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SNES Game Collecting (Tips, discussion, and info for like minded collectors)
- Thread starter DidntKnowJack
- Start date
blizzardsounds
Neo Member
I had a meager collection back in the day and sold it off to purchase a Dreamcast. Got back into the game about 6 months ago. Mainly hitting up the local flea market and a few vintage shops around town. My current collection includes:
Super Mario World
Mario Allstars
Super Mario RPG
Super Metroid
Axelay
UN Squadron
Contra 3
Super Castlevania 4
Final fantasy 3/6
Gradius 3
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Donkey Kong Country 2
Mega Man X
Link to the Past
Super R-type
Super Pittfall
Tetris attacks
Flashback
Another world
Street fighter 2
Yoshi's Island
Uniracers
Act Raiser
All cart only. Like I said just getting started and pretty happy with what I've found locally. Haven't paid more than $25 for anything yet. As most I'm always on the hunt for chrono trigger, demons crest and sunset riders.
Super Mario World
Mario Allstars
Super Mario RPG
Super Metroid
Axelay
UN Squadron
Contra 3
Super Castlevania 4
Final fantasy 3/6
Gradius 3
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Donkey Kong Country 2
Mega Man X
Link to the Past
Super R-type
Super Pittfall
Tetris attacks
Flashback
Another world
Street fighter 2
Yoshi's Island
Uniracers
Act Raiser
All cart only. Like I said just getting started and pretty happy with what I've found locally. Haven't paid more than $25 for anything yet. As most I'm always on the hunt for chrono trigger, demons crest and sunset riders.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
I have never been to a flea market. Just none around me, must not big a big thing in central Illinois. I think I've seen some places while passing through Southern Illinois, but not up here.
I refuse to believe that is real.
I refuse to believe that is real.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Anyone in to boxed Super Famicom games, a bunch are ending in the next 20 minutes. Don't know about prices, but most are only a few bucks before shipping which seems cheap:
Ys 3
Front Mission
Bahamut Lagoon
Secret of Mana 2
Soul Blazer
Says they do combined shipping, but I don't see any specific details.
Ys 3
Front Mission
Bahamut Lagoon
Secret of Mana 2
Soul Blazer
Says they do combined shipping, but I don't see any specific details.
Yeah gotta watch out for
Nothing more frustrating than getting outbid with 1 second left.
goldenpp72
Member
People in here mentioned earthbound has reproductions on ebay. How can you tell?
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Just have to really examine the sticker. A lot of the times they'll be a lot brighter/sharper than the real thing, as shown here:
The only way to be 100% sure is to get a tool to open the cart. If there are any wires on the inside, it's a fake.
Here's the inside of my Secret of Mana 2 repro so you can see what I mean:
They may not be exactly like that, but there will be zero wires in any legit cart.
Just have to really examine the sticker. A lot of the times they'll be a lot brighter/sharper than the real thing, as shown here:
The only way to be 100% sure is to get a tool to open the cart. If there are any wires on the inside, it's a fake.
Here's the inside of my Secret of Mana 2 repro so you can see what I mean:
They may not be exactly like that, but there will be zero wires in any legit cart.
Phew. I had to do a double take just to make sure.
Delicious Waffles
Member
Does the fake Earthbound have the red strip in the top right of the sticker or is it too dark to even show?
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Yeah, I don't think that one does. Good catch. The labels are all made by the people making the carts, though. So don't think that's an indicator for all fakes. Whoever made that one just wasn't very good.
Dr Stabbingworth
Member
I finally got around to replaying Arcana last year and I eventually quit about 3/4 of the way through when the battles/steps ratio got ridiculous. The first 3/4 was OK but the lack of variation in enemy types and formations made the combat pretty formulaic.
goldenpp72
Member
I had a question about opening the carts, I bought a bit off ebay that is for opening these types of screwed, but upon unscrewing it it tends to take a very tiny amount of the surrounding plastic off with it. It's not visible really once all is done but I wonder if that's impossible to avoid?
With all the talk of fakes, might be a good time to think about what you guys do when you pick up new addition to your collection.
Abridged version - Every time I get a new SNES game, before it touches my system:
1) Examine exterior of cart for any signs of abuse or counterfeit
2) Open cart and examine PCB, battery connection, etc.
3) Clean PCB contacts with alcohol, and compressed air dust the rest
4) Clean inside and outside of cart while the PCB is removed
5) Reassemble
6) Test
7) Place connector cover on cart and properly care for and store any box/manuals/paper
Actually very simple and quick to do, and will help both games and consoles last longer. I haven't caught any fakes just yet, but I've restored many "poor" condition games into "almost like new" with just a little effort.
