Playstation Rarity List (UPDATE 9/28/04)

[BoosTDIt]

Hi to all of you collectors.
I just found this wonderfull site and i'm soo happy :D :D
The lists are very helpfull.I'm long time PS1 and 2 fan and
and a Big time PC Sierra&Lucas collector but i always tend to go back to play consoles.Anyways i'd like to welcome myself 8-) to the forum and give you an addition to the list.Only a varriation though. :embarrassed:

I own a LongBox copy of Ridge Racer in the Jewell style LongBox NTSC-U/C
SCUS-94300 that has a big NOT FOR SALE sign on white background between the Ratings logo and the Namco logo.Also on the game CD itself.
Again white background and [NOT FOR SALE] sing
Not to be confused with the [[ Not For RE-sale ]] sign on Battle Arena mentioned in the list.

I dont know the origin of it since i found it in a GoodWill store.
Probably form a packed in PS1 or so...

[PapaStu]

Welcome to the board. Pop in to the Intorduction Sticky at the top of the board Page.

::EDIT::
Stupidity Stricken from the record
That was me not fully reading you post. And me resopding like a dork. Sorry :D

[kevincure]

Boos...thanks for the note. I actually had seen that variation, but labeled it only as "Also available as a longbox version" instead of "Also available as a longbox version labeled "not for sale"." Thanks for the correction.

[kevincure]

Btw, does anyone know what BAT and Ridge Racer NFS are from? I know the PSX original and the PSone had pack-in demo discs, but I haven't heard of a pack-in game.

[PapaStu]

Welp, Add one more to the Working Designs variant disc art from hell list.
Confirmed variant for Arc The Lad.
There is a set of red and Black discs, with just Arc on them.

As well as the colored discs (shown in the below listed auctions)


OH NO..... one of the items that comes packed in with ATL is a memory card holder... The one that I got today has Arc on it, and thats not who is on this one on this auction... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11056&item=3090602776&rd=1
and both of those are different from this memory card holder... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=62053&item=3091402750&rd=1

I dont know about thumbstick covers, those auctions show the same ones, which are the ones I got today, I'll check my ATL tomorrow when I swing by the house for a visit.
:angry: I am SO NOT Variant hunting for memory card holders..... :angry:

[kevincure]

You can also see case variations in the two auction links, so I assume that Arc Collection was sold in the cardboard box with everything, and in a double jewel case only without the hardback instructions. Does this sound right?

[BoosTDIt]

PapaStue NoProb

And yea I'm curious too where those NFS came from .I'm not very sure but maybe they sold the PS1 with a RR pack like GT3.Is there perhaps another title with the NFS sign from the starter set of games?Ill have to do a quick search in my EGM and GamePro collection.I'm not sure but I think I bought mine with RR and I bought it like in the first month PS1 came out.And the first game igot as a separate was Twisted Metal.To bad at the time I traded all my SNES stuff for it.And I now despise my self for doing it all over again when PS2 came out.Now I start from the bottom.

[Queen Of The Felines]

That's it, I quit.

Who wants my collection?

Kristine

[Jasoco]

That's it, I quit.

Who wants my collection?

KristineDIBS! LOL

[BoosTDIt]

:( ahh you beat me to it! @_@
I'll take your doubles...!!!
But she's not serious i think.

[Jasoco]

:( ahh you beat me to it! @_@
I'll take your doubles...!!!
But she's not serious i think.Yeah, I know. But if she is.. DIBS!!! :P

[BoosTDIt]

You know what guys i allso have a copy of ESPN Extreme games in a small jewell that is NOT a GH and not labeld as 1Xtreme.It looks just like the Original long box and the CD print is exact copy of the long box one.
The inlet has a add for Game Day,Face off,Game Breaker and Pennant Race.

I'm also curious if you have encountered the same longbox game in the cardboard ver. and the plastic ver. or the cardboard and Long Jewell.
I could swear that i've seen some of those variations.

[BoosTDIt]

:( ahh you beat me to it! @_@
I'll take your doubles...!!!
But she's not serious i think.Yeah, I know. But if she is.. DIBS!!! :P

Ohhh i got it...now

She's starting early work on the PS2 list and is blowing some steam off. :D :D

Second DIBS! :evil:

[Dangerboy]

Let's try this again...

1. She's kidding..if she's not, I'm local and have first dibs. :D

2. Just confirmed both games were pack ins from reading up on some FAQs on GameFaqs. BAT was actually packed in as a bonus surprise, while Ridge Racer was a seperate freebie, sort of like how Microsoft gave away the SW/Tetris and JSR/Sega GT discs seperately with stand alone systems. I also recall seeing the "Get Ridge Racer Free" sticker from way back when.

...

Probably the same day I held the MK3 jewel case in my hands... :roll:

3. Speaking of JCs...did we ever set up the definitive list of what games had NON GH/GH JC and Long box versions? I was sorting out mine and now I'm curious to see what the truly "Long Box Only" games were.

4. PapStu: If they still have it, yes. In fact, give me yoru paypal addy again and I'll just PP (gahahah) you some extra money for a 'war fund' lest you find anything else out there.

Sleep? Thunk.

Jason

[BoosTDIt]

Yeas i'm realy intrested in a Final version "Long Box Only" List.
I own Descent and Twisted Metal in both Plstic and Cardboard ver.

And i can bet i saw a Plastic version of the normaly Long Jewell case Warhawk game.

[PapaStu]

You know what guys i allso have a copy of ESPN Extreme games in a small jewell that is NOT a GH and not labeld as 1Xtreme.It looks just like the Original long box and the CD print is exact copy of the long box one.

Yah I dont think that it was called 1Xtreme until the GH re-release...



1. OK This is now being typed for the 6th time. Kevin ignore the email I sent, It didnt take for some reason, so ALL of the stuff that wrote still didnt transfer even though I saw it in the email box.

