Hototogisu
Nintendo Entertainment System · 1988
About this game
Despite what its title may suggest, Hototogisu 's scope is not limited to the three Sengoku-period daimyō referred to in the Hototogisu children's poem (namely Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu).
Instead, at the beginning in 1555, this game lets you choose to play as any of the 40 daimyō of the Sengoku period by selecting their territory as your starting region.
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Hototogisu is notable among the Sengoku-period Famicom strategy games for putting the most focus on the strategic side.
A majority of this game's interactions take place on the strategic screen overviewing the whole historical Japan (meaning not including now-called Hokkaido).
Each year in the game is divided into 10 distinctive phases represented by the bar at the bottom: Administrative Action, Tax Collection, 1st Mobilization, 1st Battle, Political Action, 2nd Mobilization, 2nd Battle, 3rd Mobilization, 3rd Battle and Military Preparations.
A unique feature of Hototogisu compared to its Famicom strategy peers is the vassalage system, in which you can negotiate with another daimyō to have him become your vassal or inversely, surrender to become his vassal yourself to avoid ending the campaign after a defeat.
Becoming a vassal locks you out of the Battle phases.
Tactical battles consist of 2 types: field battle and siege, both taking place in an abstracted battle screen instead of a tactical map.
In a field battle, you can choose a starting formation and change tactics as the battle auto resolves, or call for a retreat.
In a siege, you have limited options as the defender - fight or surrender, but as the attacker, you have 3 main actions: send a messenger to the enemy daimyō to negotiate a surrender (and vassalize him), starve out the castle which takes the longest time but costs no casualty on your side, or full assault.
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 Hototogisu 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 Hototogisu 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 1988.
Price history
Market values by condition
NTSC-J
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-16 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €185.17 |
| 2026-07-16 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €13.16 |
| 2026-07-16 | Item only | NTSC-J | €8.11 |
| 2026-07-16 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €52.65 |
| 2026-07-16 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €21.06 |
| 2026-07-16 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €168.33 |
| 2026-07-14 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €168.07 |
| 2026-07-14 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €52.56 |
| 2026-07-14 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €184.87 |
| 2026-07-14 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €21.03 |
| 2026-07-14 | Item only | NTSC-J | €8.10 |
| 2026-07-14 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €13.14 |
| 2026-07-13 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €21.01 |
| 2026-07-13 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €52.54 |
| 2026-07-13 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €13.13 |
| 2026-07-13 | Item only | NTSC-J | €8.09 |
| 2026-07-13 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €167.98 |
| 2026-07-13 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €184.78 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €52.54 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €184.78 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €21.01 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €13.13 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-J | €8.09 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €167.98 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | NTSC-J | €52.51 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | NTSC-J | €167.91 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | NTSC-J | €184.70 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | NTSC-J | €8.09 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | NTSC-J | €21.01 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | NTSC-J | €13.13 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Hototogisu 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 Hototogisu worth?
Hototogisu for Nintendo Entertainment System is currently worth €24.73 loose, €52.65 complete in box, and €168.33 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Hototogisu rare?
Hototogisu 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 Hototogisu?
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 Hototogisu, loose is €24.73 and CIB is €52.65 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Ratings & Reviews
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