Variant Cover Art Thread (cataloging all cover variations and exclusives)

[JAMMR]

I am working on a catalog of variant covers as well as cover art in general. There are obviously the Player's Choice variations, but the ones that interest me the most are store exclusives. I know there are tons of Wal-Mart and K-Mart ones... Even with having Wal-Marts nearby, I haven't seen maybe more than half of them, but I don't even have K-Mart nearby so I'm in the dark about all those.

Please post here what different covers there are (pics would be nice too - head on pics preferred). Games that I really want pics for are highlighted.

The organization is pretty self-explanatory with descriptions in italics.

Player's Choice Variations:
See "Player's Choice Games" Thread for comprehensive list. All Player's Choice Covers have at most slight variations, such as different placement of production logos or addition of other icons (such as GBA connectivity). The most fundamental Player's Choice cover change is with WWE: Wrestlemania X8 with The Rock replacing Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Best Seller Logo Variations:
Beginning Fall 04, these are for First Party games and are introduced in subsequent shipments right at launch. First Party titles released before this variation may be rereleased with this logo as well as on Player's Choice covers.
Kirby Air Ride (BS logo on PC cover)
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (BS logo on PC cover)
Mario Party 6
Mario Power Tennis
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Pokemon Colosseum (BS logo on PC Cover AND BS logo without PC band)
Star Fox: Assault
Super Smash Bros Melee

Rerelease variations:
These include games that in subsequent printings had changes in cover art.
Darkened Skye / Outlaw Golf 2-Pack (Split cover)
Freestyle Street Soccer (Originally a Blockbuster exclusive with BB logo, rereleased without logo)
Mario Kart: Double Dash (Bonus Disc was the first run, without the red band in the lower right corner is the 2nd run, copies included in the Holiday 04 Bundle are marked "Not for Resale" on the back)
Mega Man: Anniversary Collection (Originally with Dr. Wily on cover, immediate subsequent printings replaced him with a logo showing that it was "10 games in 1")
Metroid Prime / MP2:Echoes 2-Pack (Split cover)
Midway Arcade Treasures 1 (Rerelease cover to fit format of 2 and 3)
Resident Evil 0 & REMake "Pure Evil" 2-Pack (Packaged in cardboard box with individual copies of the PC versions, later re-rereleased with the characters on the cover and without the RE4 Demo Disc offer on the front)
Sonic Mega Collection & Adventure DX 2-Pack (Packaged in cardboard box with individual copies of the PC versions)
Spyro: A Hero's Tale (EGM Year Subscription Logo)
Super Monkey Baall 1 & 2 2-Pack (Packaged in cardboard box with individual copies of the PC versions)
Timesplitters (Rerelease cover-"Nintendo Power" Quote)
Top Gun: Combat Zones ("Mastiff" Rerelease)
The Urbz: Sims in the City (Originally with Free Music Download as noted in a bar on cover and spine, immediate subsequent printings are without this)

Store Exclusives:
These titles had variant covers for store specific exclusives and usually noted some sort of bundled merchandise and/or the store name.
1080 Avalanche (Walmart Bonus DVD)
Animal Crossing (K-Mart Logo and Strategy Guide Bundle Logo)
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (Wal-Mart Bundle with GBA-GC cable included logo)
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (K-Mart Logo and Strategy Guide Bundle Logo; Wal-Mart Bundle 2-pack split with Master Quest Disc)
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (Target Course; Hollywood Video)
Mario Party 4 (K-Mart Logo and Wavebird Bundle Logo)
Metroid Prime (K-Mart Logo and Wavebird Bundle Logo; Target Coupons)
Shrek Extra Large (Wal-Mart exclusive watch pack-in logo)
Super Mario Sunshine (K-Mart Logo and Guide Bundle Logo)
Starfox Adventures (K-Mart Logo and Guide Bundle Logo)
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter (Best Buy "Limited Edition")

