View Full Version : Restoration of an N64 game (Pics included!)
joshnickerson
12-03-2004, 07:24 PM
It's all happened to us. We find a cool game, but pass on it because the label is horrendously torn up. A while ago, I came across some cheap N64 games at a video store that was closing. I purchased a chunk of 'em, but I didn't notice until I got home that a couple of them had severe damage to their front labels (they came inside their boxes). I was disappointed, but I quickly decided to simply replace the labels! Here is how I restored one of them.
http://www.rydia.net/joshnickerson/dp/kirest_01.jpg
So here is the Killer Instinct Gold cart as it was when I removed it from the box. Not pretty. But all it needs is a little love!
http://www.rydia.net/joshnickerson/dp/kirest_02.jpg
The first step is to remove the old wretched sticker. It won't go easily though. The goo gone helps with any sticky remains, while the alchohol will completely wash the surface clean. Meowth looks on approvingly.
http://www.rydia.net/joshnickerson/dp/kirest_03.jpg
There we go! Fresh as a daisy and ready to go! Looks weird without a label huh?
http://www.rydia.net/joshnickerson/dp/kirest_04.jpg
The rear label didn't look so hot either, so that's getting replaced as well.
http://www.rydia.net/joshnickerson/dp/kirest_05.jpg
To print out a new label, I just got someone to scan their own copy of KI Gold (thanks, The Manimal!) and send it to me as a high quality image file. 300 dpi does just fine, but you can go higher if you want. I just edit it in Photoshop and print it out on sticker paper.
http://www.rydia.net/joshnickerson/dp/kirest_06.jpg
For the rear label, I just scan the backs of one of my own games. Ready to help, Kirby?
http://www.rydia.net/joshnickerson/dp/kirest_07.jpg
Here we go...
http://www.rydia.net/joshnickerson/dp/kirest_08.jpg
Success! It's not as glossy as the original sticker, and I certainly wouldn't let it get near any moisture, but it looks brand new just the same. Much better than it originally did anyway. Now it's ready to go back and hang out with the other N64 carts again! Horray! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my little project and with a little hard work, you can make any abandonded, abused or damaged game look like new again.
Lost Monkey
12-03-2004, 07:52 PM
Here's a tip..
It looks like you used a non-glossy paper for that sticker...
Try printing another one and giving it a couple of quick coats of clear coat spray paint before applying it to the cartridge. 8-)
Querjek
12-03-2004, 07:58 PM
Very nicely done.
It's just too bad that the kind of sticker used on N64 carts isn't avaiable for purchse publicly :(
Lemmy Kilmister
12-03-2004, 08:05 PM
Neat. I should make a new label for my banged up copy of Lufia 2 sometime.
MegaDrive20XX
12-03-2004, 08:18 PM
Awesome job man, kudos. I appericate someone who takes the effort to restore this.
The Manimal
12-03-2004, 08:21 PM
cool :)
it looks really light in the one photo...is that the from the lighting?
this label was scanned at 600dpi, BTW...
i've tried things like this before on some damaged CD inserts, but i think you really need a laser printer and not a inkjet like i have.
DigitalSpace
12-03-2004, 08:26 PM
Nice work!
YoshiM
12-05-2004, 10:23 AM
Hey! Looks cool! I do believe they sell labels that are "photo paper" quality (though prepare to pay through the nose) or try using regular glossy photo paper, cut it out with a precision knife and adhere to the cart with adhesive.
Be prepared to get a bit slammed for your restoration progress. I remember I publicly was speaking about doing the same thing (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42581) and got some negativity being that I wanted to restore a collectable (and sellable) item. One person said that I wouldn't be able to "fool anybody" or that the cart would be passed off as a "bootleg or pirate cart".
If you ever do sell those relabeled carts, make sure to state that the label was replaced and maybe even hang onto the old label (if it's not utterly destroyed from the removing) for some sort of "authentisity".
slip81
12-05-2004, 10:30 AM
Nice work! The new label looks great. That's a process I'll definately have to try on some of my N64 games.
c0ldb33r
03-21-2006, 01:17 PM
excellent job! I have a few old NES carts with banged up labels. I never even thought of fixing them.
Thanks! :)
n8littlefield
03-21-2006, 01:41 PM
Great job. One thing that you might try on a separate label to see if you like it is putting a piece of packaging tape over the label prior to sticking it on. It almost laminates it and can give a pretty decent affect (although maybe too shiny for your purposes, I'm not terribly familiar w/ the finish on N64 games).
