Why is MUSHA So Expensive? - Retro Bird

[@jasonblalock4429]

I actually owned this, back in the day... and I'm still kicking myself for trading it away. Sigh. Oh well, it still remains possibly my all-time favorite MD/Gen game. It's genuinely as good as its reputation suggests, among the absolute best 16-bit shmups.

[@mavericksetsuna7396]

Bought mine for 80$ back in the day because i was a dumb kid and just thought it looked cool. Turns out its worth 700$ now... wtf lol.

[@scienceandmatter8739]

I gave this away for 10-20€ when I was age 10 not knowing what I did. Remorse never mattered for me but THIS I REALLY REGRET

[@shanenice5380]

U could but it for 12 dollars ​@mavericksetsuna7396

[@shanenice5380]

I got mying for 10 dollars last month ​@@mavericksetsuna7396

[@buckeyechad1]

I just recently bought the JP release cause that’s the one I bought back in ‘91. A lot less than the NTSC release.

[@FeralInferno]

For those unaware, Musha is a part of the Aleste series that spans multiple consoles. Have you played any of the other Aleste games, like Space Megaforce?

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Sure have. Not a big fan of Space Megaforce or Robo Aleste as much as MUSHA though those are still solid games. A part of me accidentally grouped Spriggan on PC Engine in with these games. It's another Compile shooter and it shows that it was made by the same people. Anyways, I DO really like Spriggan.

[@danmakuman]

@@RetroBirdGaming And in fact, originally Spriggan was going to be an Aleste game and for the Genesis but they shifted to the PCE with Naxat. That's why it even looks pretty similar and the same flying mech thingy. You can find some info in shmuplations.com, there is an old interview with Compile about it.

[@moandaindesigns]

I would pay the $4 I did back in the 90s when I scored it at a garage sale.

[@Lookwhatthesandsdonedidtome]

I actually bought the Japanese mega drive version of this game. It's only around $120 if you can find it from a US seller..

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Yes, that can definitely be a cheaper solution that people may want to consider.

[@poleythepolarbear9706]

What I like about your channel. Is the inclusion of gameplay on an actual CRT. Hardly anyone cares to put that level of effort into there videos.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Thank you. The CRT is definitely tricky to film, but I feel like I've gotten better at it in my more recent videos.

[@damienthimons4046]

Awesome game. Possibly the best shooter ever. The Muisc CAN NOT be beat.

[@Oysterblade84]

''Cheap bootlegs?'' Sorry but I was never gonna pay $1000 for this game, or for any game, no matter if it's good or bad, so I went with a cheap reproduction cartridge from Hong Kong that looks and plays just the same as your original copy, plus mine came with a case and cover brand new and it only cost me $20.00. Great video.

[@natehaux7575]

very good review of this game. many players don't get the use of the Options, how they can tank hits for you.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Thanks 😊. I appreciate it. Not sure if I've seen you before. Welcome to the channel!

[@Yuuretsu]

This is one of the few game where instead of waiting for a miracle I just went and bit the bullet. It's one of the few games that I consider a real collection showpiece worth the money.

[@RetroPiero]

That bullet is pretty much a double barrel these days.

[@PaulRockey]

I paid $598 for a cib musha in great condition, last year. Great game.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying it!

[@PaulRockey]

@@RetroBirdGaming I think the cib sells for a full grand now. Glad I got it for $598 a couple years ago!

[@cd4playa1245]

@@PaulRockey I’m playing it on the switch online service now and it’s sweet

[@TheToughBaby]

@@PaulRockey That's nuts, I just looked it up on ebay, and yeah, one sold for over $900 recently. I've owned MUSHA since I bought it in 1993, with case and manual in great condition. Never ever going to sell it though! Favorite game ever.

[@craighorner4607]

I bought this after renting it and gladly paid $50 for it back in the early 1990s. One of the finest examples of Compile software. They had a very talented staff that should be collecting royalties forever on this game. The music fit the pace of the game perfectly. The background animation was the first time I had ever saw a game with that and on occasion really pushed the limits of the processor. The stage 4 thunderstorm was one of the few times in the game where there was slowdown and graphics flicker. I would buy it on an emulator and not an actual physical copy only because ebay dealers are a pain when it comes to buying used games

[@AthanasiosJapan]

Great game. It is included in Japanese Mega Drive Mini. Really good value for price. I don't care about overpriced cartridges. If a game is not available with a reasonable price, I simply don't buy. A reasonable price is less of the price of a current gen new game.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

It's a great addition to the Japanese mini. It's too bad it didn't get added to the US mini.

