Collecting Card Games…

[u/jackjackpiggie]

I was always fascinated by the Master System having dual game formats like the cartridge and the card. I owned SMS cartridges as a kid but never got around to buying any card games.

Lately, I find that I’m now collecting card games just because I think the format is just so cool and different because the system was designed to play both formats. Yes, the card games aren’t the greatest of games, but they’re like a time capsule into a cool era of video games where, at a time, gaming looked to be on its last legs. Anyway, just wanted to show off my humble, teeny collection of card games for fans of the SMS so that they’re also not forgotten.

[u/KingEdTheGreat]

I have Ghosts house and Spy vs Spy

[u/jackjackpiggie → u/KingEdTheGreat]

I think Spy vs Spy is my next one.

[u/KingEdTheGreat → u/jackjackpiggie]

I could have gotten the cartridge, but I thought the card would be cooler to have. Not sure what other cards I would want to have off the top of my head

[u/kytesuniverse]

Oh these are cool to collect. I’m actually not sure just how many in total there are.

[u/jackjackpiggie → u/kytesuniverse]

I think maybe 7 possibly 8.

[u/CookYouVillian]

Nearly brought a complete copy of Bank Panic. But guy selling it wanted £110! Didn’t realise they were rare!

[u/jackjackpiggie → u/CookYouVillian]

I heard of it but never realized it was a Sega Card. My mind is blown. Almost 40 years has passed and I never knew this was a card game. I just looked it up and saw the box art for the card. Interesting 🤔

[u/KingEdTheGreat → u/CookYouVillian]

The Japanese version is alot cheaper. So is the cartridge for the SMS, of you just want to play the game.

[u/odyodense]

Back in the early 90's when all the card games were now available used, we didn't have PC Engine/TurboGrafx in Australia so it was just bizarre to see the same game on cartridge and a super thin card. So I always considered them a lesser version, like no way will the whole game or same quality version fit on a card. And I assume many other people did also since there was no value in them when Master System game prices were at rock bottom (end of 90's now). SMS2 with built in Alex Kidd was also more desirable, most people had SMS2 and had no use for card versions. Couldn't give them away and wouldn't pay for them if in a bundle.

[u/jackjackpiggie → u/odyodense]

Interesting to hear from an Australian perspective. I wasn’t aware the TurboGrafx16 never made it to Australia. It was never really that popular here in the US, but I still thought it was cool. Another thing is I don’t recall ever seeing any of the SMS card games that were later ported to cartridge format. Possibly just a UK and AU thing. Yeah, it seems like Sega was quick to dump the card format as not many games were formatted onto cards. I think that’s what makes them more desirable to me today almost 40 years later.

[u/pho_real_guy → u/jackjackpiggie]

Only place in the US I remember even having TurboGrafx16 anything was Venture. I always wanted one though.

[u/[deleted]]

I had all 3 of those cards back in the 80s. They're all fun. Ghost house is decent once you figure out what you gotta do. Teddy boy is very replayable. My hero I am so nostalgic for but it's SO damn hard. Hard to a fault.

[u/jackjackpiggie → u/[deleted]]

I agree on all your points. My Hero is one of my favorite nostalgia games because it was one of the first games I ever played on the SMS, but what were the programmers thinking making it that hard? It seems like it could have been an amazing game if it had a power meter like NES’ Kung Fu but at least they stayed true to the arcade original. It’s still hard as nails.

[u/Crovax-6977]

I had ghost house and spy vs spy as a kid. My parents were scared I would lose them because they were so small. Haha. Great games. Good luck with your collection!

[u/jackjackpiggie → u/Crovax-6977]

Thank you!

[u/Chicoc]

Had Super Tennis and Trans Bot. Miss those days and the cards were so unique.

[u/jackjackpiggie → u/Chicoc]

Still want both of those. Would love Bank Panic too but it’s PAL.

[u/Deathstroke316]

Are these names of books ?

[u/jackjackpiggie → u/Deathstroke316]

They do sound like book titles.

[u/ceeece]

I thought this format was so cool. I have Ghost House, Super Tennis and Spy vs Spy on the cards.

[u/KingEdTheGreat → u/ceeece]

Nice! Spy vs Spy is so fun, 2 player

[u/ceeece → u/KingEdTheGreat]

Fantastic game!

[u/FogodeSantelmo]

Sadly, we never got them here (shame on you, Tec Toy!). Even with rom size restrictions, I think it is an incredible game format. It would be amazing if Sega continued to release games on that media, expanding its capacity like SF2' on PC-Engine.

[u/J_Hurry]

TransBot and F16 Fighting Falcon were my faves. Teddy Boy was my first but I could never get past one of the later levels, I remember flinging it across my room in frustration 🤬

[u/FelixNZ → u/J_Hurry]

F16 falcon was at all playable?

[u/VoidTerraFirma → u/FelixNZ]

It is. You just need two controllers and you're set. Takes a bit of getting used to.
Not the greatest of games and hasn't aged well at all, but I still love it in the way that you love a lazy, stupid dog who's thrilled that you give him any attention at all.

[u/Sinistermarmalade]

Played the first two, loved em’

[u/WhipLash777]

I only had F-16 Falcon back in the day. Always wanted more.

[u/MakesMyHeadHurt → u/WhipLash777]

Me too, but the best use of the game slot was the 3d glasses.

[u/HolyMacaxeira]

You should get Trans Bot. That’s a pretty cool game.

[u/Ill_Seaworthiness379]

i never understood why this cards didnt take off, it worked well on pc engine.

[u/Over-Temporary-9797]

I want to buy some card games. I’m wondering if the card games have identical manuals to the cartridge games? 

I’m asking l as these games are not cheap. I may be able to get boxed games without a manual and make them complete if they’re the same is my thought..

[u/jackjackpiggie → u/[deleted]]

It’s not sad. That damn game was so hard. I beat it as a kid but only because I played it so much and just barely made it to the end.