Hi everyone, this is my first post here. English is not my native language, so please excuse any mistakes.

This isn’t really a high-end collection. It means more to me as a set of keepsakes. I can’t go through every single game, so I’ll pick five titles that left a deep impression on me.

These are my personal purchase prices for used games. Prices vary a lot by region and condition.

1. Need for Speed: Most Wanted PS2

European version. Minor crease on manual. Paid ~34 USD.

This was my very first 3D game. Back then, information was hard to come by where I lived, and the studio had already shut down by the time I played it.
It was a lucky accident. My old PC had really weak specs, and this game just happened to run on it. I downloaded it because the cover art looked awesome, and it gave me an unforgettable experience.
I got my first PC fifteen years ago. If my computer had been more powerful, I might have never found this game at all.
I know buying used game discs doesn’t send money to the original developers anymore. But for me, it’s a meaningful ritual, something I do for the kid who loved games all those years ago.

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2. Shin Sangokumusou 3, PS2

Japanese version. Great condition. Paid ~14 USD.

This was my second 3D game ever. There’s a nice little story behind this copy. I told the seller I wanted the version I played as a kid. Worried I’d pick the wrong one, he hopped on a phone call with me even though he wouldn’t make much profit from this sale.
He sold me a great condition copy with the registration card, saying it would hold more sentimental value. I also picked up the Xtreme Legends expansion at the same time.
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1. Demon's Souls

Japanese PS3 the Best reprint. Fair condition. Paid ~9 USD.

I originally planned to get a PS2. A friend offered me one, but it turned out to be broken. Instead, he gave me his PS3 that came with a Demon’s Souls disc.
He hadn’t played it in ages and couldn’t remember if the disc still worked. The console would show the game info but fail to launch it. I bought another disc from the same seller I got Dynasty Warriors from, and that one worked. I think the error came from region mismatch; the PS3 is a Hong Kong region console.
I really love this genre. Standard copies are pretty affordable these days, so I picked up a working disc to play through it.
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4. Nanatsukaze no Shima Monogatari

Japanese version (Sega Saturn). Includes obi and reply postcard. Fair condition. Paid ~41 USD.
This is a Japanese exclusive adventure game for the Sega Saturn. I bought this disc from a game streamer I follow. He was clearing out his old collection, and nobody showed interest in this obscure Saturn title. I was drawn to its gorgeous hand-drawn art style; it feels so healing, just like reading a fairy tale book. I also wanted to support him, so I picked it up. It’s really meaningful to me. He even sent a signed card along with the game.

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Song Shaohong — More Than Just a Gamer

1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

PS3，includes bonus disc. Minor rust on metal parts. Paid ~16 USD.

This was recommended by the friend who gave me the PS3. He said I would enjoy Hideo Kojima’s games. It is not a very mainstream title among Chinese players, but it has a small group of die-hard fans. Many of us have been waiting a long time for a remake.
I bought the Japanese first-print limited edition. It comes in a nice steelbook case at a reasonable price.
As for the gameplay:
In my opinion, this game is perfect for players who want to explore gaming culture. New players may not love the gameplay itself, but they can still feel how meaningful this title is.
I plan to buy the new version during Steam China region sales, to support Hideo Kojima.

Four more game discs will arrive in my hands tomorrow. I bought them from the same streamer who sent me the signed card.
They are the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil: Director's Cut for PS1, plus 1945 for the Sega Saturn. These are all games I really love. There were some interesting stories when I purchased them. I also plan to talk about how these games influenced Chinese players. Stay tuned!

Thank you for sharing. I don't make enough time for videogames as I used to, but reading your fond memories of these games remind me of my own. I'm glad that you have such a strong connection to these titles. Nanatsu Kaze no Shima Monogatari sounds beautiful, but my Japanese is very poor.

Edit: forgot to say, shout out to the game store owner who sold you Dynasty Warriors 3. That was very nice of him to take the extra time with you, and shows you he's really passionate about games. Also, your English is perfect.

I plan to buy the new version during Steam China region sales, to support Hideo Kojima.

I'm not sure Kojima gets anything since he parted ways with Konami, the IP holder. You can follow his newer IPs like Death Stranding and upcoming games though.

Interesting read, keep on posting!

Those look like Japanese packagings, do you have to play them in Japanese or did they provide Chinese language back then?

I’ve played its Chinese translated version on the SSF emulator

Thanks for the info. I will check out Death Stranding. My friend says it is a great game to take your time with amid busy, fast-paced life.

In my opinion, this game is perfect for players who want to explore gaming culture. New players may not love the gameplay itself, but they can still feel how meaningful this title is.

I love the metal gear series, and MGS4 is fantastic, but this is the worst possible one for someone to start with.

Not only does it take place last chronologically (with the exception of Raiden's spinoff), it was also originally meant to be last game in the series, so a lot of the playtime is watching movies to fill plot holes. All the reveals will have 0 impact to someone not familiar with the series.

I'd say just about any other game in the series is better to start with (I started with MGS2). I'd recommend MGS3 because its a good blend of modern gameplay and requires very little prior knowledge of the series.

What’s a Chinese 95?

solid collection!

I've been trying to figure that out, too. Is it some weird way of saying a 95 year old gamer? Did OP have an aneurysm and type 95's instead of '90s?

retro games

PS3 and PS2 games mostly

Wow, guess I'll turn into mold then

Yeah, I’m still confused, best I can figure is that they’re saying they’re 31.

maybe he was born in 1995?

Metal Gear Solid 3 is one of the few games to truly take advantage of all of the PS2 controller’s functions. Did you know the controller buttons were pressure sensitive? I didn’t, until I played MGS3.

I found out when I was hiding inside of a locker. There is a peek button, to lean forward and peek out of the little grill on the locker door. I pressed it, and barely moved. But I realized that it was based on how hard I pressed the button. So then I mashed it hard, and heard a loud “thunk” as the character’s face slammed into the metal locker door.

The guard heard the thunk, and I was caught. The fact that they:

1. Thought to utilize the pressure sensitivity function to allow small/gradual actions possible
2. Thought to include a “you pressed too hard too fast, and ran into the thing you’re trying to peek out of” coding
3. Thought to make the enemies sensitive to that sound

It truly is peak gaming culture. I’m convinced Kojima makes games that he specifically wants to play, and the fact that other people also enjoy them is just a happy accident.

Yeah, I always suggest MGS3 for people looking to get into the series. Being a prequel means you don’t need a bunch of prior knowledge about the series.

Nobody tell them the 360 and PS3 is considered retro now. The 360 only came out… Checks release date… ^Over^ ^twenty^ ^years^ ^ago…^

i'll just be over here with my hoop and stick

In China, "post-95s" means people born between 1995 and 2000.

Why not just say the decade?

Rare to see Sakura Taisen pop up on these forums... I must dust off the Saturn and revisit those games!

English is not my native language

I'm sure their way makes sense to Chinese speakers.

That's a fairly eclectic selection of games for a collection that size, but I see that each has a personal meaning for you. Thanks for sharing!

I don't see Nanatsu Kaze mentioned much in English. I bought a copy years ago because it looked so curious, but I still haven't really played it.

Yeah… that’s what I am asking about.

Very cool collection , I think you got some of the best there.

Cue the Mimi comic