NES Cartridge Design Variants

[FlufflePuff]

I got curious this morning while selling some doubles on Ebay about the variation in NES cart design. The older carts by and large are one pice with no locking bits on the top of the cart. Most of the games in my collection produced in 1985 and 1986 are one solid piece with no interlocking parts. However, I have two copies of Ice Climber, one in each design. I got to thinking about which carts have which design, and if anyone considered the seperate design a game variation that required both copies for a complete collection. I guess my real question is, what games have the solid top design and which games have both variations. Thanks in advance.

[qbertandernie]

i had a list but its not here...i personally try to get both variants...

do a search for '5 screw' or 'flat end' or 'original release nes' something. im too tired or id help out.

ive seen this topic several times before...think i actually started one once!

[imanerd0011]

There is a post over at Nesworld all about this. Personally I don't think collecting 3 screw and 5 screw variations necessary until you have completed the entire NES collection, and have nothing to buy. I know that all the black box games were made in a 5 screw version, so was Athena and Legend of Zelda. There are MANY more than that, but those are all the ones that I have seen in person and can verify.

[Qixmaster]

black box variations huh?

just so you know, their are more then just two variations for those suckers.

*first one being 5 screw (flat top style w/ a gold and black round seal, the boxes these ones came in had hangtabs on the back and their was no country code on the cart/box or manaul). These carts always used regular screws, not security screws.

*second was 3 screw (hinged top style, w/ a gold and black round seal, boxes do not have hangtabs, and the on the front of the box in the lower left hand corner it reads REV-A (revision A, or re-release for those who don't get it :) ). These carts also used normal screws and not secruity screws. I believe these carts sometimes had country codes and sometimes did not.

*the third variation being the exact same as above, except the cartridges used secruity screws.

*the fourth version used secruity screws, had a country code on the cart and manual and the nintendo seal of quality is ALWAYS oval in shape w/ a gold outer ring and a white inside.

Now i guess you could say there are actually five different variations on these suckers if you want to consider Famicom adapter versions (these would be 5 screwed carts and would be the VERY first releases of NES games, I have seen them gyromite, excitebike, hogans alley, gumshoe and they are ALWAYS in stack-up (i am sure there are others). Amazingly they were not put in donkey kong jr. math.

So, i hope that helps out. Any other NES guru out there can correct me if i left something out. that was all from memory of collecting these damn variants.

Others that i know have 5 screwd versions are
Athena
Legend of Kage
Alpha Mission
Kid Icurus
Metroid
Rad Racer
Sky Kid
Athletic World (yes, good luck finding the five screw one, it's extremely hard to find)
Stadium Events

And i am sure there are a slew of other games i left of.

-Josh

[Kroogah]

I have 5 screw versions of Karate Champ and Tag Team Wrestling. I'm pretty sure I've seen a few 5 screw Castlevanias.

[JJNova]

Funny, I was just talking in VBender about Castlevania. While you are looking at it, could you tell me what color the ROM board is? Mine's the color of Tobacco, and I am trying to see if it's just really dirty. If it is, this is the dirtiest gme I have ever seen and should be awarded cool points for it.

But back to Screwing..err...screws.. I have a 5 screw Mach Rider and Spy Hunter

[Qixmaster]

But back to Screwing..err...screws.. I have a 5 screw Mach Rider and Spy Hunter

mach rider was a black box game, so it most definately came in five screw.

i had forgotten about spy hunter though.

also, thanks for those additions cap'n yash (i actually have those as well, just didn't think of them).

-Josh

[qbertandernie]

5 screw games i have, easily identified by flat spots on either side of the top label.

10 yd fight
1942
arkanoid
athletic world
athena
balloon fight
breakthru
chubby cherub
clu clu land
deadly towers
dk
dkjr
dkjrmath
duck hunt
elevator action
excitebike
ghosts and goblins
golf
gradius
gyromite
hogans alley
ice climber
ikari warriors
jetsons?
legend of kage
mach rider
mario bros
metroid
mighty bomb jack
m.u.s.c.l.e.
ninja kid
popeye
rad racer
raid on bungleing bay
rushn attack
rygar
section z
sky kid
slalom
solomons key
spelunker
spy hunter
sqoon
stack up
stinger
SMB
tag team wrestling
tennis
3d worldrunner
top gun
track and field
trojan
urban champion
wild gunman
winter games

the jetsons might be a mistake, i have that boxed and cant remember looking at it....the game is not where my database is. the others are factual.

[Dr. Morbis]

You don't need to make a list of 5 screw variants. Just use release dates. Any licensed game (first or third party) released in 1987 or earlier will have atleast a 5 screw version. An exhaustive look at the titles released between sep87 and feb88 would help pinpoint a more precise date for the switch from 3 to 5 screws. Obviously the more popular pre-88 games that had subsequent runs will also have 3 screw variations.

That being said, I think collecting screw variations is pointless. I'll always take an original 5 screw over a 3 screw cart, but it's not really that important unless you want to have a nes library of like 5000 nes carts (including seal variants).

[Qixmaster]

You don't need to make a list of 5 screw variants. Just use release dates. Any licensed game (first or third party) released in 1987 or earlier will have atleast a 5 screw version. An exhaustive look at the titles released between sep87 and feb88 would help pinpoint a more precise date for the switch from 3 to 5 screws. Obviously the more popular pre-88 games that had subsequent runs will also have 3 screw variations.

