What does vertical seam mean?

[Erozion]

What does "vertical seam" mean in regards to NES and SNES games?

[theMK2]

it refers to a factory sealed game. vertical seam is where you see the plastic come together on the back side of the sealed game and you will actually see a seam running from the top edge of the back to the bottom edge. good to use to see if someone has re-sealed an opened game and are trying to pass it off as a never opened game. big dollar difference between the two and some folks out there will try to pull a fast one, ya know. hope this helps

[Erozion]

thanks, so I understand that this vertical seam cannot be faked?

[theMK2]

that is my understanding, yes, but you never know with china which market they may try to move into next KWIM???

[theMK2]

well looks like i will need to change that answer a little
went and pulled out a sealed NES and SNES game just to verify that i was correct in my describing and i'm not.
game actually has TWO vertical seams , one on each end of the box on the sides and has a horizonal seam across the back going to each side. will try to take detailed pictures and post in my album

[theMK2]

pictures have been uploaded for future reference
RarityGuide.com Forums - theMK2's Album: video game collection MK2

[Erozion]

So an authentic sealed game will have 2 vertical seems and the horizaontal seam like in the photo?

[theMK2]

correct and the NES game is the same way with two verticals on the sides and one horizonal on the back

[gamer]

Yeah basically if you ever buying a sealed game for example from ebay for a lot of money make sure it has the vertical seam and looks like in that picture. If an auction doesnt show the seam clearly ask for more photos.

[kangaroo]

Great photos

[NESman]

Too bad I never kept any of my NES and SNES games sealed, I have some games that wouldve been worth a LOT had I kept them sealed

[theMK2]

thanks kangaroo. will try to add other photos that help answer questions as i run across them as i have a lot of things that i imagine a lot of gamers have never actually seen

[NESman]

Like for example I have an SNES chrono trigger (loose I didnt even keep the box ) and I see a sealed one being sold on Ebay for like $5,000 (though that sounds a bit too high)

[kangaroo]

That does sound overpriced, whats the link?

[theMK2]

Chrono Trigger Sealed Super Nintendo Squaresoft SNES !! - eBay (item 250446776074 end time Aug-16-09 16:55:16 PDT)
looking at what is visible of that seam it is definitely different than the boxed sealed games i have

[BlackDS]

Way to go NESman. throwing $5,000 worth of cardboard away!

[gamer]

Its hard tos ee the seam from that angle (plus its in that plastic case)

If I were trying to sell the game for that much I would definetly put more detailed photos

[Zak]

Too bad I never kept any of my NES and SNES games sealed, I have some games that wouldve been worth a LOT had I kept them sealed

Well generally when you buy games (especially when you are a kid) its to play them. You're not thinking "oh maybe this game will be worth hundreds in the future I will keep it selaed" but rather youre anxious to put it in the console and have fun!

This is why many sealed games are worth so much, kids would just play them so there arent as many sealed copies left

[theMK2]

seller has other pictures futher down in description that shows different views of the game. looks like the game is sealed in that plastic display case (the case itself sealed). with the seams being completely different than the ones i have would make me question the authenticity of said game. and with the price, it is prime canidate for counterfeiting cause who in their right mind would open it? KWIM?
ain't saying, just saying

[gamer]

Oh, I didnt scroll down :/ Thats what happens when I'm using my laptop with small monitor, am gonna look at those photos now