
Most of the systems that get lumped in the junk pile aren’t actually junk at all, they just happen to be overstocked items that don’t sell anymore due to their age. But to collectors like myself, these unwanted systems become a gold mine of sorts. Of course I can’t just walk into the store expecting what I want to be there and in the condition I would like it to be in. I have to sort through piles of discolored, filth covered, cigarette stained, electronics. Many Japanese smoke in their homes and cars, so buying stuff from a smoke free environment is nearly impossible. I just try to find a middle ground and get the most aesthetically appealing hardware I can find.

2000 yen (roughly $20) for a PS2 is actually very good considering that they sell used at almost every store in Japan for about 12,000 yen. I knew I’d be able to find one in the junk section eventually for the right price and I finally did but it came with a little trouble. It actually took me two tries to get it right. The first try was actually a failed purchase because I bought a PS2 with a bad laser spindle motor which was not worth fixing so that ended up burning 2000 yen. My second most recent PS2 attempt worked just fine and is playing games happily under my TV. It was also in the junk section under a stack of other PS2s. So in total I spent about 4000 for my PS2 since the first one was a lemon. I may take the completely broken one to another recycle shop to sell it for parts since its a fixable system, its just not worth my time to mess with it.


One final note to my readers, I want to send out a happy birthday to my good friend Kherri. I hope you get around to using that white SEGA Saturn I gave to you for Christmas.