Indie/Limited/Obscure Physical Release Deals and Discussion Thread

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The Indie/Limited/Obscure Physical Release Thread
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Physical media may not be as popular as it was in years past, but that has not stopped it from finding success in more niche areas of the market. In fact, we're seeing so many physical releases, these days, that it has become difficult for even dedicated collectors to keep up with all of them. Many games, usually indie titles, are seeing releases with highly limited prints, regional exclusivity, retailer exclusivity or are simply appearing with little notification. The purpose of this thread is to identify, catalogue, discuss and post deals for these releases, in hopes of making information more accessible and supporting the medium.​
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FAQ

Q: tl;dr

A: There are probably games that were released physically that you don't know about. Find them here.

Q: What is the "master list"?

A: The master list is a catalogue of all the games that have been identified here that meet certain criteria that differentiates them from standard, mainstream releases. It offers information regarding regional exclusivity, retailer exclusivity, print quantities and more.

Q: What are the criteria? How do you decide which games make the list?

A: For the most part, these will be "smaller" titles that were originally released as digital-only but have been given a physical release. Some exceptions may apply, like if an indie game launches with a physical release, it will likely be listed. Another exception would see a larger title that was only released digitally, for whatever reason, get a limited physical release (example: if Limited Run Games did a print of Fatal Frame V.)

Generally if a game is, as the title says, indie, limited or obscure and has a physical release, you'll see in on the "master list."

Also, the game must be region-free or NTSC-U and in English (subtitles are valid).

Q: Region free or NTSC-U? Doesn't that mean the list is only valid for North American users?

A: This means that every game on the list will be playable on North American consoles, though a few games may have versions that are region-locked on a certain console (this will be noted). Most games are now region free, so if you aren't from the NTSC-U region, it's very likely that the game will work for you. Knowledge of which systems do and don't have region-locking should allow anyone to make use of this list.

Q: What about games for collectors who aren't in the NTSC-U (North American) region or own consoles that can play region-locked games?

A: There may be a separate tab for you guys down the line. One step at a time.

Pre-Orders/Upcoming Releases


Notable Publishers/Distributors

iam8bit

A retailer, located in California, that sells all sorts of limited edition video game merchandise. They occasionally publish physical, indie titles for the PS4.

Limited Run Games

Based in California, Limited Run Games is generally accepted as the company that started the modern trend of releasing physical games in limited quantities. Currently, they publish several games a month but have stated they intend to ramp down. Their games come with collectible, trading cards and are sometimes offered alongside soundtracks, collector's editions and other related merchandise. The two heads of the company are very active on different forums and regularly engage with the community. They currently publish games for the PS4, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch and occasionally the PC.

Play-Asia

Play-Asia is an established retailer located in Hong Kong. They are well known for offering a large variety of imported merchandise, including many games that have not seen western releases but have English subtitles. They've recently partnered with eastasiasoft to distribute exclusive and limited, physical releases. These games are often offered with collector's editions which are highly praised for their presentation, content and low prices.

Special Reserve Games

A company based in Texas, Special Reserve Games currently publishes games in limited quantities with no discernible schedule. Their games are frequently offered alongside collector's editions. They also collaborate with Limited Run Games to create variant covers for some of their titles, which are then sold via Limited Run Games' website. They currently publish for the PS4, PS Vita and PC.

Strictly Limited Games

Based in Germany, Strictly Limited Games seems to publish one title a month with varied but highly limited quantities. Collector's editions and soundtracks are sometimes offered alongside game releases. They've published games for the PS4 and PS Vita.

Super Rare Games

Located in London, these guys are relatively new to the limited game market. Similar to Limited Run Games, they include trading cards and stickers with their games. They publish only for the Nintendo Switch and intend to release one game a month.

 
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They say they are deleting their twitter account, who knows if the unsold copies will ever surface, is it the rarest physical?

 
This whole Poop Slinger thing seems like a viral marketing technique to me, to be honest.

You know those other copies are out there and coming back. No one is gonna print the 1500 or whatever minimum copies through Sony and then willingly take the hit on 1400+ of them as an April Fool's joke. Either that or those discs are mock up coasters that don't actually play a game.

 
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8 copies of it (about 10% of the total sold) of Poop Slinger are already on eBay at absurd prices. I wish I could say I'm surprised.

 
For some reason World War Z is an obscure physical title it seems.  Best Buy is sold out and so is Gamestop.  Just throwing that out there.

 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned in here yet that VBlank will be releasing a final run of Retro City Rampage DX (Vita) this upcoming Wednesday at 1pm EDT.  3000 copies it would seem.

 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned in here yet that VBlank will be releasing a final run of Retro City Rampage DX (Vita) this upcoming Wednesday at 1pm EDT. 3000 copies it would seem.
That was a nice little surprise
 
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With all the clusterfuck about Poop Slinger who would've thought it was real? Not to mention Douglas Bogart from Limited Run said he wanted to do this before and someone beat him to the punch. I still think LRG is behind it no matter how much they deny it.

https://twitter.com/LimitedRunDoug/status/1029100760536178690

https://twitter.com/LimitedRunDoug/status/1119313403275874306

 
I still half think LRG did it but who knows, be curious to see where the rest of the games go, really sad I missed out never even saw anything about it
 
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Anyone can just add a fake return address, but the postage does specify that it was mailed from the zip code 29547 in SC. This happens to be ~2.5 hours from LRG headquarters in NC. I'm convinced that LRG are in on it, or that they know the culprit. They can easily tout that it wasn't them, even if they know who it really was.
 
Anyone can just add a fake return address, but the postage does specify that it was mailed from the zip code 29547 in SC. This happens to be ~2.5 hours from LRG headquarters in NC. I'm convinced that LRG are in on it, or that they know the culprit. They can easily tout that it wasn't them, even if they know who it really was.
Also, that return address is for a Goodwill. And a sizable one at that, not something that a small company like "Limited Rare" could afford to lease.

 
Also, that return address is for a Goodwill. And a sizable one at that, not something that a small company like "Limited Rare" could afford to lease.
My point was more so that while we can confirm the shipping zip code, the Goodwill facility is likely part of the joke, and not actually the "real" return address.
 
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For some reason World War Z is an obscure physical title it seems. Best Buy is sold out and so is Gamestop. Just throwing that out there.
I wouldn't call it obscure. It's a pleasant release that is surprisingly very enjoyable for those who want to play something similar to Left 4 Dead imo

 
A couple games I've been waiting for finally got listed on the Best Buy website:

Enter the Gungeon (physical Switch copy) - $29.99
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/enter-the-gungeon-nintendo-switch/6347823.p?skuId=6347823

Umihara Kawase Fresh! (Switch) - $39.99
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/umihara-kawase-fresh-nintendo-switch/6344237.p?skuId=6344237
On the latter link, you know if that's the same game as what was on the vita? I was eyeing that on strictly limited, but the price was turning me off
 
Yup, Fresh is a new entry in the series. I love the look of it, so i hope that the physics and level design are up to the same quality. 

 
So is Shakedown: Hawaii only getting a physical release for the Vita version through the VBlank store?  That's all that I've seen them mention and their store only currently shows the Vita physical version.  Would be nice to pick up Switch and PS4 physical copies as well.

 
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So is Shakedown: Hawaii only getting a physical release for the Vita version through the VBlank store? That's all that I've seen them mention and their store only currently shows the Vita physical version. Would be nice to pick up Switch and PS4 physical copies as well.
I believe the reason that has been mentioned is due to the worry of the Vita physical not happening due to the March deadline, and how these PSA's are only to keep the base from rioting. LOL

In the past, every version ever offered was from Vblank, so no reason to think this release will be any different, unless they end up with some huge distro deal that covers retail. I'm pretty sure the emails have mentioned the PS4 and NS as coming soon as well, just not a "911" in the grand scheme, so they haven't really been discussed past "coming soon".

 
I have ordered several exclusives from Play Asia with free shipping.  However with their spring sale, a couple items (non exclusives) dropped down to the point where I am considering buying them.  However even with economy shipping, they are charging almost $10 shipping for 2 switch games.  Is there a free shipping code or a way to get free shipping on their non exclusive games?  Sorry if this is off topic but I figured you guys on this thread have experience ordering from Play Asia.

 
I have ordered several exclusives from Play Asia with free shipping. However with their spring sale, a couple items (non exclusives) dropped down to the point where I am considering buying them. However even with economy shipping, they are charging almost $10 shipping for 2 switch games. Is there a free shipping code or a way to get free shipping on their non exclusive games? Sorry if this is off topic but I figured you guys on this thread have experience ordering from Play Asia.
Unfortunately no. The best you can do is a code for $3 off the order total with coupon code "Censored" or $5 off if you have one of the vouchers they stick in previous orders.

 
So is Shakedown: Hawaii only getting a physical release for the Vita version through the VBlank store? That's all that I've seen them mention and their store only currently shows the Vita physical version. Would be nice to pick up Switch and PS4 physical copies as well.
For the Vita he was able to get a version of the game certified for release before cart production ceased.

The vita version is not even the final version of the game and will require a patch after release.

He mentioned that once he has the final builds of the game and is pleased with the releases he will be working on getting physical version for the Switch and PS4 into production. No date yet but they are coming in the future.

 
I do have one of the $5 off coupons that they included in a previous order.  However it looks like they have removed the ability to use coupons for the time being.  I do not see the space where you can usually put the coupon code in...sigh.

 
It depends on what is in your order. If there is a disqualifying item you won’t see the coupon box (even if you have other items). Weekly specials typically prevent coupons from being used.
 
For the Vita he was able to get a version of the game certified for release before cart production ceased.

The vita version is not even the final version of the game and will require a patch after release.

He mentioned that once he has the final builds of the game and is pleased with the releases he will be working on getting physical version for the Switch and PS4 into production. No date yet but they are coming in the future.
Would love a Switch physical copy, even if I have to wait more. Have they said this anywhere official to confirm?

 
Limit of 2 helps a bit. Plus I think they had previously said they weren't going to do another release of Vita version so people who really wanted a physical copy probably just ponied up for the 1st one.
Every game they've sold have hung around for a bit before selling out but I'm shocked this sold out. I figured it would be around for at least a month, this game's gotten so many physical releases on various platforms.

 
the bloodstained game from lrg. Is that one getting a best buy release? I only got switch and if I love it I'm gonna want ps4. Thanks!
 
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on sale 5/2/19 at hard copy games limited to 1500

lichtspeer double speer edition
Elliot quest
the bridge

https://hardcopygames.com/collections/all-products
Not exactly. They are putting up 150 bundles of the next three games and 150 bundles of the first release plus the next three on the 2nd. Neither bundle will ship until late 2019. The idea is to help with the expensive international shipping charges. They aren't preventing non-international customers from buying the bundles, but there will be 1200 copies of each game put up for sale as they are received in stock and there isn't a lot of financial incentive to buy the bundles for US customers given how slowly their first release has sold.

 
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