Short Saga of My Suikoden Search

I don't make it a secret in saying that both Suikoden and Suikoden II were amongst a short list of favorites back during the PS1 days. I mean there were just (literally) an army of characters to choose from. What also hooked me was the ever changing HQ, which grew along side your army. I remember those long days of obsessing over finding and recruiting every character possible. I even remember saving the main hero's sister in Suikoden II, which took me a while to succeed.

So now let us flash forward to the present day and my endless wandering about the internet. By now, I had long lost both original games and the only option out there really is to hit eBay. Well, it is an option if you've got a lot of spare cash to pay up on the outrageous prices for both. Then I got an unexpected surprised a few weeks ago, to learn that both games were actually released together for the PSP in Japan.

First question to pop into my head was: Is it coming to the US?

Answer: Almost certainly.... NOT.

That is where the issue for me died, I mean I can't read Japanese at all and so importing it wouldn't make much sense, right? Well that is what I thought until I began a half hearted search locally for it and actually came across it on the store's website. Anyway, to make a long story short, their website said they had it in stock and the store said nope (damn you once more Toys n' Joys)!

Refusing to lose, I placed an order on their site and proceeded to wait. And wait. After a week of waiting and still no word, I sent an email to inquire. I mean during this whole episode, there was nothing on their site that indicated that they didn't have it. Their response? Nothing. So there I go again, waiting and waiting...

Now after getting Crisis Core, I had given up on this wondrous compilation of old school RPG love, and had pretty much just chalked it up as a no-winner. Now out of NOWHERE, I get an email in my box that says congratulations on your purchase!

So all in all, I guess you could consider this little tale having a happy ending. On the flip side, I still cannot read Japanese and so I'll have to rely on what I *hope* I've remembered about the game. All considering it isn't different then the US versions. Anyway, now comes the wait for those bastards to mail it! We're on the same island, hurry it up!!