So its the 9th of Feb, I am a proud Virtual Boy owner! for one day already. So far, I suck at Mario Clash tho 🙂
All I need now is the Flashboy+ with battery for save!
Hi everyone,
I recently took refuge on planet virtual boy – what an amazing site! Whish a had more programming skills, to make some homebrew games too …
I guess, this is the right topic for my post … last week I stoped dreaming about and just bought a Virtul Boy from a german second hand webshop specialised on games & consoles (via eBay). They had 3 or 4 used VBs in stock and I ordered the one in the best described condition (the most expensive one). But when I received it, I was a little disappointed about the condition. I would like to hear Your opinions about the condition and the prize.
It was priced 399€ and described as used in “very good condition” (“sehr guter Zustand”) and “fully functional”. It’s the japanese version and came with: box, manual, stand, controller with battery box, ac adapter tab. No games included, I bought 8 seperatly.
I’ve noticed the following issues with the VB:
– solved: it wasn’t very clean and the eye shade (original) stinks
Surly normal for an 20 years old used device, but for the price I expected it has been cleaned before. I cleaned it meanwhile.
– solved: there were some scratches on the left eye piece
Two of them very noticeable, but I was able to fix this by polishing with tooth paste (elmex) – thanks to this post! :thumpup: 🙂
– the main board looks strange to me
When I opend the VB to clean it and polish the eye pieces, I noticed that the main board dosn’t look very nice, compared to other pictures from the web. The pins at the processing units are covered with some … brownish plastic stuff – see images attached. Looks like maybe someone tied to “isolate” them? Maybe an earlier repair?
I don’t know much about electronics and don’t know, if this may be (or become) a problem? But it looks kind of damaged to me …
– the IPD switch is extremly stiff
I need to apply very much force to turn it and turning it also produces an unexpected loud (plastic like) squeaking sound. Couldn’t figure out the problem yet. Didn’t see anything when opening it. I didn’t disassamble the interior due to my barely skills.
Does anyone else know this problem?
– glitchy lines sometimes
Also sometimes there are some horizontal glitchy lines in the image – not always, sometimes the image seems perfect. I guess, this is the famous ribbon cable issue? I can’t tell, if it has been repaired before. When I openend it, I noticed some sort of yellow-white glue where the cables are connected to the LED units – see attached photos …
Could anyone tell, if this is the original state of the VB or the result of an earlier repair?
The dealer offers returning items, but actually I already started to fall in love with that thing and would like to keep and rescue it … 😉
But I think, I will at least ask for a discount …
What do You think? Maybe I’m expecting to much and the price (399 €) actually is OK? Or ist it reasonable to ask for a discount? Or should I return it, because it’s alredy dying …?! 😕
Attachments:
Thank You, guys! :thumpup::-D
speedyink wrote:
I’d ask for a discount if I were you, if you’re paying nearly 400 Euro it better be in perfect condition. This certainly doesn’t appear perfect.
Thank You! That confirms my earlier intention, but I finally decided to return it. I also got suggestion to look for japanese auctions via PM and meanwhile found and ordered a new one for 380 € (19% taxes may come on top when importing to germany) …
KR155E wrote:
You could open a thread and post some work of yours, maybe a mockup screen of a possible VB game, to find someone to join forces with.
That’s a nice suggestion – I will think about that!
thunderstruck wrote:
Hah, glad I could help.
You did!
Thanks again for all the help – I made my first donation to PVB right now 🙂
Well, but looks like I have to go all the way for my own Virtual Boy …
– I was able to return the VB described above and get full refund (incl. shipping) :thumpup: 🙂
– Yesterday, I received my new Virtual Boy from Japan! This one really looks like new – even the original eye shade included smells like new :thumpup: 😉
– BUT … of cause … the famous GLITCHY DISPLAY ISSUE … well, on the left eye. The right eye doesn’t even glitch – it’s just black 🙁
Actually, I would like to keep that thing. I have contacted TheForce81 now to ask for his soldering services but I think, I really should ask the seller for a discount this time. I bought a “new” one for 406 $ (+ 8 $ shipping to europe + 19% taxes importing to germany) from here: http://r.ebay.com/dCGGYH (the price has increased since)
The description doesn’t say anything about functioning – just “new”. But one should expect, that “new” devices are working properly – that’s not different with VB because of the “common display issue” – is it?
The seller has 100% positive feedback. They’ve also put a bonus game into the package: Golf (jap.). The game’s box is pretty flat, but cart and manual are in very good condition. I already own this one, but it’s well-meant …
I also read this other post, where mips5000 bought a “new one with display problems for $60” – so 406 $ is definetely to much for a VB with not working displays – right?
mawa wrote:
I selling allot off virtual boys
Do You curently have VBs to sell, mawa?
Just sent you an email with all the details in response to your PM.
Cool to see you know where the two notches on top of the VB are for!
As I mentioned in the mail, the glitchy display problem doesn’t have anything to do with used or still new in box. It happens without the need to use it unfortunately. But it does always suck when you unpack it and you see this happen of course.
EDIT:
The price is a bit steep overall though, but that doesn’t have anything to do with the glitchy display problem.
If he would have known about it, he would have needed to unpack it and test it, which would make it used and not new in box anymore. That is a bit of a tough one with VB’s at the moment.