If you look at the link posted you can actually see that the discs are just infront of the goodie box and that the double jewelcase(that holds 6 discs) is above it just open so you can see the inserts. There wasnt a Jeweled case only version sold that I know of, If there was, its allways been used. I dont think that WD cared to do a second release when they put it out.

Something that I noticed when I was entering in the variant into my Excel list was that the SLUS#'s are different. My first AtL(red/black covers) has SLUS 01252C-01254C (Arc 2 and 3) and 01224C (Arc 1). The Arc Arena was 01255 and the Making of was 01256. The ones that I got today had a B designation after the numbers.

This might mean that there is a 3rd version. I sure as hell hope not. Man did I open a can of worms on this one. Sorry Kevin. Sorry Queen. But it had to be done by someone.


2. Dangerboy: I'll get it for you tomorrow, when I go in to get my Halo Xbox bundle (they didnt get them today). Ill PM you the info.

3. I think that Dangerboy and I should split Queens games, cause he is closest, and cause I drove her over the edge with my constant shit stirring about the variants. :D

[PapaStu]

Sorry for the double posting here, but faster than editing.


And i can bet i saw a Plastic version of the normaly Long Jewell case Warhawk game.

You can bet right. I just picked up one of these last week.

I think that there is a started list of the Long Boxed versions about 2 pages back in the thread.

[BoosTDIt]

Yea i saw it .
The one from Dangerboy right?
It's sort of incomplete ya know... :P

I'm not the best person to fill in the gaps if you know what i mean.
I'm not eaven halfway there or i am ...noo no
only about 30 i have thats like a quarter.

I was hoping Danger can catalogue his copies with the
plastic/cardboard/Long JC distinction
And just leave out the GH and stuff for now.
Just to compile the Actual Long Box Releases
Since they are the oldest and in the worst shapes all over the country most people will try to collect them first and take their chances on the "NeW" rares.

2cents ;)

[PapaStu]

Actually weve done almost all of that for you already. (well Dangerboy, Kevin, Queen and Goodwill Hunter) in a differnt thread, read it here... http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32310&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[kevincure]

Noted
- ESPN Extreme Games available as a jewel case release non-GH.

Thanks for the info on Arc, PapaStu, keep us informed. Also thanks to DB for the BAT and RR packin info.

As for the Longbox variaties, here's what I have:

Jewel Case (clear)

Air Combat
Alien Trilogy
Battle Arena Toshinden
Bust-a-Move 2: Arcade Edition
College Slam
Cyber Sled
D
ESPN eXtreme Games
FIFA '96 Soccer
Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball
Hi-Octane
Jumping Flash
Kileak: The DNA Imperative
MK3
NBA Jam TE
Novastorm
PGA Tour 96
Power Serve 3D Tennis
Raiden Project
Rayman
Ridge Racer
Rise 2 Resurrection
Shockwave Assault
Street Fighter the Movie
Striker '96
Tekken
Theme Park
Total Eclipse Turbo
V Tennis
Viewpoint
Warhawk
Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game
X-Com UFO Defense
Zoop


Ridged (laminated plastic)

Agile Warrior F-IIIX
Arcade's Greatest Hits-Williams
Assault Rigs
Battle Arena Toshinden 2
Bottom of the 9th
Criticom
Cyberia
Cyberspeed
Darkstalkers
Defcon 5
Descent
Discworld
Extreme Pinball
Fade to Black
GEX
Gunship
Hardball 5
In The Hunt
International Track & Field
Johnny Bazookatone
Jumping Flash
King's Field
Lemmings 3D
Magic Carpet
NBA Shoot Out
NFL Gameday
Off-World Interceptor Extreme
POed
Psychic Detective
Resident Evil
Return Fire
Romance of the 3 Kingdoms IV
Shell Shock
Silverload
Skeleton Warriors
Slam N Jam '96
Space Griffon VF-9
Starblade Alpha
Top Gun-Fire at Will!
Total Eclipse Turbo
Triple Play 97
Twisted Metal
VR Soccer '96
Warhawk


Cardboard (flat)

A-Train
Bases Loaded '96
Bottom of the 9th
Brain Dead 13
CyberSpeed
Destruction Derby
Doom
Extreme Pinball
Geom Cube
Goal Storm
In the Zone
Jupiter Strike
Krazy Ivan-ni
Loaded
NBA Live 96
Need for Speed
NFL Gameday
NHL Face Off
Panzer General
Philosoma
Primal Rage
Revolution X
Road Rash
Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors Dreams
Tecmo World Golf
Thunderstrike 2
Twisted Metal
Wing Commander III
Wipeout
Zero Divide

I'm pretty sure I have the list of LB only games on the main list. If they were released outside of LB, it either lists the GH version or says "also available as a non-GH jewel case". If you see any missing, of course, let me know.

[Dangerboy]

Slightly off topic....but relevant:

1. FIrst off, if your district manager tells you to look at the price changes, do not listen to him. You will spend $90 on $5 games you don't need.

2. That said, I just discovered the beginnign of a whole new can of worms for variants...on the PS2.

I picked up two pre-played copies of Robotech BattleCry in the regular version DVD cases...except one had a free Macross movie DVD with it, and the other had a free guide book inside (both duly noted on the front insert). If you toss in the Collector's Box Set...you get 4 versions of RB:BC for PS2. O_O

I can hear Kristine banging her against the desk from here...

Related:
I still can't play Lemmings to save my life :P

Jason

[PapaStu]

Well you'll be glad to know that it appears that the cover variants for Arc The Lad are only for Arc 1-3. Arc Arena AND the bonus disc are the same. Also the thumb covers are the same. But there appears to be at least 3 memory card holders. Maybe these are the extra designation between disc art sets though probably not and are just wishful thinking on my part.