That being said, I think collecting screw variations is pointless. I'll always take an original 5 screw over a 3 screw cart, but it's not really that important unless you want to have a nes library of like 5000 nes carts (including seal variants).

i honestly do not think it is pointless. i collect complete games and whenever i get a game that doesn't match up with the box or manual it just drives me nuts.

btw... there would not be 5000 nes carts (inlcuding seal variants), now if you were collecting imports, then mebbe. but good ol ntsc, no way.

-josh

[Qixmaster]

your question to the answer about jetsons...

never came in 5 screw as it was a later era taito release. that game is hard to find by the way ;)

[imanerd0011]

I was gonna comment on Jetson's not coming in a 5 screw form, since I believe it was a 1992 release, which is far too new to be a 5 screw cart.

Is there anyone out there with more knowledge on this topic that Qixmaster? I would like to know approximaitely how many carts there would be total if you were to try to collect every single NES cart with every variation ever made. I'm thinking around 1,500 or around there. Because alot of the NES library was made in 1990 or after, and those carts only had 1 release (the white oval), so the majority of the games only have 1 release. Does anyone want to comment on this?

[qbertandernie]

going through my stuff ANALLY looking at each label i found at least 3 rc pro ams, one simply had some 4 letter code in small letters on the front and one didnt, the other had a different seal. i bet it would be next to impossible to log every single variation if you got that anal about it. i try for the seal variants as well as the screw variants, though i dont expect to find them all...

thats all i got...

[Qixmaster]

I would like to know approximaitely how many carts there would be total if you were to try to collect every single NES cart with every variation ever made. I'm thinking around 1,500 or around there. Because alot of the NES library was made in 1990 or after, and those carts only had 1 release (the white oval), so the majority of the games only have 1 release. Does anyone want to comment on this?

On contrer my fellow nerd.

I have found some wacky ass variations on releases after 1990. Yoshi with an upside down label, different warning label variations on bases loaded 2... i could keep going but i would rather not bore people.

now if you were to collect every single NES cart with every variation i would say there would be well over 5,000 carts (like Dr. Morbis said) and that it would be damn near impossible (and the number is just a guess). Now if you were only collecting NTSC north american releases then the number would be significantly lower, otherwise you have to think about all of those european countries with different cart/box art, south america (namely brazil) and australia. It seems impossible for one person to acheive such a feat in a lifetime.

[8bitnes]

Adding my knowledge to the list presented here, there are at least 72 different titles with 5-screw variations. However, there were 89 games made 1987 or earlier so there are likely more unconfirmed (at least within this thread). The latest I own is Top Gun (Nov 1987), but I thought bronty-2 had Karnov (Jan 1988).

[8bitnes]

Others that i know have 5 screw versions are
Athena
Legend of Kage
Alpha Mission
Kid Icurus
Metroid
Rad Racer
Sky Kid
Athletic World (yes, good luck finding the five screw one, it's extremely hard to find)
Stadium Events

And i am sure there are a slew of other games i left of.

-Josh

Are you sure about Stadium Events? Do you have a scan?

[8bitnes]

Ok, here is a list of the 74 different titles that I own with the 5-screw variation. I really should post a pic, let me know if someone wants to see one.

1942
10-Yard Fight
3D World Runner
Arkanoid
Athena
Athletic World
Balloon Fight
Baseball
Breakthru
Burgertime
Castlevania
Chubby Cherub
Clu Clu Land
Commando
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong 3
Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
Double Dribble
Duck Hunt
Elevator Action
Excitebike
Ghosts 'N Goblins
Golf
Goonies 2
Gradius
Gumshoe
Gyromite
Hogan's Alley
Ice Climber
Ikari Warriors
Karate Champ
Kid Icarus
Kid Niki
Kung Fu
Legend of Kage
Legend of Zelda
Lode Runner
M.U.S.C.L.E.
Mach Rider
Mario Bros.
Metroid
Mighty Bomb Jack
Ninja Kid
Pinball
Popeye
Pro Wrestling
Rad Racer
Raid on Bungeling Bay
Ring King
Rush 'N Attack
Rygar
Section Z
Sky Kid
Slalom
Soccer
Solomon's Key
Spelunker
Sqoon
Stack Up
Star Voyager
Stinger
Super Mario Bros.
Tag Team Wrestling
Tennis
Top Gun
Track & Field
Trojan
Urban Champion
Volleyball
Wild Gunman
Winter Games
Wizards & Warriors
Wrecking Crew

Tiger-Heli
Top Gun
Track & Field
Trojan
Urban Champion
Volleyball
Wild Gunman
Winter Games

I don't own Deadly Towers, Lunar Pool, Tiger Heli, and Zanac which also have one. That makes 78 total for sure.

Here are the ones made January 1988 or earlier that I have been unable to verify (10 more). I believe Karnov should have one for sure (since bronty-2 has a hangtag box). I also think someone said Spy Hunter had one at one time.

