Do you care about spinecards?

[josekortez]

I keep picking up imports for older systems with and without spinecards, but I assume that it must be terribly hard to look for replacement spinecards. When I do get them, I usually end up putting them inside the manual and never thinking about them again.

So, how does everyone else here feel about spinecards? And does anyone know why they use them in Japan when the rest of the gaming world doesn't seem to find them necessary?

[DJ Daishi]

I always prefer to have the spinecard intact when I purchase rare japanese imports....I would even go so far as to buy another copy (in sub-par condition) just to get a hold of the card.

[bb_hood]

I think the purpose of these 'cards' is to prevent the paper in the case underneath from getting faded by light. If you have a game with a faded spine you can always tell when its in a row with other 'unfaded' games (and its pretty ugly).
I prefer that the import games I buy have the spine card, but this doesnt stop me from buying alot of games without them (especially if the price is right).

I do keep the spine cards in the manual also, it keeps them from jumping out at you when you open the case.

[eastx]

I don't care about spine cards at all, but I place them inside the manual as well.

[smork]

I am of two minds about spine cards. For the systems I collect for completeness, I need the spines (like, Neo CD). If I want a game just to play, the cheaper, the better - so no spine.

I'll generally seek out games with spines, and unless there is a significant discount for no spine (30%, at least) I won't buy a game without one. I can always wait to find the same game with a spine.

I display mine with their spines -- I put them in plastic sleeves like they sell used games in Japan, and I place the spine card on the outside, just like it were new. For some reason it bugs me to display the games without the spine card when I know it should be there...

[The 1 2 P]

I have a little holder that I keep all my spine cards in. They are kept in alphabetical order by system, althought most of them are for import playstation games. When I collect games I really don't care rather they have spine cards or not. I'm even thinking about seliing them all in a big ass lot on ebay.

[otaku]

It all depends. If its for a rare/very rare game then yes if not it all depends on how big the price difference is.

[segagamer]

I also don't care about spine cards at all, but I do keep them if I buy a used game and it comes with it. The same applies to registration cards.

[The 1 2 P]

I also don't care about spine cards at all, but I do keep them if I buy a used game and it comes with it. The same applies to registration cards.

Yeah, I forgot to mention my big pile of registration cards for my import collection. I wonder if theres someone out there that would want to buy those off of me.

[Harkunan]

It is like a Book Jacket but is basically a cheaper Bog




If everybody only hunted for the complete game then nobody would make any sales. There is not enough games to go around for everybody.


Think about it. Some people play

emulators
Backups
Copiers
PPC
and stand alone games

Not everybody can have every single game completed with everything. That would have to some sorta museum. Like on the radio and this man had a foutune sitting under his bed.

[smork]

It is like a Book Jacket but is basically a cheaper Bog




Think about it. Some people play

emulators
Backups
Copiers
PPC
and stand alone games

Not everybody can have every single game completed with everything. That would have to some sorta museum. Like on the radio and this man had a foutune sitting under his bed.

Have you been drinking heavily?

[fahlim003]

I get games I enjoy or at least keep ones I enjoy. When I began to get imports I didn't really care about spines and whatnot although I somehow got to the point of desiring completeness for a given game. I generally now do not look for incomplete/spineless games. I will say I get the games to use, not to display so if a game as mentioned earlier is very expensive and is significantly cheaper without a spine, I'll go for it. Example: Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru. Would I like the spine for it? Yes. Will I get a spine or spine copy? Probably not.

[Tron 2.0]

I don't care about spine cards at all, but I place them inside the manual as well.
Ditto i just see spinecards as a peace of paper nothing more.

Though i get annoyed when selling a import game,and i'm ask does it have the spinecard :mad:

Please..if the game is mint and it plays perfectly why should the spincard matter shesh.

[Kyle15]

Ditto i just see spinecards as a peace of paper nothing more.

Though i get annoyed when selling a import game,and i'm ask does it have the spinecard :mad:

Please..if the game is mint and it plays perfectly why should the spincard matter shesh.

