Petition for Konami to reissue physical MSX games

David F. Gisbert (Tromax) and José A. (Konamito) have launched a petition at change.org, requesting Konami to re-release physical MSX games from their extensive library. They argue that there are currently more people collecting MSX games than there are available copies of certain games, meaning prices are generally quite high. It also means that there might just be a market for physical reissues.

Backed by a promotional video and with already more than 200 people backing the petition, they hope to give a clear signal that will be sent to Konami along with the following message:

Quote:

As a group of MSX games fans we would like you to re-release your titles for MSX in physical format (cartridge and disk).

We know you had a special relationship with MSX system. And we hope that you keep that in your heart… We loved your games in that time and now we wish to have all of them available for purchase in some way…

So, please keep in mind our request and bring happiness to our lives as you did in the past when we were kids.

Although it's hard to tell what Konami will do when they receive the petition, but Konamito and Tromax soberly reason there is nothing to lose either.

Relevant link: Petition for Konami to reissue physical MSX games at change.org

Commentaires (52)

Par Louthrax

Prophet (2436)

21-06-2016, 01:46

Signed that petition, just wondering what's the English translation for French "voeu pieux".

Par KdL

Paragon (1450)

21-06-2016, 01:58

My concept of petitions: they should only be to do a better world.

Par gdx

Enlighted (6108)

21-06-2016, 02:15

I prefer that Konami forgets the MSX forever, and does not bother MSX users (cf. Konamito).

Par TheKid

Paragon (1238)

21-06-2016, 07:32

If Konami actually does something with this petition (I doubt it since they already announced to stop with PC and console games), they will do a re-release except for penguin adventure, metal gear, metal gear solid snake, snatcher and sd-snatcher

Par edoz

Prophet (2474)

21-06-2016, 11:35

haha! .. good idea but maybe it is better to do it in Japanese

Par Samor

Prophet (2168)

21-06-2016, 12:52

Maybe they'll make a few more slot machines based on their franchises...

Par cklayman

Champion (294)

21-06-2016, 18:18

I would be interested but not sure how it is supposed to work. Would each person who signed the petition buy all the requested games? Moreover the demand for these old titles will probably be high again in a few years. Konami would have to republish, say, 100 cartridges each year for the next decade.

Par SLotman

Paragon (1242)

22-06-2016, 01:08

Quote:

meaning prizes are generally quite high

I want one of those "prizes"

As for the petition itself... a petition in Spanish (at least the video)? It should be in English for a broader reach - and the petition itself should be delivered in JAPANESE, otherwise it will probably lead to nothing.

Also, do they know anyone at Konami to deliver this petition to? Or this will just sit there, at the change.org's website hoping that someone from Konami sees it?

And why stop at 500 signatures? 500 people signing this is nothing to a company the size of Konami. Even the OCM had a min. batch higher than that!

Let's imagine that each of those 500 signatures, buy a cart for $100. And Konami profit is 50%. That will be $50 * 500 = $25000 -which is peanuts to Konami. Why would they even bother allocating resources to this? Last year, Konami profit was around US$1.5 Miliion a DAY (this value is based on the data found here).

I'd love to have real carts available again from Konami - but for me it sounds more like a dream, no much hope of it actually happening :/

Par TheKid

Paragon (1238)

22-06-2016, 07:33

Well, as a konami collector myself, I would always prefer the original games over re-releases. It just doesn't feel the same. And agreed, I have seen Konami Synthesizer on ebay for over 1000 euros and, like many others, are not willing to pay so much, still let's say, 100 euros for a re-release, wouldn't be interesting either. You will always have the knowledge it's a re-release. But then again, apperently there are people thinking otherwise, so good for you and I hope your are successfull.

Par Latok

msx guru (3928)

22-06-2016, 14:07

I thought Konami is moving away from videogames. This petition is definitely a long shot but if you hit the right nerve, it could work. Especially because Konami resets its focus, so they might look back at their history and do something like this as a tribute to themselves and that period. Or something. Anyhow, I signed

Par snout

Ascended (15187)

22-06-2016, 16:09

I kind of had the same feeling, it's definitely a long shot and chances are very small.... but you never know. If a few clicks to sign a petition help set that in motion: great. If it doesn't work out nothing is lost.

