Where did you find all this stuff?
Luck mainly…and checking auction sites often! Most of my collection was acquired by through ebay.com. I usually check the new listings to see if there’s anything new or rare one to two times a week. Another great place to look is Yahoo Japan Auctions, it can be pricey since you usually have to go through a third party like Rinkya.com or Buyee to make a bid. I don’t shop there that often but it’s a great way to find many rare Japanese items!
When did you start your collection?
Even though I’ve been a Silent Hill fan since 1999 and bought and played the games as they came out I didn’t start seriously collecting Silent Hill merchandise until around 2004. It was around this time that I realized more items were available for the games besides the games and soundtracks.
How much is your collection worth?
Worth is relative, but I will admit I’ve spent quit a bit building my collection up over the last decade.
How do you know if a game is a first edition?
Usually I know if a game is a first edition because I bought it the day it was released in the US. Also any re-releases in the US usually means the game has sold over a certain number of copies. Any reprints of the title would have a green, red or silver band somewhere on the cover art saying either “Greatest Hits” for Playstation titles or “Platinum Hits” for Xbox titles.
For my foreign editions I based it on the the game’s cover artwork and catalog number. For the Japanese editions when it’s a re-release you can expect the game will have altered cover art (sometimes even a new subtitle) and a number greater then 1 after the “J” in the catalog number. For example, the first edition of Silent Hill shows white tiles and a red smear and has the catalog number “SLPM 86192 VX131-J1” on the re-release in 2000 the game has Lisa on the cover, a “Konami the Best Edition” subtitle and catalog number “SLPM 86498 VX131-J2.” The number behind the J in this new release has increased from 1 to 2 showing this is the game’s second edition/print.
If you aren’t sure what number edition of a game you own be sure to check out Lost Releases which has all the product information and images of each Silent Hill release!
How can I tell if a game is legitimate Japanese Edition
I’ve seen some ebay auctions claim to sell Japanese editions of games when in reality they are selling general Asian editions released in China. The Japanese editions of Silent Hill games always has a warning on the front cover about the game’s content. With the older games it’s a a big red triangle with Japanese Text while newer titles like Shattered Memories has the CERO rating right on the cover. If you don’t see the triangle warning on the front of a SH1-SH4 and SH0 but it shares the same cover art as a Japanese edition it’s probably the Asian edition.
What’s an obi or a spine card?
An obi or spine card is a strip of paper looped around a book, cd, video game or dvd and is a unique item on publications in Japan. Many products from Japan come with an obi to provide the title of the product, track listings (if applicable), price, catalog number and information on related releases in Japanese to consumers. Obis and spine cards are typically discarded so finding a book or cd with the obi or spine card intact can be rather difficult!
Below is an example of the Silent Hill Play Novel Guide with and without its original obi.
I know you said nothing is for sale on the site but would you be willing to make an exception for < insert item listed on site >?
No.
I’m a collector myself can I show you what I have?
Yes, please do! I love looking at other people’s collections. Also be sure to join the Silent Hill Collector’s Facebook Group while you’re at it too if you haven’t already!
