game boy Work In Progress: Complete List of NA(US) Game Boy Cartridge Variants

[RH | 4,898]

I ran this thread on NintendoAge, so I'm restarting it here.  The idea is if you find an unknown variant for a Game Boy cartridge, please post it here.  I manage a publicly viewable, Google Sheets Document (linked below) with all of these details.

To be clear, these are "variations" from the standard versions of these cartridges for North American (US) games.  This list does not included every version, meaning, the initial variant.  This is, essentially, all updated variants or errors caused by human-mistakes that have enough circulation to warrant being considered a "variant". Also, this currently doesn't track ROM variations. I've considered adding that, but that could create a complex matrix.  Tracking ROM images, however, is something that's already been done on other sites and, quite frankly, places like TCRF.org do a better job of documenting those changes as well.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rT8hWIVx4WrtoNVgvazcR87clo6Oc1plIcUTsBsGkBM/edit?usp=sharing

Please Note, this is not the original spreadsheet linked in NintendoAge.  It's the same data as of the last spreadsheet, but if you were following the former topic, please update any browser bookmarks.

EDIT #1

Changed the second post to include the data.  For better formatting with VGS, I stripped the comment column, which is still available on the spreadsheet above.

Edited October 31, 2019 by RH

[RH | 4,898]

Game Name	Serial Number	Revision Number	Error?	Player's Choice?	NFR?
4 in 1 Funpak	DMG-F4-USA-1	1
Adventure Island (Electro-Brain Label)	DMG-T3-USA-1	1
Adventure Island II: Aliens in Paradise (Electro-Brain Label)	DMG-GQ-USA-1	1
Aerostar (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-AE-USA-1	1
Aladdin, Disney's (THQ Label)	DMG-ALAE-USA-1	1
Animaniacs	DMG-ANCE-USA-1	1
Battle Arena Toshinden (Copyright Details)	DMG-ATDE-USA-1	1
Bill & Ted's Excellent Game Boy Adventure (LJN Error Label)	DMG-LB-USA	0	Y
Blades of Steel (Konami Label)	DMG-UB-USA-1	1
Bonk's Adventure (Electro-Brain label)	DMG-GK-USA-1	1
Bonk's Revenge (Electro-Brain Label)	DMG-RJ-USA-1	1
Bubble Bobble (Natsume Label)	DMG-B2-USA-1	1
Bubble Bobble: Part 2 (Natsume Label)	DMG-LX-USA-1	1
Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle 2 , The (Player's Choice)	DMG-BY-USA-1	1
Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle, The (Player's Choice)	DMG-BB-USA-1	1
Burgertime Deluxe (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-GM-USA-1	1
Caesar's Palace (Virgin Label)	DMG-CE-USA-1	1
Castlevania Adventure, The ((R)eserve Mark)	DMG-CV-USA-1	1
Chase HQ (Natsume Label)	DMG-HQ-USA-1	1
Chessmaster, The (Mindscape Label)	DMG-EM-USA-1	1
Daedalian Opus (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-PU-USA-1	1
Darkwing Duck (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-DC-USA-1	1
Donkey Kong (Player's Choice)	DMG-QD-USA-1	1
Donkey Kong Land (NFR)	DIS-DMG-YT-USA	0			Y
Donkey Kong Land (Player's Choice)	DMG-YT-USA-1	1
Donkey Kong Land (Player's Choice, Rated E)	DMG-YT-USA-2	2		Y
Donkey Kong Land 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (NFR)	DIS-DMG-ADDE-USA	0			Y
Donkey Kong Land 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Player's Choice)	DMG-ADDE-USA-1	1		Y
Donkey Kong Land 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Player's Choice, Black Rated E)	DMG-ADDE-USA-2	2		Y
Double Dribble: 5 on 5 (Re-issue)	DMG-DW-USA-1	1
Dr. Mario (Player's Choice)	DMG-VU-USA-1	1		Y
Dr. Mario (Player's Choice, Rated E)	DMG-VU-USA-2	2		Y
Dragon's Lair: The Legend (Ubisoft Label)	DMG-DL-USA-1	1
DuckTales ('DMT' Error Label)	DMT-DT-USA	0	Y
DuckTales ('DMG' Label)	DMG-DT-USA	0
DuckTales 2 (Player's Choice)	DMG-D7-USA-1	1		Y
Elevator Action (Natsume Label)	DMG-EA-USA-1	1
F-1 Race (Player's Choice)	DMG-F1-USA-1	1		Y
Felix the Cat (Electro-Brain Label)	DMG-C6-USA-1	1
Final Fantasy Adventure (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-FF-USA-1	1
Final Fantasy Legend (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-SA-USA-1	1
Final Fantasy Legend II (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-S2-USA-1	1
Final Fantasy Legend III (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-OS-USA-1	1
Fist of the North Star	DMG-HK-USA-1	1
Ghostbusters II	DMG-GB-USA-1	1
Go! Go! Tank	DMG-GT-USA-1	1
Godzilla	DMG-GZ-USA-1	1
