PapaStu

On 3/23/2024 at 4:02 PM, phart010 said:

If I had to take a guess (and this is a shot in the dark) I would propose that this is a warranty replacement. Maybe this is what Nintendo would send to you if you made a warranty claim for a non-working game..

On the front sticker it has “REPL” which could possibly mean replacement 

That's my take too.  Looking at the sticker, it implies that it's a replacement of some kind, rather than some kind of refurb.

So glad this wasn't a bump for a new 3DS title. But if anyone has any leads on a/that Mario Tennis..... My wall has seemingly run out of things that aren't the rabbit hole I'm not sure I'm ready dive so deeply into, now that there are no new things and my variants are down to a dozen-ish maybe variants...

On 1/23/2024 at 1:20 AM, greenthunder said:

And I hear you regarding keeping track of/hunting down US/Canadian/South American variants. I'm surprised to hear there's Canadian variants of non Nintendo published games, but as you said some of them are uncommon/rare and it's such a niche thing to collect. It definitely sounds rough trying to go for all these variants with barely a hint of their existence.

Honestly, there were far far far more Canadian variants than I thought there would be.  A huge percentage of the 3rd party library got something that was created to sell north of the border. 

What I've done a few different times is go game by game and scroll through EVERY listing on eBay (and eBay Canada) looking for the obvious marks of a Canadian variant (typically dual line ESRB logo, and sometimes a dual line 3D warning).  I compare based on what I've got, and if it's new, I note it down and watch/bid on games as budget allows. Thankfully, in a bunch of cases, publishers just did a single case that had dual languages as the only thing so they didn't need to print two separate runs for the different markets.

I then note stuff I didn't find that didn't have a dual ESRB and either save search it, or peek back in every little bit. At this point I've only got about a dozen titles on searches.  It's probably time to do another deep search on the Nintendo stuff. I've got a few One side got another revision that the other didn't get and those were normally in lock-step on both sides of the border.

**Edit to add**

I got my shipping notice for the 'basic' edition of Fragrant Story: Papayas Path today.  I had the CE/Signed CE in a separate order so I expect that one to pop soon as well.

Currently, one game larger than my collection was in 2023.  It'll get bigger though, there's always more to eventually appear so I can add it to the wall.

On 1/17/2024 at 12:26 PM, greenthunder said:

Any chance you have some of these documented anywhere? I've seen a good handful of full set collectors floating around, but few if any variant collectors so it'd be interesting to see what the 3DS has.

Also, Shantae reprint finally officially announced. Still mildly disappointed it wasn't an eShop exclusive game, but LRG and Wayforward are always gonna do their thing I guess. I suppose it could be worse since Shantae got fairly expensive as well. I wonder if it means we'll see the theoretical VVVVVV release from Nicalis soon too.

 

I have it all documented in my collection list, It's just not a list that's publicly facing, but it's all verified because these are things I actually own.  I've got a small list that I've got save searches for because I'm speculating that there could be variants to them, based on publisher prior history, and low sample sizes preventing me from discounting one outright. Hell, one I took a long shot hope on because there was a US version finally paid off and was delivered last week. That's a save search I've had going for ~3 years on that whim over a licensing sticker.

I'd say like 90% of them are just Canadian insert variants or Nintendo revision 00000/00001/00002 type stuff, nothing wild, though a few of those revisions/Canadian editions are quite uncommon/rare.  Why'd it take SO long to find a Canadian Green Lantern or Reel Fishing 3D among a few others? Beats me, but it did.

The other 10% are the real variants, like adding in the missing 3D warning on the front of the insert, correcting missing info on the back near the UPC, the addition or removal of an attention burst to the insert art and stuff like that.  I've made a solid stab at the stuff that had sticker call-outs as well, and while I've gotten all the ones I've ever stumbled across (save some of the Target discount to buy snacks at their old store quick serves, those I've got a representative sample of) I know there is more that will eventually come and no list will ever be complete, because that's just how it works.  Hell, we still have NO clue how many 3DS titles even got official refurbs, and I'm still missing one of the known ones to boot.

And lastly, I've got the deeper South American dive still to go further into. That stuff is going to be a true pain.  I'm sure at some point I'll get around to sharing info, but it's not going to be soon because I've yet to even get all of the data into my list (like UPCs, which is a great way to see obvious variants that are often missed) as I've added new fields over time, and then do new searches and sort through everything listed on places like eBay and Mercari all over again (I've done this a few times) for all 420 whatever releases. I just don't always have the time or desire after I get home from work, take care of dinner, family time, chores and the stuff that does matter.