Yes, this can happen when you remove a screw, the threads can pull out a bit of plastic. I've seen it happen many times when I've paid attention to it. Especially to screws that have *never* been removed... They've been in there for 20 years!
Just be gentle re-inserting them. You want it snug, but you don't need much clamping force to keep the cart shell together and PCB in place. Most damage comes from over tightening.
Abridged version - Every time I get a new SNES game, before it touches my system:
1) Examine exterior of cart for any signs of abuse or counterfeit
2) Open cart and examine PCB, battery connection, etc.
3) Clean PCB contacts with alcohol, and compressed air dust the rest
4) Clean inside and outside of cart while the PCB is removed
5) Reassemble
6) Test
7) Place connector cover on cart and properly care for and store any box/manuals/paper
Actually very simple and quick to do, and will help both games and consoles last longer. I haven't caught any fakes just yet, but I've restored many "poor" condition games into "almost like new" with just a little effort.
Yes, this can happen when you remove a screw, the threads can pull out a bit of plastic. I've seen it happen many times when I've paid attention to it. Especially to screws that have *never* been removed... They've been in there for 20 years!
Just be gentle re-inserting them. You want it snug, but you don't need much clamping force to keep the cart shell together and PCB in place. Most damage comes from over tightening.
goldenpp72
Member
I actually meant the part around the top of the screw rather than where the screw is taken out of.. Hard to explain, it's the part that is bigger than the entire screw head and such. It just seems like the bit fits pretty snug in the fixture.
goldenpp72
Member
Edited my second post with.. Another question 
Edited my second post with.. Another question
Ahh! Yeah, I've also seen a handful of carts with screw heads that just barely catch on the inside walls of the screw insets. Some of my friends have replaced these screws with standard Phillips head bits, but I figure that I won't be removing the screws enough times for it to matter. So I leave it alone.
If its just your screwdriver bit that's scratching the cart, you need a new screwdriver.
(If it IS the screw head itself and its really badly tearing up the cart, you might want to double check the PCB. A lot of repros have super shitty screws, many without the standard gamebit top)
Ace Harding
Member
Holy shit. Hit after hit in pristine boxes.
This also reminded me I would really like a CIB copy of StarTropics.
goldenpp72
Member
Ahh! Yeah, I've also seen a handful of carts with screw heads that just barely catch on the inside walls of the screw insets. Some of my friends have replaced these screws with standard Phillips head bits, but I figure that I won't be removing the screws enough times for it to matter. So I leave it alone.
If its just your screwdriver bit that's scratching the cart, you need a new screwdriver.
(If it IS the screw head itself and its really badly tearing up the cart, you might want to double check the PCB. A lot of repros have super shitty screws, many without the standard gamebit top)
It's definitely the bit itself, it seems like it needs to be slightly slimmer in order to fit without the issue, but I dunno how to go about finding one that would be better. Like the bottom part of the bit that goes around the security screw is fine, but it gets bigger as it goes into the screw driver itself, wondering if i could find a better alternative.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Yeah, I was gonna say, mine definitely does not do this. Bought mine forever ago off ebay so I can't point you towards one.
EDIT: Found it. This is the one I have, bought from this exact seller. Even those prices have gone up apparently. I paid $4.57 shipped for it back in May. Nothing related to SNES is safe from skyrocketing prices.
Whew, looking at the PCB, my Earthbound copy is fine. I actually thought my label was faded, but I guess real carts are like that and I've unknowingly seen loads of fakes online.
I imagine, if it's a good fake, that there may be no way of telling just by looking on the outside. If it's a specific game you're looking for, see if you can find a picture of the PCB online and compare the two; it's what you do with MVS carts. If it's a really rare/expensive game from a reputable seller, ask to see it, he'll probably unscrew it for you. Several MVS auctions do that now as well. That said, I've never seen a repro cart that managed to be an exact copy of an original, so there will probably be a few imperfections if you can look closely enough.
Another way may be to intentionally look for wear on the cartridge. Fakers know that people want pristine carts, so they won't dirty them up. If it looks like it's ~20 years old, it probably is, though it obviously won't look as nice.
I imagine, if it's a good fake, that there may be no way of telling just by looking on the outside. If it's a specific game you're looking for, see if you can find a picture of the PCB online and compare the two; it's what you do with MVS carts. If it's a really rare/expensive game from a reputable seller, ask to see it, he'll probably unscrew it for you. Several MVS auctions do that now as well. That said, I've never seen a repro cart that managed to be an exact copy of an original, so there will probably be a few imperfections if you can look closely enough.
Another way may be to intentionally look for wear on the cartridge. Fakers know that people want pristine carts, so they won't dirty them up. If it looks like it's ~20 years old, it probably is, though it obviously won't look as nice.
terrisus
Member
One thing I do have to say is, I've always liked the Japanese/PAL controller design over the US one
The 4-color design just looks much more appealing than two sets of light/dark purple
Also makes the Special World design in Supr Mario World make much more sense
Which matches the system logo on the games from those regions as well, of course.
