Downtown Special
Nintendo Entertainment System · 1991
About this game
Downtown Special: Kunio-kun no Jidaigeki da yo - Zenin Shūgō! is a Japanese-only sequel to the classic beat 'em up/rpg hybrid Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari aka River City Ransom.
The game takes place in the Edo period of Japan, making it a prequel really, as you take control of an ancestor of Kunio (also named Kunimasa) tasked with saving the life of his ill friend.
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Kunimasa must traverse the Japanese countryside beating the collection of gang members and other assorted baddies in the same way as in River City Ransom.
Each location is represented by a side scrolling level filled with enemies, which you must take down using a collection of attacks and special moves that can be purchased from shops scattered through the levels.
The game uses the same engine and Super-Deformed character design, only changing the sprites to reflect the new setting.
Unlike RCR, you can freely select which stage to tackle at any time, making it a more non-linear experience.
And while money is still used to buy items, weapons and moves, you now also gain experience directly by defeating enemies, which is used to enhance Kunio's base stats.
A two-player mode is available and, even if you play the game solo, the game provides help in the form of an AI-controlled partner who can be change as you gain more allies thorough the game (including former enemies).
About Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System (1983 in Japan, 1985 in the West) revived the North American video game industry after the 1983 crash and established conventions — cartridges, licensing seals, save systems — that shaped the industry for decades. NES collecting is one of the most established retro markets: common titles remain cheap, but a well-known handful of low-print-run games (many from smaller third-party publishers) are among the most expensive video games in existence.
Gamevaro tracks Downtown Special for Nintendo Entertainment System with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Downtown Special to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This NES release dates back to 1991.
Price history
Market values by condition
NTSC-J
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-18 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €18.92 |
| 2026-07-18 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €60.34 |
| 2026-07-18 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €7.57 |
| 2026-07-18 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €66.38 |
| 2026-07-18 | Item only | NTSC-J | €9.23 |
| 2026-07-18 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €4.74 |
| 2026-07-16 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €4.75 |
| 2026-07-16 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €60.49 |
| 2026-07-16 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €7.59 |
| 2026-07-16 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €66.54 |
| 2026-07-16 | Item only | NTSC-J | €9.26 |
| 2026-07-16 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €18.97 |
| 2026-07-14 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €4.74 |
| 2026-07-14 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €66.44 |
| 2026-07-14 | Item only | NTSC-J | €9.24 |
| 2026-07-14 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €18.94 |
| 2026-07-14 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €7.58 |
| 2026-07-14 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €60.40 |
| 2026-07-13 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €60.37 |
| 2026-07-13 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €7.58 |
| 2026-07-13 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €4.74 |
| 2026-07-13 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €66.40 |
| 2026-07-13 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €18.93 |
| 2026-07-13 | Item only | NTSC-J | €9.24 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €60.37 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-J | €9.24 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €66.40 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €7.58 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €18.93 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €4.74 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Downtown Special has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning enough copies circulate to establish a reliable market price.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Downtown Special worth?
Downtown Special for Nintendo Entertainment System is currently worth €9.85 loose, €18.92 complete in box, and €60.34 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Downtown Special rare?
Downtown Special has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Downtown Special?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Downtown Special, loose is €9.85 and CIB is €18.92 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Ratings & Reviews
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