Alpha Mission - doubtful
Gotcha - doubtful
Jaws - doubtful
Karate Kid - doubtful
Karnov
Renegade
Side Pocket - doubtful
Spy Hunter
Star Force
Super Pitfall - doubtful

Finally, still looking for verification on the Stadium Events 5-screw. This has been confirmed now as NOT a 5-screw.

[CollectEmAll]

Hi, I'm just a newbie here, but I can confirm a few 5 screw carts.

Deadly Towers
Tiger-Heli
Zanac

I own these.

I have 1106 NTSC carts (full set - stadium events) with lots of variations, guess I'm anal!

I'm trying to find out which 5 screw games never appeared as 3 screw. I can bet Stack-up is one of these,

I'm trying to make a database of 'all' the possible variations.
I'd really like to find out which games have the rev A and B versions (from the embossing on the back of the cart).

For instance, I have a REV A 'Pro Wrestling' and 'Ikari Warriors', but no 'original' cart. I consider these collectible because of the bug fixes that the REV A and B contain.

if anyone has a list (or wants to start one) for these REVs, please let me know.

Finally, could someone paste me a link to the two variations of 'Dusty Diamond'? I'd like to know which one I have.

Thanks! Digipess is such a great resource, I wish i'd have found it earlier!

[DarkStraw]

ive heard that theres 76 5 screw cart games.

[filmbucket]

I'm trying to find out which 5 screw games never appeared as 3 screw. I can bet Stack-up is one of these,


I've never seen a three screw version of DK Jr. Math, so that might be one to add...I may be way off base though.

[Ed Oscuro]

Huh, I've had my copy of Castlevania since before Yashiro made that post, and I just went over and flipped it over (since I've been playing it recently). It's a five-screw variant.

How...interesting!

[christhegamer]

All this 5 screw talk is pretty interesting :D As far as label variants go, I seem to remember One version of the Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt cart to have a dark blue background instead of the black one with stars...

[Qixmaster]

wow, talk about "rise from your grave"

just for a clarificiation. NO stadium events exist in 5 screw form, eventhough it did come out then. Nonetheless, they are non-secruity screws.

[8bitnes]

There are at least 78 of them confirmed and 2 others that I think exist. I editied my post above for the confirmed ones.


I speculate on Karnov (since a hangtag box exists) and Spy Hunter (I think someone here confirmed it, but I haven't seen it personally)

[donkeykong1]

There definitly is a Spy Hunter 5 screw. I have both versions of the game.

[BMF54123]

Hmm. I've got both 5-screw and 3-screw versions of Castlevania, and both are different PRG revisions. The 5-screw version frequently locks up in level 5, right before the Grim Reaper. The 3-screw version has never done that.

[CollectEmAll]

Hmm. I've got both 5-screw and 3-screw versions of Castlevania, and both are different PRG revisions. The 5-screw version frequently locks up in level 5, right before the Grim Reaper. The 3-screw version has never done that.

You can tell a bugfix by looking on the back label. At the right angle of a bright light, you will see a number embossed in the upper left area of the back label. (I don't know a better way to explain it, but all games seem to have a 2 digit number there). If you see an embossed 'A' or "B' (or 'C"??) in about the same area on the RIGHT side of the label, you have a bugfix. I have discovered a lot of 'A' revs, and would love to collect them all, since they are 'better' than the unfixed ones.. Maybe that is another list to start!

FYI, Silent Service and Platoon are almost all 'A' revs when i compare piles of carts; so if you want an example that is where to start to see what I mean.

2xFYI, i've only seen one rev 'B', and that is Bases Loaded.

[CollectEmAll]

I'm trying to keep this topic 'hot' :)

Here are the 5 screw games for which I don't own a 3 screw version, can anyone confirm any more on this list exist as 3 screw?

THANKS

Arkanoid
Athena
Chubby Cherub
Clu Clu Land
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong 3
Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
Elevator Action
Gumshoe
Gyromite
Ice Climber
M.U.S.C.L.E.
Mario Bros.
Mighty Bomb Jack
Raid on Bungeling Bay
Soccer
Sqoon
Stack Up
Stinger
Tennis
Urban Champion
Volleyball
Wild Gunman
Wrecking Crew

[qbertandernie]

ill check, but i think

raid on bungling bay
elevator action
arkanoid
mario bros
and mighty bomb jack have 3 screws variants...

i have to wait til i get home to verify.

[CollectEmAll]

ill check, but i think

raid on bungling bay
elevator action
arkanoid
mario bros
and mighty bomb jack have 3 screws variants...

i have to wait til i get home to verify.

I'll be looking forward to it. Could you please look on the back and see if you have a REV A game for those 5? If Nintendo did a new run after the initial 5 screw production, I'd certainly think they would get any bug fixes from the developer and make a 'better' game.

I have not played Arkanoid on the NES (I loved the Amiga version though), did it use only the gamepad, or did it come with the special paddles too?

Thanks

[qbertandernie]

arkanoid came with a special controller, called the 'vaus' controller, if im not mistaken. check ebay to see box scans, theres usually one for sale.

[christhegamer]

Probably Unimportant, but I just got a 5-screw copy of Gyromite for absolutely free! :D

[qbertandernie]

verified copies of arkanoid, mighty bomb jack, mario bros., elevator action and raid on bungeling bay 3 screws.

only one that was rev-a was elevator action

[Truffle]

O_O All this talk about bug fixes is making me want to check a couple of my carts. Castlevania has always given me a hard time, no matter how clean I think Ive gotten it.
Mabey I have the 5 screw ver. :?