The 4-color design just looks much more appealing than two sets of light/dark purple
Also makes the Special World design in Supr Mario World make much more sense
Which matches the system logo on the games from those regions as well, of course.
tiggerkiddo
Member
I know this is for SNES but does anyone also collect CIB Gameboy games too?
goldenpp72
Member
Heh, the one I bought is already worn out.. Are these more durable?
Delicious Waffles
Member
Yeah, I'm sure it's just those two pictured. Wouldn't be the same for all of them. Just something that popped out at me.
Chip N Chance
Member
Nice. I recently picked a US version up, as i heard good things. Also Aladdin is no joke for the Super. Probably on my top ten games of all time list.
Fox Mulder
Member
Aladdin is an interesting game. The snes and Genesis games are completely different by different companies, but are both awesome in their own ways.
goldenpp72
Member
I actually had a question that may relate to this subject.. I have a very extensive and growing collection of retro games, but actually only an HDTV to play them on at this moment. I was looking to invest in basically what would be considered the best TV for my situation. I need a TV that can use light guns but also possibly offer a large size and the best image quality that is possible. Do Tvs that use component but still support light guns even exist? Even more shallow, do they come in black?
I recently got into this market myself, discovered my main series to do so was also very expensive, Mega Man
I recently got into this market myself, discovered my main series to do so was also very expensive, Mega Man
DidntKnowJack
Member
There's a CIB copy of Castlevania IV I have my eye on, but I know it's a Majesco reprint because the manual pictured has a black and white cover. Is there any reason I should avoid it? Or are they otherwise identical to the original release? The Majescos are a little more inexpensive.
goldenpp72
Member
It's really just for people going for the original prints, same for stuff like Contra. Someone like myself only goes for black label non players choice, so this kind of thing fits into a similar niche, but otherwise I don't believe there is a good reason to avoid them outside of personal preference.
Do Tvs that use component but still support light guns even exist? Even more shallow, do they come in black?
They sure do! Fancy ones too!
This PVM uses RGB, but if it's anything like the one I have, you can convert the inputs to component via the onscreen menu. If you're interested you can read up on it, and I posted a bit more here.
If you're specifically looking for a 40''+ CRT that uses component, there are screens like this
goldenpp72
Member
I definitely am going for something with size, but I assume it has to be a CRT due to lightguns right? I plan to track down a super scope soon but have no means to use one or any other lightgun right now.
A Black Falcon
Member
The 19" flat (Phillips) SD-CRT from about 2005 that I have has component, S-Video, and composite inputs, so yes, they do. It is true that a lot of these flat CRTs, including mine, are silver, but as the post above shows black does exist too...I actually had a question that may relate to this subject.. I have a very extensive and growing collection of retro games, but actually only an HDTV to play them on at this moment. I was looking to invest in basically what would be considered the best TV for my situation. I need a TV that can use light guns but also possibly offer a large size and the best image quality that is possible. Do Tvs that use component but still support light guns even exist? Even more shallow, do they come in black?
I recently got into this market myself, discovered my main series to do so was also very expensive, Mega Man
I'm not sure if component really improves visual quality all that much on an SD signal (the TV is NOT progressive scan compatible, turning that on just turns off the picture pretty much), but it must, or they wouldn't have the ports on it would they...
goldenpp72
Member
Well I guess i'm a bit confused by how I plan to make my setup work. Basically when I move into my own house, I need some ideas on how to layout the consoles I have. Stuff like the Gamecube, Ps2 and Xbox have component cable support, and I guess i'd like a TV that best flaunts those, while still being able to plug my Nes/Snes/etc into it and shoot at some stuff
Tvs are not my strong point for knowledge though, I'm not insanely picky, just aiming for the best quality, biggest size that can support light guns and possibly component while also matching my setup. I've thought about making multiple set ups, etc, but i'd rather keep it as condensed as possible so it doesn't flow all over the place.
Tvs are not my strong point for knowledge though, I'm not insanely picky, just aiming for the best quality, biggest size that can support light guns and possibly component while also matching my setup. I've thought about making multiple set ups, etc, but i'd rather keep it as condensed as possible so it doesn't flow all over the place.
goldenpp72
Member
NTSC's were round back then too. Although they changed around the SNES era...PAL must have been slower to adapt. hehe
DidntKnowJack
Member
Well, I'm going to wait on Castlevania until I can find one at a better price. But I did order a copy of Donkey Kong Country 2 (CIB). Ever since Nintendo de-listed those damn games I've been slowly acquiring the physical copies. Now just DKC 3 to go...