Perhaps someone is willing to translate the petition to Japanese and bring it under attention there as well?

Par syn

Prophet (2115)

22-06-2016, 16:51

Maybe as an alternative some officially licenced reproductions would be easier? No risk and not much trouble for konami to say yes or no I guess. (im just thinking out loud here)

Would be almost like the real thing with the konami brand on it, but still probably wont degrade the resale price of the original releases. Because, I think some ppl may be pissed if their 400 dollars sd snatcher originals will suddenly become worthless

Par rolandve

Champion (338)

22-06-2016, 17:30

That petition would be killing for traders on eBay that make 100's of dollars on Konami Games. Finally MG2, Kings Valley2 (MSX 2), Space Manbow etc for decent prices
Konami's strategy is away from console games, towards mobile games, so I would be truly amazed if they were to do anything with this.

Par QBee Sam

Champion (282)

22-06-2016, 17:53

snout wrote:

Perhaps someone is willing to translate the petition to Japanese and bring it under attention there as well?

Totally agree.

Par TroMax

Champion (278)

22-06-2016, 18:56

The video already has option to see it in English subtitles, many thanks !!!

promotional video

Par snout

Ascended (15187)

22-06-2016, 22:59

@rolandve if it happens I'm quite sure they are going to look different than the originals (like PlayStation Platinum) and the prices of the old releases will probably stay as high as they are.

Par gdx

Enlighted (6108)

23-06-2016, 00:58

It's obvious the prices of the old releases will stay as high as they are.
In any case, produce something just for the fans is not in the style of the Japaneses. That must make money too.

Par TroMax

Champion (278)

23-06-2016, 05:21

Hello, already you will excuse me to all if I write rarely I help myself with Internet translator, overcoat I want to thank for all the contributions that you give, want to inform that in the next days one is going to spend the request in, Japanese, French and Dutch if someone can help us in other languages, we be be very grateful

Par TheKid

Paragon (1238)

23-06-2016, 07:54

@TroMax: I gave it my best in Dutch. And like I know the members of this forum, probably they have some additions to it, but anyways, here it goes:

Campaign held on Change.org. A petition to Konami
Campagne gehouden op Change.org. Een petitie gericht aan Konami.

An initiative by José A. (Konamito) and David F.Gisbert (Tromax)
Een initiatief van José A. (Konamito) en David F.Gisbert (Tromax)

As active MSX system users, we would like to express the following
Als actieve gebruikers van het MSX systeem, willen we het volgende verklaren

We are tired of the high prices in recent years
We zijn de hoge prijzen van de afgelopen jaren moe

In addition to that, each day the situation worsens
Elke dag wordt de situatie slechter

and we want to say "stop" to this situation
dus willen we deze situatie een halt toe roepen.

We ask all of you
Wij vragen iedereeen

Lovers and supporters of MSX standard
Liefhebbers en supporters van de MSX-standaard

Join Into our campaign and passion!
Sluit je aan bij onze campagne en passie!

For the re-release of cartridges from Konami, the mythical videogame company
Voor de re-release van cartridges van Konami, het mythische videogame bedrijf

Those games that impressed us much back in the 80's and early 90's
De games waarvan wij zo onder de indruk waren terug in de jaren 80 en begin jaren 90

And today they are part ot the videogame history
en die hedentendage deel uit maken van de videogame geschiedenis

It does not matter what country of origin you are from
Het maakt niet uit welk land je komt

because we share a unique passion for more than 30 years
omdat wij al meer dan 30 jaar dezeflde passie delen.

It is a unique language and is called MSX
Het is een unieke taal die MSX heet

It is said that the union makes force
men zegt eendracht maakt macht

So...
Dus..

together we can make it happen!
samen kunnen we het te laten gebeuren!

Par meits

Scribe (6534)

23-06-2016, 11:28

Some of the reactions sound positive, some a little sceptic. Now let me be the partypooper then. Konami will ignore us. Too much work for (for them) a few bucks.
And where will Konami buy all the needed SCC chips? They won't come cheap for such a marginal batch.

