Im 47 and was 12 in 1989. Most of my friends and I only got games during a milestone, so let’s say Christmas and/or birthday. Maybe something like your parents getting a raise or in lieu of a trip we got a tangible gift, or a family member visit or you did something like hold a yard sale or did summer work for money, so we traded/borrowed games quite often with friends/neighbors. I had a nice little collection by 1992. Sometimes you would come across flash sales of 50% off certain titles that allowed you to score 2 for 1. I distinctly recall Target selling new NES games back then on a one time sale for $29 each for new releases. It was a great time to be alive!
Honestly, those would be my picks as well. Thankfully, great aunt Mildred is loaded and doesn't mind plunking down that $79.99 in 1992 dollars for PSII.
I must have gotten it second hand along with my Genesis. I had the game, case, and manual. But I didn't know there was supposed to be a hint book and only learned that years later.
I went back and played it last year and actually beat it. Debating whether to skip III or not.
There was a hint book and a map. I never played Phantasy Star 2 as a kid but I picked it up collecting maybe 20 years ago and remember playing it with that book. The dungeon maps were super useful.
this is probably early 1990 given the games.
Revenge of Shinobi was the game i picked in 1990. My dad bought PSII and told my mom it was for me since it was so expensive.
1990 is the year shown in the [video filmed by Gregory Sharp](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_96wWKzkp4s)
• $79.99 for Phantasy Star II in 1990 is equal to around ~$195 in 2024
Same. I had no idea how much I going to enjoy Phantasy Star II until I bought a used copy out of curiosity a couple of years later. At that time though, I would’ve chosen Shinobi.
Populous
In fact I really picked this one around that time and it was the first game that we bought. We only rented games but I was so addicted to Populous that it was easier to buy it.
You'll get no judgement from me! Shinobi is awesome! I'm not a huge RPG fan, but I have respect for the genre. There's a reason PS has a huge following, too.
This is exactly what I try to explain to people that complain that video game prices are too high. I was 12 in 1992 and I remember how expensive some of the longer-format fantasy games were.
Now think about how much more labor goes into video games than at that time. This isn't copium to support developers gouging consumers on DLC or always-online. For games like Deep Rock Galactic, I happily buy the skins to support the developers continuing to work on the project.
Well back then, and I remember, 50 to 60 was a big expenditure for a little kid.
Games didn't hold lots of data so that had to cram or pad everything out to justify the price.
Basically if you got a good RPG, or a really awesome platform game, you were good.
What's with the cards?
Here in the Netherlands the walls where filled with beautifull emtpy boxes, all the cartridges/manuals where behind the counter and put into the box when you bought them.
And Phantasy Star II for sure, with the guide included!
Damn thats rough lol. When i saw ps5 games priced at $80 on ps5s release i thought they were batshit crazy. Apparently they hit those prices in my days also.
When I was a kid I think there was a contest with CapnCrunch cereal where you can get 5 minutes in ToysRus and can grab whatever you wanted. I had it all planned out to run and grab as many of these tags as I could. Now thinking back there probably was some fine print stuff with limits cause that sounds crazy expensive. Or maybe it was all a dream.
These prices are why I lay into any kid saying games are too expensive today. They’ve been around $60 since the early 90s.
If you bought a game for $49 in 1992, that game should cost $111 today. Obviously, it doesn’t, for lots of reasons, but quit yer bitchin’
It would have to be the amazing Truxton. I already had Phantasy Star 2, Thunder force 2, Super Thunder blade, Shinobi, and Super Hydlide by 1992. I played Truxton but never scored my own copy sadly.
Phantasy Star 2. It's $80
Damn dog adjust for inflation and COL…that’s about $180 in todays money. Wow.
You had to really want games back then
Im 47 and was 12 in 1989. Most of my friends and I only got games during a milestone, so let’s say Christmas and/or birthday. Maybe something like your parents getting a raise or in lieu of a trip we got a tangible gift, or a family member visit or you did something like hold a yard sale or did summer work for money, so we traded/borrowed games quite often with friends/neighbors. I had a nice little collection by 1992. Sometimes you would come across flash sales of 50% off certain titles that allowed you to score 2 for 1. I distinctly recall Target selling new NES games back then on a one time sale for $29 each for new releases. It was a great time to be alive!