We've still got some more new stuff that's yet to even hit the digital storefront shelves (Shantae reprint) and some other stuff that's still to ship (Fragrant Story 1.2 themed packaging).  Could VVVVVV be hiding in the wings? Sure, but Nicalis sitting on it so long makes little sense at this point.  There are 2 ESRB ratings for it on 3DS so conceivably one could be for digital and the other for a retail release, but they're both basically lacking ANY info to glean anything about why the game was rated twice.

I've always rolled with system releases, so I have to get determined to chase full sets. I've completed three (DC, NGPC and 3DS), but made it so there is always something still to chase (variants...) and have another two (PS1 & DS) that are both pretty far along (~85% and ~70%) that I've kinda just let sit due to space and no huge desire to finish them off. 

I'm so far down the 3DS rabbit hole at this point that I really need to just find someone who's in Brazil to help me with my next self made hurdle if I really want to make any more real progress as I'm basically just chasing whims & the vain hopes of theoretical shadows while I wait for eBay searches to maybe hit pay dirt.

6 hours ago, greenthunder said:

How far are you on 3DS variants? Do you collect just external variants like this sticker or the misprint Art Academy or do you collect cart variants as well?

Currently sitting on just over 500 "variants" in addition to the full NA library.  (Variants include Store exclusives, errors, US/CAN versions, US/CAN Nintendo Selects+ revisions, 'World' editions, US/CAN revisions, a few Mexican cover releases, NOA official refurbs, etc..) I'm down to what may be a few got a Canadian insert (or maybe not) I'm waiting for a hit on, stumbling into other refurb versions I don't have/not yet seen and the need to find a good contact who can grab stuff for me in South America because there's a pathway I'll likely end up needing to go down there too.

On 12/28/2023 at 3:45 PM, greenthunder said:

Seems like the new batch of Fragrant Story is just the carts from the bad batches in new boxes, unsurprisingly. The new releases also have an extra soundtrack CD and some other stuff for the CE, which I'm mildly tempted by but trying to move the copy I already have would be a pain.

I'm mad I keep missing VGP's Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse restocks.

Yeah, When I went digging for info after the new version went on sale after the 1.2 patch dropped, there was a note in a Patreon post that the dev said they were just carts that there had been issues with that didn't go out before and were being repackaged and that the batches of them were much smaller than the original release batches were.  They're supposed to ship sometime this month (January).

In other 3DS news, a saved search I've had running for a few years now finally paid off for what I hoped would be a Canadian variant that I'd not been able to verify actually got done that was indeed actually done.  The things you do for a sticker.

2 hours ago, greenthunder said:

I mean I'm not expecting VGP reprints to hit ESRB notices ye; I was just stating what is likely in production, reprint or not. Based on what other people have said (someone noted the leaked Shantae carts were printed in Feb 2022), I suspect 3DS games just have a long production period or time between order and companies receiving the order for whatever reason.

Source on the second run of Fragrant Story is from the dev himself, though it's also possible the carts were from his first batch that got mangled and he just ordered new boxes/boxart. Hard to say though because he can't sell them until his patch is cleared.

3DS cartridge production was ended nearly 2 years ago (all final orders were due 12-31-21). There isn't anything in any production pipelines at this point. Assembly maybe... but nothing is in production.  The ESRB doesn't trigger recertifications for reprints so VGP stuff won't ever show up there. Best I can tell, that only comes up with a new Publisher gets their hands on a game.  I haven't seen the print dates on Kokopolo but I'd guess that they would fall in the same time frame as the Shantae PC reprint.

Josh has told me that they weren't going to release it (their final game) until it was all fully assembled (and I'm assuming now that we can clearly see that's happened) and the shipping dept was in better shape.  I've got no clue how bad their backlog is anymore but with Kokopolo finally going out, it may be a smart drop to help close out the year, especially if their release schedule is light (which right now, only has titles dropping next week, and event exclusives that have been posted for months).

4 hours ago, greenthunder said:

Same, I actually got my Kokopolo Monday. Based on that thread, the ESRB ratings someone else shared and general info from various places, the last few slates of manufacturing are:

* Limited Run's Shantae reprint

* A possible VVVVVV from Nicalis

* Another smaller run of Fragrant Story (different boxart, same cart)

* Whatever reprints Video Games Plus may or may not have ordered.

