dhaabi's VGC Database Work

[koemo1]

Dhaabi being close to finishing the Japanese Playstation 2 section. Let's pop the champagne when Dhaabi finishes!

[tripredacus]

If it is like any section I've worked on, it truly never ends. You always will find some other version you didn't know existed.

[dhaabi]

Dhaabi being close to finishing the Japanese Playstation 2 section. Let's pop the champagne when Dhaabi finishes!

Ha, well, while I finally got through to the end of the category, my intention was never to fully flesh it out. At least, not now, but it could change later on. While I initially began tidying up the existing entries, I figured that I may as well spend time on filling in the gaps throughout the category since there was less than half of the total items had been submitted at that time. When I began contributing to the category, there were 1,854 entries—now there are 2,893. Judging by GameFAQs' list, the Japanese PlayStation and PlayStation 2 category have a very close number of entries, so I imagine that PlayStation 2 [JP] is still short at least 1,500 items but probably more.

When working in PlayStation 2 [JP], I only focused on adding missing re-releases or obvious numbered entries that were missing from the database (such as Title 1 and Title 3 having being added, but not Title 2.) While the Japanese PlayStation library offers a surplus of classic strategy games like mahjong and shougi, the PlayStation 2 instead invested in a lot of visual novels. If I could guess, I'd say at least 10% of existing entries in this category are for visual novel, adventure, or dating simulator games. That being said, there are still plenty of pachinko titles, so nobody should worry about those missing.

While submitting, I was conservative in submitting items that I couldn't find clear evidence of physically existing. So, while I did go through a lot, I did also ignore a small but fair amount.

Apart from PlayStation 2 [JP], I've also done some recent work in Hardware categories:

PlayStation Hardware
After an entry for a loose SCPH-5501 console was submitted, I did a deep dive into identifying box variants using eBay as a resource. At first, I thought there were only two distinct boxes for this model (Made in Japan and Made in Mexico.) However, I realized that there are actually at least three boxes, but I haven't found sufficient information to submit the third. For this model, I've identified 19 unique console item numbers so far which relate to manufacturing location and date.

After researching SCPH-5501, I pursued the same efforts for the console model I own SCPH-9001. During that time, I identified 5 unique bundles which have been submitted.

I have a feeling that I'll come back to this type of research for the category in the future, but it's low on priority.

PlayStation 5 Hardware
There isn't much to comment here aside from that the category now boasts 63 unique entries, which is impressive for a console that has only been on the market for 18 months. The category is still missing plenty of regional releases.

Up Next
- PlayStation Demo: When working here last year, I submitted a majority of the known Japanese items, but I didn't finish for some reason.
- PlayStation Vita: The libraries for these categories are much smaller than what I've gone through before. I'm just going to focus on cleaning up the existing entries for all the categories.
- PSP UMD Video [JP]: Over a year ago, I made progress on some good research in forming a library list that I'd like to continue. What I've gathered so far is not exhaustive by any means, and it probably never will be. Regarding English-language sites at least, there doesn't seem to be a catalog of what exists definitively, although the same can be said for UMD releases across all regions. In the Japanese category in particular, there is a lot of adult content, so be prepared for plenty of new entries without artwork (and plenty of new entries with risqué artwork) and explanations for why in the Description field once I begin submitting.

[dhaabi]

I came across a variant for the standard Nintendo Entertainment System Control Deck but can't discern any differences in the outer packaging aside from the barcode. As of now, the entry name descriptors rely on the barcode information which isn't ideal (although sometimes it can't be helped.) When comparing the two separate items, I may have missed something that would be better to use for the descriptor information, so I figured I'd share it here if anyone wants to try to find any other difference. Sometimes, it just takes another set of eyes to find that one difference. And, if there isn't any other difference between the two, then the barcode will just have to remain as the entry name descriptor.

