sure you are prepared! *Nate plays evil music (A Special Video Request from Canadian Zangief)

Repro markets have grown to include their very own custom boxes and manuals. Ahh, Christmas all over again!

Reproductions (or Repros) in the retro video game community are games that were not originally released back in the day, but are currently produced for the masses in the same format as the original. There are purists who only stick to the original released retro games, but in today's hyper-inflated priced market it makes it impossible for some people to get to play these expensive games in it's original format. This is where reproduction games have filled the market need. Take for example Bubble Bath Babes, a game that retails for over $700 in it's original form. Some people have been able to copy this game onto a Nintendo cartridge that plays just like the original on an original Nintendo, but for only $70 retail.

Zelda - Parallel Worlds is whole new Zelda Game (based off Zelda, A Link to the Past) and is consider an amazing game!

Repros have also been a great outlet for the Homebrew community (people who have modified original games or made their own new games). There is a bounty of import games that were released only Japan (in Japanese) that we (North Americans) weren't originally able to play. Repros allows foreign games to be translated and allows us to play new or re-imagined games on original hardware... like nature intended!

On the flip side, there are "purists" out there who do not look favourably on the Repro market. They may believe that these are just illegal copies that decrease the value of games of the original games. This  may seem selfish to the majority of retro gamers, but they may have a point. If you look at these retro video games in it's original form as a work of art, then it is these repros that cheapen it.

It can be difficult to spot the difference! Earthbound retails for $300!

Another major hazard of Repros is counterfeits. This is a whole different game, people representing Repros as original versions of rare and expensive games trying to rip you off! Our best advice here is buyer beware! If a rare game is selling for too cheap, that should alarm you. Make sure you trust who you're buying from and learn how to spot fakes (here's a good link!). *Nate isn't too keen on high priced games anyways...

The truth is, the art of video games is in the experience you, the gamer, have when playing it and not hidden away on a shelf. Not all of us can afford to visit The Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, but repros allow us to enjoy classic video games in all it's glory! In the end, isn't that what's important? (Just don't by a fake game!)

We asked our friend Jason (The Canadian Zangief) to share with us his knowledge of the Repro market and highlights from his own collection!

Related Links

RetroUSB - An online retro reproduection video game store

A List of Repro/Homebrew websites - NintenoAge.com