Do I have a not only rare but factory error Tarzan Gameboy box on my hands?

ZeldaFreakZeldaFreak
in Price Check
Now I looked on Ebay and couldn't find this box in specific for the life of me. The (What appears to be) factory error on the back makes me think it's probably just a fake, but who knows. I did some research and apparently the PAL version of Tarzan is rare (But my internet is tanking right now so I can't really do much research right now), so perhaps this is it? Anyways, here are some pics:





Front:









Back with major factory error:




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Comments

  • FahrenheitFahrenheit
    It's fake, the art on the front of the box isn't even right.
  • acomicbookguycacomicbookguyc
    The material it's made of is definitely on point which leads me to believe this may be a prototype box. I'm no expert though so take that with a grain of salt
  • pujolsfanpujolsfan
    If you look on the bottom flaps you'll see the (DMG-WC USA) Is that what it says? So it's definitely NTSC. Having said that...that's not the correct retail release box art. It's either a prototype design, which might explain the random empty bar code squares, or it's possible it's a fake box. I'm really leaning to proto. Two reasons being that I don't think a person would spend the time to print the codes on the bottom flaps, and it doesn't make sense why they would put random empty bar code squares on the back.
  • FahrenheitFahrenheit

    Originally posted by: pujolsfan



    If you look on the bottom flaps you'll see the (DMG-WC USA) Is that what it says? So it's definitely NTSC. Having said that...that's not the correct retail release box art. It's either a prototype design, which might explain the random empty bar code squares, or it's possible it's a fake box. I'm really leaning to proto. Two reasons being that I don't think a person would spend the time to print the codes on the bottom flaps, and it doesn't make sense why they would put random empty bar code squares on the back.

    Don't underestimate the work that some people will go through when making a fake. That said, Acomicbookguyc is right though, the material looks to be correct for a GB box. The gibberish on the back makes it very difficult to believe that this could be a prototype box though, unless prototype boxes have a history of this and I'm just not aware of it.




  • ZeldaFreakZeldaFreak

    Originally posted by: pujolsfan



    If you look on the bottom flaps you'll see the (DMG-WC USA) Is that what it says? So it's definitely NTSC. Having said that...that's not the correct retail release box art. It's either a prototype design, which might explain the random empty bar code squares, or it's possible it's a fake box. I'm really leaning to proto. Two reasons being that I don't think a person would spend the time to print the codes on the bottom flaps, and it doesn't make sense why they would put random empty bar code squares on the back.





    Oh, and also, try reading the back of it... Yeah, I thought I was holding it upsidedown when I first tryed to XD
  • ZeldaFreakZeldaFreak
    Oh, and yes, it does say DMG-WC USA on some of the flaps.
  • FahrenheitFahrenheit
    DMG-WC-USA belongs to the GB game Nigel Mansell's World Championship Racing, hmm.
  • pujolsfanpujolsfan

    Originally posted by: ZeldaFreak



    Oh, and yes, it does say DMG-WC USA on some of the flaps.





    The code for Tarzan is DMG-ZK-USA.  DMG-WC-USA is the code for Nigel Mansell's World Championship. Weird. I dunno man. I personally wouldn't dismiss it as being concept art.



    Whethere there was one, or multiple empty bar code areas, it just doesn't make sense as to why someone making a fake would put that on the box. It's not asthetically pleasing at all.
  • K.ThrowerK.Thrower
    Looks like the middle is glued over the original black box, as the colors don't match.



    Maybe Nigel Mansell box was used for a trade show mockup.
  • KatchiiKatchii
    It looks like there is sharpie on the back and right hand side. It looks like it may be covering the Gametek logo in those two areas? It that correct and if so why only cover 2 of them??.
  • The 8 Bit ReduxThe 8 Bit Redux
    What if it's not jibberish, merely coded?
  • VGS_MrMark0673VGS_MrMark0673
    99% chance it is a prototype (or mock up if you will) box from a CES show. These aren't common, but there are several examples around.



    Definitely not a fake, I'd put money on that.



    Edit to add:  They frequently have alternate artwork as well.  You have a very cool piece here.
  • VGS_MrMark0673VGS_MrMark0673
    Here is some more info for you to check out: http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=35&threadid=32916
  • FahrenheitFahrenheit

    Originally posted by: MrMark0673



    Here is some more info for you to check out: http://nintendoage.com/forum/mess...