[CollectEmAll]

O_O All this talk about bug fixes is making me want to check a couple of my carts. Castlevania has always given me a hard time, no matter how clean I think Ive gotten it.
Mabey I have the 5 screw ver. :?

Excellent news. I'm sure I'm going to want to buy/trade a copy of that Elevator Action. Maybe it is common and I just have not come across it yet. Is it your only copy?

Guess I should look on EBay for the tell-tell 3 screw plastic indents to cull this list down some more.

I'll try and make a list of my REV A and B and post it, then everyone with 'buggy' versions can really know its not the dirt, its the coder!

[CollectEmAll]

Well, here is 3 screw Ice Climber, I'm still trying to find the rest. Too bad the seller wants so much :(

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8235312982

and a 3 screw Athena

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8236177605

on a roll.. here's dk3

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8235848215

and Tennis..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8235514843

GumShoe

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8235003956

[CollectEmAll]

yay, found the 3 screw Tennis at the Goodwill yesterday.

Here the updated list of 3 screw games for which I'm still looking for proof of existance:

Chubby Cherub
Clu Clu Land
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
Gyromite
M.U.S.C.L.E.
Soccer
Sqoon
Stack Up
Stinger
Urban Champion
Volleyball
Wild Gunman
Wrecking Crew

I could bet Gyro, StackUp and (as mentioned before) DK JR Math don't exist, and probably Sqoon either, but the rest were popular enough to have made it into a second production run with a little luck.

Oh, FYI, there are three variations of Castlevania, the 5 screw, the 3 screw, and the 3 screw REV A with the level 5 bug fixed. I found the REV A from poking around emulation sites that have already dumped REV A. Now just have to find the real cart!

[CollectEmAll]

Ah, sooo nice to walk into a junk store and get a new cart for $2. In this case, a REV A Jeopardy, which I didn't even know existed until now!

(Am I just talking to myself here?)

[qbertandernie]

i dont know how many people keep this close of tabs on NES variants, but im sure theres someone currently or will be someone in the future.

im sure youve recorded the klash ball label variant?

[CollectEmAll]

i dont know how many people keep this close of tabs on NES variants, but im sure theres someone currently or will be someone in the future.

im sure youve recorded the klash ball label variant?

I'm looking at my two copies now, but I don't see any variation. Please tell me more! Better yet, make a nice 300x300 scan of the cart and mail it to me, I'll put it into the huge scan database i'm making (and can't host for obvious reasons :( )

BTW, My "Legends of the Diamond" is misspelled. Is this a 'common' error?

[qbertandernie]

to my knowledge all of the 'legends of the daimond' carts are spelled that way.


i posted it on DP before somewhere...here it is again!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/qbertandernie/multis/klashball.jpg

the difference lay in the simulated rock in the background...ones lighter and a different style...

[Qixmaster]

yay, found the 3 screw Tennis at the Goodwill yesterday.

Here the updated list of 3 screw games for which I'm still looking for proof of existance:

Chubby Cherub
Clu Clu Land
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
Gyromite
M.U.S.C.L.E.
Soccer
Sqoon
Stack Up
Stinger
Urban Champion
Volleyball
Wild Gunman
Wrecking Crew

I could bet Gyro, StackUp and (as mentioned before) DK JR Math don't exist, and probably Sqoon either, but the rest were popular enough to have made it into a second production run with a little luck.

Oh, FYI, there are three variations of Castlevania, the 5 screw, the 3 screw, and the 3 screw REV A with the level 5 bug fixed. I found the REV A from poking around emulation sites that have already dumped REV A. Now just have to find the real cart!

Chubby Cherub - no
Clu Clu Land - no
Donkey Kong - yes
Donkey Kong Jr. - yes
Donkey Kong Jr. Math - no
Gyromite - no
M.U.S.C.L.E. - no
Soccer - yes
Sqoon - no
Stack Up - no
Stinger - no
Urban Champion - yes
Volleyball - not sure, but i'd bet a yes since i have a box that doesn't include a hangtag
Wild Gunman - yes
Wrecking Crew - yes


from what i have found in my 7 years of collecting variations

[Qixmaster]

Hmm. I've got both 5-screw and 3-screw versions of Castlevania, and both are different PRG revisions. The 5-screw version frequently locks up in level 5, right before the Grim Reaper. The 3-screw version has never done that.

You can tell a bugfix by looking on the back label. At the right angle of a bright light, you will see a number embossed in the upper left area of the back label. (I don't know a better way to explain it, but all games seem to have a 2 digit number there). If you see an embossed 'A' or "B' (or 'C"??) in about the same area on the RIGHT side of the label, you have a bugfix. I have discovered a lot of 'A' revs, and would love to collect them all, since they are 'better' than the unfixed ones.. Maybe that is another list to start!

FYI, Silent Service and Platoon are almost all 'A' revs when i compare piles of carts; so if you want an example that is where to start to see what I mean.