I would've loved it if Konami actually was going to react positive, but I wonder if they would react at all.

Par cklayman

Champion (294)

23-06-2016, 13:58

What might motivate Konami to republish the cartridges is the positive publicity such a deed might elicit. On the other hand Konami might also benefit somewhat from its cartridges achieving high status in the collector world (I would not have known about Picasso if his paintings did not sell for millions). But then Konami might not like being pushed to do something it would not do otherwise. The petition sounds like "we are too cheap to buy stuff on our own so we would like you to buy them for us".

Par giangiacomo.zaffini

Champion (267)

23-06-2016, 14:06

All I want are cheap SCC and/or SCC+ cartridges. Don't know if Konami will hear these fans rants.

Par Louthrax

Prophet (2436)

23-06-2016, 15:38

Wondering: has there already been an "official / establishment" company re-releasing 80's games in their original form (not talking about CD / internet / modern consoles / etc... versions) ?

Par TroMax

Champion (278)

23-06-2016, 15:50

Thanks !! thekit

Par ray2day

Paladin (732)

23-06-2016, 20:02

Why asking for re-release of pshycal cartidges?
I think it's better asking Konami to re-lease the copyrights of all MSX games -> make these old games freeware!

Par janghang

Master (129)

24-06-2016, 03:21

i think it is impossible for konami to abandon their copyright. Besides, Metalgear is still a popular and active brand. Instead, it would be fantastic if they open some source codes of their games.

Par Daemos

Prophet (2051)

24-06-2016, 11:38

or give one of our cartridge makers the rights to distribute their games?

Par meits

Scribe (6534)

24-06-2016, 12:22

Daemos wrote:

or give one of our cartridge makers the rights to distribute their games?

But still... The SCC...

Par Imanok

Paragon (1199)

24-06-2016, 14:14

Meits wrote:

Daemos wrote:

or give one of our cartridge makers the rights to distribute their games?

But still... The SCC...

FPGA implementation. It's already done

Par meits

Scribe (6534)

24-06-2016, 18:58

Oh yes it's done that way, but is it the way fans will want it? Is it 100% accurate?
I'd applaude the redistribution way no matter what

Par zPasi

Champion (499)

25-06-2016, 14:24

Daemos wrote:

or give one of our cartridge makers the rights to distribute their games?

Sounds realistic. Konami may not even know, MSX carts are still manufactured, so they may think the re-relasing idea impossible. If informed about it, and that another company would do all the work for them, might have a chance.

I still have doubts, because Konami hardly sees any business case here. And they would still have to have some way to inspect the products, to make sure they comply their standards.

If they did it, it would be for goodwill and PR value.

Par Imanok

Paragon (1199)

25-06-2016, 17:25

Meits wrote:

Oh yes it's done that way, but is it the way fans will want it? Is it 100% accurate?
I'd applaude the redistribution way no matter what

I personally can't feel the difference between a real SCC and an FPGA clone.

Par TroMax

Champion (278)

26-06-2016, 18:25

request of the change, in the languages English, Portuguese / Brazilian, Polish and Japanese

Par nitrofurano

Champion (301)

28-06-2016, 15:49

would be great seeing Blades of Steel released for MSX from Konami! ) - and Tutankham, Mikie, Gyruss, Battlantis... and all those prototyped stuff they didn’t release yet - and perhaps even new stuff (i really wonder there are no retro lovers inside Konami’s development team, or those from that time not in mood for developing more stuff for MSX back again - specially considering that we have now neater development tools that they had that time)

Par nitrofurano

Champion (301)

28-06-2016, 15:49

and would be great if some kind of Flashback (fpga) could be distributed in the market as large scale (not misregretting those initiatives like Zemmix-Neo or One-Chip MSX, obviously) - perhaps Konami would consider releasing a MSX-based console like that filled up with their MSX games

Par hap

Paragon (2042)

28-06-2016, 18:47

Imanok wrote:

Meits wrote:

Oh yes it's done that way, but is it the way fans will want it? Is it 100% accurate?
I'd applaude the redistribution way no matter what

I personally can't feel the difference between a real SCC and an FPGA clone.

