Genesis cases vs. boxes

[pfp]

Just looking for some insight, mostly just wanting to know 'which came first' for any given game.

Asking because was pricing out a copy of Castlevania Bloodlines (complete in case) and saw copies with the red cardboard box on eBay as well.


Thanks!

[Battlesmurf]

someone can correct me if I'm wrong (it's likely! : P)

The snap lock cases were for most Genesis games first. The cardboard ones didn't start showing up until around the time Genny 3 did- when they were marketing the unit + reprinting games for as cheap as possible?

[DigitalSpace]

Asking because was pricing out a copy of Castlevania Bloodlines (complete in case) and saw copies with the red cardboard box on eBay as well.

The copies with cardboard boxes are Majesco rereleases.

[Natty Bumppo]

someone can correct me if I'm wrong (it's likely! : P)

The snap lock cases were for most Genesis games first. The cardboard ones didn't start showing up until around the time Genny 3 did- when they were marketing the unit + reprinting games for as cheap as possible?
The first cardboard ones I remember were around when Shining Force II and Phantasy Star IV were released - somewhat ironic since they had this cheesy packaging and were both very pricey games when released.

[Shadow Kisuragi]

Cardboard box games that were reprinted were rereleases from Majesco AFAIK, but other companies used cardboard boxes only such as Accolade.

[Robocop2]

Im not entirely sure when the cardboard boxes came into being but the plastic cases were used by nearly everyone except for Accolade who used boxes that always reminded me of smaller PC game boxes. I thought that some of the later releases came in cardboard. I know that 32X games pretty much all came in the cardboard cases so I assumed that that was about the time the changeover was made

[Garry Silljo]

Not all cardboard games were re-releases. Late in the Genesis's life span they simply switched. Much to the annoyance of all.

[pwpcody]

Is there a list of games that are ONLY in cardboard boxes? Ones that didn't have a snapcase release?

[Baloo]

I think sometime around the release of Sonic and Knuckles they started with the cardboard boxes. Sonic and Knuckles was one of the first games with a cardboard box, that much I remember. So it had to be around 1994ish.

[fahlim003]

I think sometime around the release of Sonic and Knuckles they started with the cardboard boxes. Sonic and Knuckles was one of the first games with a cardboard box, that much I remember. So it had to be around 1994ish.

I got S&K and Jurassic Park Rampage Edition for Christmas 1994 and both were quite unusual to me as they had the new cardboard box redesign.


Not all cardboard games were re-releases. Late in the Genesis's life span they simply switched. Much to the annoyance of all.

It's pretty annoying alright, years down the road. Much like most Nintendo cases of yore, the cardboard Genesis cases are a pain to find in good condition, let alone store carefully. Sadly my copies of S&K, JP:RE, and Earthworm Jim 2 have all but disappeared so I don't have to deal with that specific issue until I reacquire them, perhaps Ristar too.

[Howie6925]

Some early EA Genesis games were in cardboard boxes.

[Natty Bumppo]

I remember the excuse that Sega gave when they switched to those was that they were worried about all of those plastic cases winding up in landfills and thought the cardboard was better ecologically.


Sure - and the introduction of those sucky black and white manuals at the same time was coincidental - probably had nothing to do with cutting down costs.

[Robocop2]

The color ink obvously was lead based and therefore they didnt want it damaging the environment when the paper case fell apart.

You know I can understand the scarcity of CIB games from the paper box era but I still can't understand why Boxed early Genny games are so hard to find at least compared to just the cartridges. I mean yeah sure paper cases are not durable but did people actually throw out their nice plastic cases and the instructions all the time? Because I alway kept my games nice and complete

[fahlim003]

Some early EA Genesis games were in cardboard boxes.

Same goes for Accolade too. I think these boxes held up better than the revised official Sega ones as I see more of these in good shape than the mentioned.

[Gameguy]

I mean yeah sure paper cases are not durable but did people actually throw out their nice plastic cases and the instructions all the time? Because I alway kept my games nice and complete
I've known someone who just kept the discs for PS2 games and threw out cases and inserts, there are people like that though I personally keep all packaging.

[betamax001]

I've known someone who just kept the discs for PS2 games and threw out cases and inserts, there are people like that though I personally keep all packaging.

o.O I'm sorry. I can understand throwing out the boxes for cartridge based systems, but for disc based systems there is no excuse.

"Except for maybe those annoying Sega CD and Saturn US cases. What was Sega thinking when they used those instead of jewel cases?"