Miscellaneous:
This includes variations that are very minor, usually variations on the back of the case. I would like to catalog them but getting pictures etc would just exponentially increase the playing field.
"Rental Use Only" copies (same covert art except the back notes that it is a rental copy somewhere around the barcode, ex: LoZ:WW)
"Made In..." variations (same cover art except back notes a different country of production - may be impossible to tell which copies came first, ex: MK:DD)

Titles I've heard about but don't recall if the cover was actually changed/added to (pics would help to verify whether they are or aren't variant covers):

Megaman Network Transmission w/ Anime Disc

[masha]

http://img125.exs.cx/img125/8964/picture2359pc.th.jpg (http://img125.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img125&image=picture2359pc.jpg)

[Doylerulez]

K-mart also had:
LOZ: Windwaker w/ strategy guide
Animal Crossing w/ guide
Mario Party 4 w/ wavebird

I have 1st 2 (only place left w/ pre-order disc in 10 mile radius for windwaker) I was hoping it was a sticker but nooo.

[evilmax17]

Star Wars Bounty Hunter GCN Best Buy

[JAMMR]

K-mart also had:
LOZ: Windwaker w/ strategy guide
Animal Crossing w/ guide
Mario Party 4 w/ wavebird

I have 1st 2 (only place left w/ pre-order disc in 10 mile radius for windwaker) I was hoping it was a sticker but nooo.
Any chance you can get pics of the ones you have?

And Masha - thanks for the pic!

[AnthonyRoundtree]

Hmmm...

Don't forget the Metroid Prime/MP:2 Demo Disc Bundle.

I saw it at EBgames....

Here:


http://img125.exs.cx/img125/4206/mpwithmo2demo5fm.jpg

[fifthcore]

Some of the Nintendo games have a "Best Seller" logo on them I know Paper Mario has this, but not all of the copies will have this. Also some of the Player Choice ones will have both the yellow bar on top and the best seller logo on the bottom.

[Scorch]

http://www.todojuegos.cl/Gamecube/Juegos/fotos/Metroid.jpg

http://i14.ebayimg.com/01/i/03/2c/50/dd_1_b.JPG

[JAMMR]

Thanks for all the help so far... I've made appropriate edits to the OP.

[video_gamer324]

KMart had Super Mario Sunshine with the guide bundle logo. Also, I know I've seen some copies of Metroid Prime advertising $50 in Target coupons packaged with the game.

[JAMMR]

Metroid Prime with Target coupons... sad

Anyways, any pics would be great! I need a camera phone because I see so many of these every so often... but these store exclusives drive me batty! It's like I have to know (it is half the battle...).

[Doylerulez]

alright, gave me something to do.
http://img32.exs.cx/img32/8950/zelda21rn.th.jpg (http://img32.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img32&image=zelda21rn.jpg)
http://img110.exs.cx/img110/2049/acrossing28xq.th.jpg (http://img110.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img110&image=acrossing28xq.jpg)

[JAMMR]

Craziness... thanks for the pics.

[elprincipe]

Cool topic. Another one to add is Freestyle Street Soccer. One version is the Blockbuster exclusive, has a little BB logo on the cover, and there is another version without the logo.

[JAMMR]

I've heard of that, elprincipe, but never seen it. Then I heard that this was true only on like the Xbox version or something.

I've looked for pics on the internet but never found any.

[elprincipe]

I've heard of that, elprincipe, but never seen it. Then I heard that this was true only on like the Xbox version or something.

I've looked for pics on the internet but never found any.

It's true, I have a copy of each. One has the BB logo on the cover and BB legal info on the back, while the other lacks these. Same everything else though, as far as I know (the non-BB is still sealed since I don't really need two open ones).

[DigitalSpace]

Also, I know I've seen some copies of Metroid Prime advertising $50 in Target coupons packaged with the game.

I have the Target version of Metroid Prime. Unfortunately, I can't provide any pics, but I'll describe it.

It looks like the regular Metroid Prime cover, but there's a Target logo above Samus' right shoulder, and on the right side of her torso there's a big purple Samus "S" logo with the words "Coupons Inside! $50 In Savings!" in white font over it and "Only At Target" in smaller red font.

