First, I'm mostly focusing on Japanese exclusive releases - the only exclusions being Dragon Quest I-IV, because I might be attempting to learn Japanese using the games (I have a book I got for that).

Secondly, they have to fit in my Adapters that I have currently. If they don't fit in the Adapter, then I'm going to forego them for either a reproduction translation, or wait until I find another famicom adapter I like.

Some of these, mind you, will require I modify the Nintendo for them (ie the VRC6 used in some games that have enhanced audio). I'm not planning on taking more aging Famicom hardware out of circulation when I can achieve the same on my slightly modified "Frankentendo" NES that I have.

In some cases, I might choose the Japanese release over an American one over price. For example, Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen is a LOT cheaper than the American release "Dragon Warrior IV" - the reason is, DQIV was a HUGE hit in Japan, so a lot of people IN Japan bought it, making it plentiful - while in America, Dragon Warrior IV was so so late to the table, it almost hit the liquidiation stores immediatley after release - I know, I saw it there, when I was 11 in 1994. Not an exact match, just an example.

I'm also not above gettign old dingy copies that are beaten up, and will be getting Loose Cartridges - I don't want any boxes or manuals. I'm looking to adopt the "orphans" most collectors have no interest in - ie torn/worn/faded labels. Games with a history. Just has to be the right price.

One last bit is so that I can play these on a proper console and not these questionable "bootleg" thingies I've been using (Sup-400-in-1, Multicarts) which have had some problems in the past with corrupt title screens, non-working "Roms", strange power issues causing games to malfunction (which is fun in it's own right). It's kind of annoying I can't record myself playing Antarctic Adventure because it strains the 400-in-1's VT02 so hard it needs more current to keep running with the screen off!

Cartridge	Screenshot	Description/Info
Antarctic Adventure		Antarctic Adventure is one of my favorite games for the Nintendo Family Computer that did not come out in the United States. I first encountered this on a Contra 99999-in-1 multicart ROM I found back around 2001 when I first started using the internet at home. I looked around for an NES Release, but it seems it'll be easier to get the Famicom release, and relatively inexpensive comparitively to a $40 reproduction for the NTSC Nintendo - as it costs roughly half that - about $20 on average for the copies I find on e-bay loose or in box.
Star Luster		Star Luster is another find on the 400-in-1 that I really liked. It's basically a fancy update of the Atari 2600 game Starmaster by Activision. This game is cheap because it seems to have been printed a lot but not very well recieved, even by Japan, because it's a bit more complex and therefore "difficult" for little kids. It seems to list for $7.99-15 on e-bay used B.I.N, which is very reasonable. It's one of those "hidden gems" you have to really try and figure out that you like it.
Devil World		Devil World was a game created by Shigeru Miyamoto (Mario/Zelda) and released for the Nintendo Famicom in 1984. My first encounter with it was on the Sup-400-in-1 console. The reason this was never ported over to the United States was because, especially in the 1980's, we were a very different country who were very devoutly christian in some circles, and the Right Wing Majority tends to find such games about "Hell" or "Devils" or "Demons" "offensive" (how funny, today it's the Democrats getting offended over everything)....so of course, to prevent any poor press from religious zealots or the 700 Club, NOA probably nixed this one if it even made it into Howard Philip's hands at some point, even though it's about as harmful as a flea, and quite a good game (though a bit hard) actually.
Star Luster		Door Door was a game I rather liked as a simple short-spurt release back in 2001 on that old Contra bootleg multicart ROM I keep talking about. Turns out this one has a significant connection to Dragon Quest. See, THIS is the game that one Koichi Nakamura - the head of "Chunsoft" (the company that programmed Dragon Quest I-IV for the NES and Famicom), entered into that Enix sponsored programming contest that lead to him and Yuji Horii crossing paths and coming up with Dragon Quest. This was ported from the NEC PC-8801 in 1985 to the Nintendo Family Computer, and never got a stateside release. I re-ignitied my liking for it on the Sup 400-in-1- Gamebox.
F1 Race		F1 Race was a game that remained a Japanese Exclusive until 1990 when it was released for the Nintendo Game Boy. It's basically a clone of Namco's Pole Position, but was made by HAL Labs (who also made the Adventures of Lolo games). As a big fan of Pole Position and Pole Position II - this might be a really cool racing game port to have for the Famicom Adapters. I found this one on the Sup 400-in-1 and it turns out it's a pretty quality piece of software and plays really well. SO That's why I'm adding this one to the list.
Bird Week		Bird Week was a game I discovered on the Sup-400-in-1. It's basically a game where you fly around as a momma-bird and feed your children while avoiding a Squirrel and a problematic eagle, all the while collecting bugs. It's a really chillax (chill and relax) type game that I find fun and intriguing. Also, it comes on a really cool Turquoise cartridge - and we all know how I feel about any combination of blue and green given the visuals this website gives you!
Dragon Quest		While I'm a tremendous fan of the localized versions, I know the roots of Dragon Quest lie in JAPAN. This would be the original version, made in 1986, with unidirectional sprites, Japanese language (which I plan to use as a form of study and learning), and also, this might be one of the rare few exceptions as a middle aged guy I'd keep collecting. Also, I think a blind run would be fun as well. Notice these last 4 are lower down, that's because they are lower priority over the others.
Dragon Quest II		Dragon Quest II is one of the most maligned entries in the 8-bit versions, and by extension, it's loalized Dragon Warrior II counterpart as well. To me, what makes Dragon Quest II great, is it's difficulty. This is like a challenger version for Dragon Quest for those of us who are really undisputed masters of the grind and questing - it's like n Ultima game with Dragon Quest elements. And considering I've almost beaten Ultima: Exodus on the NES, and have actually beaten Ultima VI: The False Prophet (base level mind you) on PC, this is actually a small feat compared to those with U6's arseload of content and Exodus's challenging grindfest with unconventional level elements. Dragon Quest II is a refreshing walk in the park by comparison, even if it was not fully playtested, indicating that Horii, Nakamura, and their team were putting their all in, even if the schedule didn't allow.
Dragon Quest III		This game is a legend, in Japan especially, but also in America as Dragon Warrior III, and often overshadows the one following it. There's so much to do, it's not entirely linear, but not so obtuse that you don't know where to go either. I'd say this game is a mastery in balance and introducing full-blown Computer RPG elements to a Console RPG audience. Again, this one is one of the cheaper cartridges - because they made a LOT of them. This particular installment is even the one where urban legend says the Japanese government made a law/asked Enix not to release Dragon Quest on the weekdays because of all the children, businesspeople, and others playing "hookie" on that day to wait outside for the latest release. TBH, the truth is Enix decided to do that themselves - a mark of a RESPONSIBLE company. Hence why they are one of the (very) rare few that got my respect.
Dragon Quest IV		This one is my personal favorite in the (8-bit) series. Dragon Quest IV is also massively cheaper than Dragon WARRIOR IV is. Dragon Warrior IV will set you back about $100+ in a lot of cases for just a loose cart (I traded up to mine, which was being asked for for $156.00), and Dragon QUEST IV will cost you only HALF that at worst for a nice copy in box with instructions. Also, some elements of this version are a little different. I like the idea of having both and maybe even doing side-by-side comparisons at some point.