kiljo

22 hours ago, Code Monkey said:

Yes. I'm curious what you thought they would look like.

I guess I had never really thought about it before, but it makes sense.

While rocking my daughter to sleep I was scrolling through eBay listings. This one seems interesting:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116062756086?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2kNx2F7IRr-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=eia1brd8qss&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I'm not a prototype collector, but is that how most of them are? Just some EPROMs with an Avery label on them? I've seen one or two translated repros using donor carts that look pretty similar... Is there anything on the board itself that clues someone in to it being authentic?

I was scrolling through eBay and came across a copy of FFIII with a pretty clean looking front label but a cracked back.  The price seems pretty good (if the game works).

It got me wondering, is there any difference in the cartridge back on SNES games? Other than like the stamped numbers and like the made in Japan/Mexico stuff? Is there a way to tell if a game has had the back of the cartridge swapped out? And if it has been swapped out, does that even matter? For reference, this is the listing:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186048567492?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=XR0ghwipQhS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=eia1brd8qss&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Sent you a message, interested if it is still available.

10 minutes ago, Jeevan said:

@kiljo

found it on the one of a kind thread or whatever it was.  

Man... If I had any artistic skill, this would be a great option. 

What are people's thoughts on replacing cartridge labels? I know from a game value perspective, it typically lowers the value. But what about for not super value games? I have this Banjo Kazooie that looks like someone got a little excited when taking off a price sticker... I think that I am going to get a replacement label, but should I get a repo cart to put the new label on instead of scraping this one off? Is it ever worth it to scrape off a damaged label with repo N64 carts being only like $5? 

On 1/8/2023 at 2:46 PM, Code Monkey said:

I had some custom artwork made (show off later) for my prototype cartridges and I'm wondering where I can get them printed. I can probably just buy sticky sheets and cut them out myself but is there anywhere that will die cut them for me? Is NES-City still functioning and do they take custom files?

I've used retro game cases for some N64 stuff, they all turned out fine. Depending on the unique nature of your labels, some Etsy sellers will reprint your artwork for other customers if you don't tell them not to. So just be aware of that... Here is the info for retro game cases:

https://www.retrogamecases.com/a-detailed-look/labels/

As far as not putting the label on the games, you own them - do what you think looks best. Maybe in the MegaMan 2 proto, carefully peel the label off and keep it in case you decide you want that look back? Labels aren't permanent, you can change your mind down the road.

9 hours ago, GPX said:

I think you’re basically asking what grades will make a profit, or worth the grading effort from a financial standpoint?

The answer is “it depends”. Will vary from title and what generation console and what brand company.

 

This is a really good way of putting my question, because this is exactly what I was trying to ask!

18 minutes ago, Gulag Joe said:

23 years ago Beckett valued a Joe Montana rookie card at $200. Then, they added a new section - the PSA graded section. A PSA 9 mint Joe Montana “booked” for $800. Ungraded mint vs graded mint. That same exact thing is happening to video games all these years later. 

I used to play Magic the Gathering and it has the same disparity... I feel like the true worth for grading with collectable cards is getting them authenticated, which I guess is a concern with games as well (but faking boards seems a lot harder than cards...)

2 hours ago, Code Monkey said:

Do you want it graded? Then yes. If you don't, then no. There's no more to it than that. Also, grading a game doesn't add any value to it, a game that will grade 9.4 isn't worth any more than a game that already graded 9.4, there's no difference.

I agree with that for a game that is staying in my collection. And I don't think I've got any games currently that I would want to get graded and keep. But I feel like graded games come at a higher cost (or maybe people are just asking for a higher price?) So if I can get WATA to assign a number to a game and that makes it more desirable/valuable to someone else, then that's like the classic win-win. But since I mainly collect to play (and relive childhood memories), I just wanted to get a feel of what kind of grade others think a game needs to be worth a higher price.

I did a search and couldn't really find discussion on this topic (there was some here), but when is a graded copy worth a premium? 

Like if someone was selling a WATA 7.0 of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening for the Switch, no one would pay a premium for that (I hope) cause you could just walk down to GameStop and buy a copy. But would a 9.4 be worth paying a premium of a current game?

If you were buying a CIB Super Metroid, would it be worth paying more for a graded 7.0 versus just a nice ungraded version? Do box/cartridge games have a lower rating to get a premium? (Since it's easy to damage a box, but a lot harder to damage a plastic case?)

And I know a lot of people don't believe in grading games, but from a financial standpoint the grade effects (affects?) the value at some point.

Your's looks like it's in really nice shape. You can check Pricecharting for an (incomplete) value comparison. I've not been having great luck getting old eBay auctions to show their pictures, so take those prices with a grain of salt...

https://www.pricecharting.com/game/gameboy-advance/super-mario-advance-not-for-resale