Romarqable

Bump- edited to adjust for recent pick ups. 

Bump

I had a seller had it for offer a few years ago at 40 bucks. After I paid they canceled, said it was out of stock, and the following day relisted for a lot more.

I've seen maybe one listing since that was legitimate, but none since..

Bump- still looking for the following items

Bump- edited with new items

Been a few years since I last updated this post. Figured for anyone interested, an image of the Sharp NES TV has since surfaced so there is at least one floating around. I've only seen 3 Dr Mario Pill Challenge Set variant so I've come to believe it's likely the rarest of the NES console variations. Still don't have any information as to where it mightve been sold, rumors I've heard were KB Toys and a retailer possibly in Canada. Again, rumors only. 

15 hours ago, B.A. said:

Agreed, wouldn't surprise me at all if there are more of the random pack-in sets. Are those all pics of sets you own? I haven't seen many of the top loader with Dr. Mario.

This is a mix of some I own and some from another collector I speak to on Facebook who is similarly tracking down the console sets, the Dr. Mario Pill label variant was from yet another collector who had that. Ive been trying to track down that Dr Mario pill variant for awhile. I took some of his and my pics so that way I had the best example of the system and thats included in the images above. The only missing one is a picture of the Sharp NES TV box which from what research I've gathered there doesn't seem to a be a single instance of anyone currently having an example of the box. 

21 minutes ago, DoctorEncore said:

Great post and thanks for sharing your research. However, I would recommend putting each picture directly below the name/description of the item for easier reference. I'd also consider putting the pics behind spoiler tags to shorten the overall post, but that's more of a personal preference.

I plan to at some later date. I posted this entirely from my phone (wrote and dropped the pictures in) so I do plan to update this down the road when I have a computer again. I hope for this to be an ongoing document where I can add additional details including manuals and any potential revisions or future discoveries. 

58 minutes ago, B.A. said:

Indeed I do. That challenge set with Dr. Mario is one I don't have. Cool to see something new!

I only just discovered its existence in the last month or so. I always thought every site really didn't have a complete picture of what was available in the wild. I'm certain there are probably even more box variants out there I still don't know about. Store exclusives and what have you. 

23 hours ago, Divingninja said:

Would love to see your list! I too collect system box variants.

Just created the thread over in General Collecting. 

Just created the thread in General Collecting forum with images. 

I spoke recently in a different thread about my desire to collect all the NES Us retail release system sets.

In my few years of research, I've discovered 24 system variants in total.

I'll break them down by system type and what variations there are. I will update this post as I gain more information in the future. 

Control Deck Systems

1. Standard Control Deck

This came with two controllers and the system. No additional pack ins.

2. Control Deck With Super Mario Bros

This one came with Super Mario Bros. Packed in, system and two controllers.

3. Control Deck with Official Players Guide

The third in the control deck series came with a black cover Official Nintendo Players Guide. Note there are two variants of this guide but from what I've seen only one box variant. Basic system and two controllers included.

4. Control Deck Redesign

Sometime later in the NES life span they went with a Gold font for the system and a top header in read with black lettering saying "Nintendo Entertainment System." Outside of the new box same contents as the rest of the released systems. 

Top Loader Control Deck

5. Control Deck Top Loader

Basic Top Loader system with one dog bone style controller included. The "stars" in the boxes background have a different pattern than a later release. 

6. Control Deck Top Loader

Same exact as above, however the box has slightly different star placement. 

7. Control Deck Top Loader Target Special Offer

Same as previous Top Loaders, only this was sold exclusively at Target and came with a copy of Dr Mario. (Need verification as to whether this was a cart and manual combo or a CIB copy)

Sports Set

8. Sports Set "New"

Sports Set with "new" on the front of the box. Came with 4 controllers, system, 4 player satellite and Super Spike V Ball/World Cup game and manual.

9. Sports Set Non New

Same as previous sports set, box does not have "new" on the front.

Action Set

10. Grey Zapper Action Set

Action set included Grey zapper inside system as well as the front cover; included two controllers, system and Mario/Duck Hunt cart.

11. Orange Zapper Action Set

Same as above contents, but due to toy gun law changes in the late 80s the guns were colored orange and the box was updated to reflect the orange zapper. 

12. Action Set Redesign

As mentioned above, had the new redesigned packing but had same contents as Orange Zapper action sets.

Power Set

13. Grey Zapper Power Set

Contents included system, two controllers, Grey zapper, power pad and Mario/Duck Hunt/World Class Track Meet pack in cart.

14. Orange Zapper Powet Set

Same contents as Grey power set except with orange zapper included and changed on the front the box.

Deluxe Set

15. Test Market System

These were the early release versions if the system. They came with the base console, two controllers, ROB accessory, parts for Gyromitw, Gyromite and Duck Hunt CIB. The front of the box does not say "Deluxe Set." I also believe these really early test market systems also came with power cords that were longer than later release systems. 

16. Deluxe Set

Same contents as Test Market system, says "Deluxe Set" on front of the box.

17. Deluxe Set With Stack Up

A later release of the deluxe set that also included Stack Up. The Styrofoam as cut to fit the Stack Up inside the box, and a yellow sticker saying "Contains 3 game packs" is usually affixed to the top left corner. Its been speculated that these system bundles were created to sell off unsold Stack Up stock and the 3 screw Gyromites that pop up came from these sets, but that is unconfirmed and simply conjecture. 

Sharp NES TV

18. If you know what this is, then you know how rare they are. I couldn't even find a picture of the system box to share here so if anyone has one feel free to send it my way and I'll add it to this post. 

Challenge Sets

19. Challenge Set Mario 3 Cart

This challenge set box has a Cart copy of the game on the convert. Includes Mario 3. System and two controllers.

