Collecting Label Variations ?

[imanerd0011]

I have a question. I know alot of the NES collectors say that they have "all U.S. released games" or something around those lines. The thing I'm wondering is do they collect label variations. Because , I'm not sure how many , but alot of popular early release NES games were released later on. When the games were first released they had a black round nintendo seal of quality , when they were rereleased they had a while oval nintendo seal of quality. I don't know how many games were rereleased , but I have Zelda , Tecmo Bowl , and Mega Man. I know there are probabley wayyyyyyyy more than that. Does anyone know exactly how many games were remade with the white oval seal ?

[swlovinist]

There are SEVERAL variants of games, espically the more popular ones. I have a buddy who collects ANY box variant. He has personally showed me over 40 that have this variant that you speak of, and I know that there are a ton more. There are several variants to the seal of quality. You have the Black Circle, the White Circle, the Oval Circle, and I have seen some other variants as well. There are a ton out there. Me personally, I am down to my final 6 nes games I need for the US set, I dont care about variants, too much of a headache for me as it is to complete my set.

[Qixmaster]

nes variations are crazy, and you have to be crazy to collect them. anyways... I do.

I am always noting variations when i get them, if you want to read more about my thoughts on these, go here. I am always working on a list, so what is posted in that forum is WAY old. It is much bigger now, i just don't want it floating around out there right yet.

http://www.gamerzuniverse.net/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=9&t=115&s=162f60fa7e1ef30247c26e3a11fd8788

-Josh

[Ed Oscuro]

I'd say that it's crazy enough to go for a complete NES collections, and I'm sure not going to try to egg somebody onto trying for label variations as well! Kids got to eat, you know! LOL

[TRM]

Collecting variants is a stupid idea....

[swlovinist]

Its not a stupid idea, it is just a daunting task that is much, much, harder to do......

[orrimarrko]

I collect what I consider to be "important" label variants.

The King of Kings label variant, for example. Two different pieces of artwork.

The Blades of Steel "red label" variant. The Metroid "yellow" label variant.

Anything like this.

I could care less about what color the seals are, or whatever.

I would much rather spend my time and money on other system's libraries.

Whatever works for you though...

[Brian_Provinciano]

I used to collect the NES label variations, but there are so many, unless they are severe like Metroid Yellow/Sliver, I just hack them up into devcarts like any other doubles, heh. There are just too many variants on the labels.

[Dr. Morbis]

I collect what I consider to be "important" label variants.

The King of Kings label variant, for example. Two different pieces of artwork.

The Blades of Steel "red label" variant. The Metroid "yellow" label variant.

Anything like this.

I could care less about what color the seals are, or whatever.

I would much rather spend my time and money on other system's libraries.

Whatever works for you though...


Same here. There are HUNDREDS, if not thousands, of "seal of quality" variations. This is akin to collecting copyright variations on 2600 carts. Are you guys collecting 3 screw/ 5 screw variants as well? Good luck to you.

[MarioAllStar2600]

It doesn't only go for NES. In order to have a fully complete true collection you need label variants. Thats how I look at it at least.

I know I am collecting label variants for gamecube. Which by the way... if anyone ahs a list it would be greatly appreciated.

[Qixmaster]

the reasoning behind my obsession with collecting variations came from getting games and then getting a box/instruction that doesn't quite match up with the game.

When it comes to collecting five screw and three screw games it goes hand in hand with the nintendo seal of qualities. All the first gen. NES games used five screw, thus the nintendo seals are always going to be gold and round (not white and oval). This will always be the case and isn't necessarily that bad to collect.

The problem where it gets really complicated is with the five screw black box series and if you are collecting them with famicom adapters or what not. Then you have to open up all your five screw games and look to see if you have it or not... quite time consuming and can be a real pain in the ass.

After the five screws and gold seals, you have the three screw REV A (revision A). These will always (i am almost 95% sure) have three non-secruity screws and a gold seal.

And then.... the next variation is quite ridiculous. REV A's with gold seal and three secruity screws (not regular screws).

and then finally you have your three screws with white nintendo seals.

AND (yes another and)... if you want to get really adventurous you can search for NES games w/ warning labels in french/english/spanish. Just so you know all of the later released games (i'm thinking 91 or 92 and after) automatically had warning labels like this (jetsons, bubble bobble 2, flintstones 2,etc, etc).

and one last thing... there are always those really wierd variations you come across... I for one have found NES labels put on upside down when they were released (Yoshi).

SO it is really a task and a half, and i admire anyone out there who is as crazy as me in wanting to document and collect these games.