[@mastershmiddy]

If supply was abundant, I’d drop $75 for it But since it’s going for $900 now, 2 years after this video-I dropped $550 on it last weekend. And that’s a “deal”! 🥴 I look forward to playing it for a few minutes before going to work a 16-hour shift to recoup that 😂

[@atomiswave1971]

I lived in the USA from 2000-2006, around 2003 I started buying Genesis games that were conversions of Amiga 500 games I enjoyed in the UK in the 90's. After that I started picking up shmups on the system. I bought this title for $50 when the average shmup was $20 in 2003. I thought I was mad. I did keep it though and I have it CIB and its in mint condition. Why is it so expensive? Because it only got released in Japan and then the USA. Since the USA sales were not great nobody else in the English world released it and since it carries a story and this version has an English translation, it is the one to go for. Same thing happened with Grind Stormer. There are much more expensive shmups on the Japanese megadrive like Panarama Cotton and Eliminate Down, with the latter being around the $1000 mark. Slapfight is around $800 and Snow Bros around $800 as well. A retro company re-released some Toaplan titles but missed Snow Bros and Slapfight off the list of re-releases. I picked up the Gley lancer re-release for $80, the original goes for 100's as well. So Musha is not alone in the mega expensive camp. OH, I picked up Mega Turrican back in 2003 as well, in mint condition CIB for around $50. In 2019 I found a Genesis Castlevania Bloodlines for $100 CIB. The UK has a Alien Soldier PAL release, never played it but its a showcase title for the Genesis/Megadrive. I find the SNES has many more super expensive games though, by far.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Good job picking up MUSHA way back then. More importantly, good job making sure you hung onto it! Yes, I agree that the SNES has way more super expensive games.

[@BriansFunHouse]

one is for sale right now complete for $800 at Disc Replay in Downers Grove IL.

[@medwardbrown]

Great game I had missed until recently. It is now on the Switch’s SNES library

[@apatheticviewer234]

Just played this at a friend's house. Fun as shit. I thought the Sega Saturn had the market covered on awesome Shooters. I'd definitely pay $150 or maybe more for this. Fantastic game

[@realguitarthur]

Bonus: The opening theme (Title screen) is a remixed version of the Title screen theme for Power Strike. :)

[@Swanlord05]

I paid 32 buck back in the 90s....kept it Ever Since..... Won't part with it either

[@andrewt6338]

I played it once as a rental. Should have bought it then. Instead of laying out a crazy pile of money, you can import the Megadrive mini. It's on there, apparently. Also, you could put that money on other shooters like Gaires, Phelios, Insector X, Hellfire, Whip Rush, and Truxton. The quality of these varies, but none are bad games. There are probably a lot more either I never played or forgot about. I'd rather get a stack of games instead of overspending on just one.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

The best bang for your buck when it comes to shoot 'em ups on the Genesis has got to be Thunder Force IV (or Lightening Force as it was misspelled here). Incredible game.

[@willeysingleton3057]

Gaires is very good and very hard, i can't make it past the boss of level 3. Phelios is excellent can beat it but my thumbs hate me after. Another great one is Fire shark all worth the price. All the games you listed are great examples if excellent shmups.

[@davidjimenez109]

One of my favorite games. Unfortunately I was in a tough spot. 2015 had to sell. I didn't think it would blow up like this lol. I sold for about 110 on ebay. I regret it.

[@thomaspleacher2735]

3:35 I don't like the red power up, either. Whenever I pick it up, it's only by accident.

[@DANRYX]

I sold my copy back in 2018 which was only the cartridge and it sold on eBay for $487. I do miss playing it.

[@wulver810]

What headphones do you use? Plug them directly into your Sega? I have never been a shoot em up fan... I could play them for a bit then it just gets old fast... unless it has good music!

[@RetroBirdGaming]

They're a brand called Grado. I actually don't plug them directly into the front of the Genesis. I plug them into my TV. Yes, the music totally changes the experience for this game!

[@bocanegrageorge]

Another great alternative is buying the Japanese copy. Cost me $160 but it's cib and plays the same

[@predaking2wings]

I just played my copy and it was very intense, a 10 out of 10 a must have for any retro crazy freeks like me!

[@RetroBirdGaming]

It's a blast to... Blast your way through!

[@wizardofpoz]

I bought this brand new when I was like 10. Pretty sure I still have it in it's case somewhere at my parent's house

[@MechaTengu21]

Get the Japanese version of the game. It is way cheaper, doesn't have any major differences, plus you get a cooler box art / label. PS: Game is now available on the Switch Online.

[@thomasrevere1728]

There is an in box copy of this game with no manual on goodwill's auction site right now going for $1500 with a couple hours left. Yikes!!

[@MoonlitEmbers010]

Just found one on a site for same price

[@michaelachacoso8229]

Saw this game at a Retro game store yesterday. Price was set at $550, no box or anything

[@ScubaDiverPicker]

I’d pay $900 CIB w/Registration Card. Maybe $1000 if Near Mint.

