Labels and box reproduction, What do you think?

[Afrokid]

Hi!

I don´t know if this is the correct place to this topic, if not please fell free to move it.

Well I would like to discuss with you guys, what do you think about the labels and box reproduction . Here in Chile are becoming quite popular especially to NES and SNES games. To replace the old ones, the problem is that some resellers use it and don´t mention it.

Personally I don´t like it, i think I am more purist in this about collecting and I would never replace a label or use a box reproduction (Different to use a plastic box to protect your games).

Regards and greetings from Chile!

Dr Afrokid

[Jmustang1968]

Hi!

I don´t know if this is the correct place to this topic, if not please fell free to move it.

Well I would like to discuss with you guys, what do you think about the labels and box reproduction . Here in Chile are becoming quite popular especially to NES and SNES games. To replace the old ones, the problem is that some resellers use it adn don´t mention it.

Personally I don´t like it, i think I am more purist in this about collecting and I would never replace a label or use a box reproduction (Different to use a plastic box to protect your games).

Regards and greetings from Chile!

Dr Afrokid

A good topic.

I don't mind box reproduction for an existing game unless it has a clear marking that it is a repro, or uses an alternate design or art.

Labels I'm not as sure about. How tough are they to tell from the original? I think if someone tries to make money by deceiving, I have a problem. But those just wanting to make their games look nicer, not so much.

[BRIK]

I'd rather have an imperfect collection, something more pure. It's retro, that's the way it is.

[SpoonyBard]

If clearly marked as a reproduction, i've got no problem with it. If not, sure the initial seller could be totally upfront about it, but in a few years when it gets resold who knows what that seller will do?

There are plenty of attractive aftermarket case options for most games. UGC's are relatively inexpensive, fit most cartridge games, are less prone to damage, look great on a shelf and have no risk of defrauding someone unless they haven't seen an original box before. With options like that I see no reason for reproduction boxes.

[Raiiban]

I've seen some and they can get pretty legitimate looking, but it just screams bootleg for me, I would always want the original or to at least be informed that it's a reproduction to look like the original.

Labels I'm not quite as picky with, if I have an cart with a damaged front label and I'd be open to the idea of getting a reprint to replace it, So long as it's identical and not something expensive or collection worthy even in a damaged state like an AES cart.

Personally, if you want to have something for your old carts, I prefer the Universal cases that have slips for artwork, there's no grey zone with them since you know they're not the originals and they protect the old cartridge based games better than just tossing them on a shelf with no dust cover.

[CRTGAMER]

I don't mind a reproduction label or box if it is not sold claiming as an original. Nothing wrong with repairing a damaged cart label with a reproduction label. In honesty, I have little use for the outer cardboard box for cart games. Prefer just storing the game carts on the shelf for a quicker access.

[o.pwuaioc]

Seems this has been making it's way around the forums now. NA bans this kind of topic, since they don't want to give forgers any chance of making a fake game, while DigitPress seems partially divided on the issue.

Personally, I don't mind, and will do so myself, but I also don't mind a label that says "repro" on it, so long as it's inconspicuous. I have been thinking about printing labels for generic Genesis boxes to house my loose Genesis games in, and to print off a new label for my badly damaged TMNT III cart I have (although the slightly damaged Super Bomberman isn't bad enough that I would rip the rest off). For the Genesis ones I'll write "reproduced" on the inside, while I'm unsure whether I will indicate the TMNT III cart I have will be reproduced or not. It's not like I plan to sell it.

[ninjainspandex]

actually I was wondering about this, I have both NTSC-U carts of Streets of Rage III and Contra Hard Corps and I wanted to replace the roms with the japanese one but translated back into english. As with both games the japanese version is universally considered superior. Now I dont think I would ever sell them, but I would think that it shouldn't depreciate the value as I improved them.

[Hobie-wan]

I think they should be clear that they aren't original. Now it can be subtle like replacing the 'quality' seal or the catalog notation. Maybe even put something where the UPC would go. As said, even if the original seller is honest, later sales might not be forthcoming either by deception or ignorance.

[CamaroCam]

I think they can be great, depending on the system. While I'm not a big fan of Repro boxes, I'm on board with repro cover art for anything with a case instead of a box.

For example, most of my Saturn games are disc only, and up until recently i just kept them in generic jewel cases(lame.) But I recently discovered that you can download custom DVD cover art for Saturn games, and I put them in Wii cases. They look super slick on my shelves, and I find that way better than the jewel cases.