2xFYI, i've only seen one rev 'B', and that is Bases Loaded.

i'd love to see a picture of the rev b bases loaded.
kthanks.
-Josh

[Qixmaster]

to my knowledge all of the 'legends of the daimond' carts are spelled that way.


i posted it on DP before somewhere...here it is again!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/qbertandernie/multis/klashball.jpg

the difference lay in the simulated rock in the background...ones lighter and a different style...

does anyone know which one was made first? if anyone has multiple boxed copies of these, could you please find the one that has NES-xx(letters)-USA-1... that'd be the second version.

[Qixmaster]

and for future references, all legend of the diamonds and eliminator boat duels are misspelled.
-Josh

[qbertandernie]

does anyone know what the small 'ss' ink stamp on the carts means? ive got(or have seen) several with this...is it anything worth noting or does noone know what im talking about?


EDIT: cant verify vball has a 3 screw.

interesting side note on the klash ball games...both are 'REV-A'...

[qbertandernie]

posting twice in a row, but is this statement accurate?


Athletic World (yes, good luck finding the five screw one, it's extremely hard to find)


i had a tougher time tracking down the 3 screw...

[Dr. Morbis]

This may or may not be redundant based on the levels of research you guys have personally done. But below is a chronological list of the first NES releases. I'd like to know what is the EARLIEST release that does NOT have a 5 screw variant:

85-10 10-Yard Fight
85-10 Baseball
85-10 Clu Clu Land
85-10 Duck Hunt
85-10 Excitebike
85-10 Golf
85-10 Gyromite
85-10 Hogan's Alley
85-10 Ice Climber
85-10 Kung Fu
85-10 Mach Rider
85-10 Pinball
85-10 Stack-Up
85-10 Super Mario Bros
85-10 Tennis
85-10 Wild Gunman
85-10 Wrecking Crew
86-06 Balloon Fight
86-06 Donkey Kong
86-06 Donkey Kong 3
86-06 Donkey Kong Jr
86-06 Donkey Kong Jr Math
86-06 Gumshoe
86-06 Mario Bros
86-06 Popeye
86-06 Urban Champion
86-10 Chubby Cherub
86-10 MUSCLE
86-10 Ninja Kid
86-10 Tag Team Wrestling
86-11 1942
86-11 Commando
86-11 Ghosts'n Goblins
86-11 Karate Champ
86-12 Gradius
87-02 Trojan
87-03 Pro Wrestling
87-03 Soccer
87-03 Volleyball
87-04 Rush'n Attack
87-04 Track & Field
87-05 Burger Time
87-05 Castlevania
87-05 Ikari Warriors
87-06 Side Pocket
87-07 Athletic World
87-07 Kid Icarus
87-07 Legend of Zelda, The
87-07 Mighty Bomb Jack
87-07 Rygar
87-07 Section Z
87-07 Solomon's Key
87-08 Arkanoid
87-08 Athena
87-08 Elevator Action
87-08 Legend of Kage, The
87-08 Metroid
87-08 Slalom
87-09 3D WorldRunner
87-09 Deadly Towers
87-09 Double Dribble
87-09 Lode Runner
87-09 Raid on Bungeling Bay
87-09 Ring King
87-09 Sky Kid
87-09 Spelunker
87-09 Spy Hunter
87-09 Sqoon
87-09 Stadium Events
87-09 Star Voyager
87-09 Stinger
87-09 Tiger-Heli
87-09 Winter Games
87-10 Alpha Mission
87-10 Lunar Pool
87-10 Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
87-10 Rad Racer
87-10 Zanac
87-11 Breakthru
87-11 Goonies 2, The
87-11 Gotcha!
87-11 Jaws
87-11 Karate Kid, The
87-11 Kid Niki - Radical Ninja
87-11 Star Force
87-11 Super Pitfall
87-11 Top Gun
87-12 Mega Man
87-12 Wizards & Warriors
88-01 Karnov
88-01 Renegade
88-02 Contra
88-02 Gun Smoke
88-02 RC Pro-Am
88-02 T&C Surf Design
88-03 Dragon Power
88-03 Ice Hockey
88-04 Freedom Force
88-04 Ikari Warriors II
88-04 Major League Baseball
88-05 City Connection
88-05 Rambo
88-06 Double Dragon
88-06 Metal Gear

Whoever's leading this project could make a checklist with the list above. It could have 2 columns, one for "3 screw variant exists" and one for "5 screw variant exists".

There needs to be a centralized list that gets updated as people post pics to eliminate unknowns.

[Qixmaster]

This may or may not be redundant based on the levels of research you guys have personally done. But below is a chronological list of the first NES releases. I'd like to know what is the EARLIEST release that does NOT have a 5 screw variant:

