Legend of Zelda cart differences.

[King Atari]

Okay, I've been having a blast playing this game (sadly, on an emulator, since when my NES screen flashes when you try to start it, it has a tendency to erase the saved games). Anyways, I have the gold cart, but I know there was a regular gray one, too. Anybody know which came first, and which one might be rarer (I'd think they'd be about equal rarity)?

[Lemmi]

Yeah i would like to know as well, since ive never seen a Zelda game in a grey cart before

[Adrian M]

As far as I know, The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link only came in gold cartridges.

 

If you have seen a copy in a standard gray cart, that may be a hack job: someone may have taken a regular gray case and swapped the board.

[ubersaurus]

I think I heard about this, there were yellow ones used at Nintendo repair shops to test the rebuilt NESs. I don't think it came in grey though. Yellow ones are really rare compared to the gold ones.

[video game addict]

Yes the both came out on grey carts as well. The gold versions are the most common ones 1 on the DP scale. The grey versions would probably be a 3.

Nintendo Re-released 4 games as part of the Classic Series:

The Legend of Zelda (grey cart)

The Adventure of Link (grey cart)

Punch-Out (without the Tyson name)

Metroid (yellow label, original was silver)

 

Also Konami Re-released Blades of Steel with their own Classic label. It used a Red label with the original silver label shrunk down and centered on the front.

 

I had all of these, but I got rid of the Zelda's and Metroid cause they're the exact same game in a different case/label. I personally liked the gold versions better.

 

Ubersaurus is right about the Yellow Zelda carts. They were never sold, just used for testing purposes, and as a result are very rare. They usually top the $100 mark when they hit ebay. And have probably topped the $200 range on occasion.

[Atari Master]

I saw one of the grey carts at The Game Trader.Mabe I should get it.

[Nintendo Penguin]

Hi all,

 

The gold ones came first and the are a little more common. They are also a little more collectable. The grey carts were released in the "classic series" (as mentioned above) along with a few other NES hits. Neither is particularly rare, but collectors seem to favor the gold.

[AlanD]

Video Game Addict is pretty much correct with what he says about the Classic Series. The only other thing I could add is that the 2-3 yellow Zelda carts I have seen come up on ebay have usually topped the $400 mark and at least one has topped $500. Hard to believe since it is just a regular Zelda cart and label put into a test cart case. The game is byte-for-byte identical as I read it in to check.

AlanD

[Lemmi]

Well i just saw 2 Grey Zelda Carts at funcoLand today

[King Atari]

Ah, I understand. Thanks everybody, I'm glad to know that I have the original gold version (I never did like those re-release games, my Punch-Out is one and it just isn't the same, I'll have to pick up a "real" one). I figured it wasn't rare, but I was curious. Again, thanks everybody.

[Adrian M]

THis afternoon I was over at Software Etc picking up a copy of Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions for my XBOX and I was sorting through the used NES games for a second copy of GYROMITE. I came across a copy of Zelda II: THe Adventure of Link in a GRAY cartridge case for $6.99. Needless to say, I have been proven wrong...gray carts of the Zelda series do indeed exist.

 

In any event, I bought this cartridge and it will be given a permanent home in my ever-expanding collection of games and systems.

[ubersaurus]

I really liked Zelda 2. It was one of the first games I got for the NES, along with Ninja Gaiden, and SMB/Duck Hunt.

[StanJr]

I had a copy of MIKE TYSON's punch out, but it bit me and then grabbed its crotch and threatened to eat my children (i have no children). Later, the State of Kentucky Gaming Commission would not grant the cart the license to be played on any NES in the state. I hear it is currently lobbying to be played in Michigan or somewhere.

 

Moral of the story: You are safer with the just plain "Punch-Out" variety.

 

But to stay on topic: We have several grey label Zelda's around here and it just don't look right at all....

 

Gold Stan

[King Atari]

quote

 I had a copy of MIKE TYSON's punch out, but it bit me and then grabbed its crotch and threatened to eat my children (i have no children). Later, the State of Kentucky Gaming Commission would not grant the cart the license to be played on any NES in the state. I hear it is currently lobbying to be played in Michigan or somewhere.

 

LOL, is that the same one that bit someone's ear?! (I know that was lame, but I had to try).