Also, the first run (I believe it was the first run, anyway) of Mario Kart: Double Dash had a bonus demo disc bundled with it. Again, I can't provide a pic of my copy but here's a picture I found on Google:

http://img140.exs.cx/img140/8487/mkddbonus1iw.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

[Kayden]

Theres also the Shadow Hearts (1) Pre-Order. Says Promotional Copynot for resale.
http://img195.exs.cx/img195/8992/p10102611vq.th.jpg (http://img195.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img195&image=p10102611vq.jpg)

[pinatamonkey]

What about the Wind Waker/Bonus Disc combo?

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/pinatamonkey/temp/IMG_4766%20(Small).jpg

From the Wal-Mart Gamecube/WW bundle

[flybrione]

What about the Wind Waker/Bonus Disc combo?

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/pinatamonkey/temp/IMG_4766%20(Small).jpg

From the Wal-Mart Gamecube/WW bundle

Wow I never seen that one very neat. :applause:

[lionheart4life]

Yeah I have the Target Metroid Prime one too. I'll try to get a picture if noone else finds one.

[lurknomore]

I absolutely love the Wal-mart Zelda cover. I traded in my plain Metroid for the double-pack one 'cause I preferred that one...looks like I'll have to find the Zelda one.

[elprincipe]

What about the Wind Waker/Bonus Disc combo?

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/pinatamonkey/temp/IMG_4766%20(Small).jpg

From the Wal-Mart Gamecube/WW bundle

Dang, as a Cube collector I want stuff like that!

[JAMMR]

I've heard of that, elprincipe, but never seen it. Then I heard that this was true only on like the Xbox version or something.

I've looked for pics on the internet but never found any.

It's true, I have a copy of each. One has the BB logo on the cover and BB legal info on the back, while the other lacks these. Same everything else though, as far as I know (the non-BB is still sealed since I don't really need two open ones).
Where did you get the non-BB one?

[JAMMR]

Updated the list... could really use pics on some of these, especially the Target Metroid Prime as I have never actually seen it.

Also saw a new variation today, Midway Arcade Treasures.

[The-Bavis]

I have no pics, but I also saw the Target MP. That's why I left and bought it at Gamestop instead.

[elprincipe]

I've heard of that, elprincipe, but never seen it. Then I heard that this was true only on like the Xbox version or something.

I've looked for pics on the internet but never found any.

It's true, I have a copy of each. One has the BB logo on the cover and BB legal info on the back, while the other lacks these. Same everything else though, as far as I know (the non-BB is still sealed since I don't really need two open ones).
Where did you get the non-BB one?

GameCrazy. I was kind of surprised they had it as I thought it was a BB-exclusive game, but upon further inspection of the packaging I noticed the difference.

[Josef]

Doesn't MegaMan Anniversary Collection have two different cover variations? The one I got at launch had a standard cover. A few weeks later I noticed one at the store that had the same cover, but with the words "Includes 10 MegaMan games" or something like that.

[62t]

Add the Hollywood Video Mario Golf to the list.

I also have the Target Metroid Prime. Will get a pic when I have time.

[JAMMR]

Doesn't MegaMan Anniversary Collection have two different cover variations? The one I got at launch had a standard cover. A few weeks later I noticed one at the store that had the same cover, but with the words "Includes 10 MegaMan games" or something like that.
Indeed, it does :wink:

[Kirin Lemon]

Didn't see this one on the list yet...

K-Mart exclusive Wario World for GameCube with free strategy guide

[62t]

here is the Target Metroid Prime

http://six2tee.nobbythewasp.com/PICT0003.JPG

[Gameboy415]

I was looking for the Walmart Zelda variant on Ebay and I came across this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20390&item=8172195 096&rd=1

Its a PAL version, but isn't that gold case AWESOME?

[Detective Thorn]

There is also a K-mart variant cover for Starfox Adventures. It has a graphic on the front advertising a free strategy guide.

[jbroush99]

Haven't seen this one yet.
1080 Avalanche was sold at Wal-Mart with a bonus DVD of snowboarding footage. Their is a splash on the cover of the game indicating the bonus DVD. I can't find any pictures online right now. I will check this thread when I get home from work and if it hasn't been posted yet, I'll scan my cover and post it.