Golf (Player's Choice)	DMG-GO-USA-1	1		Y
Home Alone (Copyrighted Label)	DMG-HM-USA-1	1
James Bond 007 (Player's Choice)	DMG-AW7E-USA-1	1		Y
Jeopardy! (New GameTek Logo)	DMG-JP-USA-1	1
Jungle Book, The (THQ Label)	DMG-J7-USA-1	1
Ken Griffey Jr. Presents: Major League Baseball (NFR)	DIS-DMG-AKGE-USA	0			Y
Kid Dracula (Alt Konami Logo Label)	DMG-DF-USA-1	1
Killer Instinct (NFR)	DIS-DMG-AKLE-USA	0			Y
Kirby's Block Ball (NFR)	DIS-DMG-AKXE-USA	0			Y
Kirby's Dream Land (Player's Choice)	DMG-KY-USA-1	1		Y
Kirby's Dream Land 2 (NFR)	DIS-DMG-AKBE-USA	0			Y
Kirby's Dream Land 2 (Player's Choice)	DMG-AKBE-USA-1	1		Y
Kirby's Pinball Land (Player's Choice)	DMG-K9-USA-1	1		Y
Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, The (Player's Choice)	DMG-ZL-USA-1	1		Y
Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, The (Rated E Label)	DMG-ZL-USA-2	2
Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, The (Player's Choice, Rated E Label)	DMG-ZL-USA-3	3		Y
Lion King, The (THQ Label)	DMG-ALNE-USA-1	1
Little Mermaid, The (Player's Choice)	DMG-LD-USA-1	1		Y
Lock 'N Chase (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-LC-USA-1	1
Mega Man II (Player's Choice)	DMG-W2-USA-1	1		Y
Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge (Player's Choice)	DMG-RW-USA-1	1		Y
Metroid II: Return of Samus (Player's Choice)	DMG-ME-USA-1	1		Y
Mickey's Dangerous Chase (Player's Choice)	DMG-MC-USA-1	1		Y
Milon's Secret Castle (Electro-Brain Label)	DMG-M8-USA-1	1
Mr. Chin's Gourmet Paradise (Electro Brain Label)	DMG-GP-USA-1	1
Operation C (Konami Label)	DMG-CN-USA-1	1
Penguin Wars (Game Link Badge Update)	DMG-PW-USA-1	1
Pokemon Blue Version (Modified Rated E Label)	DMG-APEE-USA-1	1
Pokemon Red Version (Modified Rated E Label)	DMG-APAE-USA-1	1
Pokemon Yellow Version (Modified Rated E Label)	DMG-APSE-USA-1	1
Q Billion (Black Nintendo Logo)	DMG-QB-USA		Y
Q Billion (Red Nintendo Logo)	DMG-QB-USA-1	1
Raging Fighter (Small Konami Logo)	DMG-OB-USA-1	1
Rescue of Princess Blobette, The (Error Serial No.)	DMG-RP USA		Y
Rescue of Princess Blobette, The (Fixed Serial No.)	DMG-RP-USA-1	1
Revenge of the 'Gator (Electro-Brain Logo)	DMG-PB-USA-1	1
Side Pocket (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-SW-USA-1	1
Space Invaders: The Arcade Game	DMG-SP-USA-1	1
Space Invaders: The Arcade Game (Player's Choice)	DMG-SP-USA-2	2		Y
Star Wars (Player's Choice)	DMG-WS-USA-1	1		Y
Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back, The (Ubisoft Label)	DMG-EB-USA-1	1
Street Fighter II (Player's Choice)	DMG-ASFE-USA-1	1		Y
Super Chase HQ (Natsume Label)	DMG-Q2-USA-1	1
Super Mario Land (Player's Choice)	DMG-ML-USA-1	1		Y
Super Mario Land (Player's Choice, Rated E)	DMG-ML-USA-2	2		Y
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Player's Choice)	DMG-MQ-USA-1	1		Y
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Player's Choice, Rated E)	DMG-MQ-USA-2	2		Y
Super R.C. Pro-Am Racing (Player's Choice)	DMG-RC-USA-1	1		Y
Tale Spin (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-LS-USA-1	1
Tecmo Bowl (No Football Label)	DMG-TL-USA-1	1
Tennis (Player's Choice)	DMG-TN-USA-1	1		Y
Tetris (Made in Japan Label)	DMG-TR-USA	0
Tetris (Made in Japan Label, Missing Dashes Error)	DMG-TR-USA	0	Y
Tetris (Player's Choice, no PC Logo)	DMG-TR-USA-1	1		Y
Tetris (Player's Choice, Rated KA w/ PC Logo)	DMG-TR-USA-2	2		Y
Tetris 2 (Super GameBoy Label)	DMG-EH-USA-1	1		Y
Tetris Attack (NFR)	DIS-DMG-AYLE-USA	0			Y
Tom & Jerry (Majesco Label)	DMG-JY-USA-1	1
Track & Field (Official Konami Logo)	DMG-KH-USA-1	1
Trax (Elecrto-Brain Label)	DMG-TP-USA-1	1
Tumble Pop (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-T6-USA-1	1
Turn and Burn: The F-14 Dogfight Simulator (Copyrighted Label)	DMG-UR-USA-1	1
Turrican (Sunsoft Label)	DMG-TQ-USA-1	1
Ultra Golf (Konami Label)	DMG-KG-USA-1	1
Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman! (NFR)	DIS-DMG-EE-USA	0			Y
Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman!	DMG-EE-USA-1	1
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Player's Choice)	DMG-WJ-USA-1	1		Y
Wario Land 2 (NFR)	DISP-DMG-AW2E-USA	0			Y
Wave Race (Player's Choice)	DMG-WA-USA-1	1		Y
Wheel of Fortune (Alt GAMETEK Logo)	DMG-WF-USA-1	1
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (SunSoft Label)	DMG-RR-USA-1	1
World Bowling (Bigger Quality Seal)	DMG-WB-USA-1	1
World Circuit Series (Konami Label)	DMG-FZ-USA-1	1

