Retro Megabit

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BEHOLD!!!

UPDATE: When originally writing this post I though PIKO Interactive were the manufactures of these cases. It’s in fact CustomGameCases.com who is producing them.

PIKO Interactive has very recently started reselling high quality cases for Sega Genesis games. This is not the first time after-market cases have been made but in my opinion these particular cases are the first time we’ve seen cases that are near perfect when compared to the original cases that Sega use to produce when the Sega Genesis and Mega Drive were current.

Finally, our wait is over. If you have a few games in your collection with beat-up cases or loose carts with no cases at all now at last we have a great option.

I first discovered these new cases when PIKO Interactive sent out an offer to ship a free replacement case for anyone who had purchased their newly released Genesis game Water Margin. The previous cases included with Water Margin did the job but they were soft, warped in places and the outer clear plastic sleeve was cheap; too shinny, crinkly and could peal off too easily. They were also a bit skinnier than an original Genesis case. In short; they fell short of being a good product.

How do these new cases stack up? They come really very close to being perfect.

Here’s what was done right:
1) The case dimensions appear to be spot on perfect.
2) The black plastic is just as thick and ridged as an original Sega Genesis case; with equal flexibility.
3) The outer clear plastic which holds the cover art looks and feels just like the original Sega Genesis case. And it seems to be securely attached.
4) The hanging tab; it has a hanging tab!!
5) Inside the case it holds both the cart and manual with the same designs as an original Sega Genesis case.
6) The case clicks closed easily and and stays securely closed.

Here’s what gives it away as an after market case:
1) The black plastic appears to have two tones. Parts are matt black and look just like an original and other areas like the hanging tab and the inside of the spine are shinny.
2) If you look closely at an original Genesis case in many different places you’ll be able to see small circles etched into the black plastic. Sometimes you’ll see these on the hanging tab and/or inside the case. Usually you be able to find many of them. I believe they are a bi-product of the manufacturing process. On the PIKO Interactive case I was only able to see one. I feel this is an improvement, albeit a small one, but a difference for sure.
3) The PIKO cases appear to be a little bit darker black. Maybe this is just because they are new.
4) The PIKO cases are sooo new and pristine your original Sega Genesis case just can’t look like this anymore.

They are not spot on duplicates but they are fantastic. To do better Humanity would have to put aside all differences and assemble a ‘think tank’ the likes of which we have never before seen.
I don’t think that is going to happen so I have ordered a 10 pack of these PIKO Interactive cases and I’m very eager to inch my collection closer to 100% hanging tab completion!

*For anyone wondering what a hanging tab is; it’s the bit of plastic at the top of the case. It’s purpose is to allow retailers to hang the game on a wall for display purposes and as a convenient way to store inventory. These hanging tabs were often cut off by gamers as they weren’t needed and they made it harder to stack/store the games. Now that the games  are old collectors often want them in perfect condition. I use to cut off the hanging tabs from my Sega Master System cases for which I now shoulder a very sizable amount of shame. The Japanese Mega Drive games did not have hanging tabs until some of their very late releases.

Case Front

Case Back

Case Open

Lined up with Original Cases

Close up with Originals.

Lined up with Originals

CustomGameCase.com Case with original art sleeve. Front.

CustomGameCase.com Case with original art sleeve. Back.

Looking back at these pictures I’ve taken I can tell it’s hard to see some of the distinctions I’ve described but know that you will be able to tell them apart from an original if you’re paying attention. Also, know they are really well done and I feel they are a very worth while purchase for any collector.

**Click here for my Updated Impressions after receiving an order of 10 cases.**