20. Challenge Set Mario 3 Box

Same as above challenge set, but instead has a Mario 3 box on the system box.

21. Challenge Set Extra Sticker

Same as above, shows a boxed copy of Mario 3, but on the left side has an additional sticker saying "the complete system for the first time player."

22. Challenge Set Walmart Special Offer Mario 3 Cart

Same contents as Mario 3 Cart Challenge set, only this one has a Walmart sticker on the front, and included the Nintendo Power strategy guide for Mario 3 as well as Dr. Mario cart as well.

23. Challenge Set Walmart Special Offer Mario 3 Box

Exact same contents as 22, but has a Mario 3 box on the cover instead of the Mario 3 cart.

24. Challenge Set Dr Mario Pill Sticker

This one I have the least information on as I do not currently own one. Picture was provided to be by another collector who has one. I'm actively looking for this variant still.

Sorry if this is a bit choppy, I plan to expand and rewrite this with more specifics at a future date. If you know of any variants (US releases) please share i will add them to the list here.

I'm probably going to end up making a topic about it, but I collect system box variants and the Challenge set out of all US NES console boxes had the most variants. There's a total of 24 system box variants that I know of, if you include the Sharp NES TV, 23 without. There were a total of 6 Challenge Set variants, of which two showed only the cart on the front.

That leads me to believe they likely packed in with just the cart and manual at some point before switching to boxed copies or they switched to cart only to save on having to pack in the game boxes.

Truly interesting stuff if you ask me. 

Bumped, edited, added items to the list. Still looking for many of these items. 

I'd like to add it as 1x Donkey Kong CIB and 1x Donkey Kong cart only

Also like to add Super Mario Bros 3 Sideways taped Challenge Set 1x. 

I have a 3 Screw DK, 3 Screw DKJR, 3 Screw Gyromite and a 5 screw Alpha Mission. 

Bumped, updated and new wants added

It took me some time and compromise to get a CIB Miracle Piano. Good luck hopefully you can find one for cheap!

On 11/9/2020 at 2:51 PM, Dr. Morbis said:

Welcome to the site.  Do you have a list of the 17 games you're missing?  I'm down to 14 games to go, myself (though I collect CIB) and I always find it interesting to compare what people's final needed games are.  Yeah every list always has the usual Stadium Events and Myriad and whatnot, but I still need Baby Boomer!  I've been collecting 21 years and I still don't have a CIB Baby Boomer!

I'm going cart only mostly. The 17 i am missing are:

Bonks Adventure

Bubble Bath Babes

Duck Tales 2

Godzilla 2

Gun Nac

Hot Slots

Jetsons

Kid Klown

Little Samson

Mighty Final Fight

Myriad 6 in 1

Peek a Boo Poker

Scat

Snow Brothers

Stadium Events 

Sword Master

TMNT Tournament Fighters. 

Now, before I sold off back in 2017 I was only missing Stadium Events, the 3 Panesians and Myriad. I've since gone on to collect other systems, am 4 away for a full Wii U set, 5 away on Odyssey 2 and various placements on other systems.

I do collect NES US console box variants and at last count I had 21 of 23. 

Bump, updated

Looking to grab a few odds and ends for my collection

NES Console Boxes

Im looking for the last console variant currently. Im interested in box and Styrofoam or complete. This is the Challenge Set Dr Mario Pill Label variant. (Picture below for context)

NES Box Only

Donkey Kong Jr

Clu Clu Land

NES Manual Only

Conquest of the Crystal Palace

DK3 (5 screw)

Impossible Mission 2 AVE

Pinball 5 screw

Robo Warrior

Super Cars

Urban Champion

Wrecking Crew

Tengen

I'm working on a CIB Tengen set, so here are the following pieces I'm still looking for:

After Burner box

Alien Syndrome box

Temple of Doom box

Pacman licensed box

Pacman unlicensed box

RBI 1 unlicensed box

Road Runner box only

Rolling Thunder box

Super Sprint box

Toobin box

Vindicators box

No Rush Spot:

Im not currently actively seeking these but if you have them available we could possibly make a deal:

Final NES games for collection:

More to keep track of what I still need, as I don't currently have the funds to buy these:

1. Bonks Adventure

2. Little Samson

3. Stadium Events

4. Bubble Bath Babes

5. Hot Slots

6. Peek a Boo Poker

7. Myriad 6 in 1. 

I've been toying with the idea of picking up some PAL exclusive NES games. If you got any, PM me. Let's see if we can make a deal. 

Remaining PAL cart only:

1. Banana Prince

2. Beauty And The Beast

3. Championship Rally

4. Devil World

5. Dropzone

6. Formula 1 Sensation

7. Hammerin' Harry

8. Les Chevaliers

9. Mario Bros (Classic Series)

10. Mr. Gimmick

11. New Ghostbusters 2 (Acquired)

12. New Zealand Story

13. Over Horizon

14. Parasol Stars

15. Parodius

16. Rackets and Rivals

17. Rod Land

18. Super Turrican

19. Tecmo World Cup Soccer

20. Trolls In Crazyland

21. Ufouria

Guardian Legend related items 

Japanese Guardic Gaiden (Guardian Legend) strategy guide/visual book Japan exclusive

PAL Region versions of Guardian Legend CIB

Soul Blader SFC Soundtrack CD Japan Exclusive (Japanese Soul Blazer)

...but am now joining. I was around NA for a bit while collecting my NES set. After finding myself out of work in the summer of 2017 I had to sell a rather large portion of my near complete NES set (I was missing Stadium Events, the Panesian set and Myriad)

In the years since I've worked to buy back what I lost, and am now down to 17 loose carts for a full set. Its weird being this close again. Hopefully this place will be a good resource for knowledge as NA and other places are. 

So, with that said hello everyone! Glad to be here.