Which direction did SMS and Genesis carts originally face in the case?

[Emperor Megas]

I was wondering if anyone remembers the direction that SMS and Genny cartridges originally faced fresh out of the shrink wrap. I was checking some of my duplicate SEGA games that I was going to sell/trade/give away to see which games were complete, and I'm always uncertain about which direction the carts 'should' face (my OCD tendencies makes this a bigger issue than it should be).

I was really just wondering about domestic games at first, but I may as well ask about all regions.

I think that (domestic) SEGA Master System and Genesis carts faced the LEFT, but I'm not 100% sure anymore, and I don't want to open any of my sealed games just to find out. Does anyone know for sure? I'm assuming that ALL SMS and Genny games (of the same region) faced the same direction, but I don't know if I should. EA liked to do their own thing after all, so I probably shouldn't take it for granted.

Thanks guys.

[Richter Belmount]

sideways

[Gameguy]

I'm pretty sure for Genesis games the top label faced towards the right. I've always kept them that way even back to when I got the games new, I think I would keep them the same way that I got them.

[Emperor Megas]

I just noticed I posted this in the modern gaming forum. Sorry about that.

[Snappaccino]

I'm pretty sure for Genesis games the top label faced towards the right. I've always kept them that way even back to when I got the games new, I think I would keep them the same way that I got them.

Not too long ago I opened a sealed copy of Taz in Escape from Mars and the top of the label was also facing to the right.

[tubeway]

Don't forget to check and recheck your windows and doors tonight to make sure they're locked. Then recheck them again a couple more times in case you misremembered.

[Oldskool]

The last ten or So Genesis games I opened recently had the label facing the right. I used to not care which way they went, now I put them all that way.

[tubeway]

The oils and sweat salt residue on your fingers is slowly eating into and darkening the label artwork on your cartridges every time you pull one from a case with your bare fingers. Better start wearing gloves to handle them.

[Gameguy]

I like keeping the labels to the right because I'm right handed, it's easier for me to take them out and put them in a system without having to turn the cart or case around. If they originally came that way(which I think most did) it's an added bonus, plus I've got the "leave things as you've found them" mindset so I'm glad they came that way.

I'm not even sure if all of them were the same direction, I know with Advance games I've opened several new boxes and the carts were either direction, they weren't all the same way. Most seemed to have the connector facing up but several were facing down. Who can really be sure all Genesis or SMS games came a specific way?

[Lanzo]

lol funny question, but I am the same way. But yeah, im pretty sure the top label faces the right. It doesn't even look right the other way to me.

[Enigmus]

sideways

Or, in the case of Bubsy or most liscenced games, sideways in the trash.

[Sothy]

Upside down with the real label forward I am fairly certain.

[drmay]

It doesn't matter.

[Emperor Megas]

The consensus seems to be that Genesis games face the right. I'm wondering about Master System games as well. Actually, I was wondering more about them than Genesis ones. It'd be interesting if they faced a different direction, though I'm not sure why that intrigues me.

Who can really be sure all Genesis or SMS games came a specific way?

It would be strange if they didn't, actually. I'd imagine that there were specific standards dictated to those working on the line for how the games were to be packaged. Line work is generally the same, whether you're making snowmobiles, or packaging DVD box sets.

It doesn't matter.

Nothing truly matters.

[Cryomancer]

Right side makes sense, as the clamshell case opens up in such a way that the top label would be more easily seen if facing right.

[sheath]

Hah, I've been turning these carts with the top label facing left from the beginning I don't even remember how they came new. I always look at the front of the case, open it with both hands and reach in with my right hand to grab the cart.

My OCD never let me touch the cart pins with my hands, so my method of pulling or replacing the cart has always been the same.

[skaar]

Top of label facing right is the correct answer.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Damn, I was sure it was magnetic north... If you opened the case facing any other direction the magnetic pull would snap you around so that you would then be facing north. Handy if you get lost with a Nomad.