Edited December 6, 2019 by RH

[RH | 4,898]

Photo Gallery

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Bill and Ted Excellent Game Boy Adventure Error vs. Non-Error LJN Logo Variant

- Posted by @Splain - 2019-11-05

      

 

Castlevania Adventure "TM" vs. (R) Variants

- Posted by @RH - 2019-12-12

      

 

David Crane's The Rescue of Princess Blobette Error Serial Number vs. Corrected Serial Number

- Posted by @Splain - 2019-12-29

Side Pocket Data East vs Sunsoft Variant

- Posted by @Splain - 2019-12-19, 29

  

Tetris "Made In Japan" vs. "Made in Japan", No Dash Serial Number Variants

- Posted by @0xDEAFC0DE - 2019-12-06

Edited January 3, 2020 by RH
Added Bill and Ted photos.

[RH | 4,898]

EDIT #1

Changed the second post to include the data.  For better formatting with VGS, I stripped the comment column, which is still available on the spreadsheet above.

[RH | 4,898]

Reading through the sellers list of items, I saw this variant of Animaniacs.  Took me a while to find a copy, much less in good shape.

I don't need this, but if anyone following does, this could be a good one for a rather rare variant. If I didn't already have this cart, I'd definitely be pulling the trigger on this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Animaniacs-Nintendo-Game-Boy-1995-Complete-in-Box-CIB-Konami/333360769931?hash=item4d9dd9ab8b:g:iW0AAOSw-~tdo4uZ

[ThePhleo | 2,184]

Still no confirmation yet on Mouse Trap Hotel?

Anyone else want to go halfsies on the crushed sealed Milton Bradley copy on ebay?

[RH | 4,898]

52 minutes ago, ThePhleo said:

Still no confirmation yet on Mouse Trap Hotel?

Anyone else want to go halfsies on the crushed sealed Milton Bradley copy on ebay?

