spine cards and other extras...

[akamichi]

I'm pretty sure there were separate versions released but I have no proof.  I do know that the Forgotten Worlds + ave pad 3 pack is labelled as "limited Ave Pad 3 pack" so that would lead me to believe there was a "regular" release without the pad.

So if anybody has a version with the spine card, that would pretty much prove there was a stand alone version.

[twor2005]

I'm pretty sure there were separate versions released but I have no proof.  I do know that the Forgotten Worlds + ave pad 3 pack is labelled as "limited Ave Pad 3 pack" so that would lead me to believe there was a "regular" release without the pad.

So if anybody has a version with the spine card, that would pretty much prove there was a stand alone version.

As a side question, what is the deal with the three button pad? Is button III the same as the run button only in a more user friendly shape? Is it possible to assign I,II,III, select and run all different functions?

[NeoFreak]

while we are on the topic of packaging, how many HuCards or CD games came with outer boxes like this? was this just to hold maps and other extras?

[Keranu]

Both HuCard and CD games were packaged like that until about the time the Turbo Duo was out, which was in 1992. Steve could probably give a more technical answer to this.

[twor2005]

while we are on the topic of packaging, how many HuCards or CD games came with outer boxes like this? was this just to hold maps and other extras?

Most Hucards and CDs did come with both those. Late in the systems life they did away with the hard plastic case and just put them in the box in a tray, so games like Air Zonk, Bonk 3, Magical Chase, Samurai Ghost, probably Somer Assault, Time Cruise had no cd style case. SCDs on the other hand never had outer boxes.

[esteban]

Here are the general guidelines .

Japan HuCard:
Jewel Case + Manual + HuCard + Vinyl Sleeve + thin SPONGE FOAM + Registration Card
(not sure if all games included foam, but it was used to keep the HuCard in the tray -- a buffer between the HuCard and the manual when the cover was snapped shut. A FEW games (Namco?) had trays with two SHORT plastic HOOKS that were used to hold the HuCard + Sleeve in place... these special sleeves had two holes punched out -- for the hooks).
Comparison of Japanese vs. US packaging, using the same game.
TRIVIA: I have 1 or 2 vinyl sleeves that are decorated (i.e. a white concentric swirl is printed on one sleeve).  No North American sleeves were decorated.

Japan CD:
Jewel Case + Manual + CD + Spine Card (OBI) + Registration Card
Example of Japanese CD packaging, sorry, no comparison to US packaging.

North America HuCard (NEC era):
Jewel Case (with plastic arm) + Manual + HuCard + Vinyl Sleeve + Cardboard Box +  Styrofoam Insert (since the boxes were bigger than jewel cases, you need the styrofoam... same concept as NES packaging)
Note: As previously mentioned, Keith Courage lacked a plastic arm and had double-sided sticker instead.

North America HuCard (TTi era):
Manual + HuCard + Vinyl Sleeve + Cardboard Box + Clear plastic "tray"
(HuCard rested in the middle of the tray, with manual resting on top)

North America CD (NEC era):
Jewel Case + Manual + CD + Cardboard Box + Styrofoam Insert

North America CD (TTi era):
Jewel Case + Manual + CD


BOTTOM LINE:  While cardboard boxes were wasteful (trees!), they were seen as a theft deterrent (like the longboxes CDs used to be packaged in). Later, TTi wanted to cut costs, so they revamped the packaging... but for HuCards, I guess it was cheaper for TTi to keep the cardboard boxes and nix the jewel cases.

I've said this before, but the plastic arm in the US jewel cases is a GREAT improvement.

[Keranu]

Very nice, informational post, Steve. Plastic arms do kick ass, indeed!

[nodtveidt]

While reorganizing the house, I found that I still have two copies of the Ys I& II game map. One of them isn't in the best of shape but the other's in pretty good shape (neither are anywhere near mint though). Talk about a blast from the past.

[NeoFreak]

wow, thanks for the in-depth descriptions.

[Keranu]

While reorganizing the house, I found that I still have two copies of the Ys I& II game map. One of them isn't in the best of shape but the other's in pretty good shape (neither are anywhere near mint though). Talk about a blast from the past.

Hey I'll take one off you!