NES: unlicensed color variations

[Dr. Morbis]

Below is my personal list of unlicensed NES color variations. Any help filling in the ‘?’s or pointing out any inaccuracies would be appreciated.

COLOR DREAMS:

Baby Boomer------------------------------Blue only
Captain Comic-----------------------------Black & Blue
Challenge of the Dragon-----------------Black & Blue
Crystal Mines------------------------------Black & Blue
King Neptune’s Adv.---------------------Black & Blue
Master Chu & Drunken Fu--------------Black & Blue
Menace Beach----------------------------Black & Blue
Metal Fighter------------------------------Blue & ?
Operation Secret Storm-----------------Black Only
P’radikus Conflict-------------------------Black & Blue
Pesterminator-----------------------------Black & Blue
Raid 2020----------------------------------Blue & ?
Robodemons------------------------------Blue & ?
Secret Scout-------------------------------Black & Blue
Silent Assault------------------------------Black & Blue

BUNCH GAMES:

Castle of Deceit---------------------------Black & Blue
Galactic Crusader-------------------------Black & Blue
Mission Cobra-----------------------------Blue & ?
Moon Ranger------------------------------Black & Blue
Tagin’ Dragon-----------------------------Blue & ?

WISDOM TREE

Bible Adventures------------------------Black & Blue
King of Kings-----------------------------Black & Blue
Other 5 games---------------------------Black Only

I guess the real question is: does anybody own any of the following in BLACK carts:

- Metal Fighter
- Raid 2020
- Robodemons
- Mission Cobra
- Tagin’ Dragon

Thanks for any help…

[Dr. Morbis]

Below is my personal list of unlicensed NES color variations. Any help filling in the ‘?’s or pointing out any inaccuracies would be appreciated.

COLOR DREAMS:

Baby Boomer------------------------------Blue only
Captain Comic-----------------------------Black & Blue
Challenge of the Dragon-----------------Black & Blue
Crystal Mines------------------------------Black & Blue
King Neptune’s Adv.---------------------Black & Blue
Master Chu & Drunken Fu--------------Black & Blue
Menace Beach----------------------------Black & Blue
Metal Fighter------------------------------Blue & ?
Operation Secret Storm-----------------Black Only
P’radikus Conflict-------------------------Black & Blue
Pesterminator-----------------------------Black & Blue
Raid 2020----------------------------------Blue & ?
Robodemons------------------------------Blue & ?
Secret Scout-------------------------------Black & Blue
Silent Assault------------------------------Black & Blue

BUNCH GAMES:

Castle of Deceit---------------------------Black & Blue
Galactic Crusader-------------------------Black & Blue
Mission Cobra-----------------------------Blue & ?
Moon Ranger------------------------------Black & Blue
Tagin’ Dragon-----------------------------Blue & ?

WISDOM TREE

Bible Adventures------------------------Black & Blue
King of Kings-----------------------------Black & Blue
Other 5 games---------------------------Black Only

I guess the real question is: does anybody own any of the following in BLACK carts:

- Metal Fighter
- Raid 2020
- Robodemons
- Mission Cobra
- Tagin’ Dragon

Thanks for any help…

[portnoyd]

That list is accurate, except for one thing. King of Kings has the Baby and Camel variants. I've never seen a blue KoK... do you have a scan or pic?

The others that are questionable probably don't exist, or they would have turned up by now. I have every variant on that list (sans blue KoK)

Captian Comic also has a legitimate second blue variant, where the label is on upside down. King Neptune, Challenge of the Dragon, and Menace Beach all have back labels that have contest rules. CoD may not have a normal back label, but I may not be looking hard enough.

All changes have been added to the NES list, and the next DP guide will have an article in it about label/cart variants (CD and others), similar to the one by superstonic for the 2600.

dave

[portnoyd]

That list is accurate, except for one thing. King of Kings has the Baby and Camel variants. I've never seen a blue KoK... do you have a scan or pic?

The others that are questionable probably don't exist, or they would have turned up by now. I have every variant on that list (sans blue KoK)

Captian Comic also has a legitimate second blue variant, where the label is on upside down. King Neptune, Challenge of the Dragon, and Menace Beach all have back labels that have contest rules. CoD may not have a normal back label, but I may not be looking hard enough.

All changes have been added to the NES list, and the next DP guide will have an article in it about label/cart variants (CD and others), similar to the one by superstonic for the 2600.

dave

[Dr. Morbis]

I think I've got a pic of the blue KoK on my old mac. Give me a couple of hours and I'll try and dig it out.

Concerning label variations, I've already got the upside down CC and both KoK labels (the blue one has the family label). I didn't mention them in my list because I was only concerned with the color variations. But now that you mention label variations, exactly where will the DP guide draw the line? We can automatically ignore 3-screw/5 screw variations and all "seal of quality" variations because that would be ridiculous. Would you be including Gun.Smoke, Gretzky (diff jersey's), Zelda's (grey/gold), Athletic World (fam fun fitness and non), Blades of Steel (reg & classic)? Those are just some examples of what I personally consider to be major label variations.

[Dr. Morbis]

I think I've got a pic of the blue KoK on my old mac. Give me a couple of hours and I'll try and dig it out.