[elprincipe]

I was looking for the Walmart Zelda variant on Ebay and I came across this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20390&item=8172195 096&rd=1

Its a PAL version, but isn't that gold case AWESOME?

That is fucking sweet.

[JAMMR]

Bump.

[b3b0p]

Wait a second!

Can someone explain this "Best Seller" crap to me.

I pre-orderd Paper Mario and it came with this bloody ugly gold stamp on the cover that says, "Best Seller".

Then, I pre-ordered Star Fox Assault and it came without a best seller logo.

I was just at my local shops and all the new Nintendo games have this flippin ugly logo on the front cover. These include Mario Power Tennis, Mario Party 6, Star Fox Assault, Paper Mario, and some others have this logo.

What gives? Why?


Chris

[JAMMR]

Well besides what my first post says about it, essentially it's another way for Nintendo to say "this is a popular title".

Again, it's only first party titles and they get shipped right at launch. The criteria to meet BS requirements is something low (I've heard 10,000 copies) essentially making it an arbitrary label to just say "this is a name brand first party game and you will like it".

Part of the SSBM controversy is that it was originally Player's Choice, then when Nintendo said all PC games will be $19.99, they realized that SSBM was still selling at $29.99, so they took it off Player's Choice and shipped subsequent copies with just the Best Seller logo.

And now, when a first party title (that's already been released prior to Sept 04) hits Player's Choice, it gets the yellow bar plus the BS logo.

[Josef]

Well besides what my first post says about it, essentially it's another way for Nintendo to say "this is a popular title".

Again, it's only first party titles and they get shipped right at launch. The criteria to meet BS requirements is something low (I've heard 10,000 copies) essentially making it an arbitrary label to just say "this is a name brand first party game and you will like it".

Part of the SSBM controversy is that it was originally Player's Choice, then when Nintendo said all PC games will be $19.99, they realized that SSBM was still selling at $29.99, so they took it off Player's Choice and shipped subsequent copies with just the Best Seller logo.

And now, when a first party title (that's already been released prior to Sept 04) hits Player's Choice, it gets the yellow bar plus the BS logo.

So am I right to assume that the non "Best Seller" covers of titles such as Paper Mario and Mario Power Tennis are very rare, much more so than a typical non-PC cover? They seem to be essentially the very first printing of that title. Speaking of which, has anyone seen any StarFox Assault "Best Seller" covers yet?

Did I mention how much I hate that Nintendo is doing this?

[jbroush99]

Finally got around to scanning the 1080 Avalanche cover. This is the version that was sold at Wal-Mart and included a bonus DVD of footage from snowboard videos.

http://img12.exs.cx/img12/2619/10801zc.th.jpg (http://img12.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img12&image=10801zc.jpg)

[JAMMR]

jbroush - thanks for the great scan!


So am I right to assume that the non "Best Seller" covers of titles such as Paper Mario and Mario Power Tennis are very rare, much more so than a typical non-PC cover? They seem to be essentially the very first printing of that title. Speaking of which, has anyone seen any StarFox Assault "Best Seller" covers yet?

Did I mention how much I hate that Nintendo is doing this?
Actually, you would probably be very much incorrect. Assuming the number is 10,000 units, the reason why launch comes with both shipments is because presales have pushed it pass the 10,000 mark, meaning all subsequent printings have the Best Seller logo until a Player's Choice version comes out.

I do know that once a game has BS status, all shipments after launch have the logo.

Now, if you are in it for the "rare" thing, I would imagine Super Smash Bros. Melee will have a lot of depth in it's rarity, considering there are multiple versions of the game as well as 4, with the possibility of a 5th (PC with BS) covers. And even that is total speculation by me. Essentially, due to the nature of Best Seller being a first party thing, it will never be hard to find copies of any version.

And I did see Starfox Assault with and without Best Seller at launch.

