Is This Sonic Label Variant Really That Rare?

[Nz17]

So here on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/s/170631950285) we have an Australian, selling an Australian copy of Sonic The Hedgehog (SEGA Mega Drive), who claims that the game is uber-rare because while it is an Australian release, all the labels (front box, back box, manual, cartridge) read "SEGA Genesis" and not "SEGA Mega Drive." Is this guy spot-on, or is he off his rocker?

P.S. He wants $600 AUD for it.

[pseudonym]

Off his rocker? That looks like the standard pack-in version of Sonic 1 to me, although I could be wrong since I know nothing about AU releases.

[Kitsune Sniper]

The game cart says "Mega Drive".

I would say it's an oddity, but certainly not worth 600 Aussiebucks.

[pixelsnpolygons]

How would a misprint like that even happen? And what's with the not permitted for rental sticker? It mentions the Australian Copyright Act - but Australians don't "rent" games they "hire" them.

[Gameguy]

The back of the box art lists a hint telephone line but the number is definitely not North American. I don't think there would be much demand for this even if it is rare, I really don't know for sure but I doubt it.

Wait, is that phone number printed on the box art or just a sticker? If it's a sticker, the insert might just be the same as the Canadian version.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Does the Canadian version have all those other European languages too?

[Gameguy]

Does the Canadian version have all those other European languages too?
Yes, I remember there being multiple languages with the copy I have. I'm not sure if the box art languages are exactly the same though, I would have to dig through boxes to find my Canadian copy to actually check. I'm hoping someone else here has a Canadian copy to check this out.

There were a few Canadian releases that had Genesis boxes and Mega Drive labeled cartridges, I know I have a copy like this with Shadow Dancer(I know I mentioned this in another thread already). I really don't think they're worth more than regular copies.

[Emuaust]

I know the guy he is a dick and a dreamer also its not an uber rare australian version, O thought it was just the canadian release. If not then id better get my two copies out to sell!

[Gameguy]

The instructions are not the same as the Canadian version and the cart label is different too, it may be an Australian release but I think they were just shipped Canadian box art for their packaging. Again, I can't be sure unless I dig out my own copy that's currently packed away. I really think it is though.

Maybe it is valuable, the same way the US version of Sonic the Hedgehog is for the Master System. That's just a sticker added to the box of a European copy. It really depends on demand, are there people who are really into collecting Australian Mega Drive games?

[Rickstilwell1]

Probably people in Australia collect Australian only games first. Most people go for their own region first.

I think I know why I found a Mega Drive Mortal Kombat at Game Crazy a few years ago now - probably Canadian rather than from the UK. That would make more sense because people travel from here to Canada and back much more often. It would be one of those Genesis on the box, Mega Drive on the cart games.

[Gameguy]

I think I know why I found a Mega Drive Mortal Kombat at Game Crazy a few years ago now - probably Canadian rather than from the UK. That would make more sense because people travel from here to Canada and back much more often. It would be one of those Genesis on the box, Mega Drive on the cart games.
It's possible, but I kind of doubt it. The ones that are currently confirmed like that are mostly earlier releases, and all games are published by Sega. Shadow Dancer, Kid Chameleon, and Castle of Illusion are like that, though I've only seen Shadow Dancer in person(I have seen a loose Kid Chameleon Mega Drive but loose copies don't prove anything). They're really early printings, most Canadian copies still say Genesis on the carts. I have complete copies of Kid Chameleon and Castle of Illusion and they both say Genesis. To me these Mega Drive varients aren't worth more than regular copies, and I'm a Canadian Genesis collector.

Actually I believe all games that have Canadian versions are published by Sega, I really can't think of any that aren't. Mortal Kombat was published by Acclaim so I think we had US versions up here.

[maxlords]

Yeah, except for the earliest 1st party releases, all the Genesis games up here were released as "Genesis" games, no Mega Drive. And honestly, I think the early ones looked pretty much like the one in that auction. It looks just like the ones I find and pass up at yard sales every summer.

[HappehLemons]

How is this not just be a mishmash of different regions artwork and carts stuck in one package? I mean couldn't that artwork just be the CA release, while using the AU Cart, Manual and Clamshell?

When I search Ebay.com.au the results show me that the artwork on the game is the same as the USA release. Same thing when I search Ebay.ca. I'm really confused.

As far as I know all of these things already exist, and he just mixed them up.
http://www.mobygames.com/game/sonic-the-hedgehog/cover-art

[Zebbe]

An Asian game, released in Australia with American front cover and European languages on the back... I just wish the manual was African.