Contra Hard Corps - Legit or Repro?
I just received this CIB copy of Contra Hard Corps (cardboard box version) that I bought on eBay a few weeks back. This item looks MINT, almost like it was unwrapped a few weeks back. While this is normally a good thing, the cart looks a little odd to me and I'd like your input. The first odd thing I notice is that there is nothing written on the top of the cart, just a plain red bar. It also says "Assembled in Mexico" on the back of the cart. I then opened the cart and I found that the board looked brand new. No dust, no aging signs, nothing. Again, this is all good and well but I still had my doubts since the inside had no mention of Konami but Majesco Sales instead. I am pretty sure the clamshell version has a different board with "Konami" written all over it, this one doesn't. I put the cart back together and played it. It played fine using my Framemeister, there was some distortion sometimes while moving and the sound was a bit low but that might be how the game is since I haven't played another version of it. Here are some pics below. What do you guys think? The real deal or repro? Also, if it is legit, could this version be of lesser quality than the clamshell version?
Comments
At first I was scrolling though thinking it looks perfect but then saw the top label and turned my head, thought it was just a miss-print.
NONE OF THESE IMAGES ARE MINE, BTW. Credit to their original owners.
Original Release:
Second Reprint
Cardboard box run (yours):
For Contra: Hard Corps, I prefer the clamshell case, definitely. For Castlevania: Bloodlines, I could go either way.
For games that only came in cardboard boxes, well, those typically cost more because if you're a CIB collector it's that or nothing, and like you said they don't last long before they get beat up horribly.
While we're on the topic, why is the clamshell more sought after and I believe more valuable? I understand the ideal manual and top label but you would think the cardboard one would be MUCH harder to find in great shape and thus more vailable? I personally like it much more than the clamshell besides the above factors
They aren't as hard to find as Nintendo boxes in good shape because they can absorb damage better. They're two part boxes, and the artwork is just on a sleeve that fits over the tray.
Typically, it's the quality of materials used, just like the Majesco releases on the SNES. The labels are lower quality, are blurrier, and get damaged much more easily. The manuals are much more prone to damage and are black and white, and the boxes are made with lower quality materials. Majesco also never reprinted posters, which makes the original print "more complete." For example, Earthworm Jim 2 (SNES) had a Made in Japan print with a poster and a Made in Mexico print without one. The carboard tray in Genesis games are also crap, and the tabs that hold the cart in place are about as useful as an umbrella in a hurricane. All of these factors contribute to the clamshell being more valuable.