I remember this was one of the first threads I read upon finding this forum, and I've never properly thanked you for the information you've compiled here. So, thanks, it means a ton to me. I don't care too much about the random fliers and inserts, they're pretty much a dime a dozen to me, but knowing exactly what dust covers go with what games is huge to me. And the foam block stuff just fires me up even more, since it means no one can accurately reproduce them. I won't let it get to me or else I'll turn into a CIB collector who buys everything sealed and I just don't have the money for that.

What would be great on top of this is to have a list of games that came with extras like letters (like Mike Tyson's Punch Out) maps, strategy hints, or additional crap. It makes me mad as hell to see people sell things as "complete" when they don't include stuff like that, and I'd love to have a list to refer to, so that I could double check on games I'm less familiar with. I'm sure such a list exists and I'm overlooking it.

Here is a list that Wizard_666 has created. It explains what exactly came with the games and anything extra like the Mike Tyson's Letter.

http://www.gamefaqs.com/nes/91638...

That's what I needed in my life. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to spend the rest of tonight making sure all of my boxed NES games are up to snuff.

Amazing read, thanks for posting this.  

For the 5 digit # on box tab / manual, is this unique to a copy or the same for every copy of the game (same revision obv)
 

That's some serious overkill in the first post. Like I'm vaguely aware of the differences in dust sleeves and styrofoam inserts but I'd never go out of my way. It's nice when you get one of the thin ones you can swap into a box that needs one. "Complete" in my mind is cart, box, manual, relevant maps/charts, and a dust sleeve. Put a little asterisk next to it if there's not styrofoam.

As for OCD-ness, in my collection, red letter Nintendo dust sleeves are only for games released by Nintendo themselves. I do collect boxes and manuals and while it's nice if the versions all match, there are some I'm never going to bother with. I lucked into a cheap box for Contra last year and while the box is black seal, my childhood copy is white seal. Yeah, I'm never going to get around to correcting that.

I'm not sure. I still haven't figured this out completely. I've seen two copies of the same game with the same codes while another two copies of a different game do not.

I collect Cart-only. And (right now) don't care about sleeves. However, I typically won't buy a game if the label is messed up too much, unless it's a crazy bargain.

My guess is these are print runs, as I have had multiple copies of a few number sequences.  Luckily I stopped collecting these, there are just way too many out there to keep up with.

 

I too am crazy OCD when it comes to my games.  So I'll add myself to the 10% group of us.

True story that will bring a tear to everyone....  Got my original NES back in Oct 1986, and over the early years of playing it, I ended up with about  18 games.  All purchased new.  Ones like SMB (pack in with my Control Deck system), Ice Climber, Clu Clu Land, Gumshoe, Castlevania I, II, III, Contra, Cobra Triangle, Ninja Gaiden 2, SMB 3, Pro Wrestling, Rush N' Attack, Zelda I, Life Force, Metroid, Rad Racer, and yes, even Chubby Cherub.  Kept all of the boxes, and inside each box were all of the inserts as well as my receipt.  All of the boxes were stacked vertically on my coffee table.  Had them for years in the same location. Eventually got married, moved out, but would be close enough to visit Mom at least once a week.  Each time, I kept thinking "I have to grab those from her house".  I wasn't really into collecting too much back then.  When the collecting bug finally bit me, I decided to get those, only to find them nowhere to be found.  Both my Mom and brother swear they never would have thrown them out.  Each time I visit, I make it a point to search her house/basement/attic for them.  No luck since. Boxes (and inserts) were in mint condition.  Thankfully, a few years earlier I had grabbed all my NES (and Super NES) games from her house.  And luckily too, I kept all of the original instruction manuals in a different location, so I have those as well.  But it kills me each time I go there and can't locate these boxes.  I know my collection would be worth so much more with them, especially since they were in mint condition.

As for collecting now, I too hate it when eBayers say that their item is CIB, when in fact they are missing some inserts.  I try to buy ones that are in perfect condition with all of the inserts. I even have some opened boxed games where the original owner carefully slit open only the top of the shrinkwrap, just enough to open the box.  Sealed copies are too expensive for me unfortunately.

To the OP.....WONDERFUL post... I really never knew about the different sleeves (other than the Nintendo red branded ones and the plain black ones), plus the styrofoam inserts and other things you mentioned.  Great effort, and it's much appreciated !!

Cintoman
 

Thanks. It's greatly appreciated. My mental issues is your benefit. 
 

Update. Decided to add that some games came with a cardboard insert instead of styrofoam. It's still vague about why they came with it and needs more research. Only game that is pretty much confirmed is M.C. Kids.

Curious, do you have actual diagnosed OCD, or are you just very particular, and that's the term you use to describe it?

 

I've never been diagnosed with OCD, so I guess I'm just very particular.

Neat...I've always wondered what inserts went to which games and which sleeves should go to which games. Glad to see I'm not the only one. I've been putting all the Nintendo labeled sleeves to Nintendo published games and the third party ones to the rest of them. Though I'm not a 100% on that since I ran out of the Nintendo sleeves real fast lol.

This is going to be useful for me when I start piecing together CIB versions. I don't buy CIB unless it's cheap so I piece together the boxes and carts when I can find them at yard sales...cheaper in the long run for me.

I barely care if my boxes have manuals in them...

I too have never been diagnosed, but my daughter was diagnosed and had to be treated for severe OCD back in 2014 when she was 12.  Local hospital/treatment place in RI is among the best in the world and was amazing in treating her.  She is 100% back to her normal self.

--Cintoman

I'm worse than most here, my boxes have to be the same except I also need all variants complete as well. I have empty boxes and loose cartridges for the same game stored on different shelves because they don't match.

Made a small update to the list.

Very impressive reading on your compiled variations list! Not sure if it's OCD or just actual passion?  
If it's OCD for real, which do you sleep with more, the partner or the games? lol

 

Not sure. It think it's more of a "Someday someone out there like me will appreciate all this work" kinda thing.

Yep, you are OCD enough to be a part of this thread.  

http://nintendoage.com/forum/mess...

Any idea if all of the original Black Box games came with the Nintendo Game Plan poster? Also did they come with baggies?

If not all, is there any known logic as to which ones came with these items and which did not?

Thanks

Yes, all Black Box games came with the poster and baggy. All licensed NES games have at least one insert whether it's a poster or NP insert.

OCD can have its utility when the person afflicted is into documenting history

Man that post is a must to be pinned!!!