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Donkey Kong Country includes many of the standard variants found on the Super NES, including country of production, revisions to USA codes and a Players Choice release. A specific change that occurred during production is the removal the ESRB content from the back of the third and fourth print boxes.
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, ESRB Content (Back), USA
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, ESRB Content (Back), M/USA
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, ESRB Content Removed (Back), USA-1
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, ESRB Content Removed (Back), M/USA-1
Made in Japan, E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Left: Made in Japan, K-A Rating, ESRB Content (Back), USA
Right: Made in Japan, K-A Rating, ESRB Content Removed (Back), USA-1
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Printed in Japan, No Rating, USA
Printed in USA, No Rating, U/USA
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, U/USA-1
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-1
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-2
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-2
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
Nintendo Power, SNS-8X-USA
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-8X-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Manual:
Printed in Japan, No Rating
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, SNS-8X-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
Manual:
Printed in USA, No Rating, U/USA
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-8X-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-1
Manuals:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-1
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-2
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, SNS-8X-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
Manuals:
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-1
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-2
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-8X-USA
Cartridge:
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Manual:
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest displays some of the more common Super NES variants. Among these are country of production changes, USA code revisions and a Players Choice re-release.
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
Made in Japan, E Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-1
Nintendo Power, SNS-ADNE-USA
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-ADNE-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Manual:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, SNS-ADNE-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
Manual:
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-ADNE-USA
Cartridge:
Players Choice, E Rating, USA-1
Manual:
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-1
Third- and fourth-production printings of Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! have an additional Rareware logo on the front of their boxes. Otherwise, the variants for Donkey Kong Country 3 are common amongst other Super NES games, including country of production changes, updates to the USA code and a Players Choice re-release.
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, No Rareware Logo, USA
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, No Rareware Logo, M/USA
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, Rareware Logo, USA-1
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, Rareware Logo, M/USA-1
Made in Japan, E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Left: Made in Japan, K-A Rating, No Rareware Logo, USA
Right: Made in Japan, K-A Rating, Rareware Logo, USA-1
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-1
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-1
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-2
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
Nintendo Power, SNS-A3CE-USA
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-A3CE-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Manual:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, SNS-A3CE-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
Manual:
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-A3CE-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Manuals:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-1
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-2
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, SNS-A3CE-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
Manual:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, U/USA-1
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-A3CE-USA
Cartridge:
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Manual:
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past has common Super NES variant types, including country of production changes, the introduction of ESRB ratings, USA code revisions and Players Choice re-releases. The Players Choice releases stand out because of the significant changes to the game's box art.
Made in Japan, USA
Made in Japan, KA Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Made in Mexico, KA Rating, Players Choice, M/USA-1
Made in Japan, E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Left: Made in Japan, USA
Right: Made in Japan, E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Locking, Made in Japan, USA
K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
K-A Rating, Players Choice, M/USA-1
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Printed in Japan, USA
Printed in Japan, USA-1
Printed in Japan, USA-2
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-3
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-3
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-4
Left: Printed in Japan, USA
Right: Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-3
Dungeon/World Map, SNS-ZL-USA
Top Secrets, SNS-ZL-USA
Nintendo Power Offer, SNS-ZL-USA
Left: Dungeon/World Map, SNS-ZL-USA
Middle: Nintendo Power Offer, SNS-ZL-USA
Right: Top Secrets, SNS-ZL-USA
Cartridge:
Locking, Made in Japan, USA
Manuals:
Printed in Japan, USA
Printed in Japan, USA-1
Game Specific Inserts:
Dungeon/World Map, SNS-ZL-USA
Top Secrets, SNS-ZL-USA
Nintendo Power Offer, SNS-ZL-USA
Cartridge:
K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Manuals:
Printed in Japan, USA-2
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-3
Cartridge:
K-A Rating, Players Choice, M/USA-1
Manual:
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-3
Cartridge:
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Manual:
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-4
Mega Man X has some interesting variants. There is a standard “Made in Japan” box and three subsequent Majesco re-releases. The first Majesco box is notable for featuring an upside-down SNS code on the back of the box and a solid red-outlined Nintendo “pill” logo on the front. The second Majesco box also features the upside-down SNS code, but the Nintendo logo has a white outline. Finally, the third Majesco box has the SNS code correctly printed in its upright position.
Mega Man X also features several cartridge and manual variants. The manuals are easy to distinguish from each other, but the cartridges are more complicated. The first Capcom “Made in Japan” cartridge matches with the “Made in Japan” box. However, there are three separate Majesco cartridges. The first two are “Assembled in Mexico”; the first cartridge has a printed black label while the second has an embossed black shell. The third cartridge has a rare Majesco text label, which features a matte sticker label with a red outline and the title “MEGAMAN X.”
Made in Japan, USA
Assembled in Mexico, Majesco, Upside-down SNS Code, Solid Logo, USA
Assembled in Mexico, Majesco, Upside-down SNS Code, Outline Logo, USA
Assembled in Mexico, Majesco, SNS Code Corrected, USA
Made in Japan, USA
Assembled in Mexico, Black Label
Assembled in Mexico, Embossed Back
Majesco Text Label, "MEGAMAN X"^
Color, Printed in Japan, USA
Grayscale, Printed in USA, USA
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, USA
Manual:
Color, Printed in Japan, USA
Cartridges:
Assembled in Mexico, Black Label
Assembled in Mexico, Embossed Back
Manual:
Greyscale, Printed in USA, USA
Cartridge:
Assembled in Mexico, Embossed Back
Manual:
Greyscale, Printed in USA, USA
Cartridge:
Assembled in Mexico, Embossed Back
Manual:
Greyscale, Printed in USA, USA
^This variant was sold as a loose cartridge by Majesco Sales and is only available for cartridge only certification.
SimCity features a variant found on other early Super NES games, where the recycle logo was mistakenly printed upside down. A subsequent box printing corrected the recycle logo to its upright position. In addition, SimCity also has other standard Super NES variants, including country of production variations, revisions to USA codes and a Players Choice re-release.
Made in Japan, Upside-down Recycle Logo, USA
Made in Japan, Recycle Logo Corrected, USA-1
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, Players Choice, M/USA-2
Made in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
Made in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
Locking, Made in Japan, USA
K-A Rating, Players Chioce, USA-1
K-A Rating, Players Choice, M/USA-1
Ramp, Made in Japan, E Rating, USA-2
Printed in Japan, USA
Printed in Japan, USA-1
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-2
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-2
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
Cartridge:
Locking, Made in Japan, USA
Circle SoQ, (C) 1987
Manual:
Printed in Japan, USA
Cartridge:
Locking, Made in Japan, USA
Manuals:
Printed in Japan, USA
Printed in Japan, USA-1
Cartridge:
K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Manual:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-2
Cartridge:
K-A Rating, Players Choice, M/USA-1
Manual:
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-2
Cartridge:
Ramp, Made in Japan, E Rating, USA-2
Manual:
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
It is important to pay attention to the variants for Super Mario All-Stars when adding it to a collection. Check for country of production changes, USA code revisions, Players Choice re-releases and additions or updates to the ESRB rating.
Made in Japan, USA
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, Players Choice, M/USA-1
Made in Japan, E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Left: Made in Japan, USA
Right: Made in Japan, E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Made in Japan, USA
K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
K-A Rating, Players Choice, M/USA-1
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Printed in Japan, USA
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-1
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, U/USA-1
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, USA
Manual:
Printed in Japan, USA
Cartridge:
K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Manual:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-1
Cartridge:
K-A Rating, Players Choice, M/USA-1
Manual:
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-1
Cartridge:
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Manual:
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-3
Super Mario Kart went through several production runs, which subsequently produced many different box, cartridge and manual variants. While many of these are standard USA code and design updates, a variant that is specific to Super Mario Kart is the addition of a Game Pak code to the second production box, something the first box didn't have due to an error.
Another variant exclusive to Super Mario Kart is the "Best Seller" version of the Players Choice re-release. Most Players Choice variants for the Super NES feature the phrase "Million Seller" on the Players Choice logo that appears on the box and cartridge. However, Super Mario Kart has both a "Best Seller" Players Choice and a "Million Seller" Players Choice.
Made in Japan, USA
Made in Japan, Game Pak, USA-1
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, Players Choice/Best Seller, USA-2
Made in Mexico, K-A rating, Players Choice/Best Seller, M/USA-2
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, Players Choice/Million Seller, USA-3
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, Players Choice/Million Seller, M/USA-3
Made in Japan, E Rating, Players Choice/Million Seller, USA-4
Left: Made in Japan, USA
Right: Made in Japan, Game Pak, USA-1
Left: Players Choice / Best Seller
Right: Players Choice / Million Seller
Locking, Made in Japan, USA
Ramp, Made in Japan, USA
Players Choice/Best Seller, USA-1
Players Choice/Best Seller, M/USA-1
Players Choice/Million Seller, USA-2
Players Choice/Million Seller, M/USA-2
Players Choice/Million Seller, USA-3
Printed in Japan, USA
Printed in Japan, USA-1
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-1
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-2
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-3
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-4
Cartridge:
Locking, Made in Japan, USA
Manuals:
Printed in Japan, USA
Printed in Japan, USA-1
Cartridge:
Ramp, Made in Japan, USA
Manual:
Printed in Japan, USA-1
Cartridge:
Players Choice/Best Seller, USA-1
Manual:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-2
Cartridge:
Players Choice/Best Seller, M/USA-1
Manual:
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA-1
Cartridge:
Players Choice/Million Seller, USA-2
Manuals:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-2
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-3
Cartridge:
Players Choice/Million Seller, M/USA-2
Manual:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, U/USA-2
Cartridge:
Players Choice/Million Seller, USA-3
Manual:
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-4
Super Mario RPG went through two separate production runs: One in Japan and one in Mexico / the United States. This makes matching the components fairly painless; they can best be paired using the country of production codes.
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, U/USA
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA
Nintendo Power, SNS-ARWE-USA
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-ARWE-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Manual:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, SNS-ARWE-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Mexico, K-A Rating, M/USA
Manual:
Printed in USA, K-A Rating, U/USA
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, U/SNS-ARWE-USA
Left: All matching components for Made in Mexico, M/USA
Super Mario World was the most commercially successful title for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Initially a pack-in title for the Super NES's launch, it was over a year into the console's life before Super Mario World was re-released as a standalone game. These later retail releases of the game feature some of the more common Super NES variants, including warranty text changes, USA code revisions, locking and ramp cartridge designs and a Players Choice re-release.
The internal components for Super Mario World deserve special attention. Both the first print cartridge and manual were exclusively paired with the code "SNS-USA," printed on the back label. Meanwhile, the second print cartridge has the "SNS-USA/CAN" region code. Another important variant is a misprint on the first USA-1 cartridge, which features a reversed Nintendo Seal of Quality.
Made in Japan, 4 Line Red Box Warranty, USA
Made in Japan, 3 Line Red Box Warranty, USA-1
Made in Japan, E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Locking, Made in Japan, USA^
Locking, Reverse SoQ, USA-1
Locking, SoQ Corrected, USA-1
Ramp, Made in Japan, USA-1
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Left: Locking, Made in Japan, USA
Right: Locking, Reverse SoQ, USA-1
Printed in Japan, USA
Printed in Japan, USA-1
Printed in Japan, USA-2
Printed in Japan, USA-3
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-4
Cartridges:
Locking, Made in Japan, USA (SNS-USA/CAN Back)
Locking, Reverse SoQ, USA-1
Locking, SoQ Corrected, USA-1
Manual:
Printed in Japan, USA-1
Cartridges:
Locking, SoQ Corrected, USA-1
Ramp, Made in Japan, USA-1
Manuals:
Printed in Japan, USA-2
Printed in Japan, USA-3
Cartridge:
E Rating, Players Choice, USA-2
Manual:
Printed in Japan, E Rating, USA-4
^This cartridge has two back label variants. The first variant has label code SNS-USA. These variants were exclusively used as pack-ins for the Super NES console and are only eligible for cartridge-only certification. The second variant has label code SNS-USA/CAN, and was included in stand-alone retail releases of Super Mario World.
Super Metroid has several standard Super Nintendo variant types, including USA code revisions and a Players Choice re-release.
There are also a few specific variants exclusive to Super Metroid. The first two box printings of the game have different "Only For Nintendo" banners on the upper-right hand corner. The first printing features green "Only For" text that matches the cover art of the game. The second printing has the standard yellow/orange banner that became common on subsequent console exclusive releases of Nintendo games.
Made in Japan, Green "Only For Nintendo" Text, USA
Made in Japan, "Only For Nintendo" Banner, USA
Made in Japan, K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Made in Japan, USA
K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Printed in Japan, USA
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-1
Nintendo Power, SNS-RI-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, USA
Manual:
Printed in Japan, USA
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, SNS-RI-USA
Cartridge:
Made in Japan, USA
Manual:
Printed in Japan, USA
Game Specific Insert:
Nintendo Power, SNS-RI-USA
Cartridge:
K-A Rating, Players Choice, USA-1
Manual:
Printed in Japan, K-A Rating, USA-1