Performance Vs. Appearance (or, the importance of a nice label)

[HoshiChiri]

So, a question: I recently acquired a new copy of H.E.R.O. for my 2600 since the label is in much better condition than my current cart. While it works, it has some artifacing in it that isn't present in my ugly copy. I've cleaned it, but it hasn't changed the quality of the image. I definitely don't need 2 copies, so I've a choice to make: Do I keep my ugly copy which works wonderfully, or the pretty one that only works OK? Swapping cart shells really isn't an option, I don't think the label on my ugly copy could survive the process.

[Flojomojo]

Got pictures? How ugly is the ugly one?

[+save2600]

Interesting that there's a difference in picture quality between the two carts. Using the same VCS, right? Must be a slight shielding variation, cold solder on the shield or bypass cap inside the cart going bad?

 

Either way, I'd give away the cart that produces a better pic. You can always use your Harmony to play the game and have something nice to look at on the shelf.

[HoshiChiri]

The game carts side-by-side (the end label is where the real difference is, although the wear on the front art is more pronounced in real life):

 

 

The ugly copy being played:

And the pretty one- much worse picture:

I don't often run into this kind of thing, bizzarely enough, so I don't know how likely it is I can clean the pretty one until it plays like the ugly one. Or if it'll ever look that good.

 

[Skippy B. Coyote]

If it was me I'd sell both, then keep looking until uou find one with a good condition label and nice picture quality. No reason to settle for something less than what you really want if you don't have to.

[Tanooki]

I'd find a way to do the swap or as he said above, ditch it and get one that isn't junky.

[icemanxp300]

I would NOT keep a game that did not play correctly. gameplay is more important than the label imo. That shit would annoy the piss out of me when I played it lol.

[Torr]

I don't want to derail this thread, but a quick question:

I have a Double Dragon (2600) cart, and its the only game I have that gets BAD screen interference when I play it. Sometimes if I squeeze the cart's front and back between thumb and finger it clears the image (until I let go) or it will usually slowly get better while I play, but never go away completely. I always wondered why that was, and assumed it was damage done to the inside. Now here's a case where able to compare to a known-good-unit.

Basically; is this fixable or just as well to replace?

[BassGuitari]

I'd do a shell swap if I could. Or couldn't you remove the labels and just swap them? It's a hassle, but doable.

Failing that, keep the one that works better, sell off the nicer-looking one, and keep an eye out for another label upgrade. Contrary to what eBay sellers would have you believe, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Fewer than there used to be, but still enough.

I tend to be, shall we say, fastidious about label condition because I display my carts.

[high voltage]

Keep the ugly one, it's part of the playing history.

I got plenty of those on VCS, also with marker pen written on it ('Sandy' on Ice Hockey, it looks well played too).

And the ugly one plays perfect, so keep it.