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Ok, so how rare is each variant of Link's Awakening for the original GB? Provided photos of all 4 variations, for reference.

Jan 18, 2017 at 9:41:14 AM
rlh (67)
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(Richard ) < King Solomon >
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Okay... So last week, or so, someone asked for verification of a Zelda cart with just onlythe Rated-E logo added to it, but no  Greatest Hits seal.

It was verified as being a legit variant.  When I see variants I'm not aware of, I add them to my list of games.  At the moment, I still need the "-1" and "-2" versions of Link's Awakening.

But... low and behold, I search eBay this AM, looking for pristine copies, and I find a fourth, "-3" version, which I've not seen yet!

See here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Legend-of...

This is "-3" version and is completely new to me!

My question is, on an NA scale, how rare would you deem each variant?  I know that the original version is basically a 1 and the first revision is probably a 2.  Revisions 3 and 4, however, seem to be much rarer.  I've not been in this market long enough, nor can I easily sift through this data to be sure.

I also ask because I am quite picky about cartridge quality.  But, if that "-3" was a limited run... well, I'm probably going to have to ease my quality requirements.

Thanks for any comments.  Variant collecting is starting to become as fun as searching for generally rare games.  You learn a lot of details about these games you'd never think to research.

For reference, the four variations are:

DMG-ZL-USA:

DMG-ZL-USA-1:


DMG-ZL-USA-2:


DMG-ZL-USA-3:

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Edited: 01/18/2017 at 09:53 AM by rlh

Jan 19, 2017 at 8:49:38 AM
rlh (67)
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(Richard ) < King Solomon >
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Bump...

I really am curious if anyone knows anything about that fourth version. I know the third version came in a Target bundle. The Rated-E Player's Choice, though, seems to be a mystery.

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Jan 19, 2017 at 12:12:14 PM
Trj22487 (25)
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All I can think is it comes from the later Ice Blue Target Game Boy Pockets after they realized they forgot the ribbon in the artwork

Jan 20, 2017 at 12:59:27 AM
tubeway (2)
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I'd be surprised if any is worth more than the others, although I'd probably pay an extra dollar for the first one since it's unmarred by any kind of ESRB logo or the Nintendo Player's Choice ribbon, giving it the most clean appearance.

Jan 20, 2017 at 3:01:28 AM
kamakaze_ekun (5)
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< El Ripper >
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That ribbon had me completely thrown off with the variant I went to pick up.

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Jan 20, 2017 at 4:02:17 AM
quest4nes (147)
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(jeff -) < Bonk >
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They are all worth the same.

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NES  646 (331 Manuals 319 Boxes)
Wii U 158
SNES 311
N64  189
Original Gameboy 48

 


Jan 20, 2017 at 6:04:07 AM
rlh (67)
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(Richard ) < King Solomon >
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To be clear, I'm not so much interested in worth as I am in generally how rare and hard to find this version is, and it's origin. I know that variant collector's for the GB are rare but rhat doesn't mean that this cart doesn't have an interesting story.

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Jan 20, 2017 at 10:13:57 PM
TheRedEye (6)
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(Frank Cifaldi) < Meka Chicken >
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First one has that cool bug where you can warp to the other side of the screen during a transition if you time your pausing right

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Edited: 01/20/2017 at 10:14 PM by TheRedEye

Jan 20, 2017 at 10:14:55 PM
NESking80 (15)
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(Chris aka inspector Callahan ) < Kraid Killer >
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Originally posted by: TheRedEye

First one has that cool bug where you can warp to the other side of the screen during a transition if you pause your timing right



Yeah, I used that a lot and ended up having to reset because I got stuck in walls.

Jan 20, 2017 at 11:25:15 PM
rlh (67)
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(Richard ) < King Solomon >
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I think that's the original. I use to do that too.

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Jan 21, 2017 at 7:11:20 AM
Trj22487 (25)
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< Bowser >
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You can do that in the players choice version too

Jan 22, 2017 at 7:48:50 AM
NostalgicMachine (8)
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< Master Higgins >
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I had no idea there were this many variants of LA. I learn so much from the discussion going on here.

Jan 22, 2017 at 9:16:29 PM
rlh (67)
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(Richard ) < King Solomon >
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Originally posted by: NostalgicMachine

I had no idea there were this many variants of LA. I learn so much from the discussion going on here.
Honestly, I only thought there were three variations ans I didn't learn of this one until I stumbled upon it on ebay.  After doing extensive searching online, I've only seen this variant twice and, unfortunately, none are in great condition.  I picked up the eBay auctioned one so I'm happy but I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open for a more-perfect one.

Now I just need to pick up the -1 and -2 versions and my LA collection will be complete.

 

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Jan 23, 2017 at 3:22:19 AM
NostalgicMachine (8)
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< Master Higgins >
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Originally posted by: rlh
 
Originally posted by: NostalgicMachine

I had no idea there were this many variants of LA. I learn so much from the discussion going on here.
Honestly, I only thought there were three variations ans I didn't learn of this one until I stumbled upon it on ebay.  After doing extensive searching online, I've only seen this variant twice and, unfortunately, none are in great condition.  I picked up the eBay auctioned one so I'm happy but I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open for a more-perfect one.

Now I just need to pick up the -1 and -2 versions and my LA collection will be complete.
I was only aware of two variants as well. This thread opened my eyes! Awesome snag, dude.

Jan 23, 2017 at 8:52:33 PM
SuperGameJoy (0)
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< Tourian Tourist >
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Thanks for the heads up on this. Just picked one up for myself!



Edited: 01/23/2017 at 08:53 PM by SuperGameJoy

Jan 23, 2017 at 8:58:12 PM
rlh (67)
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(Richard ) < King Solomon >
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Nice! Congrats.

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Jan 25, 2017 at 3:13:49 PM
rlh (67)
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(Richard ) < King Solomon >
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I just received my -3 revision cartridge and by looking at the date stamps on the inside, it was manufactured after 1997 due to the date stamp on the PCB. So, this game was likely sold in 1997-98, which blows my mind that a single game would be made for so long and could still sell. It's a real testament to how this game was so beloved and a staple of every gamers collection.

I noticed on the label that this cart has revision "B" of the Link's Awakening ROM. I double checked my DMG-ZL-USA and it is a first revision so, in the wild, there are 3 ROM variations for this game. I checked out TCRF.net, but unfortunately it didn't have many details about ROM differences in this game. Anyone know anything about this revision? Was this also used for DMG-ZL-USA-2 (the Target variant.)

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Jan 25, 2017 at 4:48:02 PM
Trj22487 (25)
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< Bowser >
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That much is quite obvious considering the "E" ESRB rating did not exist until 1998. Yoshi's Story for N64 was the first game to switch from K-A to E.