It's a part of the complete package, you know?
People collect them for completeness just as other games.

Sure, I have my fair share of spinecardless imports, but I prefer mine absolutely complete. ;)
(random inserts and registration cards do not bother me that much if they are absent, though)

[The 1 2 P]

I wonder if there will ever be a price guide for stand alone spine cards. I mean, disc, manuals and cases all get sold seperately, so why not? I think it's pretty practical that it can happen. However, if registration cards start selling on their own, I'll have to second guess that one.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

I have somewhere between 50 and 75 import games and I am not sure how many have the spine cards. It is not really and issue for me, but I guess if I were going to spend some major bucks on a rare game, I would like it to be as complete as possible. With some of the used games I have bought, I have found the spine cards behind the CD holder. I am guessing that he bought them used too since he specifically mentioned that they did not have the spine cards.

I guess it would be possible to put together an orphan thread for spine cards and registration cards for import games and get a mod to sticky it either in the buy/sell forum or maybe here in the import forum.

JY

[Tron 2.0]

It's a part of the complete package, you know?
People collect them for completeness just as other games.

Sure, I have my fair share of spinecardless imports, but I prefer mine absolutely complete. ;)
(random inserts and registration cards do not bother me that much if they are absent, though)
Well i'm the type that's not too picky long as the game is working order,then i'm set.

Some times though i do hang onto the (spinecard) just in case i'm not 'happy with the game and i want to sell it.

Though it can be annoying when i don't have that,peace of paper and i want to sell that game and nobody will take it..becuase it doesn't have the spine card.

There's a fine line some times for being to anal when...it comes to collecting and playing video games.

Still that's how i see it.

[Ed Oscuro]

Yeah, I forgot to mention my big pile of registration cards for my import collection.
Keep them with the games...for a PS1 game just slip 'em in the manual.

Me, I paid something like $10 for the reg card for FC Splatterhouse to make it "really and truly complete."

[Kamisama]

I care about Spine Cards. I don't need them that much but if I could choose between 2 copies with/without spine cards I'd always take the one which comes with a spine card.

Also I think they look pretty cool :)

[Ed Oscuro]

Also I think they look pretty cool :)
Agreed...although the large ones on old-fashioned LPs are naturally more impressive (imposing perhaps)...

And the only reason Japanese CD games have these is due to a certain regulation on disc/disk based media. Cartridge or card (MyCard, HuCard) games didn't need to have them.

[The 1 2 P]

Keep them with the games...for a PS1 game just slip 'em in the manual.

Me, I paid something like $10 for the reg card for FC Splatterhouse to make it "really and truly complete."

I have no desire to keep them in the manuals. Everytime I've sold an import game or lot on ebay over the past 5 years---not one single person has asked if the game(s) included the registration card. I have a complete copy of Chrono Trigger with mention and picture of the registration card listed and it still has no bids. I know some people care about them but I'm not one of them.

So you spent $10 on a single registration card huh. Well I've got tons of those for the PS1 and a few Saturn ones too. Maybe I should try selling them sometime:D

[Ed Oscuro]

I didn't spend $10 on the card; it was just the upgrade fee for getting a more complete copy that happened to be on eBay. I don't play the "part together random shit and call it complete" game :P (even though, 99.99% of the time, everything came from the same suppliers originally and was just thrown together at the plant)

[ave]

I think the purpose of these 'cards' is to prevent the paper in the case underneath from getting faded by light. If you have a game with a faded spine you can always tell when its in a row with other 'unfaded' games (and its pretty ugly).

Actually that's not it. Spine-Cards were made by jpn manufacturers when formats with slim cases were coming up (i.e. CD). As everyone knows, Japanese shops are crowded with games so the shelfs are usually filled in the most economic manner: side by side. The spine-card makes a game to stick out the mass of other games, in fact it just increases the ad space.
Other formats like DVD or cardboard boxed games wouldn't benefit by spines ad space-wise, so they didn't get any.

In Europe and the US, games (and CDs/DVDs as well) are unlike Japan presented in a spacious manner, so they was no need to enhance their marketing.