[Garry Silljo]

You know I can understand the scarcity of CIB games from the paper box era but I still can't understand why Boxed early Genny games are so hard to find at least compared to just the cartridges. I mean yeah sure paper cases are not durable but did people actually throw out their nice plastic cases and the instructions all the time? Because I alway kept my games nice and complete

Didn't GameStop/EB/Funco and that ilk throw out the majority of their boxes, even the "nice plastic" ones? I always attributed the shortage of plastic boxes to that.

[betamax001]

You'd think if the game came with the manuals they would want to keep those so people could know what to do. (Remember this was pre internet)

[The 1 2 P]

I hate the cardboard box cases because you can't stack them on top of one another without damaging the bottom and middle ones.

[Gentlegamer]

Not all cardboard games were re-releases. Late in the Genesis's life span they simply switched. Much to the annoyance of all.My copy of Phantasy Star IV looks crappy in its cardboard box next to the rest of the Phantasy Star series.

[StetsonGraves]

That sucks.

I was considering trying to get boxes and manuals for my Genesis collection until I learned they switched to cardboard =/ (I adore the plastic cases).

[Xexyz]

This topic brings up a good question. How many Genesis releases had both a cardboard and plastic case release? Majesco re-releases don't count as they're pretty obvious. The only one I've ever seen in both variants is Light Crusader. The plastic case version seems pretty uncommon compared to the cardboard release.

[Az]

At what point did Accolade switch to plastic cases? Did they switch back to cardboard?

Did EA ever switch back to cardboard?

And unless I'm wrong, all Japanese Mega Drive releases by EA were plastic case versions.

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

All of my older (1989-1994) games are in plastic cases, I'd guess that the changeover to cardboard was in the second half of 1994.

[tubeway]

o.O I'm sorry. I can understand throwing out the boxes for cartridge based systems, but for disc based systems there is no excuse.


Disagree. To some people, especially those that are very well off financially, they look at their games from a very utilitarian perspective. They don't care about reselling their games later on and they don't care about having a "display" of cheap looking plastic video game packaging sitting on their expensive oak bookshelves next to their designer leather sofa, so they just toss the packaging and play the games for the simple enjoyment of the experience, not owning a bunch of crap. I mean, they probably have classier stuff to take pride in if we're considering financial possessions.

Then there are the parents whose kids have a ton of games cluttering the living room. Those kids don't care about the cases either and are probably already scratching the shit out of their discs. Is it really worth storing a big box of cases based on the off chance that they might boost the resale value for each one by a couple bucks later on?

If space is really an issue, people are probably going to start tossing the cases and sticking all their discs in a CD binder. I mean, look at people that do that with their music CD collections. It makes me cringe, since I actually collect music CDs, but I do understand it.

New video games aren't inherently collectibles -- it's just us that choose to collect them.

It's always amusing to see this inability for people to think outside of their box. It's like when people say, "I don't know why you would sell that eleventh Nintendo 64 deck, I would keep it for collecting purposes." And I just sit there and think, "What... the fuck...?"

[substantial_snake]

I really couldn't agree with you more, tubeway.

I was one of those kids that had a ton of games but little space so I always ended up throwing out my master system/genesis plastic boxes and Ps1 jewel cases. Its true most of the ps1 games were scratched beyond recognition over time but I didn't care about that at the moment and just enjoyed the games as games.

When I was 14-15 I found this really sweet deal on a sega genesis 2, sega CD2, and a 32X with a ton of games for 20 dollars. Picked it up and had a lot of fun with everything but the 32X. (either didn't work or didn't have the power supply and didn't care to look for it at the time) After a while I got tired of it and eventually gave the whole setup to a friend who had never had any video game systems. I kinda regret it now but at the time collectors value wasn't a factor and for a kid who just wanted entertainment it usually isant.

Nowadays I do look after my cases but its mostly just to keep my blu-rays from getting damaged or my new copy PS1 games from having to re-buy them again. When I start picking up genesis games again cases will be nice but wont be a priority as long as the game is in good shape.

[Melf]

I'm pretty sure the cardboard boxes reared their ugly heads for the first time in 1993, but I may be wrong. By '94, they were standard.

It's not a final issue though, as sites like the Cover Project provide insert images you can print out and put in clamshell cases.

[mgriff]

The first John Madden Football game for genny came in a cardboard box as its sitting on my shelf.


Some early EA Genesis games were in cardboard boxes.

[GrandAmChandler]

the first john madden football game for genny came in a cardboard box as its sitting on my shelf.

oh snap it's mgriff!? Where have you been? #vbender is waiting for you!