-Josh

[Lord Contaminous]

I now got the last laugh on people asking my why I have two copies of Gun.smoke on NES.

[8bitnes]

My set is working out as follows:

Major art changes count such as Metroid, Blades of Steel, Gun.Smoke, Untouchables (just found today). I'm undecided on Athletic World (Series 1 vs no series indication).

Other variations do not (such as 3-screw vs 5-screw). I am "upgrading" to 5-screws whenever I come across a different one though. I know of at least 59 titles with the 5-screw variation and would love to compare lists with anyone else who has one going.

Qixmaster - I have a Captain Comic with an upside-down label that you are welcome to.

[davepesc]

I don't seek out label variations, but if one passes through my hands, I keep it.

I'm not a NES collector, so I don't even know what the "screw" variations look like, but I keep different versions of 2600 games: Picture, text, late-release picture, silver, red, Blue label activisions, Text and pic Imagics, etc...

[MegaManFan]

I have two different versions of The Untouchables, but I more or less stumbled on that variant by accident. Once my US set is complete though I imagine I'll go for a few more of the known variants for kicks, like Metroid and Zelda, just to say I have 'em. At present they're not as important as getting those last 35 or so carts I need.

[PapaStu]

I do it for the Playstation and its really no different. Artwork variants and the like have kept collecting fresh for me especially going after such a daunting collection in the first place.

[Qixmaster]

Qixmaster - I have a Captain Comic with an upside-down label that you are welcome to.

if it is complete i'd be interested. I only want to snag the original boxes and manuals that color dream variations came with so i can compare the boxes to see if there is a difference between the two... since no one really seems to know... (other then the compitition color dream boxes that have stickers).

Thanks!
-Josh

EDIT: this is post # 1234 for me... nice! back on topic.

[Lothars]

well if anyone has the patience and money to collect every variation of nes games, that's good but otherwise i think it's a way to hard of a task and really there's no need for it

[NESaholic]

Indeed it is already hard to get it complete (not to mention sealed),collecting the variations is not done for me.

[8bitnes]

Qixmaster - yes its complete

Also, if you are interested I have six different US versions of Zelda 1 that you can take a peek at.

Also, I noticed that there are two different versions of the oval seal (YES I'm series and YUCK what a mess). One has a letter R beside it and the other has TM. I have different varieties for the same title although I am seriously not wanting to collect varieties for the single fact that I may never know if I am finished with the set.

[Dangerboy]

I do it for the Playstation and its really no different. Artwork variants and the like have kept collecting fresh for me especially going after such a daunting collection in the first place.

I do it for the nookie.

No wait, that's credit card debt.

I agree with Stu.

I just pity the variant bastard who collects xbox...$200 Steel BAttalian variant @_@:

[chrisbid]

is there an explanation as to why the SoQ's are all different? are they just stickers? was this done to prevent piracy?

i go for artwork and cart variations. if the seal of qualities make it confusing, then its not really worth the time

[squidblatt]

It might be fun to collect variants when you stumble upon them for cheap, but I wouldn't consider a collection to be incomplete if someone doesn't have them all. If I were an NES collector, I'd keep an eye for them, but I wouldn't go out of my way to find them.

[esquire]

I have been contemplating collecting the Majesco versions of Sega Genesis games previously released by other companies. I only have a few to start. I also have variations of pack-in games such as Sonic 2 and Vectorman.

[Jumpman Jr.]

The thing with collecting NES variants, is that you eventually realize: "Hey, wait a second, why does this game have five screws... and why does this one have three screws." Espessially when you are dealing with a library that is as big as the NES's, you would drive yourself crazy worrying about variants.
A local collector (and a friend of mine) who is also trying to complete the NES library collects variants. He doesn't go out hunting specifically to find a different copy of Mega Man, but if he finds one that is different than the one he currently has, I think he buys it.
I think I remember him telling me that he had something like 7 variants of Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt. @_@
That would just drive me nuts...
I'll just stick to the games for now... maybe later I'll worry about variants. ;)

[Qixmaster]

Qixmaster - yes its complete

Yes i want it (depending on condition), shoott me a PM about price and what not.



Also, if you are interested I have six different US versions of Zelda 1 that you can take a peek at.

Also, I noticed that there are two different versions of the oval seal (YES I'm series and YUCK what a mess). One has a letter R beside it and the other has TM. I have different varieties for the same title although I am seriously not wanting to collect varieties for the single fact that I may never know if I am finished with the set.

