SNES cartridge discoloration

[adsfgk]

I've got a few SNES carts where one half of the cartridge is a slightly darker shade of gray than the other. Is this due to natural discoloration of the plastic or does it mean that, at some point in my cart's life, its original back has been replaced?

In general, is there any way to tell if the back of a cart is original or not?

[PingvinBlueJeans]

I've got a few SNES carts where one half of the cartridge is a slightly darker shade of gray than the other. Is this due to natural discoloration of the plastic or does it mean that, at some point in my cart's life, its original back has been replaced?

In general, is there any way to tell if the back of a cart is original or not?

Nah, it happens quite often, just like the SNES units that turn yellow. It's not uncommon for only one half or the other to discolor like this.

[dnehthend]

I've never seen it happen to a cart before, weird

[Gamingking]

I never had it happen til a Super Famicom cart came in last week, The front side is grey while the back is a yellowish color.

[Game Freak]

I have a couple carts with souch a problem:

On these two, the backs have been getting whiter (TG2 is a plain as day white/gray combo)
Super Street Fihter II
Topgear 2

These three have greenish back discoloration
Super Mario Kart
Monopoly
Mario Paint

[Slate]

While going through my Super NES collection a few weeks ago I saw discolored carts multiple times, I can't think of which games had this problem off the top of my head though.

Austin

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

[QUOTE=adsfgk;1714802]I've got a few SNES carts where one half of the cartridge is a slightly darker shade of gray than the other. Is this due to natural discoloration of the plastic ...QUOTE]

Two reasons:

1) The front and back pieces were made at different times, which caused the concentration of fire retardant to vary. This fire retardant has been linked to discoloration in plastic.

2) Sometimes a cartridge is stored in a way that exposes one side to more heat and sunlight than another side. It's heat and sunlight that cause the fire retardant to change color.

You can read about it here:
http://n-forums.com/topic/563899/1/