Theoretically, you should be able to walk into a Akihabara or Den-Den Town game retailer, plunk down some a fistful of yen and walk out with a Dreamcast. Theoretically. The recent crackdown on used electronics has made it more difficult to purchase old hardware. Just how difficult? GameSpy's Jonti Davies recounts a recent trip to his local Japanese game shop:

Staffer Number Two (upstairs): Well, you see, there has been a new law passed which says we can't sell such hardware in this store.

Me: Really? You don't have any Dreamcast consoles here?

Staffer Number Two: Oh, we do have one. Would you like to see it?

Me: Certainly.

Staffer Number Two: It's in perfect condition... just 5000yen.

Me: Um...?

Staffer Number Two: Just buy something for 100yen so we can give you a receipt, and then we'll sell you this Dreamcast... unofficially.

When I was trolling through Akihabara for our recent feature, I came across stacks and stacks of Dreamcasts, out in the open and ready for purchase. It doesn't seem like this law is being seriously enforced whatsoever. But, Japan is full of rules like that. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [GameSpy] via GSW

Send an email to the author of this post at .