It's a reimplementation from the ground up, not a 1:1 copy of the SCC die. IMO openMSX does a better job than FPGA clones, the only plus side is that you get analog filtering for free. Also, there's a design error in SCC that noone's emulated yet. It causes spikes in channel 4&5 waveforms, very annoying. SCC+ emulation(and FPGA clone probably too) is very good though.

Par eskroto

Champion (327)

28-06-2016, 21:59

I don't think konami will do anything about this, they are focused on mobile phones now.
And even in the case they do, the price for first releases will remain the same.
Just look at Neo Geo AES games. Conversions of some games worth a few hundred euro but the original games still worth thousands of euro and people still buy them.

Par o.geerdink

Hero (588)

11-07-2016, 13:28

So all you guys chose the side of Konami and stabbed Kojima in the back?

Par hap

Paragon (2042)

11-07-2016, 17:16

Ome geerdink you make no sense

Ok, start a project for boycotting Konami and to destroy all MSX Konami games(except the ones Kojima worked on). Good example: http://www.shaqfu.com/main.php

Par cklayman

Champion (294)

15-07-2016, 14:41

Not sure if anybody petitioned Nintendo but they plan to bring NES back in some way: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160714005388/en/Reli...

Par tfh

Prophet (3317)

15-07-2016, 16:12

Yes, I saw it in the news.
Reminds me of the 300in1 gamecontroller I bought in China about 10 years ago. It had 300 NES games built inside. Just hook it up to the TV-set and power and play. Costed about 15 euro's back then I think I still have it lying around somewhere.
I used it quite a lot when I was on businestrips. A good way to spend the evening in your hotelroom

Par Louthrax

Prophet (2436)

15-07-2016, 21:49

cklayman wrote:

Not sure if anybody petitioned Nintendo but they plan to bring NES back in some way: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160714005388/en/Relive-Glories-Nintendo%E2%80%99s-Ultimate-Retro-Gaming-Experience

Nice but not so amazing if you ask me, wondering if you can even insert a real cartrdige inside that small thing?
Anyway, this shows that there's some interest in vintage stuff from a big firm like Nintendo. So why not Konami (whith something better) ??

Par Wild_Penguin

Hero (644)

16-07-2016, 22:26

One can always hope... but about that device they made at Nintendo: It just shows there is some market and some money to be made in simple-to use devices, that are really sub-standard, actually. In this case: it is probably an emulator in small plastic package; and even if it wasn't, you can not install real cartridges into it or even buy any in digital format; in the most optimal case, it is hackable and may contain a header to install your own cartridge slot, similar to one of those C64-in-a joystick, which actually had one insíde, as opposed to an emulator (but 90% of the case in the retro-thing-in-ajoystick devices, it is a sub-standard emulator!). Also, if your favourite games are not in the 20 or so that come with it, well ... too bad...

Point in case: I think Konami couldn't care less (given the newst in the past year, they are more interested in making a good result & money). One can still hope that Konami would be different I think it is more probable they'd license the games for some third party (hobbyist / semi-professional group) to make them, than they'd do it themselves.

Par Wolverine_nl

Paragon (1160)

26-07-2016, 15:13

You got a NO already, so trying this can never hurt anybody, in the other case the 0 becomes a 1 or stays at 0.
Sega and Nintendo are both bringing a mini version of the good ol' consoles back to the market for both around 60€, so compagnies know there is a serious market for these retro items.

Par Wolverine_nl

Paragon (1160)

26-07-2016, 15:29

o.geerdink wrote:

So all you guys chose the side of Konami and stabbed Kojima in the back?

Wow, this has nothing to do with Kojima directly or maybe even indirectly, maybe not even the people behind that drama decide over this petition, lets not guess and leave that negative black hole in the past.

I have respect for the guys for trying this whatever the outcome.

Par Latok

msx guru (3928)

26-07-2016, 16:34

Well, Konami did tweet about MSX Gradius just yesterday... You never know how things turn out

Par tfh

Prophet (3317)

26-07-2016, 16:38

LOL.. I wouldn't gold my breath

Par Manuel

Ascended (19308)