 

VGP reprints shouldn't hit ESRB notices, they're not 'new' games, just ones that have already been reviewed and approved, getting a fresh print.  VGP hasn't really talked about them much since they said they had more reprints coming. The best time for them to have capitalized on it was as the system and e-shop shuttered. Holding another year doesn't make much business sense.

A second run of Fragrant Story is interesting. There is new cover art on the site, and new coming soon DLC 'Papaya's Path' is listed as a 1.2 build of the game, but i'd be surprised that any additional games got produced, but then again, I'm surprised that a Shantae's reprint is LRG's theoretical final drop too (and Pirates Curse is listed on ESRB's site as an LRG release for the 3DS).

Timing was funny, but I finally got my shipping notice for Kokopolo Monday morning, just before Shakedown went on sale.  There is still one more LRG title to come and it's possibly a reprint.  Based on leaks that hit Reddit, photos of a new CE version of Shantae and the Pirates Curse have been shared.

Do I have a finish line? Sure. Do I move the goal posts? Yep. Have I just outright stopped some of those chases as well? Yep again.  Have I finished anything? Sure, but then add to it, so it's back to the races.  Do I enjoy the hunt more than the finish line? Without question, because once it's all 'gotten' then what?


 

On 6/14/2022 at 1:37 PM, phart010 said:

Just repaired the photos in this thread.. many of them were not displaying since VGS moved servers (thanks @Gloves)

Still looking for photo confirmation of a few games:

-Kid Icarus 3DS

 

 

Saved search paid off...  This is a refurb sticker on the front of the insert and the new sku sticker is on the back of the insert.  Fun fact, this one is utilizing the original pack-in insert for Kid Icarus rather than the creation of a new one as most every other one has had for the 3DS so far.

It's one of a few versions of the Super Mario Advanced NFR and the was the first of them in kiosks, hence the RP ESRB.

For it to be complete it needs the rear sticker on it as well.

http://www.nintendemos.com/?id=game&sys=gba&game=marioadvance1

22 hours ago, BirdDogGaming said:

It was en eBay sold listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/334530078522?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=3BHvGwr7SJa&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=wVZl_VM-TW-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

2-3 weeks ago...  **dies a little inside**

On 11/17/2022 at 8:19 PM, BirdDogGaming said:

 

Doing some research tonight and found this one that hasn't shown up in this thread yet:

Also found this tonight. Looks like Europe might have some of their own:


 

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhh

Where did you see this? Just find the picture or an actual copy for sale someplace?

Goes and sets up some new searches (again).

@TanookiA free base card with a gold card opportunity still exists for all games they are publishing (not the distribution line games, none of which get cards.)  They go and do other cards in addition to for some sets and sell them in the bundles.  They've done it for Shantae (character sets), Turok (buncha dinos) and a few others the last few years.  Those really only matter if you're chasing their trading cards too.

3 hours ago, LutherDestroysTheGond said:

I snagged the CE since it seems it's the final 3DS release.  The ordering opened like 90 seconds early so I pounced on it.  I normally don't do CEs, especially with LRG as I was basically paying $30 for stickers and a CD.  Just worried that if I wanted it down the line I'd be gouged by scalpers.  

Ordering was about 2 minutes early and first reports of issues I was seeing on the LRG Discord were at 3 or 4 minutes after the hour.  My whole order was done and squared up by the hour so I missed the address drama.  It did take a hour to sell out of the CE/Double pack, but I think a lot of that was due to the shipping glitch the site was throwing on address verification checks.

Considering how slow Atooi moved I wasn't sure if this drop would follow the same path or if the hype train had blown it up like it has everything else 3DS of late due to the stores closing and the loss of cart production.  Either way, I was up early and grabbed all the LRG numbered stuff for a Friday drop per usual as I've done since SMRPG.

4 hours ago, LutherDestroysTheGond said:

Surprised no one mentioned Kokopolo at Linited Run Games today.  The standard edition of both games is still available. But the dual pack and CE are all sold out.  

The site broke for orders for many this morning so if you didn't get your order in over the first 2-3ish minutes you got caught in a Shopify glitch for a while.  US folks had a chance, I saw a lot of overseas folks very grumpy because LRG had to go back in and manually reenter shipping tables to be able to process their orders and wave 1 CE/double packs all sold out in that time.  I forgot to check to see how the second drop went, but I'm sure those went fast too.

