Generally speaking, they arent a great big deal. When the NES came out, the 5 screw format was used. They later switched over (for a number of reasons, kids swapping out PCBs and returning them to the stores, other strange reasons ive heard over the years). There are certain ones that are unusual for using the format, but im not really up on which is which. I never did really get into that end of collecting.
Updated - Let me know if anything on it needs to be changed.
Pm'd you about 5-screw Jaws and a few other things. Some of the relative rarities are out of whack, but Dangevin would be the one to help you with that.
So what exactly is the big deal really with screws making up such a big deal with collectors? Were there just so few done one way, then another for mass production? I got a good many of those games on the list that may be rare or not, have to check. I can report back.
So what exactly is the big deal really with screws making up such a big deal with collectors? Were there just so few done one way, then another for mass production? I got a good many of those games on the list that may be rare or not, have to check. I can report back.
Dangevin's article in the 2009 August Ezine is an excellent starting point. He provided the link a few posts above.
Sigh more reading and it doesn't actually answer the question. It just covers the fact some carts have variants of 3 or 5 screw and in some cases one has more or less than the other to a point. I was asking why some have one or the other if someone was aware. Like I said, hitting a standard/mass production style?
Either way I have some of them. 3screw-Pro Wrestling, the rest are all 5screw and they are: 3D World Runner, Burgertime, Castlevania, Commando, Ghosts n Goblins, Gradius, Metroid, Rush'n Attack, Spy Hunter, SMB, and Top Gun. Burgertime above gets a 4, but that e-zine list says a 6. Guess things change.
Yes, the changeover in production from the initial "style" to the Rev-A molds and boxes had a definite date, and production of games that straddled that date affects whether there is a variant or not.
Some games were phasing out around that time (ie DK Jr Math), others just beginning (ie Mega Man). These are the rare ones in one form only.
It matters to collectors for the same reasons why boxes and books matter, or label variants, or errors, or anything else. It's just something different to extend the collecting timeline past just having one of every title.
Thanks for the straight answer, did not know of set style they moved to. I'd guess it's probably that 3-screw type as all those later units have that snap tab thing at the top at both ends. Cheaper to have molded plastic than dealing with 2 extra screws I suppose.
And they changed the type of screws that were used. Check your 5-screw games; see the screws? You can remove them with a small flathead screwdriver. Now check your 3-screw games; can't use the flathead for those. You have to get a security bit (which is a good thing to have as a collector, anyways). They changed them for security and piracy reasons.
And they changed the type of screws that were used. Check your 5-screw games; see the screws? You can remove them with a small flathead screwdriver. Now check your 3-screw games; can't use the flathead for those. You have to get a security bit (which is a good thing to have as a collector, anyways). They changed them for security and piracy reasons.
Not completely true: after 5-screw carts were phased out, some 3-screw carts actually had flathead screws for a short while (probably about 6 months or so). If I recall correctly, it was sometime in early to mid-1988 when the security screws were phased in.
Edit: As a matter of fact, if the carts have never been tampered with, I'd almost be willing to bet every one of the 3-screw variant carts with relative rarity of 9 or higher has flathead screws. Probably most of the 8's, as well.
Edit: As a matter of fact, if the carts have never been tampered with, I'd almost be willing to bet every one of the 3-screw variant carts with relative rarity of 9 or higher has flathead screws. Probably most of the 8's, as well.
I can confirm this with all the "rare" 3-screw variants that have passed through my hands. While the security screw changeover may have been part of the Rev-A plan, it wasn't implemented at the same time as the cart plastic changeover.
Likewise, we can apply this to the hangtab punches for box production. It's too close to the changeover to be happenstance and is obviously part of the revision plan, but was likely the first thing to be phased out officially, which is why we can't confirm hangtab boxes for certain games that have rare 3-screw variants.
Wow spawned a decent debate here. I knew of the security bits and I really need to get off my ass and get one as I'm relegated now to buying shit from the damn swap meet unless I want to get boned by ebay idiots with their shipping shenanigans or what not so I'd like to be able to gut and clean things.
Matt, Dan - I'm sorry you guys!! You're right, the screw change didn't happen at the same time. I never knew that, but now I do. My 3-screw Volleyball does have the flathead screws.
Sorry for the confusion, just trying to help. Thanks for clearing that up!!
Edit: As a matter of fact, if the carts have never been tampered with, I'd almost be willing to bet every one of the 3-screw variant carts with relative rarity of 9 or higher has flathead screws. Probably most of the 8's, as well.
I can confirm this with all the "rare" 3-screw variants that have passed through my hands. While the security screw changeover may have been part of the Rev-A plan, it wasn't implemented at the same time as the cart plastic changeover.
Does this mean we have a varient on the varient? 3 screw with flat head screws vs. 3 screw security bits. If so, it is just another thing for me to look for while I am browsing for new games.
I just picked up a copy of Soccer last week that is 3 screw. It is -CAN though so I dont know if it counts the same as a USA release. If it does count I can pop up some pics to confirm it though.