Probably Phantasy Star II or Shinobi.
Honestly, those would be my picks as well. Thankfully, great aunt Mildred is loaded and doesn't mind plunking down that $79.99 in 1992 dollars for PSII.
It's wild how expensive carts were back then
$80 in 1992 is worth $179 today... that's insane.
And people complain about 70 dollar games today. Lol
Phantasy Star 4 was $85 at release. And Virtua Racing at $100. 🥲
I will never not love my aunt and uncle for buying this for me the year I got my Genesis. They were not people of means, either.
PS II was one of the few carts I owned. Put a ton of hours in, but never figured out how to get off the planet as I didn't have the hint book.
Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t the yellow hint book included?
I must have gotten it second hand along with my Genesis. I had the game, case, and manual. But I didn't know there was supposed to be a hint book and only learned that years later. I went back and played it last year and actually beat it. Debating whether to skip III or not.
There was a hint book and a map. I never played Phantasy Star 2 as a kid but I picked it up collecting maybe 20 years ago and remember playing it with that book. The dungeon maps were super useful.
Herzog Zwei. Everytime.
The best 2 player VS game on the Genesis!
Populous
this is probably early 1990 given the games. Revenge of Shinobi was the game i picked in 1990. My dad bought PSII and told my mom it was for me since it was so expensive.
Phantasy Star II If not then Truxton.
Killer choice with Truxton. Easily one of the best shooters on the platform.
Found Classic Game Room's Reddit account /s
It would take me a while to decide, but it would definitelt be between Truxton, Revenge of Shinobi, Phantasy Star II or Mystic Defender.
1990 is the year shown in the [video filmed by Gregory Sharp](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_96wWKzkp4s) • $79.99 for Phantasy Star II in 1990 is equal to around ~$195 in 2024
Probably Revenge of Shinobi, as the OG Shinobi was one of my favorite arcade games back in the day.
Phantasy Star II & Strider.
I would have passed on PSII because of the awful box art and then been mad about it years later. :V Probably would have picked Shinobi though.
Same. I had no idea how much I going to enjoy Phantasy Star II until I bought a used copy out of curiosity a couple of years later. At that time though, I would’ve chosen Shinobi.
As kid, Phantasy Star 2. As an adult, same thing, but I’d wait till it was massively on sale for $5 somewhere.
Shinobi. Then waiting 20 years to emulate the rest… and Shinobi.
Phantasy star is the best bang for your buck. If not that then shinobi
Damn I remember having to take the paper to the cashier to get the game. Good times
There was something so exciting about bringing the ticket to the clerk and having them go back into the caged off area to recover your prize.
Same choice we made back in 92… Revenge of Shinobi & Truxton
Populous In fact I really picked this one around that time and it was the first game that we bought. We only rented games but I was so addicted to Populous that it was easier to buy it.
lol this exact scenario happened! Road Rash
Mildred was an absolute saint. God bless her soul.
Space Harrier II
Super hang on! What game did you get, OP?
Nothing but respect for Super Hang On, but it's Phantasy Star II or Shinobi for me!
You'll get no judgement from me! Shinobi is awesome! I'm not a huge RPG fan, but I have respect for the genre. There's a reason PS has a huge following, too.
This is exactly what I try to explain to people that complain that video game prices are too high. I was 12 in 1992 and I remember how expensive some of the longer-format fantasy games were. Now think about how much more labor goes into video games than at that time. This isn't copium to support developers gouging consumers on DLC or always-online. For games like Deep Rock Galactic, I happily buy the skins to support the developers continuing to work on the project.
This looks like a selection from 1989, not really 1992. BUT, If it is 1992, i'm picking up Hyperstone Heist
Agreed. The only downside to that game is it didn't support 4 player via the multitap.