[Melf]

The first John Madden Football game for genny came in a cardboard box as its sitting on my shelf.

I'm referring to the red Sega boxes, not EA's.

[CelticJobber]

I'm pretty sure the change from plastic to cardboard cases came around fall of 1994.

When did people start referring to Sega Genesis as "Genny"? This thread is one of the few times I've seen it called that.

[Polygon]

One of the games I got when I got my Genesis was Super Off Road. It was in a box like all the Accolade games were. At least it was made out of thicker cardboard. Otherwise I have X-Men 2, Knuckles & Sonic, and Sonic 3D blast in the thinner crap cardboard and they are in decent shape but still. I don't think those three were ever released in the plastic cases. Then all the 32X games were in the same cardboard sleeves as far as I know.

I liken them to the DVD cardboard flipper cases. They're the bane for any collector and the person that came up with the idea should be shot. All the cases should be the same. Then again, I'm a little OCD.

[yuleeyahoo]

Is there a list of games that are ONLY in cardboard boxes? Ones that didn't have a snapcase release?

Here you go!

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9494&highlight=genesis+cardboard

[Emperor Megas]

I hate the cardboard box cases because you can't stack them on top of one another without damaging the bottom and middle ones.I find it's better to not stack games that way, anyway. I suppose it depends on the space you're working with, but I've never found myself stacking games vertically. The whole process of pulling games from between others games that fall down just seems so awkward.


My copy of Phantasy Star IV looks crappy in its cardboard box next to the rest of the Phantasy Star series.I prefer the plastics cases as well, but I don't think that the cardboard ones look bad on the shelf with the plastic ones. And I'm pretty OC about things like that.


Disagree. To some people, especially those that are very well off financially, they look at their games from a very utilitarian perspective. They don't care about reselling their games later on and they don't care about having a "display" of cheap looking plastic video game packaging sitting on their expensive oak bookshelves next to their designer leather sofa, so they just toss the packaging and play the games for the simple enjoyment of the experience, not owning a bunch of crap. I mean, they probably have classier stuff to take pride in if we're considering financial possessions.

Then there are the parents whose kids have a ton of games cluttering the living room. Those kids don't care about the cases either and are probably already scratching the shit out of their discs. Is it really worth storing a big box of cases based on the off chance that they might boost the resale value for each one by a couple bucks later on?

If space is really an issue, people are probably going to start tossing the cases and sticking all their discs in a CD binder. I mean, look at people that do that with their music CD collections. It makes me cringe, since I actually collect music CDs, but I do understand it.

New video games aren't inherently collectibles -- it's just us that choose to collect them.

It's always amusing to see this inability for people to think outside of their box. It's like when people say, "I don't know why you would sell that eleventh Nintendo 64 deck, I would keep it for collecting purposes." And I just sit there and think, "What... the fuck...?"^This


When did people start referring to Sega Genesis as "Genny"? This thread is one of the few times I've seen it called that.I've heard it referred to as "Genny" since the early 90's, after the SNES was released and the gaming media needed a catchy abbreviation for the Genesis as well.

[Sparkster]

I'm looking at 4 games right now that are boxed... Hardball, Mario Andretti Racing, barbie Super Model, and NBA Action 95.

I'm a little more intrigued by the B&W instructions, because I always thought that my Aerobiz Supersonic instructions were photocopied.

Edit: Bass Tournament 96 is also boxed, and upon further inspection, I'm almost certain that my Aerobiz instructions are an actual photocopy.

[gum_drops]

ended up throwing out my master system/genesis plastic boxes and Ps1 jewel cases.

Throwing out CD cases to save on space, did you live in a closet?

[substantial_snake]

Throwing out CD cases to save on space, did you live in a closet?

No but I was a kid/teen in that era who really didn't care for the box artwork or the instructions. The cases were either left out accidentally and stepped on cracking the game and the disc or were loaned by friends or siblings and returned with broken cases etc. etc.

I ended up putting multiple disc's in one box or trying to stack them somewhere trying not to scratch them while scratching them even worse. ^^; I got wise and started storing them in the 20-40 pack CD holders then it became routine to the point where I just started throwing away the boxes. It started getting to the point where the boxes were becoming more like clutter and wasted space as well so it was just another reason to throw them out.

So no I didn't live in a closet but Ps1 cases, along with genesis boxes, PC game boxes and all the various other gaming packaging took up a lot of space when I really just wanted the game, so they were largely thrown out as I was growing up.