Dangerboy: Crappers on the PS2 Robotech, though there hasn't seemed to be TOO many variants YET. Also XS Junior Football was not at the EB today when I went to get my Halo bundle. Ill keep looking.

Queen: Are you really working on the PS2 list? If so would you like some help? I do have 240+ PS2 games, and there all listed and junk, Id be more than glad to lend a hand, and I promise NOT to stir up TOO much shit in that listing ;)

[Dangerboy]

Well poopy. My web-site is currently being moved to a new server, so I can not post my pic of the cases and inserts I have. If soemone would be willing to take an e-mail for me and link me to it so i can post it here as an image, it would help out greaty...i really don't feel like typing everything out. ^^;
Jason

[Queen Of The Felines]

Queen: Are you really working on the PS2 list?

No, no, no, no, NO, NO, HELL NO. LOL

And I'm half-serious about the collection selling thing, still debating on it...

Kristine

[PapaStu]

Queen: Are you really working on the PS2 list?

No, no, no, no, NO, NO, HELL NO. LOL

So I take that as a Maybe??? LOL. Next question, does Joe want one started, for that and or ANY of the Current gen systems?


And I'm half-serious about the collection selling thing, still debating on it...
I thought you said that youve sold it off once or twice before, only to get it again. Think carefully. So watcha got, just out of curosity????

[Dangerboy]

PapStu: Curious...did you notice that besides the disc art...Alundra has different case insert artwork? @___@;;;

Just won Fifa 97 complete...for $0.01 =)

Jason

[PapaStu]

PapaStu: Curious...did you notice that besides the disc art...Alundra has different case insert artwork? @___@;;;

What you talkin bout Willis????? O_O

Please dont tell me this... (the 2 cases that I have both have the same insert art.) stop trying to make me sad :(

[Dangerboy]

That's what I was afraid off... O_O

Was out and about trying to track down a game, went to open the case to see if it had the map ( I have a complete one, but another never hurts..) and I saw the back insert artwork features Alundra fighting off a flame dragon...mine has Alundra sitting on the steps of Inoa.

Mine has a number int he corner of the back insert that reads: PSRM - 008943. Can't recall what's the other one's was. The front insert has the Alundra logo and the main man...it seems like it's only the back insert that is different.

Also, my brain is fried from too much italian food, so I can't remember if we started listing the alundra disc varants....I've seen 3 today....

Also, if I remember, I'm going to take my digital camera with me to the stores and start snapping photographs of both that and the Knockout King disc variants.

Working Designs...Bane to you and me.

[lendelin]

...and I saw the back insert artwork features Alundra fighting off a flame dragon...mine has Alundra sitting on the steps of Inoa.

Mine has a number in the corner of the back insert that reads: PSRM - 008943. Can't recall what's the other one's was. The front insert has the Alundra logo and the main man...it seems like it's only the back insert that is different.

I got a mint Alundra with map a couple of weeks ago from Gamestop. Mine has the same back insert artwork (Alundra fighting a flame dragon), the front insert is the same as well (logo and main guy). The corner of the back insert reads PSRM - 008941.

[lendelin]

Can I sell my soul for one please???????? :D :D :D

Heh! Only if I get one first. That game was almost completed when I showed up at WD, so all I did on it was maybe ten hours of testing, making me unworthy of a case. Former WD webmaster David Zdyrko got one because he tested for at least a hundred hours.

You should've seen the videotape we received of a Japanese tester going through the game with, I believe, a PS Mouse. He was INSANE.

-- Z.

Zach, I looked around at the Working Designs website, and Growlanser generations is listed as a PS2 release. Will it be published for the PS2 or another platform, do you have any info on this?

General Q: the great guides by Working designs are out of print, I assume?? I must have one of those! :)

[PapaStu]

I just won my 3rd Alundra in an ebay auction yesterday. [EDIT: I have also won my Lunar 2 auction (5.50 for the disc variant isnt too bad :D), that kills off another game.] I dont yet have a Map, hopefully this one has it. Looking as long as hard as I have, Ive only seen 3 Alundra covers so far, Kevin's list says 9. That never bodes well for the masses.

In regards to those back inserts. Maybe my auction one will have that too (two birds, one stone), if not, then you might need to do a little picking up for me too. It seems that my area is Alundra dry right now. Dont forget to ask about the other games that no listed variants have yet to be noted. Vanguard Bandits, Thunder Force V, Ray Crisis, Ray Storm, and Silhouette Mirage. I should be getting a Digital camera soon, parents are researching them right now. Once that happens, Pics will ensue, and things will slowly get better.

Dangerboy: I found a Rayman Jewelcased version today, did you still need that "variant" or was it the Longbox that you needed?

Lendelin: No its suppose to come out for the PS2, BUT since Sony has gone and been bad about releasing 2D games and such, they (WD) have been having a horrible time getting it approved.

[Dangerboy]

PapStu:
If they're researching the digi cameras, I have a Canon PowerShot A80. 4 Mega Pixels, great price and more features than I can shake a stick at. I was able to photograph my DOA2 poster from across the room on regular resolution and still read the fine print when I zoomed in on the pic :eek 2:

As for Rayman, I Need the long box. I have the JC and GH. Thanks though ^_^.

Interesting note on the reply Lendelin...means WD at least kept visual records of the variants with serial numbers. Might make it easier to figure out variant numbers and such. Speaking of which..I just got curious....

...

Okay...V. Bandits and Silouette Mirage have no serial numbers on the back inserts...but my SM had a A on the disc number, and VB has a C. That confirms that there are variants for SM, and at least 3 for VB.

Working Designs..."Our variants go to 11!" :hmm:

[PapaStu]

PapStu:

Interesting note on the reply Lendelin...means WD at least kept visual records of the variants with serial numbers. Might make it easier to figure out variant numbers and such. Speaking of which..I just got curious....

...

