Introduction

When I’m not reviewing games here at SunsetNerdVerse, I’m usually playing something else—most often Japanese titles. Before you ask, no, I don’t speak or read Japanese. Yet you’d be surprised how easy it is to jump into import games despite the language barrier. A large portion of my physical collection consists of Japanese imports.

If you’ve browsed sites like Whatnot, eBay, Playasia, and countless other growing marketplaces for games and tech, you’ve probably noticed the same trend: more gamers are choosing imports over North American releases. There are several reasons why, so let’s talk about The Rise of Import Buying. And remember—buy responsibly. Credit card debt is real.

Cheaper Games

One of my favorite action titles isn’t Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry—it’s Blood Will Tell, based on Osamu Tezuka’s Dororo. It’s a visceral PS2 hack-and-slash with unique mechanics like using artificial limbs as weapons. It’s fantastic.

Now here’s the catch. If you want a North American copy of Blood Will Tell today, expect to pay around $400 used. A sealed copy? Closer to $750 or more. However, the Japanese version often sells for around $30 used. That price difference alone explains a lot.

And it’s not just one game. Titles like Rule of Rose and Kuon command several hundred dollars in North America, even without manuals or cases. Their Japanese counterparts, however, often cost less than a brand-new $70–$80 release.

With region-free systems, modded consoles, or simple workarounds, accessing these imports has become easier than ever. Unless you’re strictly collecting North American releases, importing can save you hundreds. I personally shop on Whatnot for Japanese imports and rarely spend more than $100 for 10+ games. That’s hard to beat.

Not Hard to Play

The biggest hesitation people have about import buying is the language barrier—and that’s fair. Playing a Japanese RPG without knowing the language can be challenging. You’ll likely rely on guides or community translations.

But not every game requires full comprehension. Fighting games, action titles, shoot ‘em ups, rhythm games, and many 2D platformers are easy to navigate without reading much text. Once you memorize menus, you’re good to go.

There’s also another option: multi-language imports. Sites like Playasia often sell Asian-English releases, meaning the game includes English language options despite not being a North American release. These versions may have minor translation quirks, but they’re often significantly cheaper than domestic copies.

As always, do your research. Make sure your console supports the region and confirm the language options. But once you understand how it works, importing becomes far less intimidating.

Cooler Collectibles

I don’t just collect import games—I play them. While I won’t claim I’ve beaten every title in my collection, I’ve at least tried them all.

One of my favorite aspects of Japanese imports is the cover art. In my opinion, Japanese box art often surpasses what we receive in North America. Designs feel more stylized, more expressive, and more faithful to the original tone of the game.

Maybe publishers adjust art to appeal to Western audiences, but the difference can be dramatic. Even though I live in an apartment and can’t display everything, I proudly showcase some of my favorite Japanese covers. For collectors, imports offer a unique aesthetic that stands out on any shelf.

Conclusion

I genuinely wish more gamers were open to import buying. While I’ve noticed growth—especially on platforms like Whatnot—many players are still missing out. Countless anime-based games, for example, never received North American releases due to licensing limitations. Titles based on series like Initial D, Cowboy Bebop, and Berserk are available overseas but not always locally.

If you start small—maybe with a fighting game or action title—you’ll quickly see how accessible imports can be. You’ll likely save money and discover an entirely new world of games you never knew existed.

Just remember: collect wisely, research before purchasing, and most importantly—enjoy the hunt.

—Aaron