Here are the database entries:
Nintendo Entertainment System Control Deck (045496610067)
Nintendo Entertainment System Control Deck (074299062940)

Here are eBay listings that show all six sides of the packaging for each item:
045496610067
074299062940

[zappman]

I came across a variant for the standard Nintendo Entertainment System Control Deck but can't discern any differences in the outer packaging aside from the barcode. As of now, the entry name descriptors rely on the barcode information which isn't ideal (although sometimes it can't be helped.) When comparing the two separate items, I may have missed something that would be better to use for the descriptor information, so I figured I'd share it here if anyone wants to try to find any other difference. Sometimes, it just takes another set of eyes to find that one difference. And, if there isn't any other difference between the two, then the barcode will just have to remain as the entry name descriptor.

Here are the database entries:
Nintendo Entertainment System Control Deck (045496610067)
Nintendo Entertainment System Control Deck (074299062940)



Here are eBay listings that show all six sides of the packaging for each item:
045496610067
074299062940

UPC 074299062940 seems to be for an Italian console.
See this eBay listing:
https://www.ebay.it/itm/394068439833?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=724-53478-19255-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050

This image in the eBay listing shows the Front and Bottom with UPC 074299062940 all in one photograph.
(If you look at the bottom right corner of the box front you can see 6294 shown on the box front under the Mattel logo)

 
This image in the eBay listing shows the Side flap of the box with the Item Number shown as NES-S-CD-ITA

[dhaabi]

UPC 074299062940 seems to be for an Italian console.
See this eBay listing:
https://www.ebay.it/itm/394068439833?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=724-53478-19255-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050

This image in the eBay listing shows the Front and Bottom with UPC 074299062940 all in one photograph.
(If you look at the bottom right corner of the box front you can see 6294 shown on the box front under the Mattel logo)

 
This image in the eBay listing shows the Side flap of the box with the Item Number shown as NES-S-CD-ITA

Many (especially older) items feature the same barcode sequence across numerous countries and regions, so there is good reason to believe that both a US and IT version exist together with the same barcode sequence based on that information alone. With that said, the eBay listings I included were chosen just because of all six sides of the box are present that allows the visibility to easily discern any possible text differences.

I'm pretty certain that entry 219862 is a US release, as the barcode panels between the item you linked and the item in 219862 differ in many ways. Both entries 219862 and 7893 feature "Trademark of Nintendo of America Inc." text on the back panel. Perhaps 219862 is an example of a printing error.

[tripredacus]

I'm not familiar enough with Nintendo consoles to know what typical things are different in their releases but I suspect that a difference is present but we just do not know what it is. Firstly because the one example is just a box and foam, and secondly we do not know to what degree any peicemealing has been done. It is possible that each have included something different inside. Maybe a manual change, or a change to the plastic wrap that holds a part, or a change to the foam, or where a paper item is printed, etc. Also I do not know if there are any instances where a NES came inside of an outer packaging, either an outer box or a sleeve. I ran into many boxed PS2 consoles that were just inner boxes from packs that were not released in that way on their own. They are still added to the db in any case.

[dhaabi]

I'm not familiar enough with Nintendo consoles to know what typical things are different in their releases but I suspect that a difference is present but we just do not know what it is. Firstly because the one example is just a box and foam, and secondly we do not know to what degree any peicemealing has been done. It is possible that each have included something different inside. Maybe a manual change, or a change to the plastic wrap that holds a part, or a change to the foam, or where a paper item is printed, etc. Also I do not know if there are any instances where a NES came inside of an outer packaging, either an outer box or a sleeve. I ran into many boxed PS2 consoles that were just inner boxes from packs that were not released in that way on their own. They are still added to the db in any case.

I was hoping that a difference could be found in the outer packaging that I had just overlooked, but I really don't think there is any aside from the barcode. My knowledge about Nintendo hardware bundles is also limited and especially concerning early generations. On that note, I suppose the two entries will just have to rely on barcode descriptors for now.