Sealed SMS games

[jbossman]

I purchased Golden Axe Warrior and Strider for the Sega Master System which both came shrinkwrapped. They are US releases (you can tell from the UPC sticker). From what I know, games like these that were European and released in the US were identical except for the UPC sticker, and did not have the shrink wrap as my games have.

All European SMS games were sold new unwrapped with the Sega sticker sealing the cart on case's right opening. Was this the same with the US release of SMS games that were a direct port of European games?

The game's shrinkwrap is in poor quality with seams on three sides and does not have the open oval opening at the top that is so typical of new US SMS games.

My guess is they are new because the Sega seal is not broken, but the shrinkwrap was put on later to give them more of a collectible value. Opinions?

[grolt]

Interesting find! I have never encountered a "new" US version of the four Euro games that were brought over. I'd be inclined to believe that the shrinkwrap would be there to protect people from pealing off the UPC or something like that, but if there is no opening and the wrapping isn't that brittle hard plastic that all the other sealed SMS games have, then I'm inclined to believe it's probably a re-seal. Pictures would be nice, though. As for the sticker looking as if it is not broken - it is super easy to just open a game with the European seal and then put it right back on - about half my games I've managed to do this with.

[TurboGenesis]

Golden Axe Warrior was a regular USA release. It has a USA case and manual. I am almost certain that this game was in standard SMS wrap when I buy it back in the early 1990s at TRU…

I also have Sonic the Hedgehog which was a European game brought over as it have multi language case and panoramic manual.

[ninjabearhug]

Golden Axe Warrior was a regular USA release. It has a USA case and manual. I am almost certain that this game was in standard SMS wrap when I buy it back in the early 1990s at TRU…

I also have Sonic the Hedgehog which was a European game brought over as it have multi language case and panoramic manual.

Most European SMS RPG's have USA style cases and manuals for some reason. As far as I am aware there was no specifically printed USA release of Golden Axe Warrior, the US version is the Euro release with a UPC sticker. You can tell the difference of a specifically printed US release by checking on the back cover. Here's an example using another well known SMS RPG:

US Phantasy Star ( Sega Of America on back cover)

Euro Phantasy Star (no mention of Sega Of America on the back cover)

[grolt]

Most European SMS RPG's have USA style cases and manuals for some reason.

The reason being that since the RPGs are text-heavy and English only, it makes no sense to advertise it in other languages because none of the others could play it. I believe all those RPGs (Golvellius, Ys, Lord of the Sword, Phantasy Star, SpellCaster, Golden Axe Warrior) were only released in the UK, Canada and the US (other than the Mark III or Tec Toy versions) because of the language barrier.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

I believe all those RPGs (Golvellius, Ys, Lord of the Sword, Phantasy Star, SpellCaster, Golden Axe Warrior) were only released in the UK, Canada and the US (other than the Mark III or Tec Toy versions) because of the language barrier.

Correct.

[JanLazer]

The Sega sticker can be peeled off and reapplied without damaging it...I've got a few games from my childhood that I just peeled the sticker off, rather than breaking it. Don't depend on that little sticker.

[rpepper9]

I don't mean to be harsh, but aren't these questions you should have been asking before you made the purchase? Are they for your collection for for playing? If they are for playing, then it should like you got some games in great shape!

[jbossman]

I finally was able to scan the games. As you can see, the Sega sticker is intact on both games, but did these come with shrinkwrap new, and if so are these genuine?

[megasdkirby]

Strider is so beautiful with that UPC sticker!

I wish I can find a copy....

Anyway, I remember KB Toys having the game as well as others with the sticker and they were sealed that way, so perhaps they are genuine...but who knows...

[Bojay1997]

Those are both clearly re-wraps. A factory sealed US SMS game has an opening for the hang tag at the top. The second one looks like it's the wrong kind of shrinkwrap since it's not smooth and has lots of wrinkles. I have never seen euro sealed SMS games with shrinkwrap. There were some sold in the UK that came in a plastic blister pack. I recall seeing some of them at Toys R Us outside of London in the early 90s. I suspect in this case, the store or seller just shrinkwrapped them at some point.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I remember the SMS shrink being very crinkly like a plastic candy wrapper off a Jolly Rancher... It wasn't the smooth feathery type commonly used. The seams were often busted as well since the plastic was harder. Even back when you could find them at retail stores. IIRC, I Never found one without the hang tag free through a hole on top though.

I'm not sure, but I don't think the Sonic and Golden Axe Warrior I bought over the phone from Sega back then were even shrinked when I got them in the mail.

[grolt]

Nice pictures. I think the jury is still out on whether these seals are legit, but I could certainly believe it, since the UPC games are already different than regular US games, so why couldn't the sealing be different, too? We'll have to wait until more "sealed" Striders, Golden Axe Warriors, Spider-mans or Sonics (yeah right) come around before a definitive answer, though.

[Insaneclown]

I have an exact copy like your Strider. Yeah it's rewrapped which sucks. It's difficult to find originals these days. I'm gunning for the US set!!!

[jbossman]

I have an exact copy like your Strider. Yeah it's rewrapped which sucks. It's difficult to find originals these days. I'm gunning for the US set!!!

Is your copy of Strider sealed new with the original Sega Sticker? Was it bought brand new without any shrink wrap?