[@Riff156]

I love this game. I wish I still had it & my Genesis to play it on.

[@koalakoa]

Nintendo now offers this game through its Switch Online+ Membership. I had a the pleasure of playing this game on an international flight last night and played it several times until beating on hard. What a game. When I checked online for prices my jaw dropped. My hope with it going to switch online prices will calm but thats a bunch of copium talking.

[@xXSpongeBroBrownPantzXx]

Do you collect the game boxes and manuals too.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

I generally don't for cartridge games.

[@unrequited8200]

This game is *as advertised* on the label art - Straight f**king fire. Courtesy of Compile.

[@realguitarthur]

I love the Aleste (Power Strike) series! I have Power Strike, M.U.S.H.A. and Space Megaforce. But Compile has SOOOO many greats like Blazing Lazers, R-Type (for Sega Master System), The Guardian Legend, etc...you can see the Aleste influence in these games IMO (most of them anyway). :)

[@sanderkoekkoek9866]

I wait untill it comes around cheap, most games do eventually. Then i add it to the collection, but when you reach the latter have of 3000+ games and gain name in the collectors scene people will sell you their games cheap as they know the games get a good home (not for reselling and so)

[@danmakuman]

Badass game. Got the japanese release some years ago.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Nice!

[@astrozoo]

Probably is expensive because it came out before the Genesis was a mass market success, so not a lot of original copies were printed

[@starsunsteve5113]

I had the japanese mega drive converter when I got this game so the price was up there but nowhere near today price tag!

[@CasperEgas]

Not even a PAL release. Never played it... Would probably like it.

[@overkill1473]

MUSHA is the single best Genesis game. Thats why. It also took two decades for people to realize.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

There are so many great Genesis games I had no clue about. In my defense, I was only 6 when I had a Genesis haha.

[@ScubaDiverPicker]

My Top 10 Genesis games are: 1. M.u.s.h.a 2. Rambo lll 3. Gaiares 4. El Viento 5. Mercs 6. Splatterhouse 2 7. Ghouls N Ghosts 8. Hellfire 9. Castlevania Bloodlines 10. Lightening Force

[@CharlieAntonino-f4p]

I got musha on a 200 in one genesis cart and honestly I don't even like shootem ups

[@zidaneffixexe]

Hey, i just found a copy of this in box with the manual for 5 bucks.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Sweet!

[@32_bit_gamer]

I personally think Spriggan on pc engine is better even though its from the same company.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Yeah, lots of people agree with you and I'm so glad they added that game to the TG-16 mini's lineup!

[@nick_4972]

My dad still has a copy. Probably won’t ever sell it

[@Bkuuzin]

Looks like a cool game!

[@stizz1982]

M.U.S.H.A is expensive because it’s a gem. I remember playing it on sega genesis. It’s a rare game.

[@rerun40807]

I had this game. There's a glitch were you can get infinite points and lives which you'll need to get to the end... I'm so sad i lost the game now

[@RetroPiero]

Have you played Imperium for the snes? It's exactly like Musha's gameplay but nowear near as good. More like a poor man's version of it. Strangley though, I recently learned that the US ver of Imperium had content removed & many of the backgrounds were different from the Japanese ver.

[@luiscastillo7009]

never played it, I regret it cuz I love great shooters with awesome music, like Einhander on PS1, my all time favorite

[@itsjustagamechannel]

MUSHA is the king of shmups. And needless to say, I have spent countless hours geeking out on the music alone!

[@albertopastorbarbero6964]

I bought one japanese copy last month for 290€, I think its not a bad price. I wanted to buy it before it gets too expensive!

[@dad7275]

It is awful some of the prices these days on some hard to get games. I cant really blame you for paying a hefty price for this game...I collect for several retro consoles including Atari Jaguar/cd. Check out the price for Panzer Dragoon Saga for Saturn..😳

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Yup. Atari Jaguar can be another expensive one to collect for as well.

[@fitnessandgaming2053]

I got my for 300$ 5 years ago CIB

[@RetroBirdGaming]

The going CIB rate is way higher these days.

[@Lothus_Walker]

thanks to nintendo this is going to be in the genesis collection in the NOES

[@rr122608]

Today was the first time hearing of this game. I looked at the price and it is $200+. It looks damn good and I would pay $120 at the most.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

When I first discovered it, it was $80 and I thought that was outrageous at the time.

[@rr122608]

@@RetroBirdGaming I want to buy Zombies ate my Neighbors but no luck. 😢 Classic childhood game.

[@willeysingleton3057]

@@rr122608 for what system are you looking for Zombies ate my neighbors ? Sega or snes?

