Limited Run Games making long-box jewel cases

[HoshiChiri]

https://twitter.com/LimitedRunJosh/status/912764774693457920

 

From a couple days ago- I'm pretty stoked about this. I've got plently of cracked cases & broken hinges on my Sega CD/Saturn games I'd love to replace.

[Blazing Lazers]

Good! Now picky collectors can stop cannibalizing sports games for cases. Some of those have actually gotten fairly difficult to find complete because of that. These cases not aged well at all, and just anecdotally I swear they've actually gotten more brittle over time. I've had some for 20 years now and a few really do seem less durable than they used to be. Or maybe it's just their increased value that causes me to think of them as more preciously delicate.

 

That conversation on Twitter was interesting, too- and it's obvious they were talking about Panzer Dragoon Saga. I stopped bothering with trying to keep up with all of the LRG releases but might have to resume that, especially if there'll be Sega CD releases. That'll lead to a huge collector and collectard feeding frenzy.

[imstarryeyed]

Wow big win, I have been wanting new cases for years now, I am sooo a customer of that!!!! Thanks for the info!

[dj_convoy]

Great news, but I foresee shipping armageddon and malady with these things.

[godslabrat]

Is it going to be a sticking point if a game has a vintage or a repro jewel case?

 

If it does matter, how do we distinguish? And if it doesn't, why does the game need a case to be "complete"?

[keepdreamin]

Good! Now picky collectors can stop cannibalizing sports games for cases. Some of those have actually gotten fairly difficult to find complete because of that.

 

 

Are you actually playing said sports games? Like Madden 97 for Saturn? I strongly doubt it.

[spacecadet]

Is it going to be a sticking point if a game has a vintage or a repro jewel case?

 

If it does matter, how do we distinguish? And if it doesn't, why does the game need a case to be "complete"?

 

Game needs a case to be complete because you need somewhere to store the game and manual.

 

I've never cared about whether jewel cases were original, whether the "long" or the "short" kind. And you know, there were official Sega replacement cases floating around all over the place when the Saturn was actually out, so who knows whether you have an original case on any of your games or not even as it is. I've had original Sega replacement cases for a bunch of my games for a long time, and I'm sure I've sold some games with replacement cases. (To be fair, those cases really were exactly the same as what the games came with; I don't know if the new ones will be.) I still have some empty ones; I bought a bunch of them new when I could.

 

I've got tons of games with replacement cases for lots of systems, not just the Saturn/Sega CD. Even when it's a pretty obvious difference, I'd rather have a case in good condition than one that's cracked/broken. I replace cases on used games almost as a matter of course, because they're almost always too trashed for me to even look at. I do at least try to match them exactly if possible, but the point is I don't really care too much about the case originality; it doesn't affect value for me. If it's really the exact same case, it might even positively affect value for me if the original case is broken and somebody buys a new one before selling the game.

 

I think we'll just have to see how close these are to the originals. Hopefully they're dead on accurate. If they are, then I will buy a bunch and use them as needed and think no more about it.

[BawesomeBurf]

This is great news, although I did get rid of all my NA Saturn games last year. But this will be great for some of the PS1 longbox titles I'll be buying.

[+FujiSkunk]

Great news. I'll have to buy a batch when they come out.

 

 

Is it going to be a sticking point if a game has a vintage or a repro jewel case?

If it does matter, how do we distinguish? And if it doesn't, why does the game need a case to be "complete"?

 

This is my personal opinion, so YMMV. Personally I don't think it matters where the case came from, and I've frequently swapped out broken small-box PS1, Dreamcast, etc. jewel cases with better cases snarfed from discarded music CD's. Except for different hub designs, and maybe different hinge designs if I were to look closely enough, I can't tell a difference. Even then I suspect the same game was often packaged with different jewel case variations, especially games popular enough to have gone through several pressings. I can't say this for sure, it's just a feeling. If true, that means those different hubs and hinges don't really matter anyway.

 

Having said that, I believe a game disc should have a case, even if it's not the case, to be considered complete. Cases are still the best way to store discs, especially those you play regularly. Even the softest, easiest CD books and such can scratch discs as they're frequently pulled in an out of the sleeves. Cases are also the best way to preserve and display the jewel case inserts, even if they're not always the friendliest to the actual manuals.

[Professor Gull]

I am lazy and did not want to read through it all but are they Saturn cases or Sega cd cases? Just noting since the pin sizes for the hinges are different and it would suit best to even modify those for better strength if they can. Although weak ones would mean return business I would suppose.

[HoshiChiri]

I am lazy and did not want to read through it all but are they Saturn cases or Sega cd cases? Just noting since the pin sizes for the hinges are different and it would suit best to even modify those for better strength if they can. Although weak ones would mean return business I would suppose.

 

He replies 'exact same cases' to someone who asks if these are 'like Saturn cases', but they never fully clarify.

[keepdreamin]

Too bad they can't do actual saturn game print runs. I imagine the tooling Sega had for pressing saturn discs is long gone.

