So far i've done really well to avoid duplicates across the libraries. It's been very interesting to learn about the varying print runs across the (3) regions, types of cases (snap, slip over, carton box), variants (dog tags, manuals), and the entire bootleg / conversion process and what all goes into that.
I won't elaborate too much but am happy to answer questions as they arise.
The conversions are really interesting to me. Many of the quality MVS titles weren't released as homecarts (Super Dodge Ball, Money Idol Exchanger, Captain Tomaday, Prehistoric Isle 2, Zupapa and quite a few others).
There are (3) things that can happen with these games. A bootleg, a cheap conversion, a "legit" conversion.
A bootleg is just that, a hack, a way to create the game w/o original game chips.
A cheap conversion is typically an original MVS game, but some of the roms might be flash or mask roms, not all authentic SNK parts.
A "legit" conversion uses a legit MVS board of the same game and then a donor cart, and is simply lined up to create an AES version of the game.
It is more complicated than this, but this is a very brief cliff's notes version. These conversions will come with very nice artwork and case, and sometimes a manual.
Conversions can be very collectible, particulary legit conversions of non-released games.
A legit conversion requires: An original MVS cart of the game you want to make into an AES conversion. A sac game (a sacrificed cheap game), know how of which boards make the best donor and how to lay it all out, and then some skills to create the artwork and manual. So, seeing as most non-released AES games tend to be higher-end on the MVS scene, most conversions are minimum $150 and all the way up to $400.
Say you are converting a $150 MVS cart, then a $30 sac cart, then artwork and cart label, then time, and you're looking at a $250 game and they are quite collectible. While there aren't limits on how many people can convert, there are limits on the available MVS carts, particularly the rarer-pricier ones.
Some rare AES games are also converted as well, like Kizuna Encounter and the Metal Slug games. Some ebay and most forum sellers are honest and call it a conversion, and price it accordingly, however some folks who have a really well done conversion will pass it off as original. As you risk damaging the cart and the label in opening a cart, most people will not do that for you, so you have to have extreme confidence when making a larger purchase.
Ok, on to what i've received so far:
My first games, just dipped my toes into the pool:
