I did not know that there are 2 variants of the label :redcart: :o
I had a quick look online but this really does look like two different label runs. Would be very interested if anyone here knows any more information about this - why they may differ. It doesn't look like sunfading or an age related issue.
Based on my wizard analysis, the variant with grey stripe seems to be the older one, as it is usually much more worn out (front label, back label, box, contents), while the white stripe is in better condition most of the time.
https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/search/search?p=%E3%83%AD%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B32&auccat=22853&va=%E3%83%AD%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B32&exflg=1&b=1&n=20&s1=new&o1=d&mode=1
It also seems more common, so maybe the white one is the later version, produced in smaller quantities (as is usually the case with reprints of old games).
grey stripe cib
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p678875874
white stripe cib
https://www.ebay.com/itm/192889446425
No no I don't believe that, I think the sun and age has to do with different looking carts...
Quote from: jpx72 on May 04, 2019, 11:23:33 am
No no I don't believe that, I think the sun and age has to do with different looking carts...
Agreed. If you look at the second picture you can see there is a white stripe on the background in the same position the Gray stripe us at on the other picture
I need to dig my Rockman 2 cart out to have a look - but there's no reason the grey should fade to white and no other parts of the artwork do. Usually you see the fade in the reds first and the blue is the last to fade.
Something that didn't occur to me at first when I had a look online is if the grey strip is reflective type print. If so, the angle you take the picture could make it appear lighter or darker to the eye.
I need to verify on my cart if I can find it - as that would explain very quickly why there are differences in images online. But this doesn't look like classic sunfade.
Perhaps our members could post pictures of their carts too. It would appear there's at least an ink variation between the two.
The small (non-print) number and letter stamp on the front or rear label will also help.
not sunfade, maybe reflective that's possible, but unlikely, all photos of a certain auction, taken at different angles, appear either grey or white, you would expect some variation in different photos of the same cart
codes on carts and manual and boxes all the same, i checked all auctions on yahoo japan and ebay
It's also possible that these were printed at another place (for a later or earlier print) and they messed up the color adjustment. Rather than trashing a whole batch they used those.
I doubt that it's a legitimate label variant. Seems more like a printing error.
It's just sunfading.
It might look like a sunfade at first glance - but that doesn't add up - why does this one grey strip fade and no other black print fades?
Why is it faded on CIB copies that presumably have been stored in box away from the sun?
Why hasn't the red faded (which is the first colour to fade in the sun, blue being the last)?
I don't want to sound like it's more than it is, it is interesting but I don't think a conspiracy. But this is not your typical sunfade that's clear.
Printing error seems more likely - I can't see why there would be a designed difference, that doesn't make any sense either.
here I found one faded gray middle line , so there is something about this gray.
Some times it is wight some times it is darker, but defensively there are 2 variants this label :)
and I can not find darker 2 gray lines at all :redcart: