The games importing hobby can be a difficult one to get into, purely due to logistics. As always, Gaijin Guide wants to help! So here’s the rundown on systems’ barriers and specialties, to help you know where to start.

Nintendo systems

Famicom (NES)
Region lock: Cartridges use a different pin output. Adapters are available, as are clone systems with Famicom-specific slots.
Import appeal: While the library is vast and diverse, the Famicom’s really the most ideal fit for fans of the platformer. There’s all sorts of weirdness we didn’t get in the West, even though we did get so very much.

Super Famicom (SNES)
Region lock: Cartridges are different shapes. You can play Japanese cartridges easily, though, by breaking off some plastic.
Import appeal: I love the Super Famicom, but its specialty is the least import-friendly genre: RPGs. They’re great ones, though, as the wave of fan translation efforts indicates. Still, there’s a bit of everything else on the system, too.

Nintendo 64
Region lock: Cartridges are different shapes,and modifying the system’s not as easy. Still, you could take apart the cartridge shell.
Import appeal: Not much, really. There are a few interesting titles, but it’s not a great place to get started.

GameCube
Region lock: Yes. Import boot discs are available.
Import appeal: It’s not a robust library. There are a few gems, though, like Giftpia, Homeland and Nintendo Puzzle Collection.

Wii
Region lock: Yes. Can be bypassed with software mods.
Import appeal: We got most of the Wii’s best games, but people who like action-RPGs or rhythm games will find some nice options.

Wii U
Region lock: Yes.
Import appeal: Not much yet. That should change with time.

Game Boy/Game Boy Color
Region lock: No!
Import appeal: The great part of the Game Boy is its simplicity; almost the entire library can be figured out regardless of the language barrier.

Game Boy Advance
Region lock: No!
Import appeal: Platformers are back in full force on the system, as well as revived 16-bit franchises. It’s a great place to start for import newbies.

Nintendo DS
Region lock: No!
Import appeal: It’s also a great place for RPGs, and quirky things. The library’s huge, and games play on modern systems.

Nintendo 3DS
Region lock: Yes.
Import appeal: Lots, if you’re willing to pick up a Japanese system. It’s building an especially robust catalog of rhythm games and, for some reason, beat-’em-ups.

Sony systems

PlayStation
Region lock: Yes. Import boot discs are available.
Import appeal: With high popularity and low development costs, the PS1 has some truly bizarre games. That said, it’s strong in a lot of genres.

PlayStation 2
Region lock: Yes. Import boot discs/tools are available.
Import appeal: Once again, lots of stuff here, like rhythm games, fighters and (if you can handle them) RPGs. It may not be the easiest platform to get started with, though.

PlayStation 3
Region lock: No!
Import appeal: If you just want to dip your toes into the import world, the PS3’s a great place for that. Get started with a little Aquanaut’s Holiday: Hidden Memories (in English!), E.X. Troopers or something with a Gundam in it.

PlayStation 4
Region lock: No!
Import appeal: Not much yet, but that should change with time.

PlayStation Portable
Region lock: No!
Import appeal: RPGs. All of the RPGs. Also, if you like Monster Hunter and want to play about 300 games that are trying to be like Monster Hunter, boy, are you in the right place!

PlayStation Vita
Region lock: No!
Import appeal: Rhythm games are once again a big deal, but they’re joined by a nice collection of action-RPGs. And, well, visual novels. Yeah, don’t start by importing those.

Other notable systems

Mega Drive (Genesis)
Region lock: Yes, though earlier games didn’t have one
Import appeal: It’s a great system for fans of shoot-’em-ups! Also a few action-platformers.

Sega Saturn
Region lock: Yes, bypassed most easily with an Action Replay.
Import appeal: Almost the system’s entire library remained exclusive to Japan, but what the system was best at was advancing 2D in a 3D era. If you like detailed sprite work, the Saturn is the system for you.

Sega Dreamcast
Region lock: Yes, bypassed by an import boot disc.
Import appeal: Fighters and shoot-’em-ups are myriad here, as the Dreamcast was the last of the generation of consoles focused on replicating the arcade appeal. If you miss the last days of the quarter-consuming cabinet’s dominance, that’s what the DC’s for.

Microsoft Xbox/Xbox 360
Region lock: Yes, though some games aren’t locked.
Import appeal: I put both of these in one item, because they need to be included, but neither has much for importers. Well, Western importers. Japanese importers probably love these things!

Neo Geo Pocket Color
Region lock: No!
Import appeal: While its older brother is great, it’s also crazy-expensive for new importers. The Pocket is much, much cheaper, and also has fighters and arcade-style games that are refreshing in their simplicity.

PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16)
Region lock: Yes
Import appeal: Were you looking for all the scrolling shooters?

Hopefully that gives you a good idea of where you should start, though once you get in, there’s a whole world to explore! I apologize to your bank account in advance.