85-10 10-Yard Fight
85-10 Baseball
85-10 Clu Clu Land
85-10 Duck Hunt
85-10 Excitebike
85-10 Golf
85-10 Gyromite
85-10 Hogan's Alley
85-10 Ice Climber
85-10 Kung Fu
85-10 Mach Rider
85-10 Pinball
85-10 Stack-Up
85-10 Super Mario Bros
85-10 Tennis
85-10 Wild Gunman
85-10 Wrecking Crew
86-06 Balloon Fight
86-06 Donkey Kong
86-06 Donkey Kong 3
86-06 Donkey Kong Jr
86-06 Donkey Kong Jr Math
86-06 Gumshoe
86-06 Mario Bros
86-06 Popeye
86-06 Urban Champion
86-10 Chubby Cherub
86-10 MUSCLE
86-10 Ninja Kid
86-10 Tag Team Wrestling
86-11 1942
86-11 Commando
86-11 Ghosts'n Goblins
86-11 Karate Champ
86-12 Gradius
87-02 Trojan
87-03 Pro Wrestling
87-03 Soccer
87-03 Volleyball
87-04 Rush'n Attack
87-04 Track & Field
87-05 Burger Time
87-05 Castlevania
87-05 Ikari Warriors
87-06 Side Pocket
87-07 Athletic World
87-07 Kid Icarus
87-07 Legend of Zelda, The
87-07 Mighty Bomb Jack
87-07 Rygar
87-07 Section Z
87-07 Solomon's Key
87-08 Arkanoid
87-08 Athena
87-08 Elevator Action
87-08 Legend of Kage, The
87-08 Metroid
87-08 Slalom
87-09 3D WorldRunner
87-09 Deadly Towers
87-09 Double Dribble
87-09 Lode Runner
87-09 Raid on Bungeling Bay
87-09 Ring King
87-09 Sky Kid
87-09 Spelunker
87-09 Spy Hunter
87-09 Sqoon
87-09 Stadium Events
87-09 Star Voyager
87-09 Stinger
87-09 Tiger-Heli
87-09 Winter Games
87-10 Alpha Mission
87-10 Lunar Pool
87-10 Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
87-10 Rad Racer
87-10 Zanac
87-11 Breakthru
87-11 Goonies 2, The
87-11 Gotcha!
87-11 Jaws
87-11 Karate Kid, The
87-11 Kid Niki - Radical Ninja
87-11 Star Force
87-11 Super Pitfall
87-11 Top Gun
87-12 Mega Man
87-12 Wizards & Warriors
88-01 Karnov
88-01 Renegade
88-02 Contra
88-02 Gun Smoke
88-02 RC Pro-Am
88-02 T&C Surf Design
88-03 Dragon Power
88-03 Ice Hockey
88-04 Freedom Force
88-04 Ikari Warriors II
88-04 Major League Baseball
88-05 City Connection
88-05 Rambo
88-06 Double Dragon
88-06 Metal Gear

Whoever's leading this project could make a checklist with the list above. It could have 2 columns, one for "3 screw variant exists" and one for "5 screw variant exists".

There needs to be a centralized list that gets updated as people post pics to eliminate unknowns.

88-01 Renegade.... could be a possibility since there has been a confirmed 5 screw karnov

however,this little bitch of a game only comes in three screw (unless someone can prove me wrong).

87-09 Stadium Events

-Josh

[qbertandernie]

variant collectors: do you really want to know if theres a variant stadium events?

any copy of the game is tough enough to track down, let alone a second one thats got a screw difference....

besides, i thought it was confirmed to be 3 screw only? (see above posts)

[CollectEmAll]

variant collectors: do you really want to know if theres a variant stadium events?

any copy of the game is tough enough to track down, let alone a second one thats got a screw difference....

besides, i thought it was confirmed to be 3 screw only? (see above posts)

Well, since anyone wanting top dollar is going to put it on Ebay, its easy enough to spot on if it every shows up!

[CollectEmAll]

88-01 Renegade.... could be a possibility since there has been a confirmed 5 screw karnov

however,this little bitch of a game only comes in three screw (unless someone can prove me wrong).

87-09 Stadium Events

-Josh

I guess I'm 'head' of this little project. I already have an xls file with most of this info, and everytime i sort it, I discover another 'variant' that should exist. If I was any good at SQL I'd make a searchable database along with all the scans i've done. Maybe a little later I'll post it somewhere.

Where is the confirmed Karnov 5 screw mentioned? I only see rumors of it.

[CollectEmAll]

does anyone know what the small 'ss' ink stamp on the carts means? ive got(or have seen) several with this...is it anything worth noting or does noone know what im talking about?


EDIT: cant verify vball has a 3 screw.

interesting side note on the klash ball games...both are 'REV-A'...

hmm.. I sense you might have misunderstood what I meant by 'REV-A'. I pulled out my Klash Balls and the back label has, in white letters, REV-A. The 'A' I mean is actually embossed on the label (mechanical imprinting, not ink).

If both of yours have the mechanically embossed A then that makes three versions, since mine does not have the 'A'. (The front label on mine is the rightmost of your pics BTW)

[christhegamer]

This was probably answered before, but which version is more rare; the 5-screw or the 3-screw?

(I'm guessing that it probably has something to do with the actual game.)

[CollectEmAll]

This was probably answered before, but which version is more rare; the 5-screw or the 3-screw?

(I'm guessing that it probably has something to do with the actual game.)

Probably 5 screw, since any game popular enough to be reissued in 3 screw is going to be 'common'

[CollectEmAll]

This may or may not be redundant based on the levels of research you guys have personally done. But below is a chronological list of the first NES releases. I'd like to know what is the EARLIEST release that does NOT have a 5 screw variant:

85-10 10-Yard Fight
85-10 Baseball
85-10 Clu Clu Land
85-10 Duck Hunt
...SNIP...
88-05 Rambo
88-06 Double Dragon
88-06 Metal Gear




I did not have these on the 'complete' 5 screw list. Are you sure they exist at all in 5 screw?