Okay...V. Bandits and Silouette Mirage have no serial numbers on the back inserts...but my SM had a A on the disc number, and VB has a C. That confirms that there are variants for SM, and at least 3 for VB.

Working Designs..."Our variants go to 11!" :hmm:

This would mean that Arc has 3 covers then (ive got B and C)

My Vanguard Bandits has an A on the cover...
My Ray Crisis has a B on the cover...
My Silhouette Mirage has a C on the cover...
RayStorm has nothing on the cover, nor does Thunder Force V.
This is turning into a barrel of fukberries... But I started this, I will finish it.

[Queen Of The Felines]

:frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated:

Kristine

[PapaStu]

...and I saw the back insert artwork features Alundra fighting off a flame dragon...mine has Alundra sitting on the steps of Inoa.

Mine has a number in the corner of the back insert that reads: PSRM - 008943. Can't recall what's the other one's was. The front insert has the Alundra logo and the main man...it seems like it's only the back insert that is different.

I got a mint Alundra with map a couple of weeks ago from Gamestop. Mine has the same back insert artwork (Alundra fighting a flame dragon), the front insert is the same as well (logo and main guy). The corner of the back insert reads PSRM - 008941.

Just looked at mine, Its got PSRM - 008942 Showing Alundra running away from some big greek looking stone monster.
Also paying slightly closer attention to the Alundra discs that I DO have, one of them has a "B" after the SLUS number (the one with him walking up to some temple thingie) the other one (which is the same as the cover art) just has the SLUS number.

I second QoF's feelings FUKBERRIES!!!!!!!

:snipersmile: Working Designs :rockets:
:frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated:

[Dangerboy]

PapStu: The oen with the SLUS number....mayeb it might be a reprint run where they only used the one version, thus not needing the first run SLUS classifications? I won't be able to go referenc ehunting till this weekend....but I'll see what I can track down.

Jason

[zmweasel]

Zach, I looked around at the Working Designs website, and Growlanser generations is listed as a PS2 release. Will it be published for the PS2 or another platform, do you have any info on this?

It will *probably* be published for the PS2 this year, although as noted above, Working Designs is wrestling with SCEA to get the game(s) approved.


General Q: the great guides by Working designs are out of print, I assume?? I must have one of those! :)

Yep, they're all out of print, although WD still has copies of the Alundra, Arc the Lad, and Vanguard Bandits guides for sale. Both Lunar guides are "eBay exclusives," and the L2 hardcover guide received a much smaller run than the L1 softcover guide.

-- Z.

[lendelin]

Zach, I looked around at the Working Designs website, and Growlanser generations is listed as a PS2 release. Will it be published for the PS2 or another platform, do you have any info on this?

It will *probably* be published for the PS2 this year, although as noted above, Working Designs is wrestling with SCEA to get the game(s) approved.


General Q: the great guides by Working designs are out of print, I assume?? I must have one of those! :)

Yep, they're all out of print, although WD still has copies of the Alundra, Arc the Lad, and Vanguard Bandits guides for sale. Both Lunar guides are "eBay exclusives," and the L2 hardcover guide received a much smaller run than the L1 softcover guide.

-- Z.

Well, let's hope the wrestling match between WD and SCEA will end with a good victory for WD. :) It would be a smart move of MS if they would get the exclusive rights for the Growlanser compilation disk for the XBox, they could improve their image with the 'hardcore' crowd dramatically; but then...I realize that for a smaller developer the most attractive platform by far is the PS2, and there are probably other finacial considerations and business considerations in place of which I have no clue.

Hey, thanks for making me aware that the guides for Alundra, Vanguard Bandits, and the first book of Arc the Lad are still available, I overlooked that when I browsed the site. I ordered them already.

[PapaStu]

BEEP BEEP BEEP NEWS FLASH, NEWS FLASH BEEP BEEP BEEP

Went on the GameFAQ's board and saw some smartassed guy post that he was cutting work to pick up the "great" Cat In The Hat game on thursday. Made me go and look at some of the selling sites again.

EB lists release @ 4/22/04 (Last check showed that they wernt listing it at all)
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/categories/products/deptpage.asp?wherefrom=search&searchword=Cat%20In%20The%20Hat

GameStop is listing it as used, but currently out of stock (same thing that they did with Rascal Racers when it came out)
http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=934603

And Walmart... they still say 6/3/04
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=4211&dept=2636&product_id=2355838&path=0%3A2636%3A4211%3A4212%3A79160

Who to believe O_O
Can anyone who works at EB or any GS confirm/deny this?????
:::looking directly at Dangerboy:::

[BoosTDIt]

Off topic [slightly]
Do you guys know how much are the PS Underground CD's worth?
They ran for 4 years in sets of 4 per year.
I have an extra set of the first 3 years [mint conn with evry extra]

[Dangerboy]

PapStu: We have cat in the hat showing up on the 23rd of this month (22nd shipping date? Though...I can't see them next daying this game O_O) I'll keep you posted.

Jason

[kevincure]

Boos...they only sell for a buck or two each.

I haven't seen Cat in the Hat in stores, but I'll keep an eye out later in the week.

[RichD]

I'm surprised that Playstation Underground Volume 2 #1 is not worth more due to the MST3K in it.

[PapaStu]

With Cat In The Hat "theoretically" out, I emailed the webmaster at Telegames, to see if they could forward my question about the Soccer Kid and Santa Claus saves the Earth release dates to someone who might know. Got a response back, and it doesnt bode well for them ever coming out. I think that I owe QoF a cookie for being right. Any favorites?


Both games are done but have not been submitted to Sony for approval. Due
to a diminishing PS1 retail interest, they may never release. We don't
know until management advises us.

Regards


At 03:59 PM 4/21/2004 -0400, you wrote:
Another question. So this does mean that they are still comming out, and just no release date has been set? Or does this mean that the games are
on the backburner and a release date may never be issued?

Once again thanks for your time and help.
Steve

[Dangerboy]

No Cat in the Hat...probably slow shipped it.

However...Another damn 3 pack showed up. Tigger Honey Hunt, Tarzan and one other all in one. BLAH.

Jason

[lendelin]

Yep, they're all out of print, although WD still has copies of the Alundra, Arc the Lad, and Vanguard Bandits guides for sale. Both Lunar guides are "eBay exclusives," and the L2 hardcover guide received a much smaller run than the L1 softcover guide.

-- Z.

I got the guides today (Alundra, Vanguard Bandits, and the hardcover Arc the Lad which covers Arc I and II) and what did I discover to my surprise? YOU wrote the Vanguard Bandits guide, you lil' critter :) You could have mentioned that! ;) (nice pic, btw)

I love these guides and the compilation packages by Working Designs, it must be the kid in me, but I just love the playful attention to details. Three thumbs up for WD. I really hope SCEA is smart enough to publish the Growlanser compilation discs.

Zach, do you know if a similar guide by Working Designs is planned for Growlanser?...and do you know who wrote the Alundra guide? I can't find an author mentioned. (thank God the times are over when guides didn't even mention an author, I realize that games are the center of guides and they are not bought because of authors, but still, an author should get the acknowledgement he deserves)

I got a couple of weeks ago a factory sealed Vanguard Bandits, but didn't have the time to unwrap it. Too busy with work and playing Project Gotham 2 once in awhile, but I'll use your guide for sure.

Today I got a perfectly mint Lunar 2...now I have to read up about the label and insert variations for this game. :) I will NOT wear the pendant in public, only at home! The ebay prices for the Lunar guides are out of control, I'd love to have them, I hope WD will reprint them one day. I'm NOT paying $80 for the Lunar 2 guide-book, that's just insane. :)

[PapaStu]

Well kiddies its time to pull out your copy of Elemental GB and look to see the crazyness. Please note which cover you have, Is it the Black armor, or the grey armor and what do YOUR inserts look like. You'll read why in a minute.

I got my second copy today from Funkenstien, It was only the back insert, the instruction manual and the game. For some reason I thought that the manual looked different so I went and grabbed my complete Elemental. The rear insert to the copy that I got today shows a guy (who reminds me of a prince) with long blonde hair sitting in a chair (chest up pose). The PS logo is in lower left, and license info runs along bottom and NO PSRM number. The copy that i've owned for some time, has this image but on the cover side. My rear insert, shows a girl with black hair underwater and she is upside down and has the PSRM - 010140 number in lower right corner.
Let me say that the rear insert is the rear cover (as when flipped over, it shows the screen shots, upc and all that junk) And the same image that I have for the copy that I have, has the cover image on the other side. :angry: :angry:

It looks like they possibly flipped the inserts at some point in the print run. What does anyone else have, and this now means that I need to hunt this variant as well...

Side note:
Black armored girl SLUS 00654 (Prince with cover insert)
Grey armored girl SLUS 00654B (Prince with rear insert)

Any OTHER variants for this thing??????
:frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated:

[kevincure]

Dangerboy...we've had that three pack listed for two months now, you're behind the game :-).

[zmweasel]

I got the guides today (Alundra, Vanguard Bandits, and the hardcover Arc the Lad which covers Arc I and II) and what did I discover to my surprise? YOU wrote the Vanguard Bandits guide, you lil' critter :) You could have mentioned that! ;) (nice pic, btw)

Are you kidding? That pic is AWFUL. I hadn't yet grown my patchy Vandyke, my hair was unstyled and ungelled, and my teeth were whitened to ridiculous Tony Robbins levels via Photoshop.

I probably didn't mention that I wrote the Bandits guide because I don't think it's very good. :) Funny screenshot captions here and there, but the strategy is lacking.


Zach, do you know if a similar guide by Working Designs is planned for Growlanser?...and do you know who wrote the Alundra guide? I can't find an author mentioned. (thank God the times are over when guides didn't even mention an author, I realize that games are the center of guides and they are not bought because of authors, but still, an author should get the acknowledgement he deserves)

I don't know if Growlanser is getting a guide, but I doubt it. WD doesn't have the financial means to crank out a book, and I don't see Victor working with Brady or Prima, both of which would want to produce a "ghetto" guide (black-and-white interior, softcover).

The Alundra guide was licensed from a Japanese publisher, and didn't have a specific author. Several WD employees, Victor included, worked on the guide's English translation and revised layout. I was to have rewritten the Alundra guide myself, but that deal fell through for reasons I don't entirely recall.


Today I got a perfectly mint Lunar 2...now I have to read up about the label and insert variations for this game. :) I will NOT wear the pendant in public, only at home! The ebay prices for the Lunar guides are out of control, I'd love to have them, I hope WD will reprint them one day. I'm NOT paying $80 for the Lunar 2 guide-book, that's just insane. :)

WD ain't never gonna reprint the Lunar guides, alas. Believe me, I'd love the royalties. :) But the games themselves are long dead, and the L2 guide was outrageously expensive to print and ship.

For what it's worth, I'd put the L2 guide up against any other as the best...videogame strategy guide...EVAR. I sank probably six months of my life into that damn thing, so I was very happy the final result didn't suck. As a bonus, I wrote it back when I was kind of funny.

-- Z.

[Jasoco]

It looks like they possibly flipped the inserts at some point in the print run. What does anyone else have, and this now means that I need to hunt this variant as well...

I got the same thing with my copy of "Tall Infinity". The back cover was upside down on one side. So to keep the end label title the right way, I had to invert it inside. So now looking at the front with it open, the word "PlayStation" is on the opposite side under the Disc and the open side where the logo would be is part of the back image.

Are ALL copies of this game like that? Or just mine and a few hundred others?

[PapaStu]

It looks like they possibly flipped the inserts at some point in the print run. What does anyone else have, and this now means that I need to hunt this variant as well...