@topic
I care about spine-cards, none of my games is without (that originally had one of course), nor is one of them sun-faded. Its just one aspect of condition for me, I wouldn't buy a game without instruction or a loose cartridge either :)

[StealthLurker]

To me, spinecards are just "nice to haves", but not really necessary. I used to just insert them into the manual just like everyone else, however nowadays I put all my games in some sort of protective plastic. They can be bought in bulk. Below is how I store a standard jewel case game with obi. They also make double disc case baggies.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/jviloria/wraps/w4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/jviloria/wraps/w3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/jviloria/wraps/w2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/jviloria/wraps/w1.jpg

.

[spoon]

Surprised nobody has referred to them as obi strips. That is what I usually call them.

When I first started collecting imports, I did not care if the strip was there. Now, I will generally not buy an import game unless the obi is there.

sadly, that practice has led to me not having ob strips for stuff like Hyper Duel for the Saturn. Haven't been able to find anyone who would sell me just that without the game.

I myself do not consider the game complete without it. See it as an each his own kinda thing.

I store them inside the case but outside of the manual. In between the two plastic tabs.

[TurboGenesis]

I do not care if the spine card is with the game.

When shopping for used game, I actually prefer the copy with out as I am able to save money.

I have got many games though with spine card and I tuck them into manual. Games like Zanac X Zanac, DoDonPachi(PSX), Gaia Seed… I have been asked to just sell the spine card by it self but the deal fell through.

When I buy Hyper Duel, I got it for $60 dollars because it did not have spine card… a great game it is too! Same for Radiant Silvergun — I pay $90 in 2004 for the fact it did not have spine card or registration card… another good game had for a good price.

My Dreamcast imports all have spine cards since I was able to buy them all new.

[StealthLurker]

Surprised nobody has referred to them as obi strips. That is what I usually call them.

LOL, I guess you didn't read my response. Oh well... =)

.

[spoon]

Lol, guess I missed that. Late night/early morning. Obi strips for life.

Btw, where do you buy the plastic sleeves in bulk? I think maybe I'd like to put some of my imports in those cases.

[StealthLurker]

Btw, where do you buy the plastic sleeves in bulk? I think maybe I'd like to put some of my imports in those cases.

Ebay is convenient. I've messaged sellers in the past to see if they will give a discount if sold at 500 or 1000 pc lots. A couple thousand or so single disc and a few hundred double disc baggies should tide anyone over for a bit.

.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

With some of the used games I have bought, I have found the spine cards behind the CD holder. I am guessing that he bought them used too since he specifically mentioned that they did not have the spine cards.
That's where I always stick mine. I wonder if I'm the only person in the world who does that? Maybe the games originally came from me.

With Saturn games I always like to line the spine card up under the CD tray so that just the S from Saturn is showing through the little hole in the middle.


...word is bondage...

[Vectorman0]

That's where I always stick mine. I wonder if I'm the only person in the world who does that? Maybe the games originally came from me.

With Saturn games I always like to line the spine card up under the CD tray so that just the S from Saturn is showing through the little hole in the middle.


...word is bondage...

That's what I do too. It's much safer behind the CD tray than in the manual where it could fall out or outside the manual where it could get bent out of shape.

[E Nice]

I suppose that is safer, my very first Saturn import game, Keio YUgekitai, had the spinecard back there. I didn't discover it until way after I bought it and decided to just check back there for no real rason. But I've fallen into the habit of just keeping them behind the manual, tucked away along the inside edge. No real danger to them now as they're mostly stored away and not handled anymore.

I actually would prefer having the spinecards with my import games and cd's, feels more complete. They sometimes have parts of the artwork on them or ads for related items. I'm not sure how many of imported stuff have the spinecards with them, but I think most of them do.

I remember when I bought my second Saturn import game, Dracula X:NitM from EB, years back when they sold Saturn imports. The guy of course took the game out of the shrinkwrap so they could put a sticker on it. Before handing me the game he tossed the spinecard into the wastebasket behind him. I had to ask him if I may also have the piece he just chucked.