Edit: As a matter of fact, if the carts have never been tampered with, I'd almost be willing to bet every one of the 3-screw variant carts with relative rarity of 9 or higher has flathead screws. Probably most of the 8's, as well.
I can confirm this with all the "rare" 3-screw variants that have passed through my hands. While the security screw changeover may have been part of the Rev-A plan, it wasn't implemented at the same time as the cart plastic changeover.
Does this mean we have a varient on the varient? 3 screw with flat head screws vs. 3 screw security bits. If so, it is just another thing for me to look for while I am browsing for new games.
Kinda-sorta. Since the screws are interchangable (although why would anyone want to) it's tough for me to really want to collect them. They're useful in compiling data but as far as something I'd want to pay money for or keep extra copies for, not really.
My 3 screw version of Winter Games has flathead screws. And its not really that rare to find it in a 3 screw version. When I noticed it I was looking at it thinking it had a back swap, but looking at it longer I just don't think it did, especially the source.
Comments
I'll transcribe the Oct ezine article into an HTML table.
<><>
Volume 3 - Issue #8
Volume 3 Issue 8: August 2009
(click here)/ DAN LANGEVIN variation station v2
Let me know any more info.
Updated - Let me know if anything on it needs to be changed.
but Dangevin would be the one to help you with that.
So what exactly is the big deal really with screws making up such a big deal with collectors? Were there just so few done one way, then another for mass production? I got a good many of those games on the list that may be rare or not, have to check. I can report back.
Dangevin's article in the 2009 August Ezine is an excellent starting point. He provided the link a few posts above.
Either way I have some of them. 3screw-Pro Wrestling, the rest are all 5screw and they are: 3D World Runner, Burgertime, Castlevania, Commando, Ghosts n Goblins, Gradius, Metroid, Rush'n Attack, Spy Hunter, SMB, and Top Gun. Burgertime above gets a 4, but that e-zine list says a 6. Guess things change.
Some games were phasing out around that time (ie DK Jr Math), others just beginning (ie Mega Man). These are the rare ones in one form only.
It matters to collectors for the same reasons why boxes and books matter, or label variants, or errors, or anything else. It's just something different to extend the collecting timeline past just having one of every title.
And they changed the type of screws that were used. Check your 5-screw games; see the screws? You can remove them with a small flathead screwdriver. Now check your 3-screw games; can't use the flathead for those. You have to get a security bit (which is a good thing to have as a collector, anyways). They changed them for security and piracy reasons.
Not completely true: after 5-screw carts were phased out, some 3-screw carts actually had flathead screws for a short while (probably about 6 months or so). If I recall correctly, it was sometime in early to mid-1988 when the security screws were phased in.
Edit: As a matter of fact, if the carts have never been tampered with, I'd almost be willing to bet every one of the 3-screw variant carts with relative rarity of 9 or higher has flathead screws. Probably most of the 8's, as well.
Edit: As a matter of fact, if the carts have never been tampered with, I'd almost be willing to bet every one of the 3-screw variant carts with relative rarity of 9 or higher has flathead screws. Probably most of the 8's, as well.
I can confirm this with all the "rare" 3-screw variants that have passed through my hands. While the security screw changeover may have been part of the Rev-A plan, it wasn't implemented at the same time as the cart plastic changeover.
Likewise, we can apply this to the hangtab punches for box production. It's too close to the changeover to be happenstance and is obviously part of the revision plan, but was likely the first thing to be phased out officially, which is why we can't confirm hangtab boxes for certain games that have rare 3-screw variants.
Sorry, Braveheart!
Sorry for the confusion, just trying to help. Thanks for clearing that up!!
Edit: As a matter of fact, if the carts have never been tampered with, I'd almost be willing to bet every one of the 3-screw variant carts with relative rarity of 9 or higher has flathead screws. Probably most of the 8's, as well.
I can confirm this with all the "rare" 3-screw variants that have passed through my hands. While the security screw changeover may have been part of the Rev-A plan, it wasn't implemented at the same time as the cart plastic changeover.
Does this mean we have a varient on the varient? 3 screw with flat head screws vs. 3 screw security bits. If so, it is just another thing for me to look for while I am browsing for new games.
Edit: As a matter of fact, if the carts have never been tampered with, I'd almost be willing to bet every one of the 3-screw variant carts with relative rarity of 9 or higher has flathead screws. Probably most of the 8's, as well.
I can confirm this with all the "rare" 3-screw variants that have passed through my hands. While the security screw changeover may have been part of the Rev-A plan, it wasn't implemented at the same time as the cart plastic changeover.
Does this mean we have a varient on the varient? 3 screw with flat head screws vs. 3 screw security bits. If so, it is just another thing for me to look for while I am browsing for new games.
Kinda-sorta. Since the screws are interchangable (although why would anyone want to) it's tough for me to really want to collect them. They're useful in compiling data but as far as something I'd want to pay money for or keep extra copies for, not really.
Canadian variants aren't the same rarity as us ones i've seen a few soccers CAN no us
Cool, thanks for the info!
Thanks