[JAMMR]

Bump

[Scorch]

You say you've updated the original post, yet it still says 'need pic' next to the Bounty Hunter LE.. I posted a picture of it.. not sure if it's from Best Buy, but it's a LE of Bounty Hunter.

[JAMMR]

Ah good call... I do need to go through there and make a few additions.

[JAMMR]

Bump

[elprincipe]

What about all the games that came with extra-big cardboard box covers or some other sort of extra case or box? I can think of

Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
Mario Party 6
Pure Evil 2-Pack
Splinter Cell: CT CE

Others?

[DocRamon]

pokemon box also came in a larger cardboard box... but i'm not so sure those are "variants" since the regular cover is on the case inside the cardboard box.

[dcfox]

I don't know if it was mentioned yet, but Robotech Battlecry CE came in a box.

[JAMMR]

All of those can be noted but I was more referring to cover art variations... like doc said, that's more of a difference in how it's packaged like the RE4 Tin.

[opportunity777]

Why only do GameCube? :P

[JAMMR]

Well the best reason is that this is the Gamecube discussion forum...

Also, I don't know of many store exclusive PS2 or XB titles. Of course, I haven't really looked either.

[Mospeada_21]

can i add some more?

1) F-Zero GX has a variant cover, in English, check lik-sang.com.
2) BMXXXX also has a variant cover, girl with bike on beach, also check lik-sang.com.
3) MK: DD actually has 3 variations, the two metioned, plus the free with bundle, marked 'not for resale' on the back.
4) Plus most games were made in USA, but some have made in Japan variations. MK: DD and Loz:CE are just a few. Just check the back cover, and the inside ring on the underside of the disc. Happy Hunting!

[jclast]

Also, I don't know of many store exclusive PS2 or XB titles. Of course, I haven't really looked either.

It's not a store exclusive, but Sly Cooper and the Theivius Raccoonus got a new cover when it went Greatest hits. And neither U.S. cover is as cool as the Japanese cover.

Original U.S. cover (http://img.barterbee.com/coverg/38/624238.jpg)
Greatest Hits U.S. cover (http://cover6.cduniverse.com/CDUCoverArt/Games/71171971982.jpg)
Japananese cover (http://i3.yesasia.com/assets/imgs/games/58/p1002525858.jpg)

[JAMMR]

can i add some more?

1) F-Zero GX has a variant cover, in English, check lik-sang.com.
2) BMXXXX also has a variant cover, girl with bike on beach, also check lik-sang.com.
3) MK: DD actually has 3 variations, the two metioned, plus the free with bundle, marked 'not for resale' on the back.
4) Plus most games were made in USA, but some have made in Japan variations. MK: DD and Loz:CE are just a few. Just check the back cover, and the inside ring on the underside of the disc. Happy Hunting!
I couldn't find the F-Zero or BMX XXX covers you refer to. But the BMX XXX cover I believe is the inverted regular cover so it would not count as a variation since all copies have it.

If anyone has a picture of the MK:DD bundle version, that'd be great.

Also, that's very interesting about the "Made in" variations. I don't know if that would cross the line to absurd in cataloging them all, but I'd be willing to try. My thought is that opens the floodgates to all the different versions of a game etc (like SSBM with 00,01,02 already).


It's not a store exclusive, but Sly Cooper and the Theivius Raccoonus got a new cover when it went Greatest hits. And neither U.S. cover is as cool as the Japanese cover.

Yah, this is the Gamecube Variant cover thread...

And PAL or Japanese covers have no bearing on what I'd like to do... which is to catalog the variations over here. Arguably there are Canadian variations but no one has brought them up yet.

[TimTucker]

I just noticed the other day that my copy of windwaker that I'd picked up from blockbuster a while back has a big "FOR RENTAL USE" printed on the back of the cover right above the upc.

[ryanbph]

the bounty hunter limited edition one is nice

[jclast]

Yah, this is the Gamecube Variant cover thread...

I know it's a GameCube thread, but there's no thread like this in the PS2 group, and I thought somebody might be interested. Sorry if I stepped on your toes.

