sharkcharmer Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 I purchased this Intellivision Popeye box off of Ebay last week - it was posted essentially as a "sealed" empty box. There was only one picture in the listing - a pic of the front of the box, and while a sealed empty box doesn't make much sense, it was cheap so I bought it. It arrived today, and I can't figure out what I'm looking at, or if it's an item of significance or not. I'm hoping someone here may have some insight into what this item is. A few notes: 1) The item is sealed, and it's definitely empty, weighing 2.3 oz, vs. 5 oz for the sealed US release. It's a lid-style box, but the back of the box is completely blank. 2) The box has a worn look to it that, to my amateur eye, is commensurate with that of the rest of the ~ 40 year-old games in our collection. All of the dirt and wear and stains or whatever appears to be on the shrink-wrap itself, not underneath it. 3) Several text blurbs on the box are on opposite sides of where they appear on the US version in our collection, including "Made in the USA by PB, Division of CPG blah blah"; "Popeye is a registered trade mark of blah blah"; "1983 King Features Syndicate"; Inc."; and "1983 Nintendo of America, Inc." all appear on opposite sides where they do on our real game. 4) The height of the box is the same height as our Empire Strikes Back and Q-Bert games, but several mm shorter than the Popeye and Frogger in our collection. 5) The Popeye on the standard, international and French-Canadian versions is the same artwork - a smiling Popeye; the one on this box is grumpy-looking. I can't find that artwork on any other video game box of any system-type. 6) Obviously I searched several search terms in google, and I checked out several commercials too, to no avail. Anyways, sorry for the long post. If it is not a well-done, under-the-radar replica of some sort, my best guess is that this may have been a pre-sale promotional item for retailers to display or something. But if someone here may know something. about this item, any information would be appreciated Sorry for the long post - Arlo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Steve Jones Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 Not sure if it is a repro or a prototype/mockup, that artwork appeared in a Parker Bros catalog that had several games that were never released, and a couple with different artwork than the final release, either way it looks very cool and is quite rare. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Steve Jones Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 http://atariage.com/forums/topic/189578-rare-intellivision-specific-parker-bros-catalogs/?fromsearch=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+intellivotion Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 if it's not a repro - and doesn't look like it is given that the blank back of box is clearly aged - it's awesome! I agree, looks like it's a pre-sale promotional mockup for retailers to display in their stores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cmart604 Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 Hmmmm. It feels like maybe it should be brought to PRGE for closer inspection. ?? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+stupus Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 To me it looks like a legit production sample.....that is hella cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BBWW Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 Wow we finally have something pretty unique in the collection!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BBWW Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 Hmmmm. It feels like maybe it should be brought to PRGE for closer inspection. Hmmmm...what do we need in the collection.... Yeah, that Sealed CBS Turbo. LOL We can bring it to Portland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+JasonlikesINTV Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 if it's not a repro - and doesn't look like it is given that the blank back of box is clearly aged - it's awesome! I agree, looks like it's a pre-sale promotional mockup for retailers to display in their stores I agree with this as a possible explanation. Pretty cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cmart604 Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 Hmmmm...what do we need in the collection.... Yeah, that Sealed CBS Turbo. LOL We can bring it to Portland. Lol! How about a couple of LV Pokers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emanuele Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 (edited) I bought a copy like this in 1984, in Italy. By the way, no overlays nor manual inside. Edited April 25, 2019 by Emanuele 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cmart604 Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 I bought a copy like this in 1984, in Italy. By the way, no overlays nor manual inside. Cool! That gives us a better idea of what it is and where it's from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+stupus Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 So it did have a cart inside though? And standard cart label? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkcharmer Posted April 26, 2019 Author Share Posted April 26, 2019 Thanks everyone for your feedback, I really appreciate it a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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