[The 1 2 P]

I remember when I bought my second Saturn import game, Dracula X:NitM from EB, years back when they sold Saturn imports.

I wish I had a Saturn system back them. That had to have made it alot simpler to get import Saturn games instead of having to mail order all of them.

[spoon]

I wish I had a Saturn system back them. That had to have made it alot simpler to get import Saturn games instead of having to mail order all of them.

A lot simpler and a lot of deals to be had. Was nice to get games on the cheap when the cleared them out. I had a friend that picked up some real nice things like Radiant Silvergun, Pocket Fighter and some Vs. fighters for under twenty a piece. Must have been nice to be the manager.

[R.Sakai]

When I got my LaserActive, five of the six LD games I got with it had the plastic on them with just a slit to take out the disc, etc. The Pyramid Patrol was missing it's plastic, but still has the spine card, which was just kept in the sleeve. It actually kinda bugs me that it isn't uniform with the rest :)

They happen to make those poly bags like you guys are using for CDs the size of the LDs?

[StealthLurker]

When I got my LaserActive, five of the six LD games I got with it had the plastic on them with just a slit to take out the disc, etc. The Pyramid Patrol was missing it's plastic, but still has the spine card, which was just kept in the sleeve. It actually kinda bugs me that it isn't uniform with the rest :)

They happen to make those poly bags like you guys are using for CDs the size of the LDs?

A couple of my most prized LDs have a clear thick plastic envelope for them. I bought a set of these envelopes many, many years ago. It would probably be a little difficult to source them now.

.

[josekortez]

A lot simpler and a lot of deals to be had. Was nice to get games on the cheap when the cleared them out. I had a friend that picked up some real nice things like Radiant Silvergun, Pocket Fighter and some Vs. fighters for under twenty a piece. Must have been nice to be the manager.

The Saturn is one of my new favorite retro consoles for the fact that a lot of the imports can be had for a few dollars, and a lot of them are slept-on and pretty good at the same time!

[Iron Draggon]

I really could care less about them... in fact, I have a whole sack of Saturn spinecards, if anyone wants to make a bid on them... none for SHMUPS, but lots for strategy games and for other types of games... I'll try to list them all here soon, for anyone who might be interested... all are in excellent condition

[Bojay1997]

A couple of my most prized LDs have a clear thick plastic envelope for them. I bought a set of these envelopes many, many years ago. It would probably be a little difficult to source them now.

.

LD poly sleeves are just 12" poly record sleeves. You can easily find them at on-line vendors like Bags Unlimited or probably at your local record shop if your area still has one. I ended up putting all my LDs (850 and change at last count) in them a year or two ago since the sleeves are cheap and when used in coordination with an acid free box keep them clean and dust free. Double LDs and box sets are trickier, but I believe there are custom sizes available for them as well.

[neonecko]

I'd prefer to have the spinecard purely on the fact that with it, resale will be much easier. However, it is not required. My copy of RSG doesn't have it and I really don't care since I doubt I'll ever sell and I got it with a pretty big discount.

[spoon]

I'd be interested to know which obi strips you have Iron Draggon.

[The 1 2 P]

I have a whole sack of Saturn spinecards, if anyone wants to make a bid on them... none for SHMUPS, but lots for strategy games and for other types of games... I'll try to list them all here soon, for anyone who might be interested... all are in excellent condition


I'd be interested to know which obi strips you have Iron Draggon.

Ditto.

[Octopod]

I only care about obi when buying music not games.

[The 1 2 P]

I only care about obi when buying music not games.

I only care about obi in the Star Wars movies and games.

[Adol]

I have around ONE THOUSAND (1000) saturn spine cards for sale/trade,for like 400-500 different games for sure..if anyone is interested,let me know

(No,a list would be too long)

[The 1 2 P]

Spine cards are ok but definitely not neccesary for me. Not long ago I got a copy of Dracula X for the pc engine for $45. It didn't have a spine card and I didn't care.