How to identify a brand new NES cart?

[Pabstblueribbon]

I bought a box full of NES stuff the other day, including two boxed games. The boxed games were Bases loaded II and Jack Nicklaus golf, neither are terribly hard to find titles but I was pumped to have my first two boxed nes games. I opened up both games to check them inside to see if they were complete to find that they were complete and in pristine condition. Bases loaded II has definately been used before, but Jack Nickalus I dont even think was taken out of the plastic before I got it. When I shine the label into the light, there are no scratches on the label whatsoever, most of my NES games have light scratches from being used. I asked the guy I bought them off where he got it, and he couldnt recall but he said he bought it for like 2 dollars because it was complete, but that he had never opened it or played it and it had just been sitting in a box for 10 or so years.

Is there any definitive way to tell if a game is unplayed? I don't really care if it is or not, but this kind of sparked my interest. The game is in such great condition that I do not believe it was played or even taken out of the plastic, I think the game was unwrapped at some point and stuck on a shelf and eventually made its way to me.

[Mechblue]

I'd say labels are a really good indicator as most get scuffed up pretty easily. You can also look at the pins. There shouldn't be any markings on the pins them selves like they've been in a system.

[Pabstblueribbon]

sounds like I have a new NES game then. wonder why the plastic wrap was taken off the outside and never played, but there are no signs of it being played ever. I just think its cool to have a "virgin" nes cart.