I got the same thing with my copy of "Tall Infinity". The back cover was upside down on one side. So to keep the end label title the right way, I had to invert it inside. So now looking at the front with it open, the word "PlayStation" is on the opposite side under the Disc and the open side where the logo would be is part of the back image.

Are ALL copies of this game like that? Or just mine and a few hundred others?

My copy of Tall: Infinity's text is "flipped", (actually its upside-down) on the open side of the jewel case, but the spine side is correct. (if that makes any sense) There was just probably just an error when they shipped it to the printer and I would think that there is only a single run of the game, so all copies should look this way.

Actually what i meant by "flipped" was that the inserts for Elemetal GB (which is in a double case) were possibly flipped, so the image apears on the flipside of the cover, and then on the flipside of the rear insert. same image, just different sides.

[Jasoco]

My copy of Tall: Infinity's text is "flipped", (actually its upside-down) on the open side of the jewel case, but the spine side is correct. (if that makes any sense) There was just probably just an error when they shipped it to the printer and I would think that there is only a single run of the game, so all copies should look this way.I wonder, if they ever make a second run of the game, I'm curious which will be more rare. Guess we'll have to see... if they even rerun it.

Sad to see everyone's is like that... since it won't really be that rare by itself.

[Dangerboy]

Sony can't seem to get the double cases right. I saw a Syphon FIlter 3 whose back insert was improperly cut (so you saw two inserts as one), and I have a FF7 GH that has Sephiroth on both halves, rather than the SHip on the left.

Jason

[lendelin]

I probably didn't mention that I wrote the Bandits guide because I don't think it's very good. :) Funny screenshot captions here and there, but the strategy is lacking.

-- Z.

I didn't play the game so far, so I can't evaluate the guide. I don't have lots of experience with S-RPGs, so I hope you won't let me hangin' when I play the thing.


I don't know if Growlanser is getting a guide, but I doubt it. WD doesn't have the financial means to crank out a book, and I don't see Victor working with Brady or Prima, both of which would want to produce a "ghetto" guide (black-and-white interior, softcover).


That's too bad, really. I just love guides which pay attention to details, have accurate maps, and provide solid strategy. Before the guide business really took off in the mid 90s I made maps of around 30 NES and SNES games myself for the games I have and are worth having complete maps. I have around 200 published guides in the meantime from the end of the 80s to the present. It's about the irrational feeling of "archiving" the games, and I appreciate a good guide as much as I appreciate a good game.

The Growlanser compilation NEEDS a great guide, talk the guys into it!


The Alundra guide was licensed from a Japanese publisher, and didn't have a specific author. Several WD employees, Victor included, worked on the guide's English translation and revised layout.

I suspected that, thanks for the confirmation.


For what it's worth, I'd put the L2 guide up against any other as the best...videogame strategy guide...EVAR. I sank probably six months of my life into that damn thing, so I was very happy the final result didn't suck. As a bonus, I wrote it back when I was kind of funny.


Not a good comment! Comments like this will drive up the price for the guide even higher..and HIGHER...:) I would love to have it, well, some day I'll get it. I didn't know you wrote the Lunar 2 guide as well.


WD ain't never gonna reprint the Lunar guides, alas. Believe me, I'd love the royalties. :) But the games themselves are long dead, and the L2 guide was outrageously expensive to print and ship.


Damn! Was it really so cost-extensive? WD must have made some profit with the guides. Today the demand for the guides (in particular Lunar 2) exceeds to such an extent the supply so that a relatively small print run should make a decent profit if WD offers the guide exclusively. But...maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

[zmweasel]

I didn't play the game so far, so I can't evaluate the guide. I don't have lots of experience with S-RPGs, so I hope you won't let me hangin' when I play the thing.

Well, you won't be left hangin' about the number of missions or mission paths or endings; all of that is detailed with an extensive flowchart. You'll also be clued in, if you want to be, on an el-cheapo technique you can use to plow through the game with very little "strategy" at all. (I'm still surprised we didn't at least try to tone it down.) But the individual mission breakdowns are a little fluffy.


The Growlanser compilation NEEDS a great guide, talk the guys into it!

I'm only just barely getting back on speaking terms with Victor, but I'll let him know. :)


Not a good comment! Comments like this will drive up the price for the guide even higher..and HIGHER...:) I would love to have it, well, some day I'll get it. I didn't know you wrote the Lunar 2 guide as well.

I wrote WD's Bandits, Lunar 1, and Lunar 2 guides, while also writing the translations for those games. It was about three years of nonstop work, but I loved it so.

It really is a great guide, mostly because there's so much beyond mere strategy. It wallows in all that is Lunar 2. I did all the layout myself, too, which allowed me to cram humor into every nook and cranny. I ripped 2D sprites out of the game and plopped Sergio Aragones-ish cartoons into every bit of open space.


Damn! Was it really so cost-extensive? WD must have made some profit with the guides. Today the demand for the guides (in particular Lunar 2) exceeds to such an extent the supply so that a relatively small print run should make a decent profit if WD offers the guide exclusively. But...maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

Between the printing costs (a 300-something-page full-color hardcover is NOT cheap) and the shipping costs (a 300-something-page full-color hardcover is NOT light), I don't know that WD made a dime on the L2 guide, or could make any money on a reprint.

I certainly didn't make diddly-squat in royalties, since the book's sole print run was very small. (These days, strategy-guide publishers don't pay royalties at all, which is why I don't do strategy guides anymore.)

I'd love to see an L2-guide reprint that corrected the most humiliating errors, one of them involving a sticker duplication, but it just won't happen.

-- Z.

[Dangerboy]

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. :grumble:

So, in the midst of putting up some ebay things, I was compiling the few dupes I have of PSX games to make some small pathetic lot. By force of habit thanks to retail, I kept opening the JCs to check the disc even though I knew they were in there and all fine. It's when I opened up Tomb Raider II that I saw it...