EDIT: I didn't mean for the above to sound like I'm trying to pick a fight. I'm genuinely sorry if I made a faux pas (or however that's spelled) posting this in here.

[elprincipe]

I know it's a GameCube thread, but there's no thread like this in the PS2 group, and I thought somebody might be interested. Sorry if I stepped on your toes.

Now now, no need for conflict. I suggest making a similar thread on the PS2 board if you're interested. Not only would it fit in more over there, but people there would likely have more information for you.

[JAMMR]

Yah the information is helpful, but it has no purpose here as I wouldn't know how to incorporate PS2 or Xbox stuff into the OP.

The rental use only stuff is interesting as well...I've never seen those although I've never really looked either. I would imagine at least all the major releases have a version like this. Interesting to say the least :)

[Mospeada_21]

The Urbz has a variant cover. Saw it earlier tonight at Fry's Electronics. The cover features downloadable songs from Black Eyed Peas. <-- sorry, may be misspelled. The variant cover actually wraps all the way around, including the spine.

[Apossum]

What about the Wind Waker/Bonus Disc combo?

http://www.members.lycos.co.uk/pinatamonkey/temp/IMG_4766%20(Small).jpg

From the Wal-Mart Gamecube/WW bundle


Is this one completely obscure or is it just me? I had never heard of it until I found it at a pawnshop yesterday for $5 :D

[DocRamon]

i'm thinking it's just you... or i'm unusually lucky, but i find that hard to believe.

i never saw it offered new, but i see used copies with that insert pretty often...

[JAMMR]

Theoretically, new would have only been inside the Gamecube box like the Zelda CE Bundles... I would imagine sealed copies of the WW/MQ will be rather rare because if you think about it, anyone buying a Gamecube is gonna open up their included game right away.

But yah, like the Doc said, there are copies of these all the time at used stores.

[DocRamon]

yep, that's what i meant JAMMR... i've never seen it sealed.

[DigitalSpace]

Is this one completely obscure or is it just me? I had never heard of it until I found it at a pawnshop yesterday for $5 :D

Coincedentally, there's a thread going on at Digital Press right now with some information on it:

Link (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=59537&sid=aa9c10bc0ad381b3f10b74d1497482d1)

Nice find btw! I have yet to see one of these in the wild.

[PimpBot2000]

Don't think this one has been mentioned yet. Walmart had a version with a bonus track.

http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/01/46/33/16/0001463316264_500X500.jpg

[JAMMR]

Have you actually seen that in stores? I saw it once and I am pretty sure that is a sticker on the outer plastic wrapping.

[DocRamon]

the pure evil 2-pack has been released with a different cover box...

it now contains 2 characters on the front, whereas the original box did not. i don't know who the characters are, as i don't really play the RE games. i think it's the guy from RE0 and the girl from REmake? i could be wrong.

i also suspect that this release doesn't contain the offer for a free RE4 preview disc.

saw it at frys tonight for $30

[JAMMR]

Haven't updated in awhile but I think I have everything up to date now...

[Mospeada_21]

there's a variant cover of Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2:

version 1 (older): front cover, Activision O2 logo, and 'Official Nintendo Seal of Quality'.
back cover, Memory Card Uses 18 Blocks, Made in USA, contains ISBN,
and ESRB rating uses an older style.

version 2 (newer): front cover, regular Activision logo. and 'Official Nintendo Seal'.
back cover, Memory Card Uses 17 Blocks, Made in JAPAN, does not
contain ISBN, and ESRB rating uses the current style.


plus a few other minor differences.

[koster]

I saw another variant of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. It looks almost exactly like the regular (non-limited) version, but has a blurb (front cover, near the bottom) about an included SWCCG promo card. This is the only time I've seen the variation, in viewing upwards of 50+ copies (used and new) of the regular version at various retail locations.

I found a link to the promo card (#13) here:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=swtcg/cardlist/promo

Has anyone else seen this cover art variation and/or have more info regarding its availability (ie. was it a LucasArtsStore.com exclusive)?