 

GameStop/EB Games shelf display case.  Notice the lack of UPC? No UPC, no retail release.  Not a pack in, no 'Not for Resale' in the spot where it'd be.

On 7/27/2022 at 12:42 PM, phart010 said:

Wow! It amazes me that there are so many previously unknown titles that keep popping up as refurbs.

I think these refurb games were most probably either sealed or sticker sealed, one or the other. I prefer them to be sealed, because that serves as a means of authentication since the print quality of the cover art  is low. But with refurb titles as rare as this, I’d take whatever I can get. 
 

Congrats @PapaStu this is probably ultra rare 

I had a search up for months waiting for another version of Art Academy to show up (there was a revised release that they accidentally made that forgot the game logo on the front of the insert) and of course didn't see thus one come up during the wait. I didn't expect to see this of all games getting a refurb run and and funny enough, this is the 00002 release, with that errored logo-less insert the 00001 release.
 

Welp....  One more to the pile.

This showed up a few weeks ago in a DS/3DS Facebook group I'm in (MiamiSlice is too) and the dude picked it up off ebay for a very normal-ish cost for the game.  I didn't bother asking if it was going to be kept or sold because I am not a fan of someone sharing something (rare or not) and then getting a bunch of Is that for sale/want to sell kind of posts/messages.  I just went and put the save search back up for the game on eBay and expected to wait another bazillion years.  Like a week later it popped back up (guess he was fishing for interest) with a not small BIN/OBO.  And for a not small sum I bought it and it just arrived. 

Sorry phart010. 

It is open, so I don't know how it was originally sealed.  Assuming that this is the original case, there is no seal sticker residue on it, so that would imply a shrink wrap is on the game.  The new UPC sticker is on the insert itself.

4 hours ago, Makar said:

Everyone look up how much the Pokémon omega ruby/alpha sapphire dual pack is going for….that is all

Lots of stuff has spiked crazily. Rhythm Thief is like suddenly a $400+ game now.

On 6/21/2022 at 8:22 PM, greenthunder said:

Also since I've been one of the several who espoused the greatness of Etrian Odyssey, it looks like VGP got their reprint of Etrian Odyssey V. Maybe hold out for a reprint of the others?

This is the second time they've gotten Etrian V 'recently'.  Last time was in October of 21 and they also rereleased Untold 2 then at the same time.  There is a chance that one reappears as well.

8 hours ago, phart010 said:

Just repaired the photos in this thread.. many of them were not displaying since VGS moved servers (thanks @Gloves)

Still looking for photo confirmation of a few games:

-Zelda spirit tracks (I think I saw this before??)

-Kid Icarus 3DS

-Kirby Dream Collection wii

-Kirby Return to Dreamland wii

-Mario Party 9

-better photo of Super Paper Mario

 

The bump gave me a mini stomach drop thinking there'd be more 3DS titles to look for.  I've not seen a Kid Icarus yet, but then again, I've also had a search running for Super Mario 3D land for a few years with no hits either.  I was able to snag a Mario Party Island Tour a while back though so small wins.

On 5/29/2022 at 9:19 PM, greenthunder said:

This was discussed a bit in MiamiSlice's pickups thread, but I'll post here as to not clog up his thread lol.

There's been some rumors that up to two more 3DS physicals are/were in print. William Kage (the dude behind Fragrant Story, one of the last physicals) discussed it on his Patreon. Is it possible that Video Game Plus' reprint of Pac-Man Party and Tales of the Abyss are these last two carts? Though, this tweet also suggests VGP has more carts incoming, but they could be preexisting UAE copies or other fresh new prints, in which case I'd guess one of the latter is the last physical.

Also get Tales of the Abyss, it's a pretty good game.

Edit 2: an extra, unrelated thought. If you have the chance to get one of the more expensive games cart only but you collect CIB, would you get the cart only and hope you're lucky enough for a case only listing to appear or wait for a good price case + cart?

I don't think these (or the PQ/PQ2 that also just got last final prints from VGP that also dropped at the same time) are it especially with their "last stuff is still coming" comment.  They'd be completely new titles as I don't think any real announcements about reprints are ever going to move that announced/theoretical production needle.

As for the the loose game conundrum, I always vote to only purchase games in the manner that you principally collect that system.  If you don't then you've got odd ducks that don't line up with anything and the cost to eventually make it complete, or to wait and hope for a complete one, then to list the loose one, sell it and everything *I* don't tend to feel is worth it.