I used it on my recent DS stickers to prevent the ink from scratching off...here are some pics (there is a seam on the top due to the width of the tape).
http://www.littlefieldlounge.com/newwright1.jpg
http://www.littlefieldlounge.com/newwright2.jpg
http://www.littlefieldlounge.com/newwright3.jpg
c0ldb33r
03-21-2006, 02:32 PM
did you make those DS stickers yourself?
If so, colour me impressed @_@
edit: nice digital camera btw ;)
christhegamer
03-21-2006, 04:58 PM
Pretty cool. I'll have to remember that one when I hit the fleamarket; gonna be hard since I don't have a scanner, though...
rbudrick
03-21-2006, 05:10 PM
Try printing another one and giving it a couple of quick coats of clear coat spray paint before applying it to the cartridge.
Hmm...cool idea. Does this flake off? Does it discolor over time? I mean, are there any disadvantages of using this? I do like that there'd be no lines, unlike packing tape.
-Rob
alec006
03-21-2006, 06:09 PM
Very Nice man,looks very good,i may do that some of my games that have messed up lables,just need to get some printer ink and sticker paper.
Raven1280
03-21-2006, 06:28 PM
They have flyer paper at some of the office stores. Its glossy like photo paper but thin like regular paper. I think that it would work much better than the tape.
Flack
03-21-2006, 07:15 PM
I think it looks awesome, although I do agree that it might look a little more authentic on glossy paper. Either way though, it looks better than it did before, right?
I've got dozens of Genesis and 2600 carts with missing or bad labels that I may do this for someday. Awesome pictures and tutorial!!
you can get glossy kodak paper that has an adhesive backing on it, as long as you've got high res pics you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. 8-)
FullCircle
03-21-2006, 09:46 PM
I've actually done this with NES carts. I take Vinyl high gloss sticker, print my picture, then cover it with clear packing tape. The label ends up being thicker, but looks great. I also use the same process to make stickers for my band and print the website address on the sticker backing.
ProgrammingAce
03-21-2006, 10:03 PM
Try printing another one and giving it a couple of quick coats of clear coat spray paint before applying it to the cartridge.
Hmm...cool idea. Does this flake off? Does it discolor over time? I mean, are there any disadvantages of using this? I do like that there'd be no lines, unlike packing tape.
-Rob
Even if the clear coat does flake off, all you have to do is print a new one...
CreamSoda
03-21-2006, 10:09 PM
Great idea man, I wish I could do that to my Mystical Ninja cart. XD
zektor
03-21-2006, 11:13 PM
What somebody needs to start is a database of scanned cart labels, so others can simply print and replace labels with ease. Now that would be cool.
Very very nice work btw!
tholly
03-22-2006, 08:28 AM
What somebody needs to start is a database of scanned cart labels, so others can simply print and replace labels with ease. Now that would be cool.
Very very nice work btw!
now to me..that would be terrible....people might start selling these "fixed" games and not telling people....i know i would hate to open up a package i spent a lot of money for only to find out that somebody used a database label......i know i wouldn't want anything like that in my collection....id rather just hold out and pay more for a 100% legit copy....
Oobgarm
03-22-2006, 09:05 AM
What somebody needs to start is a database of scanned cart labels, so others can simply print and replace labels with ease. Now that would be cool.
Very very nice work btw!
now to me..that would be terrible....people might start selling these "fixed" games and not telling people....i know i would hate to open up a package i spent a lot of money for only to find out that somebody used a database label......i know i wouldn't want anything like that in my collection....id rather just hold out and pay more for a 100% legit copy....
Well, if something like that was done through DP, there could be a small watermark on it somewhere.
This isn't a bad idea at all. I might have to look into it.
fishsandwich
03-22-2006, 09:12 AM
A most excellent job! I have a weird love of game packaging restoration.
I made a bunch of inserts for my CD32 games (the original games come in HUGE PC boxes and I had to ditch them. SACRELIGIOUS, I know. But I have no space and no real love for the Cd32 anyway.) Plenty of resources on the net from the Amiga lovers out there.
I have "restored" a number of roughed-up Snes carts and PAL Saturn games with a black marker.
The closest I've come to this level of restoration was peeling the labels off a couple of the special "CD" cases for TG-16 games (Keith Courage, the king of commons) for the games where I had the hucard and instructions but no case. Didn't look anywhere as nice as your N64 cart, though.
A job well done!
:D
cyberfluxor
03-22-2006, 10:45 AM
I like what you've done as well, just the color is off. Personally I just don't bother and buy it up and replace it later down the road if there's a better copy found and sell the previous. It actually makes me money because I tend to buy things below what they sell for, so when I get the new copy it almost pays for itself 50% upon selling the old one I have.