[sblymnlcrymnl]

Don't think this one has been mentioned yet. Walmart had a version with a bonus track.

http://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/01/46/33/16/0001463316264_500X500.jpg

That seems like a waste. Any person who would buy a NASCAR game buys everything at walmart anyway. ;)

[Orrimarrko]

Well besides what my first post says about it, essentially it's another way for Nintendo to say "this is a popular title".

Again, it's only first party titles and they get shipped right at launch. The criteria to meet BS requirements is something low (I've heard 10,000 copies) essentially making it an arbitrary label to just say "this is a name brand first party game and you will like it".

Part of the SSBM controversy is that it was originally Player's Choice, then when Nintendo said all PC games will be $19.99, they realized that SSBM was still selling at $29.99, so they took it off Player's Choice and shipped subsequent copies with just the Best Seller logo.

And now, when a first party title (that's already been released prior to Sept 04) hits Player's Choice, it gets the yellow bar plus the BS logo.

Sorry, but this is inaccurate.

The original SSBM was released without a Player's Choice or Best Seller logo.
Then it was released with the Best Seller logo.
Finally, it was released with the Player's Choice logo.

Interesting note about the PC version - the title on the spine is in Black lettering, rather than the white lettering of the previous two releases.

I can confirm all of this, because I own all three. ;)

[Orrimarrko]

You say you've updated the original post, yet it still says 'need pic' next to the Bounty Hunter LE.. I posted a picture of it.. not sure if it's from Best Buy, but it's a LE of Bounty Hunter.

There are three versions of the SW: BH game.

First release was the normal cover art with a small promo at the bottom that mentions the free card inside.
Shortly thereafter was the Limited Edition cover art (close-up) of Jango Fett's helmet.
Final release was original cover art without card promo.

[Orrimarrko]

can i add some more?

1) F-Zero GX has a variant cover, in English, check lik-sang.com.
2) BMXXXX also has a variant cover, girl with bike on beach, also check lik-sang.com.


No variant art for these games - these are early pre-release cover art designs.

[Orrimarrko]

Is this one completely obscure or is it just me? I had never heard of it until I found it at a pawnshop yesterday for $5 :D

I "might" be mistaken, but I believe that this was the pack-in for the Zelda system bundle, not sold separately.

Similar to the Metroid Prime/Metroid Prime 2 pack-in.

[Orrimarrko]

Have you actually seen that in stores? I saw it once and I am pretty sure that is a sticker on the outer plastic wrapping.

You are correct sir!

[Orrimarrko]

I saw another variant of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. It looks almost exactly like the regular (non-limited) version, but has a blurb (front cover, near the bottom) about an included SWCCG promo card. This is the only time I've seen the variation, in viewing upwards of 50+ copies (used and new) of the regular version at various retail locations.

I found a link to the promo card (#13) here:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=swtcg/cardlist/promo

Has anyone else seen this cover art variation and/or have more info regarding its availability (ie. was it a LucasArtsStore.com exclusive)?

Not an exclusive - it was the first release.

[Orrimarrko]

Two other items I wanted to mention, one's a cover variant, and the other is a packaging variant.

For a short time, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance had an insert with a yellow circle on the front, advertising the "Exclusive "Immortal" CD by Adema Included".

This is not a sticket, but part of the insert itself.

Onto the packaging variation...

This was a late release Target exclusive, and was available for a VERY short time. Packaged in a 2-disc snap case with the preview disc that was originally released for pre-orders. Includes full version of the original Atari Star Wars Arcade game, Rebel Strike single player demo, and bonus content including: game trailers, concept art, and more. This version can be identified by an orange sticker on the top right corner. Sticker reads: "FREE Preview Disc Inside! Featuring Atari Star Wars Original Arcade Game Playable on the Nintendo Gamecube."

Again, no change to the insert itself, just the orange sticker and the 2 disc snap-case with the bonus disc included.

[anotherpoorgamer]

I think this was mentioned in another thread, wasn't there a Bestbuy exclusive gamecube bundle that had Metroid Prime/Zelda: Windwaker split artwork on one game case?

