Article’s Main Headline:
Thank You, Messe Sanoh, for the
Last Virtual Boy Sale!
It’s finally Heisei 10 (1998), the turn of an era. Early in the new year, this author had a case of New Year’s lag, as I was feeling miserable and tired, much like Lupin the Third in the early days, but this changed with a few nonchalant words from Miki, a programmer at a familiar home bedding store.
“So hey, they’re still selling Virtual Boys in Akihabara.”
My, how the winter comic enthusiasm had still been lingering from 12/30 of last year! He said that a set including 4 pieces of Virtual Boy software was selling for 2980 yen during the craziness at the Messe Sanoh palatial building. Now, if I had not already thought of making such a purchase for myself, I would have already knocked Miki out with a 10-hit combo. However, it was already too late for me to rush to Akihabara, wielding an odd sword and causing some old woman at the cash register to turn pale in the face at the suspicious man screaming, “Do you have Virtual Boy?!”, and she’d say, “We’re sold out!”, with eyes like she’s looking at a degenerate person.
Article’s Sub-Headline:
Counterattack!
However, this author is not one to give up on such a thing. Following the theory that the criminal (?) always returns to the scene, I kept on visiting Akihabara, not missing a weekend, and I finally succeeded in obtaining a Virtual Boy, which had arrived again on 1/15! It was a deluxe edition that, in addition to the system, came with a bonus AC Adapter to replace the batteries, as well as headphones and, of course, 4 pieces of software! And to my surprise, this time, it came along with a magazine about optional store demonstration platforms that weren’t on the market! Where in the world did this come from?! I dared not ask, but this is excellent, Messe Sanoh!
If you miss it now, you may never get it again! I recommend running to the phone and making a purchase for a foolish acquaintance. This author purchased 3 units himself and then pleasantly returned home. One person was happy to pile up 4 Virtual Boy units conveniently next to a rice cooker, on top of shoe boxes in his room that was already full of merchandise, without even a place to step one’s foot.
ありがとうメッセサンオー
バーチャルボーイ最後のたセール
いよいよ世紀末の平成10年。新年早々正月ボケの筆者は、初期型ルパン三世のような
けだるい倦怠を、おなじみ実家がふとん屋のプログラマー、ミキちゃんの何気ない一言で
破られたのだった。「そういや、秋葉でまだバーチャルボーイ売ってたねえ。」
なんと冬コミの熱気覚めやらぬ去年の12/30。マニアの殿堂メッセサンオーにてバーチャルボーイ
ソフト4本付きセットを2980円にて販売していたという。自分の分だけちゃっかり購入し、
まさかすでに持っている筆者が今更欲しがるとは思わなかったとほざくミキちゃんを
10連コンボで殴り倒し、おっとり刀で秋葉に駆けつけるも時既に遅し、血相を変えて
「ば、バーチャルボーイありませんかッ!」と絶叫する不審な男にレジのお姉ちゃんは
変質者を見るような目で「売り切れました」とー言。
くううーッ
しかしそんなことくらいで諦める筆者ではない。犯人 (?) は必ず現場ヘ戻るというセオリーに
従い、週末欠かさず秋葉詣でを続けた筆者は、ついに1/15再び入荷したバーチャルボーイを
入手することに成功したのである! 本体にソフト4本はもちろん、ヘッドホンにェード、
ACアダプタ切り替え機までオマケに付けた豪華版。しかも驚いたことに今回はなんと、市販
されなかった店頭デモ用オプション「誌遊台」までが付いてきたのだった! いったいどこから
仕入れてきたんだ!? 敢えて聞かないけど、えらいぞメッセサンオー!
今を逃したら二度と手に入らない! 電話をかけまくっておバカな知り合いに購入を勧め、
自らも3台購入してよろよろ帰宅した筆者は、すでにバカグッズで足の踏み場もない自室の
靴箱の上、炊飯器の横に都合四台のバーチャルボーイを積み上げて一人悦に入るのであった。
Translations for Lower Left Article:
Article’s Headline:
Newly Discovered 2nd Package Type
Beneath first VB system box on the left:
Color Version (Initial Type)
Beneath second VB system box on the right:
Black-and-White Version (Late Type)
Another package version has now been newly discovered. Although it is hard to see with these sizes, the system on the right is printed larger, and in addition to this monochrome, mosaic design, there is also a flashy package for overseas. Thus, there are three types confirmed in total. By the way, just to be sure, rarity values, etc. by version do not exist.
I wonder, though, if I would be the only one in the world to be happy to find such a thing…
新発見のパッケージ2種
カラー版 (初期型)
白黒版 (後期型)
今回新発見のパッケージ別バージョン。このサイズ
では判りにくいが右の方が本体が大きく印刷
されており、モノクロにモザイク処理がかかっている
これ以外に海外向けのド派手なパッケージもあり
計3種類が確認されている。ちなみにバージョンによる
レア価値などは存在しないので念のため。
しかしこんなの見つけて喜んでるのって
世の中でオレだけだろうな…
Translations for Lower Right Article:
Article’s Headline:
♠This is a Trial-Play Stand♠
An excellent item, to which you can firmly fasten both the controller and the standard bent legs using screws. The included pamphlet, titled “About the Demonstration of the Virtual Boy,” makes me cry.
♠これが試遊台♠
例のへなへなの足を、コントローラ
ともどもしっかりネジ止めしてくれる
優れモノ。同梱の「バーチャル
ボーイの実演について」という
パンフレットがなかなか泣かせる