[+FujiSkunk]

As long as the paperwork and inserts for the Sega CD and Sega Saturn longboxes are the same size, it won't really matter except to the sticklers. If you're a stickler, feel free to ignore this reply.

[HoshiChiri]

As long as the paperwork and inserts for the Sega CD and Sega Saturn longboxes are the same size, it won't really matter except to the sticklers. If you're a stickler, feel free to ignore this reply.

 

I'm a semi-stickler... I don't want any notable differences (for example, an all-clear plastic case when the disc hub piece should be black)- but as long as all the paper bits fit & it looks right at a passing glance, I'll be happy.

[imstarryeyed]

I just hope the cases are not like fragile glass again. I hate the way they would break on the slightest nudge of anything and scratch like crazy. I think the broken hinges thing is most likely the worst out of all of the problems these cases have.

 

If these problems can be fixed or addressed that would make these cases much better in my opinion than the original.

 

In any case I am all in as I need cases and I am getting tired of looking for old sports games that sellers want to charge 20 dollars for, knowing you need their good case.

[MortoffGames]

He is going to have a hard time getting these made. The problem comes down to quality issues with scratching of the plastic shell on molding. I have talked to a host of companies about getting these made and they all turned me down due to inability to produce a good end product.

[Eltigro]

I don't have many Saturn games... My copy of Panzer Dragoon needs an entire case, manual, artwork... same with Myst. My Tomb Raider just has a broken hinge. PGA Tour 97 has a crack in the front. Darius Gaiden has big stickers on it from when it was a rental (surprised a rental has good hinges)... but the rest are fine. So that's like five cases...

 

Looks like five cases for $25.

[Austin]

I just hope the cases are not like fragile glass again. I hate the way they would break on the slightest nudge of anything and scratch like crazy. I think the broken hinges thing is most likely the worst out of all of the problems these cases have.

 

If these problems can be fixed or addressed that would make these cases much better in my opinion than the original.

 

In any case I am all in as I need cases and I am getting tired of looking for old sports games that sellers want to charge 20 dollars for, knowing you need their good case.

I somehow doubt the new cases will be more durable (unless the design is changed completely). Collectors that are willing to buy into this sort of thing are going to need to do their due diligence on top of the replacement cases and store their games in box protectors as well. I think most that are that anal about their collection will be doing that already so the concern is mostly a non-issue. For those that aren't aren't familiar with the concept but want that extra layer of protection, you can buy them here.

[spacecadet]

I've never done anything special to protect my cases and they're all fine. I never understand how people break these things so easily. All the Saturn games I bought new at the time and all the replacement cases I bought 20 years ago are basically still like new. And I've moved several times in that period too; nothing broke.

 

Then again I've gotten several Wii and Wii U games lately that have had totally trashed cases, and that's actually difficult to do. You have to really try to mess them up. Yet still, people manage it.

 

Just take care of your stuff. You don't need box protectors. Every type of game case breaks if you use it as a frisbee.

[MortoffGames]

I somehow doubt the new cases will be more durable (unless the design is changed completely). Collectors that are willing to buy into this sort of thing are going to need to do their due diligence on top of the replacement cases and store their games in box protectors as well. I think most that are that anal about their collection will be doing that already so the concern is mostly a non-issue. For those that aren't aren't familiar with the concept but want that extra layer of protection, you can buy them here.

Actually box protectors would not be helpful. The problem would be scratching of the plastic at the time of manufacturing before it even arrived to you. Several companies when I discussed the project with them were certain the cases would have scratches all over them

[Rick Dangerous]

FINALLY!!!!

[zetastrike]

Huh, that's neat. The challenge will be for them to not get destroyed in the time they spend in transit before you get them. It would be great if they also made some really nice regular jewel cases. The ones they make now that you can buy at Staples are so thin and flimsy they feel like a plastic water bottle. The ones from the 90s are super thick and hearty.

[spacecadet]

Actually box protectors would not be helpful. The problem would be scratching of the plastic at the time of manufacturing before it even arrived to you. Several companies when I discussed the project with them were certain the cases would have scratches all over them

 

None of my Sega replacement cases were scratched when I got them. They came packaged very tightly in a pack of ten. They couldn't move. They also (if I remember right, don't have them right in front of me) have very slight ridges on all edges that mean the flat parts of the plastic couldn't rub up against each other. I'm guessing this is actually the key and was done specifically for this reason.

 

Since opening them and leaving them on a shelf, they have developed some scratches just from moving them around periodically and rubbing together as I hold them haphazardly by hand. But they were pristine when I got them.

 

We will have to see how these new ones are packaged and shipped. But there's nothing inherent to their design that would lead them to get scratched in shipping. If they're stacked properly and sealed tightly (with rigid plastic, not shrinkwrap), they should be fine.

[imstarryeyed]

I think the case for a redesign has been made here, I hope they take those problems into consideration and make them with fewer problems than the originals.

[spacecadet]

I think the case for a redesign has been made here, I hope they take those problems into consideration and make them with fewer problems than the originals.

 

Sorry, I don't know how to embed an image, but check my attachment.