So, you have what?
1. 5 screw (non secruity screws), round seal: Hangtag box
2. 3 screw (non secruity screws), round seal, no country code: Non-hangtag box
3. 3 screws (non secruity screws), round seal, w/ country code: non-hangtag box
4. 3 screws (secruity screws), round seal: Non-hangtag
5. 3 screws (secruity screws), oval seal: Non-hangtag (letter R)
6. 3 screws (secruity screws), oval seal: Non-hangtag (letters TM).

I'd love to see a picture/scan (front and back) of all of those cartridges together.... or better yet, complete versions of them.

btw... i need to send you my want list cuz i know you have piles of good stuff that i need :)

-Josh
[/quote]

[Qixmaster]

The thing with collecting NES variants, is that you eventually realize: "Hey, wait a second, why does this game have five screws... and why does this one have three screws." Espessially when you are dealing with a library that is as big as the NES's, you would drive yourself crazy worrying about variants.


YES! exactly! Like i stated in a pervious post. It drives me flippin' nuts not having the correct boxes/manuals match up with the cartridges. It's something that keeps me awake at night. I know some of you think it's pointless, and it probably is... but i think it is necessary for my collection to be original and complete. Once i have every NES game and NOTEABLE variation, I'll consider my collection complete... but i will still seek out each and every variation, no matter how long it takes.
-Josh

[8bitnes]

Qixmaster - yes its complete

Yes i want it (depending on condition), shoott me a PM about price and what not.

Sorry, I don't have it anymore, I was relying on memory.




1. 5 screw (non secruity screws), round seal: Hangtag box
2. 3 screw (non secruity screws), round seal, no country code: Non-hangtag box
3. 3 screws (non secruity screws), round seal, w/ country code: non-hangtag box
4. 3 screws (secruity screws), round seal: Non-hangtag
5. 3 screws (secruity screws), oval seal: Non-hangtag (letter R)
6. 3 screws (secruity screws), oval seal: Non-hangtag (letters TM).

I'd love to see a picture/scan (front and back) of all of those cartridges together.... or better yet, complete versions of them.

btw... i need to send you my want list cuz i know you have piles of good stuff that i need :)

-Josh


1. Same as above
2. Same as above
3. Same as #2 except "Made in Japan" is added on the left, still no country code.
4. Your #3
5. Your #4
6. Same as above
7. Your #5
8. Gray cart

The R comes after the TM - thus the reason I switched your 5 and 6. I believe TM stands for a pending trademark and R stands for a registered trademark.

I have 5 different boxes and know of a 6th.
1. Hangtag box (I don't have this one)
2. Round seal
3. Round seal (w/Rev-A)
4. Oval seal w/TM (w/Rev-A)
5. Oval seal w/R (w/Rev-A)
6. Classic Series

Oh, what fun.

[Qixmaster]

Qixmaster - yes its complete

Yes i want it (depending on condition), shoott me a PM about price and what not.

Sorry, I don't have it anymore, I was relying on memory.




1. 5 screw (non secruity screws), round seal: Hangtag box
2. 3 screw (non secruity screws), round seal, no country code: Non-hangtag box
3. 3 screws (non secruity screws), round seal, w/ country code: non-hangtag box
4. 3 screws (secruity screws), round seal: Non-hangtag
5. 3 screws (secruity screws), oval seal: Non-hangtag (letter R)
6. 3 screws (secruity screws), oval seal: Non-hangtag (letters TM).

I'd love to see a picture/scan (front and back) of all of those cartridges together.... or better yet, complete versions of them.

btw... i need to send you my want list cuz i know you have piles of good stuff that i need :)

-Josh


1. Same as above
2. Same as above
3. Same as #2 except "Made in Japan" is added on the left, still no country code.
4. Your #3
5. Your #4
6. Same as above
7. Your #5
8. Gray cart

The R comes after the TM - thus the reason I switched your 5 and 6. I believe TM stands for a pending trademark and R stands for a registered trademark.

I have 5 different boxes and know of a 6th.
1. Hangtag box (I don't have this one)
2. Round seal
3. Round seal (w/Rev-A)
4. Oval seal w/TM (w/Rev-A)
5. Oval seal w/R (w/Rev-A)
6. Classic Series

Oh, what fun.

Has anyone ever seen a hangtag box? not I... but i like to think it is out there as i've found a pile of the 5 screw carts.

-Josh

[8bitnes]

I guess I was just assuming on the hangtag box. I figured for sure someone out there had one. This would really kill our prediction that if a game had a 5-screw, that it had a hangtag and vice-versa. For some reason, I think I sold one that was in horrid condition because I recall debating whether I should do it or not. Who knows? I'm sure one will turn up.