Concerning label variations, I've already got the upside down CC and both KoK labels (the blue one has the family label). I didn't mention them in my list because I was only concerned with the color variations. But now that you mention label variations, exactly where will the DP guide draw the line? We can automatically ignore 3-screw/5 screw variations and all "seal of quality" variations because that would be ridiculous. Would you be including Gun.Smoke, Gretzky (diff jersey's), Zelda's (grey/gold), Athletic World (fam fun fitness and non), Blades of Steel (reg & classic)? Those are just some examples of what I personally consider to be major label variations.

[portnoyd]

I really would like to see the blue KoK if you have it.

In the article/document I'm writing on variants, I'll be touching on the screw/seal variants, but they will not be included in the main NES section. I feel that including all that would be unnecessary bulk, and that the interest ratio would be quite low, so this extra article will be there to mention it, and to keep the NES section slimmer.

All the label variants you mentioned have already factored into the NES section. Some others include Untouchables, Impossible Mission II, Hollywood Squares, Based Loaded, Tiger Heli, and so on. A bunch of others I have word that there are variants, but have to actually track down and compare.

BTW, do you know for sure if there are 3 or 4 variants for Wayne Gretzky? White w/ Kings, White w/ No Kings, and Black w/ Kings.. is there a Black w/ No Kings? It makes sense for it to exist.. sort of.

dave

[portnoyd]

I really would like to see the blue KoK if you have it.

In the article/document I'm writing on variants, I'll be touching on the screw/seal variants, but they will not be included in the main NES section. I feel that including all that would be unnecessary bulk, and that the interest ratio would be quite low, so this extra article will be there to mention it, and to keep the NES section slimmer.

All the label variants you mentioned have already factored into the NES section. Some others include Untouchables, Impossible Mission II, Hollywood Squares, Based Loaded, Tiger Heli, and so on. A bunch of others I have word that there are variants, but have to actually track down and compare.

BTW, do you know for sure if there are 3 or 4 variants for Wayne Gretzky? White w/ Kings, White w/ No Kings, and Black w/ Kings.. is there a Black w/ No Kings? It makes sense for it to exist.. sort of.

dave

[Qixmaster]

the variations article sounds exciting to me. i collect varients and it will be quite helpful. Can't wait :D . Is there going to be anything on box/instruction variations as well? I know a few... just curious

[Qixmaster]

the variations article sounds exciting to me. i collect varients and it will be quite helpful. Can't wait :D . Is there going to be anything on box/instruction variations as well? I know a few... just curious

[Dr. Morbis]

Unfortunately, I can't find the blue KoK pic on my old mac. I must've deleted it. It was a pic of the eBay auction I had won and had both boxes, manuals, and all three carts pictured side by side. I've seen the blue cart show up on ebay from time to time, so as soon as I see it again, I'll point it out to you. I didn't think it was that uncommon, but maybe.

Concerning Gretzky, I've only ever seen NES-ZY-USA, -1, and -2. I've never seen a -3, leading me to believe that there are only three variations. But it would certainly make sense for there to be a fourth.

I've got a personal list of all of the label/box variations that I know of, so it will be nice to have something in the guide to compare it to when DP 8 comes out (CGE '04???).

[Dr. Morbis]

Unfortunately, I can't find the blue KoK pic on my old mac. I must've deleted it. It was a pic of the eBay auction I had won and had both boxes, manuals, and all three carts pictured side by side. I've seen the blue cart show up on ebay from time to time, so as soon as I see it again, I'll point it out to you. I didn't think it was that uncommon, but maybe.

Concerning Gretzky, I've only ever seen NES-ZY-USA, -1, and -2. I've never seen a -3, leading me to believe that there are only three variations. But it would certainly make sense for there to be a fourth.

I've got a personal list of all of the label/box variations that I know of, so it will be nice to have something in the guide to compare it to when DP 8 comes out (CGE '04???).

[Mike Sanders]

I'm almost 100% sure that I've seen a black cart copy of Robodemons, either in a picture or at a local game store. I think Metal Fighter, Raid 2020, Mission Cobra, and Tagin' Dragon were all black cart only though.

Since label variations came up eariler, I know Action 52 has a variant with a blue label.

[TRM]

I would be interested in seeing this blue cartridge version of King of Kings too---I have never seen it either.

[liquidmetal]

same....i dont belive that the blue kok exists never seen it

[Gigolo]

I think Metal Fighter, Raid 2020, Mission Cobra, and Tagin' Dragon were all black cart only though.

I can say with 100% certainty that Tagin' Dragon came in blue cart form also...
I had one a year or so ago...but it, and 2 commons were traded for my beloved Maxi-15. :)

[TRM]

I think Mike Sanders ment to say blue--as I have never seen black versions of any of those games.

[Gigolo]

No, there is definately a black version of Tagin' Dragon. The one that used to be at the old video rental place here in town was black.

And by the way, how come is it half of NES people call Master Chu "and The Drunken Fu" and half call it by it's acyual name "and The Drunkard Hu" ?
I never have understood that...

[portnoyd]

Until there's proof, it stays unconfirmed.

dave