SLUS - 00437A

SLUS - 00437 MOTHER FUCKING A

This isn't the GH, this isn't the Collector's Disc. This is a red colored disc. We now officially have to start finding other TRII discs to figure out what the letter means (color? artwork? re-release with patched coding?)

I checked it against mine, and it's the same. So...looks liek I'll be tearing through our pre-own section again.

I think Kevin, Kristine, Steve, and I need to all go drinking one day...ghahahahaha

:drinking:

Jason
...who is about ready to snap this alundra disc in half

[lendelin]

You'll also be clued in, if you want to be, on an el-cheapo technique you can use to plow through the game with very little "strategy" at all. (I'm still surprised we didn't at least try to tone it down.) But the individual mission breakdowns are a little fluffy.


That's good to know. A cheap technique is always good in case you get stuck.


It really is a great guide, mostly because there's so much beyond mere strategy. It wallows in all that is Lunar 2. I did all the layout myself, too, which allowed me to cram humor into every nook and cranny. I ripped 2D sprites out of the game and plopped Sergio Aragones-ish cartoons into every bit of open space.


Right, make me drooling a bit more. :) I'm so glad I got Lunar 2 in perfect condition for 40 bucks, and now I'm looking at L2 guide-auctions on ebay for 50 to 80 bucks.

On the other hand, if it's such a good guide...It's great to hear that you could do the layout yourself and had such influence on the quality of the final product. I always wondered which restrictions guide-authors face looking at bad guides. I just don't understand why Prima sometimes publishes a guide for a RPG and doesn't even include MAPS, the basic of the basics for a RPG! (e.g. for Grandia, Skies of Arcadia Legends) My fav guides are still some of the early Prima guides in black and white (Breath of Fire, Secret of Mana, Blood Omen LoK) Good maps, great stretegies, easy overview, nice item listings, the text and maps flow with the gameplay.

The WD guides are indeed something very special!


I certainly didn't make diddly-squat in royalties, since the book's sole print run was very small. (These days, strategy-guide publishers don't pay royalties at all, which is why I don't do strategy guides anymore.)


I always wondered how much publishers pay on average to guide-authors. No royalties is indeed devastating for an author. Do you think Brady has the same policy for established authors like say Dan Birlew and Elizabeth Hollinger?

[lendelin]

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. :grumble:

So, in the midst of putting up some ebay things, I was compiling the few dupes I have of PSX games to make some small pathetic lot. By force of habit thanks to retail, I kept opening the JCs to check the disc even though I knew they were in there and all fine. It's when I opened up Tomb Raider II that I saw it...

SLUS - 00437A

SLUS - 00437 MOTHER FUCKING A

This isn't the GH, this isn't the Collector's Disc. This is a red colored disc. We now officially have to start finding other TRII discs to figure out what the letter means (color? artwork? re-release with patched coding?)

I checked it against mine, and it's the same. So...looks liek I'll be tearing through our pre-own section again.

I think Kevin, Kristine, Steve, and I need to all go drinking one day...ghahahahaha

:drinking:

Jason
...who is about ready to snap this alundra disc in half

Jason, didn't you win the PS biggest fan competition? That makes you almost a spokesperson for Sony. You can't say FUCK anymore in public, you have to say "I wish peace and prosperity for the world, Sony and all those who are responsible for disc and artwork variations of PS1 games."

With all this confusion about relating Slus numbers and PSRM numbers to label and artwork variations, is it possible to contact someone from Sony and ask what their general policy was?

[PapaStu]

Im up for it :D Maybe at CGE???????? I plan on registering when I get my paycheck later this week for my contract work.)
Lets go :drinking: :drinking:


I think I can help settle this one a little easier for you.... Tell me my son, what does your TM2 manual say??? Does it mention the demos of Fighting Force and the like? No?? Then does it have these Demo's on it? Remember back during the PSOne collectors board Pt1 days, how you asked about those when you got the craaaaazy idea about the back of the instructions variants???? Maybe this isnt a patch or anything like that, but the designation that this has Demo's. I just checked the list on mine, and it is SLUS 00437. Its got a red cover (I think, I will confirm tomorrow night), and was a first run. The guy I got mine from bought it when it came out. And if nothing else, I will search out that variant too.

Lendelin: All this would do maybe is to have Sony say that with an adendum to the SLUS# its only a subsequent variant to the game in some manner, that there needed to be documentation, and thats how they designated the variant. It might require a contact to each company, and hope that they can answer it for us. Best I can think is that they know, but theres little to no way to get it out of them, though a list with the variants would be a fucking holy grail to us pooooor saps. Even if we had to contact the companies ourselves afterwords.


Now to study for a Test that I forgot im having in 8 hours....

Stu

[Dangerboy]

PapaStu: Is what I was figuring, but if yours is red, that means they jumped from SLUS numbering changes (TRII) to possible TRIII color variants instead/as well (I've seen both blue and green TRIII). I don't recall seeing the demos mentioned anywhere on either package. Some research is due.

And as for spokeman for Sony...let's just file that outburst under "Biggest Fan Disk Read Error" :)

Doobeedoobee doo.

[PapaStu]

Having checked my TR2. It does have a red cover, and it is SLUS 00437. Lara is on the right side of the disc (looking at it) holding a pistol up across her chest in her right hand.

::EDIT::
My TR 3 is the green cover, SLUS 00691, and has Lara on the right side running, holding guns in both hands, with the one in her right hand pointing forward.


I also got my Lunar 2 discs today. The SLUS#'s are the "B" variation. SLUS 01071B (Disc 1), 01239B (Disc 2) and 01240B (Disc 3). So that makes 2 versions of Lunar2 (so far), with the B one seeming harder to find, so far.

[BoosTDIt]

Following closely the topic but i have nothing to add....

