[ Hudson Caravan Games ]

7.1 Hudson Caravan Contest

Every year since 1985, during the Summer months, Hudson Soft held a Summer Caravan contest which uses a modified version of their releases for gamers to compete in. In the case of PC Engine games, some were programmed to just 2 or 5 minute games of the original. Games such as GunHed, Final Soldier were offered as contest games with players trying hard to rack up as high a score as possible to win prizes.

Fig. 7.1 GunHed Special Version (left) and normal GunHed hucard.

I have no idea what is won in these competitions but some who compete were given the hucards amongst other gifts. After many years, these hucards became sought after and in the eyes of collectors, they are worth the effort of finding them and the price doesn't come cheap. GunHed seen above sells for well over 27000Yen.

Fig. 7.2 Final Soldier Special Version (left) and normal version.

Prices seen recently on the Japanese yahoo auction site vary depending on which caravan hucard one is after. The cheapest caravan game goes to Soldier Blade Special which sells for as low as 7000Yen up to 20000Yen.

Fig. 7.3 Soldier Blade Special Version (left) and normal version.

Final Soldier Special is one that is seen in frequency along with Soldier Blade but their prices differ in that Final Soldier can command a price as high as 28000Yen+ (on a good day).

Fig. 7.4 Bomberman 93 Special Version (left) and normal version.

Bomberman 93 Special has been seen alot on yahoo recently (strange how there is none at one time and suddenly, as soon as one sells for 40000Yen, people flood the site with like two a month). Prices vary from as low as 28000Yen up to 40000Yen. This one performs consistently well but I'm sure as demand falls, the next person to auction it won't get more than 20000Yen (that has been already seen on ebay where a Japanese seller didn't get more than $250 for it.)

Fig. 7.5 PC Kid 3 Taikenban (left) and normal version.

I'm not sure if this did get to a Hudson caravan (I also have my doubts for Bomberman 93 Special too) but as rarity goes, I have only ever seen this three times on yahoo in the past two years (then again I don't look every day).
Expect at least 40000Yen for this one.

Fig. 7.6 Bomberman Users Battle.

Again, I don't know where this appeared but seems likely that it was made for either to feature in a game show or for competition purposes. Oh I paid an arm and a leg for this one. Something like 500 pounds (75000Yen) !!!

7.2 Rare hucard found!!!
 
 

Fig. 7.7 Power League All Stars GOLD.

Finally I have obtained this hucard after almost 2 years of searching. Was it worth it? YES!!!! compared to the released Power League, it's a cut down version with a few missing options but this GOLD hucard has only 200 made and is the rarest of the lot. I would like to thank Kenji from the US and also tronitik for helping me out with this deal as I have only ever seen one on a Japanese webpage and never on that particular auction site in Japan. Next up is that damn PC Kid 3 Sample which I saw on yahoo once....