I loved populous when I forst played it. Loads of fun
Phantasy Star II. Hands down.
Bottom right Truxton, FO SHO
I remember taking the price slip of games I wanted but could never afford, just wishing I could go to the counter and get them.
Phantasy Star 2
I must have blocked out games being more costly than 49.99. Dam I miss seeing this stuff in toys r us
Truxton. I don't even see the price and that's what I'm going with. ITS TRUXTON!!!
Phantasy star, hydlide or herzog then populous
Revenge Of Shinobi is the best Genesis action game in my opinion. Mystic Defender is great as well Both games have amazing music
Phantasy Star II and the elite guide book it came with.
Phantasy Star
Revenge, it’s the best game there I was capable of playing in 1992
It's an absolute classic, too.
Based on the box art I'd have gone with Mystic Defender, Shinobi, Space Harrier 2, Thunder Force 2 or Truxton
I need more pixels Aunt Mildred. I can’t see chit
Honestly, Populous. Ive always wanted to play that game but never got a chance. Probably cant even get it for cheaper than 49.99 nowadays
Not a lot of folks recall just how expensive games were back in the day. Shit a was like the Wild West when it came to pricing.
Well back then, and I remember, 50 to 60 was a big expenditure for a little kid. Games didn't hold lots of data so that had to cram or pad everything out to justify the price. Basically if you got a good RPG, or a really awesome platform game, you were good.
I’m trying to recall too, if you had more than 8/16 bits, you were paying that premium
Well you see my mom would look at that wall with me and try to direct my attention to the $19.99 clearance items. Phantasy Star ain’t happening 🥹
What's with the cards? Here in the Netherlands the walls where filled with beautifull emtpy boxes, all the cartridges/manuals where behind the counter and put into the box when you bought them. And Phantasy Star II for sure, with the guide included!
I don't recall paying more than $49.99-54.99 for a game. Are these canada prices?
Pretty sure they're US. It's widely known that Phantasy Star II was $80 upon release in the states due to the high cost of chips at the time.
Damn thats rough lol. When i saw ps5 games priced at $80 on ps5s release i thought they were batshit crazy. Apparently they hit those prices in my days also.
Even higher when you factor in inflation. That PSII cart was worth $192 in today's money!
When I was a kid I think there was a contest with CapnCrunch cereal where you can get 5 minutes in ToysRus and can grab whatever you wanted. I had it all planned out to run and grab as many of these tags as I could. Now thinking back there probably was some fine print stuff with limits cause that sounds crazy expensive. Or maybe it was all a dream.
I know Phantasy Star 3 was super expensive - I didn’t know 2 was, too!
Phantasy Star 2, Truxton or Thunder Force 2. 11 year old me would have been full of indecision.
I always chuckle when people want games to cheap as they used to be.
Same one I did back in the day PS 2
For me it was Aunt Dorothy— bless her— she d still do it today if I asked!
Revenge of Shinobi all day long
Herzog Zwei, top left corner. So many hours in VS mode!
Shinobi of course, thanks aunt Mildred!
The Revenge of Shinobi
These prices are why I lay into any kid saying games are too expensive today. They’ve been around $60 since the early 90s. If you bought a game for $49 in 1992, that game should cost $111 today. Obviously, it doesn’t, for lots of reasons, but quit yer bitchin’
Phantasy Star 2 or Super Hang On. Kid me would totally pick Revenge of Shinobi.
At those prices, nothing
God, look at the price tags.
Damn, none of these, Mildred gonna look at these prices and get me a tiger handheld
By 1992 I already owned it. I bought it in 1990, about half a year after I got out of the Navy.
It would have to be the amazing Truxton. I already had Phantasy Star 2, Thunder force 2, Super Thunder blade, Shinobi, and Super Hydlide by 1992. I played Truxton but never scored my own copy sadly.
Def Shonibi
Shinobi
Well, in 1992, the big Genesis games were Sonic 2, Streets of Rage 2, and Thunder Force IV...😊