Video Game Collecting

Well I finally got around to making the New Nintendo Soccer Label.. tada:

Some of us might remember my project of creating a new label for Nintendo Golf.  I originally had the idea of making new labels after I faced the harshed reality that some of the used games I buy will have damaged labels, and in some cases no label at all.  I could go through the process of just making a replacement label – an exact copy scanned and printed, but thats kind of… boring, especially if its a boring game (not to suggest that Nintendo Golf was boring, but Soccer is).  I decided to follow the “hussy” theme of the Hussy Golf game featuring the same woman in the red top.  I thought about calling this version “Soccer Mom” but decided against it.

Anyways here are the steps on how to make it (since I really never shared it with the Golf game even though I promised I would – oops).  The first thing you need is a copy of a game you want to mutilate.  In this case it was Nintendo Soccer – duh!

As you can see its a pretty boring label.  It features the traditional “Nintendo Black Label” that most of the first party launch titles had along with a representation of the actual pixelated graphics.  The soccer players on the label (and in the game which don’t really look like the ones on the label) kinda look like children to me – thus the idea for the soccer mom label.  Whatever design you use is up to you.  I created the new label using an image from Flickr.Com for inspiration and Corel Photo-Paint 7 (circa 1997) to edit the picture.

Removing the label is a pain, make sure you open the cartridge first, then put it in a ziplock bag with CLR or other harsh cleaner.  Let it soak in there for a while.  Running hot water under it also helps loosen the glue.  You can use a screwdriver or a scraper to help remove the label but try to keep from gouging the plastic too deep.

Next we’re going to apply the adhesive.  Tape off all of the areas except the area where you are going to apply the adhesive.  I use this 3M Super 77.  It works great and you can use it on someone’s windshield afterwards – on a dusty windy day its particularly evil.

Make sure you have the label already printed.  I print them on glossy photo paper, but matte photo paper works well.  I used 600  dbi, but if my printer supported higher I’d have used that instead.  After cutting out the label do a a few practice applications to the game cartridge.  Meaning lay it flat, make the fold that wraps around the top and make sure it looks correct.  Then use the spray and put a fine mist over the label area.  When applying the label I recommend starting at the fold and working your way down.  Rub from the center out to the edge.

And now we have the final product.  You may have some residual 3M glue, but just wait until the stuff dries and your thumb can easy rub it off with out messing up the label.

If you’d like the details on the Hussy Golf label go ahead and follow my label category here: http://www.salzmafia.com/blog/category/labels/

I'e been working on the manual for Golf. It's almost finished!

The label for Golf is now attached! I'll be giving it away at www.videogamepriceguides.com in the month of September. More details coming soon…!

So I’ve cut the label out and fitted it for the Golf cart. It looks like it will fit perfectly. I still need a solution to laminate it though.

So what do you do when you obtain or already have in your possesion a cartridge whose label is trashed? You make a new label of course. I’ll post the actual steps to make this label for Nintendo Golf in a few days. But this is an excellent way to breath new life into a cartridge. Perfect for a gift as well.