    Interesting, thanks for the link Mark, looks like I was wrong. Sorry, Op.




  • VGS_MrMark0673VGS_MrMark0673

    Originally posted by: Deathmore




    Originally posted by: MrMark0673



    Here is some more info for you to check out: http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=35&th...

    Interesting, thanks for the link Mark, looks like I was wrong. Sorry, Op.



     



    No worries at all, your answer was totally logical.



    If I hadn't seen these before and someone posted a box that:



    - Was made of the wrong material

    - Had the wrong art

    - Was missing art on the back

    - Was covered in nonsense words



    I would immediately say fake as well.  Certainly no harm no foul.


  • CZroeCZroe
    I recall seeing a black mark or sticker covering something on the back of some Classic NES Series GBA releases. I think it was covering some message about 2P mode or something.



    Also, that code for Nigel WC was probably just left in the field from the last game they set up in their template. They simply didn't go over it with gibberish like they did on the back.
  • NickTLGNickTLG
    Wow, cool item!
  • XYZXYZ
    Very nice item, I'd cherish that box if it was mine.



    That's definitely not a fake or bootleg. I'm going w/ pre-sale display/promotional/proto.



    There's a small black markout on the bottom right quadrant. Is that a sticker or a black marker? Curious to see a close-up.
  • XYZXYZ
    I think that area on the back where there is peeling/damage previously housed the info. for the game and it has since been removed. The gibberish on there may have just been a placeholder.
  • ZeldaFreakZeldaFreak
    The blackout does seem to be black marker, it's VERY hard to see, but the sides of it are kind of lazily drawn, so you can tell it's marker.
  • ZeldaFreakZeldaFreak
    So... what would be a fair price for this? I'm not into Gameboy boxes, so unless this is a sort of one of a kind item, I think I would just want to sell it.
  • ZeldaFreakZeldaFreak
    Oh my god... uh, guys... I think my T2 box might be a prototype/store display as well.... And it appears that the Mickey's Ultimate Challenge box has a small difference... I'm so pumped about this







    T2 retail box:









    My T2 box:









    Back of my T2 box:







    Retail Mickey's Ultimate Challenge box:









    My box:









    Back:




  • retrogamesukretrogamesuk
    ^You might want to check them all
  • CompleteSNESCompleteSNES
    I can't speak to Mickey, but your T2 is Judgment Day and the retail one you show is Arcade Game.
  • ZeldaFreakZeldaFreak
    Ah, that would explain it. I'll look into it a bit more then
  • NickTLGNickTLG
    That Mickey's Ultimate looks like it's printed on Pure-white card stock, not sure if that's the norm for that game or not. Pretty cool that on the back there's placeholders for screenshots.
  • jonebonejonebone
    Maybe $30 a piece. The Punisher one has been listed over and over forever with zero interest at $45. Not much demand for CES GB boxes.



    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Punisher-Marvel-Nintendo-GameBoy-CES-E3-Display-Box-NFR-Not-For-Resale-Prototype-/131403984241
  • ZeldaFreakZeldaFreak

    Originally posted by: jonebone



    Maybe $30 a piece. The Punisher one has been listed over and over forever with zero interest at $45. Not much demand for CES GB boxes.



    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Punisher-...





    I don't have the punisher one, so the price might be different.
  • The CountThe Count
    Another point of interest is that Nigel Mansell's World Championship Racing is also made by GameTek, which may help explain why it's code was left over on the box.
  • jonebonejonebone

    Originally posted by: ZeldaFreak




    Originally posted by: jonebone



    Maybe $30 a piece. The Punisher one has been listed over and over forever with zero interest at $45. Not much demand for CES GB boxes.



    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Punisher-Marvel-Nintendo-GameBoy-CES...

    I don't have the punisher one, so the price might be different.

    As someone who collects GB CIBs and display boxes, most people consider a display box a display box.  Exceptions would be for really popular franchises like Zelda / Mario, when you get Zelda / Mario collectors in addition to GB or display collectors.  I don't think there are many Tarzan or Mickey collectors out there.
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