Quality of Genesis Cartridge Labels

[downfall]

In comparing the cartridges from the systems I have, Genesis carts have the absolute worst ratio of bad labels to good labels. My NES, SNES, Gameboy, etc. carts all have good labels, and for the most part, it's very easy to find those carts in the wild with good labels on them. Many of them have bad lables, but I never seem to have trouble finding a copy of a game with a good label (except some rares, but in that case, I'd rather have the game) But literally, like 8 out of every 10 Genesis carts I find in the wild have a disgusting looking label, but the cart is fine, hardly any dirt or damage, and these are insanely common carts (Sonic, whatever) It looks like someone just got a big batch of Genesis games, soaked them in dirty water until the labels started peeling, and then dried them off, leaving the labels torn, wavy, discolored, and generally very nasty. It even happens with the games I find boxed. The boxes look great, the instructions look great, and the cart itself looks great, but the label looks awful. Is there an explaination for this? I'm just curious, because it seems to be very hard to find decent looking Genesis games in the wild.

[jonjandran]

Yea , I've noticed this also.

I think the labels have a problem around moisture.
It actually looks like the labels are moldy or water damaged.

I guess it was the paper or glue used. :hmm:

[klimatron8]

You forgot to add that there always seems to be a damn price/rental sticker directly over the label!! Weren't you told as a kid to always soak your game cartridge s in soap+water at night?? LOL Totally agree/don't know why.

Eagerly awating post 2/22, where my local gamestop claims they will be getting shipments from all other local stores of their 8/16bit stuff - which I'm sure will then be forwarded directly to a giant landfill somewhere. Any chance they'll do a big final blow-out sale?

[Bratwurst]

On that note I've found that the early Genesis games seem to have better quality labels overall. More durable gloss, much less prone to peeling, etc as opposed to the later releases. Black grid Golden Axe vs. red bordered Sonic 3, etc.

[The Unknown Gamer]

Genesis and some Atari 2600/7800 tiles some I have which are kept in the original boxes if I have them still go crappy.

[portnoyd]

It seems Sega cheesed out later in its system's life. I've found that any late release Sega titles that were in a cardboard box, especially Mega Value titles, got shit labels that don't age well. And it doesn't help that the cart is smalled, and there is less surface area to apply a used/rental sticker on it.

dave