I might have missed something on the NA post.  I tried to say diligent on keeping this list up to date, but occasionally I missed stuff I was really busy.  Send a link to the auction you're talking about.

EDIT

Found it:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mouse-Trap-Hotel-Nintendo-Game-Boy-New-Sealed/352438142383

However, what makes you think this is an alternate variant?

EDIT #2

Ooooh.  Looking at the copyright details, that MB variant should be the first variant, while the Electo-Brain carts were copyrighted/released a couple years after the MB version.  Very strange.  I bet there's a different variant in that box for sure.  The question is, are we sure it's a "USA" serial?  Any chance this was first relased in UK or CAN?

Edited November 1, 2019 by RH

[0xDEAFC0DE | 1,277]

1 hour ago, RH said:

I might have missed something on the NA post.  I tried to say diligent on keeping this list up to date, but occasionally I missed stuff I was really busy.  Send a link to the auction you're talking about.

EDIT

Found it:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mouse-Trap-Hotel-Nintendo-Game-Boy-New-Sealed/352438142383

However, what makes you think this is an alternate variant?

EDIT #2

Ooooh.  Looking at the copyright details, that MB variant should be the first variant, while the Electo-Brain carts were copyrighted/released a couple years after the MB version.  Very strange.  I bet there's a different variant in that box for sure.  The question is, are we sure it's a "USA" serial?  Any chance this was first relased in UK or CAN?

The box has the standard for sale and use in the US, Canada, and Mexico. So it probably has a USA code. 

[RH | 4,898]

2 minutes ago, 0xDEAFC0DE said:

The box has the standard for sale and use in the US, Canada, and Mexico. So it probably has a USA code. 

Yeah, I know.  The odd thing is, there are a few errors/variants that are "DMG-xxx-USA" titles, but specific variants or errors only pop up in Europe.

The infamous no-error, proper LJN logo on Bill & Ted cart is a good example.  It's a mythical item but the people that have found it only found it in the US, even though it says "USA".  Maybe that's technically an NOE error where they  didn't update art and, in that case, this is a legit US Mouse Trap.

I have half a mind to buy it but I'm tapped out until Lukie Games refunds me some money. Unrelated, but I'm not afraid to buy from them and hope I get games in the condition I like because they'll take anything back and pay for shipping.

[ThePhleo | 2,184]

I really want to open that Mouse Trap Hotel, and it’s here in NJ at the DigitPress store!

but paying over $100 for it (or ever $50 in that condition) seems too expensive. The MB Box is pretty damn rare, but I don’t think it’s rare enough to have zero known “MB” carts.

My guess is this:

There is still an Electrobrain Cart in there. But maybe no reg card.

[RH | 4,898]

I hear you, but it doesn't make sense considering that the box pre-dates the Electro-Brain release box.  Of course, stranger things have happened.  Maybe Electro-Brain wanted the MB brand on the box at first for "legitimacy" and later, in order to cut costs, they took it off.  I'm sure the logo had to likely be licensed.

[NeXmetal | 48]

I posted in your NA topic if I remember correctly, I have an upside down label error SML26GC cart

[Splain | 2,561]

Nice, I see that Hybrid already has this on his site. I have a flipped Jeep Jamboree cart, but it's not as cool because nobody knows that game lol.

[RH | 4,898]

On 11/3/2019 at 11:51 AM, NeXmetal said:

I posted in your NA topic if I remember correctly, I have an upside down label error SML26GC cart

Where did you get that Acrylic case?!  I have about 20 carts worthy of a tomb like that!

Also, that's an AWESOME error.  I don't think I've ever seen an upside-down GB game label (though I'll admit I've never looked for one.)

[NeXmetal | 48]

2 minutes ago, RH said:

Where did you get that Acrylic case?!  I have about 20 carts worthy of a tomb like that!

Also, that's an AWESOME error.  I don't think I've ever seen an upside-down GB game label (though I'll admit I've never looked for one.)

I know someone who has a UKV SML1 upside down label also and Im pretty sure Ive seen one other out there of some different game, cant remember what it was though... 

Mine has correct number imprint also

the clear case is custom made by Adrian Fields on FB who also goes by PR Displays, based in UK. Can give you a link to him if youd like, he does the cases in any custom size small or large, but they aren't cheap lol 

[RH | 4,898]

2 minutes ago, NeXmetal said:

I know someone who has a UKV SML1 upside down label also and Im pretty sure Ive seen one other out there of some different game, cant remember what it was though... 