[@rr122608]

@@willeysingleton3057 either Sega or SNES.

[@willeysingleton3057]

@@rr122608 shouldn't be to hard to find i see it out in the wild often about 35 bucks. Unless you want it in box and that goes for 80 to 100. Great game i have it on snes. There is a harder to find box and cover variant that gets expensive though. Good luck I'm sure you'll find it. If you do have a lot of trouble up here in new england usa. I see it a lot gimme a whistle. I wouldn't mind picking it up for you, just gotta gimme a fair trade for a game I'm looking for around the same price.... or pay for it plus the shipping. I wouldn't mind helping another collector out.

[@rico1847]

I would pay 50 us dol. For an original cart only. Whats the downside to biying a bootleg? Crappy sound?

[@willeysingleton3057]

Great video. I can be the dink in the room that says i really wanna play it but really don't wanna spend the money on it. But also I'd feel like a cheap dime store hood by emulating it.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Haha I can appreciate an answer like that :)

[@jeffu.8053]

You can buy high quality reproduction carts of this title for around $20 - $25.

[@willeysingleton3057]

@@jeffu.8053 good to know if i see one at a shop or out in the wild i might bite on that. But would still love to buy the actual cartridges one day if available and affordable.

[@jeffu.8053]

@@willeysingleton3057 There are many businesses that sell repro games on Etsy's website. This is where I saw it. Many of them use other carts as donors and simply replace the ROM chip. Some of the businesses even do special orders if there's a particular game you want.

[@willeysingleton3057]

@@jeffu.8053 yeah I've never been a huge repro guy i dod get a good fan translation of Twinkle tale i was happy with, just online there's a lot of people trying to pass off fakes as the real deal, see it on etsy and ebay. If I'm buying a game i like it to be in person for the most part, i can pop a few screws off look at the Headwear and test it. Online its a crap shoot, i have a few people and vendors i trust. But its good to know that there are well made cheaper versions of out of reach games as long as the sellers honest.

[@joshmiller887]

I’ve actually been mauling over this game for a few weeks. I think the most I’d be willing to pay is $175-$200. I know it’s not the best price and some wouldn’t pay $20 for it...but the collector in me won’t let me buy anything that’s not authentic. 🙄

[@RetroBirdGaming]

I get where you are coming from. Ultimately, it's your collection and so you can spend however much you want on it if it's worth it to you.

[@joshmiller887]

Of course I want to see a great find like M.U.S.H.A. Or Little Samson or surprise at dinosaur peak at a garage sale, flea market, etc, but unfortunately I don’t find many games at those places any more.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

@@joshmiller887 Yeah, it's practically impossible to find anything. I actually talk about this in the video I recently did about eBay.

[@ScubaDiverPicker]

Josh Miller I paid $400 last year for a CIB. Now if it has the registration card, Game, manual and case in nice shape your looking at over $800.

[@32_bit_gamer]

I just picked up MUSHA....guess Im eating ramen for the next week.

[@RetroBirdGaming]

You got it! Nice! And yes, it's the ramen diet for you you now haha :)

[@Z_is_key]

$50 in 1991 $109.83 in 2023 just some perspective on how much I paid waaaayy back then🙂

[@jessecutts4868]

The difference between this and the Japanese version is $600+ to have the intro in English.

[@astrozoo]

The quality of the sound of the Genesis depends on which model you are playing. Model 2 and 3 sound horrible regardless of what game or stereo. Most model 1s sound fantastic with a good cart. I still have not played MUSHA

[@ScubaDiverPicker]

$800+ CIB nowadays

[@RetroBirdGaming]

Yeah, it's price is really getting up there.

[@skybluerob8850]

It looks like a good game, I'd be willing to pay £20 for it

[@RetroBirdGaming]

That's probably about what it's worth if it weren't so hard to track down.

[@socalrcguy1]

Digital is better and you can customize the display quality, and it wont cost you a lot

[@alfredl3831]

While I try to buy original when possible, quality reproduction carts are a great option. I refuse to buy into the fomo culture. You do have to be careful about the quality of the repro though.

[@abandonedprogram9391]

yo i got that shit for free off a rom website

[@crossfire4902]

200-500-800$ for a genesis game??😂😂 I bought a Chinese version of everdrive 21$ download the rom and finish the game, beautiful and I loving it!

[@KhalDrogo493]

Just use an Everdrive or emulate it lmao.

[@christophe2201]

Because it sucks and has never been sold at the time, so it's pretty rare...

[@subteeninhumansamuraiamphi5019]

because people are dummies and if someone put it up for a lot and then other will to. there is nothing about this game makes it worth more then $100.

[@topG2001]

Games like musha i hated as a kid and still do. Those type of games are so boarding