CustomGameCases.com

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Custom Game Cases Vol. 5

Posted by Sega Dude on May 31, 2017

Posted in: Community, Restoration. Tagged: case, clamshell, CustomGameCases.com, hanging tab, reproduction, Restoration, Sega Genesis. 2 Comments

I recently received another order from CustomGameCases.com for 25 aftermarket Sega Genesis game cases. If you’ve been keeping track I’ve done a bunch of posts about these cases and I’m pretty sure it’s because I really do like them.

These cases are almost identical to the original hard plastic clam-shell cases that Sega use to make for Sega Genesis games. Click here for my more detailed impression of these cases.

Of 25 cases 19 arrived in condition that I was happy with.

Several cases had hanging tabs that were so loose that with a few wiggles they would fall right off. This was a bit upsetting because I was planning on using these new cases to replace authentic Sega Genesis cases that are themselves in OK condition except for the fact that they are missing their hanging tabs. It’s not easy to see in the picture below but the hanging tabs on these new cases are so loose that most flop back and forth as you handle them.

All of the cases came packaged very well and I believe they were not damaged in transit. I suspect that this relatively new product has just not fully matured yet.

I emailed customgamecases.com and explained that I would like them to ship me good quality replacements. And they did not hesitate. I have already received perfect cases to replace the ones pictured above. Customer service has been excellent. Thank you guys!

I took games from my collection that had cases with missing hanging tabs and various nicks and scratches and put the cover art, manual and cartridge for each into new CostumGameCases and now they really do look like new.

Is anyone wondering why Gargoyles is in a hard plastic clam-shell case? Anyone? Yes, the original case for Gargoyles only comes in Sega’s cardboard box style.

The previous owner wanted all of his Sega Genesis games in clam-shell cases so he cut up the cardboard box and made it fit as in insert into the more common plastic cases. I wouldn’t do this myself but I also wouldn’t pass up a good game at a good price because this had been done.

Below is a closer look at a few of the games in their new cases.

MW IV (Monster World IV) is a reproduction of the Japanese version with an English translation. It’s so well done that it’s worthy of a new nice hanging tab.

Of course I would prefer authentic Sega Genesis cases but it’s very hard to find them whole and in great condition and not already housing another game. On rare occasion I’ll upgrade games in my collection and have the chance to put better cases into the collection while removing lesser ones. But since that’s not a reliable option CustomGameCases.com has got my back.

PIKO Interactive Sega Genesis Cases Follow-Up

Posted by Sega Dude on March 28, 2016

Posted in: Community, Restoration. Tagged: clamshell, CustomGameCases.com, piko interactive, sega genesis cases. 7 Comments

After receiving a free aftermarket replacement Sega Genesis game case from PIKO Interactive with my purchase of Water Margin I went ahead and ordered 10 more of these cases directly from the creators CustomGameCases.com.

Below are 10 of my Sega Genesis games with cases that are in good shape but still showing some wear. The subtleties of aging for these particular cases is mostly lost in the image below. They photograph very well! But in person it is noticeable.

What is easier to see is that they are all missing their hanging tabs. Over the years I’ve been very diligent about swapping cases whenever a chance comes up to slowly upgrade each case to the best ones I’ve found. I started doing this early enough for my Sega Master System games and I believe everyone of them has a good case with a hanging tab. But for my Genesis collection I still have about 35 cases that I wish were in better shape.

Which is why in my previous post I was so excited about the high quality of these CustomGameCases.com replacement cases. Below are my 10 new CustomGameCases.com replacement cases. They really do look very shinny and new. But if you look close you might notice a fault that I overlooked when I had only 1 on hand. The plastic cover sleeves are inconsistent. Some fully span the case completely from top to bottom. While others are about 1-2 millimeters short. Yes, I understand that I’m fussing over a few millimeters but it makes the different of entirely covering the Artwork Insert or leaving some of it exposed.

Look at all those pristine hanging tabs!.. hmm, the glory is somewhat tainted now by those inconsistent cover sleeves. It’s all I see now!

I am exaggerating a bit. After putting the games into their new cases I found that they still look very good. Really good in fact. For the most part the cover art from each game is in good shape and that combined with cases that are actually new the total combined effort left me with something that I haven’t seen since the 90’s… Genesis games that look brand new.

YEAH! Check out those brand new hanging tabs!!! I love an intact hanging tab.

While writing this post I realized that CustomGameCases.com cases are not the only good quality aftermarket cases that I own. I had almost forgotten that I have the reprint edition of Pier Solar by Watermelon Team and it’s truly perfect. Unfortunately they don’t sell empty cases. Hopefully someday this will change.

And below are my new CustomGameCases.com cases feeling right at home on a shelf with the rest of the collection.

Yeah, I’ve got a complete in the box Wonder Boy in Monster World… no big deal.

PIKO Interactive Sega Genesis Cases

Posted by Sega Dude on December 17, 2015

Posted in: Community, Genesis (North America), Mega Drive (EURO), Mega Drive (Japanese), Restoration. Tagged: case, clamshell, CustomGameCases.com, genesis, mega drive, piko interactive. 7 Comments

**For Maximum Impact press play**

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

PIKO Genesis Case 04
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.**