Alpha Mission
Goonies 2, The
Gotcha!
Jaws
Karate Kid, The
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
Side Pocket
Star Force
Super Pitfall

[filmbucket]

I pulled out my Klash Balls

Well gee, I hope you didn't hurt yourself. @_@ :D

I'm sorry, but I had to put that. I was laughing hysterically for about five minutes after reading that.

[CollectEmAll]

I pulled out my Klash Balls

Well gee, I hope you didn't hurt yourself. @_@ :D

I'm sorry, but I had to put that. I was laughing hysterically for about five minutes after reading that.


I figured someone would .....

[Dr. Morbis]

I did not have these on the 'complete' 5 screw list. Are you sure they exist at all in 5 screw?


Alpha Mission
Goonies 2, The
Gotcha!
Jaws
Karate Kid, The
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
Side Pocket
Star Force
Super Pitfall

No, my list doesn't mention which ones are 3, which are 5 and which are both. Furthermore, I have no idea myself since I don't collect screw variants. I just listed all licensed NES releases up to June 1988.

[CollectEmAll]

Does anyone know the NEWEST NES that used the old round black and gold seal of approval?


I'd also like to find the OLDEST game with the NEW gold and white seal of approval.

[8bitnes]

Does anyone know the NEWEST NES that used the old round black and gold seal of approval?


I'd also like to find the OLDEST game with the NEW gold and white seal of approval.

PM me, this is kind of up my alley based on some of my earlier posts.

FYI: I have a confirmed 5-screw Goonies II in possession. I also have a spreadsheet with all release dates for all titles.

Tyson does not have a 5-screw for sure, although in Canada it did have a hangtag box. So did DK Classics.

Just checked and I have a 3-screw Volleyball. My experience leads me to recall having a Clu Clu with the oval seal (later 3-screw) and I am certain MUSCLE has a 3-screw version as well. Stinger more likely than Chubby Cherub. The rest I'm certain are no.

I'm full of info, just busy to get it out there.

[erik5758]

The post about revision carts got me thinking so i checked my collection (about 350 games). Heres the ones i found:

Castlevania
Donkey Kong (5-screw)
Double Dragon 2
Double Dribble
Dragon Warrior
Faxanadu
Ikari Warriors (although its still definitely 'buggy')
Karate Champ (5-screw)
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
Popeye (5-screw)
Pro Wrestling
RC Pro-Am
Rygar
SMB 2
SMB/DH/TM
Top Gun
Wild Gunman (5-screw)

The thing that suprises me is that there are 5-screw games with revisions. This proves that most bugs were fixed after the initial production runs making the non-revision versions harder to find. Am I correct?

[8bitnes]

Does anyone know the NEWEST NES that used the old round black and gold seal of approval?


I'd also like to find the OLDEST game with the NEW gold and white seal of approval.

Looking through my Nintendo Power magazine collection, the magazine switched over to the oval seal in January of 1989, so I imagine it would be sometime around then.

[CollectEmAll]

Does anyone have a 'complete' list of games whose labels don't have an ID? I can think of Overlord and Mickey's Safari and all the black box games, but are there any others?

[8bitnes]

Does anyone have a 'complete' list of games whose labels don't have an ID? I can think of Overlord and Mickey's Safari and all the black box games, but are there any others?

Just doing some quick spot checking: Metroid, Kid Icarus, Rad Racer, Legend of Zelda, and 3D World Runner also do not.

[CollectEmAll]

Does anyone have a 'complete' list of games whose labels don't have an ID? I can think of Overlord and Mickey's Safari and all the black box games, but are there any others?

Just doing some quick spot checking: Metroid, Kid Icarus, Rad Racer, Legend of Zelda, and 3D World Runner also do not.

Found another: Rollerblade Racer. It should be NES-R6-USA based on the chips inside the game. Do you know if one exists with the ID on the label??

[8bitnes]

Does anyone know the NEWEST NES that used the old round black and gold seal of approval?


I'd also like to find the OLDEST game with the NEW gold and white seal of approval.

I am again going to suggest that the switch happened right around January 1989. To further support this, I just received a package with roughly 20 complete games with shrinkwrap and inner baggies ... spotless games.

Anyhow, Bionic Commando's box was the round seal, but the cart inside was the oval seal. Sure, it could have been switched, but I bought out someone's personal games from growing up, very unlikely to have been switched. Bionic Commando was a December 1988 released game. It does exist in both forms (round and oval). I hope the info helps. I am now going to check the early 1989 games for round seals as well.

EDIT: The newest round seal I found was Track & Field 2. I have 3 copies of the round version. It was released in June 1989. Other than that, the next newest I found was World Games (March 89).

[Qixmaster]

Does anyone know the NEWEST NES that used the old round black and gold seal of approval?


I'd also like to find the OLDEST game with the NEW gold and white seal of approval.

I am again going to suggest that the switch happened right around January 1989. To further support this, I just received a package with roughly 20 complete games with shrinkwrap and inner baggies ... spotless games.