[Orrimarrko]

I think this was mentioned in another thread, wasn't there a Bestbuy exclusive gamecube bundle that had Metroid Prime/Zelda: Windwaker split artwork on one game case?

Hadn't heard of that one, but would LOVE to see a pic if it was the case... ;)

[4tygames]

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1166/5210ru.jpg

There you go!

Wind Waker and Metroid Prime together in one case!

[Orrimarrko]

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1166/5210ru.jpg

There you go!

Wind Waker and Metroid Prime together in one case!

Must find one for sale...:drool:

[UncleBob]

It'd probably be easier (although not as cool) if the Metroid/Zelda cover was uploaded to Snackbar. ;)

[Orrimarrko]

Does ANYONE have ANY of these for sale?

Metroid Prime / Windwaker pack-in (link is in page 5 of this thread)

Windwaker / Master Quest & Ocarina of Time pack-in (pic in on page 4 of this thread)

Wal-mart Stickered NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup (pic on page 4 of this thread)

Animal Crossing - K-mart exclusive with strategy guide offer

Legend of Zelda, The: The Wind Waker - K-mart exclusive with strategy guide offer

Starfox Adventures - K-mart exclusive with strategy guide offer

Super Mario Sunshine - K-mart exclusive with strategy guide offer

Wario World - K-mart exclusive with strategy guide offer

Metroid Prime - Target exclusive with coupon offer

Shrek Extra Large (Wal-Mart exclusive logo for "watch pack-in")

Spyro: A Hero's Tail (with EGM subscription promo offer)


PM me or email me (molloys@icc.utexas.edu) if you do!!

Thanks,
Orri-

[UncleBob]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/TheUncleBob/mc.jpg

These two might be of interest - they're 1st run releases of Super Monkey Ball and Crazy Taxi. Both state that the memory card is required, but neither says how many blocks are needed... This leads me to believe that there are possibly later (non-pc) editions of these games that have the number of blocks printed on the package.

Sorry for the crappy pic, camera phone.

[koster]

Onto the packaging variation...

This was a late release Target exclusive, and was available for a VERY short time. Packaged in a 2-disc snap case with the preview disc that was originally released for pre-orders. Includes full version of the original Atari Star Wars Arcade game, Rebel Strike single player demo, and bonus content including: game trailers, concept art, and more. This version can be identified by an orange sticker on the top right corner. Sticker reads: "FREE Preview Disc Inside! Featuring Atari Star Wars Original Arcade Game Playable on the Nintendo Gamecube."

Again, no change to the insert itself, just the orange sticker and the 2 disc snap-case with the bonus disc included.

I've seen this variant at a Gamestop/EBGames B&M; the case was a regular dual-disc Gamecube case (like the one for Killer 7).

[opportunity777]

How about adding Limited Editions and box sets to this list???

[JAMMR]

Sorry, but this is inaccurate.

The original SSBM was released without a Player's Choice or Best Seller logo.
Then it was released with the Best Seller logo.
Finally, it was released with the Player's Choice logo.

Interesting note about the PC version - the title on the spine is in Black lettering, rather than the white lettering of the previous two releases.

I can confirm all of this, because I own all three. ;)
Check your facts again. There are actual Press Releases that describe the "Best Seller" status and when it was implemented.

How about adding Limited Editions and box sets to this list???
I've been meaning to do an update. LEs should be included. Box sets however do not necessarily constitute a variant cover if it's just the original games inside of a box. An example I'd think of are the Super Monkey Balls or the Sonics that were 2-packs. Inside, they were just the Player's Choice versions of the game, most likely subsequent printings.

[opportunity777]

I've been meaning to do an update. LEs should be included. Box sets however do not necessarily constitute a variant cover if it's just the original games inside of a box. An example I'd think of are the Super Monkey Balls or the Sonics that were 2-packs. Inside, they were just the Player's Choice versions of the game, most likely subsequent printings.

First of all, your list is great, and I love that you are doing it.

Secondly, it would be really helpful if you did include the LE's. I have been meaning to get a lot of different LE's, but I can't even keep track of most of them these days.

Is anyone doing a PS2 or XBOX list on CAG?