Mine has correct number imprint also

the clear case is custom made by Adrian Fields on FB who also goes by PR Displays, based in UK. Can give you a link to him if youd like, he does the cases in any custom size small or large, but they aren't cheap lol 

Thanks, but nevermind.  I'm not sure I want to go with expensive, custom cases shipped internationally.  If there was a store, though, that had these made up then I might buy 10-20 of them.

Thanks for the info, though.

[NeXmetal | 48]

Just now, RH said:

Thanks, but nevermind.  I'm not sure I want to go with expensive, custom cases shipped internationally.  If there was a store, though, that had these made up then I might buy 10-20 of them.

Thanks for the info, though.

Of course, no worries. I have a friend who helps me with UK shipping so it wasn't too crazy, but yeah I only have the one because they're pricey. Would be amazing if cases like these were put to production though!

[JVOSS | 1,762]

Just how likely are you to buy that cases if they were in the states?  ill be happy to make a proto?

[JVOSS | 1,762]

4 hours ago, NeXmetal said:

I know someone who has a UKV SML1 upside down label also and Im pretty sure Ive seen one other out there of some different game, cant remember what it was though... 

Mine has correct number imprint also

the clear case is custom made by Adrian Fields on FB who also goes by PR Displays, based in UK. Can give you a link to him if youd like, he does the cases in any custom size small or large, but they aren't cheap lol 

Sorry but what did you mean with "mine has Correct Number Imprint also"

[NeXmetal | 48]

53 minutes ago, JVOSS said:

Sorry but what did you mean with "mine has Correct Number Imprint also"

Authentic Gameboy games have a number imprinted on the label, sometimes with a letter. Most games only had a few different number imprints from what Ive seen, and the number imprinted on the label of my cart matches other SML26GC carts

[JVOSS | 1,762]

   that was my bust.  i was thinking you had some unknown "code" you used to validate your gb.

[RH | 4,898]

3 hours ago, JVOSS said:

Sorry but what did you mean with "mine has Correct Number Imprint also"

Depends on the price and when the cash would be needed.

honestly, this might do well for a Kickstarter.  I mean, you won’t break $100k or anything but if a fair price for 10 could be worth your while, maybe you could get people interested in 100 or even as many as 1,000.

[JVOSS | 1,762]

@RH,

question on this list. 

are you looking at only DMG-xxxx-USA-x label or are you looking at the cart color/chip/board? (Brazil games are USA but with the sticker on the back or no code on the side but have a xxxE-x chip inside.)

are you also including at the games that are NFR sticker or just the label?

[Splain | 2,561]

Got my Bill and Ted in the mail. Slightly different chip between the 2, but same chip number. In the 3rd pic you can see the stamped 05 on the error cart, and 22 on the non-error. These pics would be better if my error variant were in better condition; the one I just got is very clean. (and if the lighting were any good at all.) Might be worth finding an upgrade just for the sake of a good comparison picture.

 

[RH | 4,898]

11 hours ago, JVOSS said:

@RH,

question on this list. 

are you looking at only DMG-xxxx-USA-x label or are you looking at the cart color/chip/board? (Brazil games are USA but with the sticker on the back or no code on the side but have a xxxE-x chip inside.)

are you also including at the games that are NFR sticker or just the label?

For now it's variations of the label.  I've considered cataloging ROMs and, specifically, which ROMs are tied to which variants.  I'm not collecting the facility/manufacturing line code stamps.  I'd assume there are to many and, to keep this list simple, this is just for US released titles.

The one main caveat to that above is that if there are major errors in wide distribution, I include those. I'm not talking about the occasional upside label, or something like that from general, assembly line error, unless 10 variations of the same error show up.  What I mean are cases where, for instance, the main version of DuckTales is "DMT-DT-USA".  This was fixed with the THQ variant and corrected back to "DMG-DT-USA".  Likewise (as Splain posted) LJN misprinted almost all of their Bill & Ted labels where the inner black ink on their logo isn't present.  However, as Splain and others have found, there are a very few set of examples (mostly found in Europe) where the serial was not updated, but the LJN logo was fixed.

Since these were intentional changes, I consider this a "variant".  I know my criteria is a bit relative.  I may expand it later, but for now, I'm primarily cataloging just to noticeable differences on the labels.