Anyhow, Bionic Commando's box was the round seal, but the cart inside was the oval seal. Sure, it could have been switched, but I bought out someone's personal games from growing up, very unlikely to have been switched. Bionic Commando was a December 1988 released game. It does exist in both forms (round and oval). I hope the info helps. I am now going to check the early 1989 games for round seals as well.

EDIT: The newest round seal I found was Track & Field 2. I have 3 copies of the round version. It was released in June 1989. Other than that, the next newest I found was World Games (March 89).

i have in my possession a bionic commando with a round seal and a round seal box.

[Canadian Psycho]

On a slightly different topic (kind of related), what about the logic behind the dust covers? Per usual, games made by Nintendo came with the red Nintendo logo imprinted diagonally across the dust cover. But there are exceptions I'm sure.

Also, anyone knows if Mega Man 6 and other games published by Nintendo came with a Nintendo dust cover? If so, what type of dust cover? For instance, I know for a fact that Kirby's Adventure had a "glossy" red (almost purple) Nintendo dust protector. Which games had such a dust cover, etc.? This is endless I'm afraid.

[8bitnes]

On a slightly different topic (kind of related), what about the logic behind the dust covers? Per usual, games made by Nintendo came with the red Nintendo logo imprinted diagonally across the dust cover. But there are exceptions I'm sure.

Also, anyone knows if Mega Man 6 and other games published by Nintendo came with a Nintendo dust cover? If so, what type of dust cover? For instance, I know for a fact that Kirby's Adventure had a "glossy" red (almost purple) Nintendo dust protector. Which games had such a dust cover, etc.? This is endless I'm afraid.

Glossy dust covers also came with Wario's Woods, Star Tropics 2, Yoshi's Cookie, Tetris 2, and all the rereleases (Zelda 1, Zelda 2, Metroid, Punchout). Basically anything Nintendo-released after Oct 1992. I'm not sure about Megaman 6 though.

The extremely stiff, black only, textured sleeves came with the games that were released w/o Nintendo's packaging. They will have their own casing (such as Acclaim or Hi-Tech) and the original box will be white lined instead of brown/cardboard colored.

[CollectEmAll]

Does anyone know the NEWEST NES that used the old round black and gold seal of approval?


I'd also like to find the OLDEST game with the NEW gold and white seal of approval.

EDIT: The newest round seal I found was Track & Field 2. I have 3 copies of the round version. It was released in June 1989. Other than that, the next newest I found was World Games (March 89).

i have in my possession a bionic commando with a round seal and a round seal box.


OK, I can see I made a couple of mistakes asking this question. I should have asked, what is the oldest/newest of EACH type of new and old seal. I'm talking about the old 'gold and black' round seal which seems to have been a 'gold and white' round sea' for a few months, then turning to the oval new gold and white seal.

AND! OMG! I grabbed my World Games to check, and it has a freaking gold and white oval seal with 'Seal Oficial Nintendo de Calidad' on it instead of the normal English one. The Serial # is still NES-WV-USA. Are they ALL like that or did I just get some strange reprint?

I found a few more oddballs while staring endlessly at seals. My Back to the Future II/III seems to not have either a RM or a (R) on the oval seal. Could someone else check that? Maybe I have a slightly damaged label somehow.

Also, I have:

Anticipation
Donkey Kong Classics
Super Mario Bros 2
Super Mario Bros. /DH
Super Mario Bros. /DH /WCTM (Red Mario)
Super Team Games
Wario's Woods

All without a seal of any kind. I can see SMB/DH and WCTM like this since they were packins, but the rest seem strange to me. Does anyone have them with a seal (SMBDH excluded)

[filmbucket]

Donkey Kong Classics with seal
http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=donkeykongclassics6cj.jpg

SMB 2 with seal
http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=smb24ac.jpg

Wario's Woods with seal
http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=neswariowoodseal6bi.jpg

SMB/DH/WCT with seal
http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nessmbdhwct9ed.jpg

[Dr. Morbis]

^^^ Your Wario's Woods pic is a PAL cart.

[Jumpman Jr.]

Also, I have:

Anticipation
Donkey Kong Classics
Super Mario Bros 2
Super Mario Bros. /DH
Super Mario Bros. /DH /WCTM (Red Mario)
Super Team Games
Wario's Woods

All without a seal of any kind. I can see SMB/DH and WCTM like this since they were packins, but the rest seem strange to me. Does anyone have them with a seal (SMBDH excluded)

Anticipation, Super Team games and Wario's Woods do not appear to have a seal variant.
As for the Super Mario Bros. /DH /WCTM, there is one with a seal (which has a white Mario) and one without (that has a red Mario).

I'm currently working on an extensive list of all label/cart variants for the NES. If anybody wants to pm me about anything you have found, go for it.

[Dain]

I did not have these on the 'complete' 5 screw list. Are you sure they exist at all in 5 screw?


Alpha Mission
Goonies 2, The
Gotcha!
Jaws
Karate Kid, The
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
Side Pocket
Star Force
Super Pitfall

I've also been compiling a list, and I can tell you 100% without a doubt that Alpha Mission, Goonies 2, and Super Pitfall all came in 5-screw versions, because I own them.

Gotcha!, Jaws, Karate Kid, MTPO, Side Pocket, and Star Force MOST LIKELY exist, but I haven't been able to find them yet.

-Dain