Just to let you know since this is maybe the only Strictly Playstation topic that keeps getting checked and responded to that i won a auction of a 10 Long boxes Lot and i have a Extra [double] game that i would like to pass on to you ..:-) :-P :D collectors first.

Its Revolution X - SLUS 00012
Cardboard version box complete

Game box and art - 9 of 10 (The box is actualy a 10 - much better than mine but its somewhat faded like it sat long on display)

Manual - 10 of 10 (No writings and the registration card is still attached,No stains No discoloration)

CD - 8 of 10 (2-3 minor scratches under 1 centimeter or 1/16 of an inch)

Ciao

[Jasoco]

Wish my Revolution X had a manual. Stupid previous owner.

I don't see Long Box games much anymore. I can't figure out why. For a month when I discovered them, there were tons of them. I bought as much as I could. Now there aren't any anywhere! Except one at the Mall's GS. Not worth the trouble. Strange.

[PapaStu]

Since ive really been collecting (2 years or so) I havn't seen them all that often. They are around but the boxes tend to be nuked or missing the manuals. I just think that most of them got trashed and places like GS just dumped them for space issues. Kinda sad if you ask me.

[Dangerboy]

(falls over reading papastu's self description...) ROFL

So, like, you guys didn't hear this from me. :)

Next week starts EB games new VOM, which means it's the pre-played game sale (20 - 30% of with Edge Card pending on how much you buy).

That said, I just did shipment this morning, and after confirming with a co-worker at another store, they shipped all the stores about 30 later released titles *new*...as preplayed (like Rascal Racers at GS). If you're going for complete collections, this literally means the $9.99 games are now roughly buy 3 get 1 free. Not bad for 'new' games.

Some of the confirmed titles that stores got:
Family Card Games
Card Games
ATV Mania
ATV Racers
Teletubbies
Puzzle Star Sweep
Ford Truck Racing
Board Game Top Shop
and more...

Worth taking a look. The ones we got still had the Top security label untouched.

Not much else going on here.

Jason

[PapaStu]

You mean the WD variant whore part???? LOL If thats the case, I have so totally been turning into one lately.

I was talking with some mostly uninformed EB guys (a new store opened up next to campus, where my old Wherehouse Music used to be) and they think that Cat In The Hat is online only. Im breaking down and buying it tonight, since GS still isnt listing any in their finder yet. I just dont feel like waiting. (Just bought it, cost me $12 and some change with tax and shipping. Not bad.)

P.S. My Alundra showed up from ebay today (3 disc covers and counting) From the description my rear insert (It was complete, and I got my map!) might be different from those listed so far. My moms description wasnt the best one ive ever heard, but it didnt sound like the ones mentioned.

[Dangerboy]

We just got Cat int he Hat and th eDisney 3 Pack (newer) one in at work. Yay.

Don't worry PapaStu, you didn't lose as much I did on Baldies ;)

Tired...

Jason

[PapaStu]

Yeah went into the bigger Eb in the mall not to far from me to see the new disney boxed set and Cat In The Hat. Too late by a day, already paid for it. Cest la vive. Holding back on those "Used" games till the start of the new month.

[Dangerboy]

Something that amused me...

1. I stopped over at our new store that just opened up the other day..I am officially the first customer there. :)

2. I was the only customer out of 1600+ stores to pre-order Cat in the Hat for PSX. My District Manger told me when he saw that report, he knew it was me. LOL

Too bad I can't buy them just yet.

Jason

[PapaStu]

Can't buy because of it not being there yet? Or because your doing the no spending money thing for the month???

Ya know I never even thought to pre-order the game, because I was afraid that it wasnt going to come out at all. Woulda been funny if the two copies in the entire country were ordered by us.

Off to WD hunt again tomorrow. Hoping for some better luck than the lack of games that I've gotten the last week plus.

Dangerboy: Wanna do me a favor to see if your store has any of the WD games? And if so note the covers, I might enlist you to buy, if it includes ones I do not have. BTW, you still at 6 games left to get?


Stu

[Dangerboy]

Papa: been looking for you, we got nothing in the WD department. I finally have a day off on Saturday, so I might go researching then. If you count the cat in the hat and Disney 3 pack on hold as 'owned' then I need 7. My Bases Loaded Never came through :(

Waiting for gametz.com paypal money to come through so I can buy the 2 above.

Other than that, not much at all going on.

Jason

[KJN]

Just saw that the greatest hit release of Chrono Cross has a tiny label variation. One has the old Squaresoft logo and the other the new SquareEnix logo (also the cd's are silver in the old release and white in the new).

[PapaStu]

My post that I did a while back, going off about the Variant for Elemental GB and the inserts being flipped or whatever.... Yeah I was on crack.

WELL I was taking pictures of my WD stuff, and shock of shocks.. when I took apart the jewelcase for a less glared picture, I saw that both of the inserts were actually together, and the rear insert was the same for both that I had. Though I think that there might be a rear insert variant, because of the number on the back, and when they seem to have done that, there seem to be a variant involved.

Back on the Hunt

[Queen Of The Felines]

Arrrgh....gamegirl79 sent me a PM asking me about a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles PSX game she swears she spotted (alliteration, yay!) at Wal-Mart back in October. It was sitting in the PSX section, had a jewel case with the PlayStation logo down the side as usual, and was priced at $9.99. Of course, when she went back later to get it it was long gone, and hasn't been seen since.

I haven't heard of this. Is this another game that snuck under our radar or is it more likely a pre-sell bonus/demo disc/etc? She saw it around the time the PS2 and GC TMNT games came out.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Kristine

[Dangerboy]

...

I'm guessing demo disc....special wal-mart only add on disc...freak act of sight....

Nothing on Konami or Wal-Mart.com...I know I've never seen/heard anythign on it....

Possibly the GBA game stuck in the PSX section?

...

ugh.

Jason