MrChickenz Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 (edited) I started my Atari collection in the early 80s. Over the the years I still add to my collection. Some of the original games I have became worn from use and some I find at flea markets or game stores with bad labels. Now that I have a brand new Atari 2600+ with crisp HDMI! I decided to replace some labels. Since I have no intention of ever selling my collection it doesn’t matter to me. With some of these old labels the glue breaks down and label becomes illegible. Others I pick up at markets or game stores for a buck or two with labels that are torn. I take them apart give them a good cleaning, slap a replacement label on and I’m good for another 50 years Lol! Some labels I make myself others I purchase on eBay. Whats your opinion? Edited April 8 by MrChickenz 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THX-1138 Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 (edited) Very acceptable, I did the same. When I preordered my 2600+ I started to build a small collection of about 30 or so cartridges. Most needed new labels, so I decided to replace them all. I used isopropyl alcohol to remove all the labels, opened each cartridge, cleaned the PCB thoroughly and clean the plastic etc like new. (Even the clean carts were actually filthy. Most had things inside, from hair, to plant matter and more dead spiders and things than I could count). I got new labels from pboland here on AtariAge, who did a fantastic job and they are now like new and will be good long after I'm dead. 😆 Edited April 8 by THX-1138 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 7 minutes ago, THX-1138 said: I got new labels from pboland here on AtariAge I did not think about checking here for labels! Thanks for the info! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_from_the_80s Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 It's perfectly fine. Most of these carts are not rare or valuable. I would not replace a label for minor aging, wear, dirt, discoloration, historical markings (names typically), or if it can just be partially glued down again. But torn, damaged, punctured, or excessive fading, etc.. sure, why not? Just that a lot of "replacement" labels are not fully accurate, just reasonable approximations of the original, so if you care about that they are not all the same and you have to do your homework. Depending on the printing technology/quality it is also not clear how long some of the replacements will really last. So far I've only found one full replacement necessary, and a couple missing end labels with close-enough replacements. Most of the rest I just did some light cleaning and gluing when necessary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 22 minutes ago, Brad_from_the_80s said: It's perfectly fine. Most of these carts are not rare or valuable. I would not replace a label for minor aging, wear, dirt, discoloration, historical markings (names typically), or if it can just be partially glued down again. But torn, damaged, punctured, or excessive fading, etc.. sure, why not? Just that a lot of "replacement" labels are not fully accurate, just reasonable approximations of the original, so if you care about that they are not all the same and you have to do your homework. Depending on the printing technology/quality it is also not clear how long some of the replacements will really last. So far I've only found one full replacement necessary, and a couple missing end labels with close-enough replacements. Most of the rest I just did some light cleaning and gluing when necessary. I agree! Some of these games are a second copy for me. I usually pick ones with bad labels with the intention of replacing the labels for my own use. Not to sell. It brings them back to life. A lot of Atari games had such great box art! But often was never used on the cartridges! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean_1970 Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 I don’t buy ones without labels, but I’d definitely get a new label if I had no alternative. I bought doubled-sided tape to address the “glue gone” phenomenon; works a treat! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 If it is for your own use, then to each their own. If you are a seller, as long as it is specified replacement label in the sale, then it is perfectly fine. What comes into question is an unscrupulous person, selling a (rarer) cart, not denoting replacement label and passing off the entire cart as original. Of course, they will be seeking or/and obtain a higher amount for the cartridge as well, compared to what it would have fetched with its original label still left in place. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM_ Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 I’m of the same opinion that most others have already said. If re-sale isn’t in your plan, then do whatever you like. Repro labels, custom labels, original labels, no labels… I see no problem with any of that. I’ve personally relabeled all my Activision games, half my Parker bros games, and a few others here and there that I wanted to have cleaner looking labels. I don’t plan on selling any of my games ever, so I see no ethical dilemma for myself about this. I love the way they look with clean, shiny labels. It’s like having brand new carts. So to sum up, unless you’re planning on being deceitful in selling them someday as original pristine copies, do whatever you like with them that makes them more valuable to you. 👍🏼 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 1 hour ago, MikeM_ said: So to sum up, unless you’re planning on being deceitful in selling them someday as original pristine copies, do whatever you like with them that makes them more valuable to you. 👍🏼 Well said! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LS650 Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 If it's common, who cares? I have ordered a bunch of replacement labels from pobland, and I've also had a fair bit of success finding downloadable images and printing off my own labels with a laser printer. If it were a rare game, then I would leave the original label alone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 2 minutes ago, LS650 said: If it's common, who cares? I have ordered a bunch of replacement labels from pobland, and I've also had a fair bit of success finding downloadable images and printing off my own labels with a laser printer. If it were a rare game, then I would leave the original label alone. True, I agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chad5200 Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 So many Activision labels look like crap. The good thing it is so easy to remove the label (with a little heat like a hair dryer or heat gun) and open them up and clean them up and replace with a brand new repro label. They look great afterwards! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 9 Author Share Posted April 9 5 minutes ago, chad5200 said: So many Activision labels look like crap. The good thing it is so easy to remove the label (with a little heat like a hair dryer or heat gun) and open them up and clean them up and replace with a brand new repro label. They look great afterwards! You are so right! Most Activision labels look like crap! They didn’t hold up well over the years. I never understood why they used screen shots for the labels when they had great box art! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 As long as someone isn't trying to pass them off as original, I've got no issues replacing missing or damaged labels. I've got games for all kinds of systems with label issues, but Atari seems the worst, don't know if its quality control, simple age, or how much they were handled, probably bits of each. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 13 Author Share Posted April 13 On 4/9/2024 at 8:39 AM, Video said: As long as someone isn't trying to pass them off as original, I've got no issues replacing missing or damaged labels. I've got games for all kinds of systems with label issues, but Atari seems the worst, don't know if its quality control, simple age, or how much they were handled, probably bits of each. You’re right Atari labels are the worst! NES labels seem to hold up well! SEGA as well but I noticed some SEGA games have dark spots like the Atari labels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM_ Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 3 hours ago, MrChickenz said: You’re right Atari labels are the worst! NES labels seem to hold up well! SEGA as well but I noticed some SEGA games have dark spots like the Atari labels. I don't think it's an Atari issue so much as it's a trend with the 3rd party publishers for Atari systems. Most of my Atari Brand games have held up very well over the years. Only a couple of them have needed replacement labels and some of them are just the glue drying up and needing a fresh coat to re-apply the original label which still looks good. I think the most common issue with them is the end label just falling off and being lost. Activision game labels were just not made to last which is a shame because overall, I love the look of them. The glue bleeds through on all of them, and even a mint in box game after all these years will most likely have the spotting issue if you were to open it. I've replaced all of my Activision labels. Parker Bros are the next most problematic from my experience. About 3/4 of mine have replacement labels. Coleco games seem to all develop a crease on the top end along the cart seam and end up looking ratty. Over half of mine have gotten a new clean label. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 13 Author Share Posted April 13 @MikeM_ You nailed it on those types of labels! All my Activison carts I had to replace as well. With the exception of H.E.R.O., Pitfall II and Private Eye. They still look good. I’m waiting on two Parker Brothers labels. Then those will be finished. The rest I’m replacing only if they need it. IMAGIC are also ones that I need replacements for. The labels tend to fade on those. Either the names are faded or the pictures don’t look as vibrant as they once were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Stamos Mullet Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 It’s perfectly fine. The only people who care are the price gougers and scumbag profiteers who prey on collectors with no impulse control. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 I try to do the best of both worlds and I don't plan on selling them on I remove original label with a hairdryer and respectfully store it away in an album. That way it can be reapplied at a later date (if required) and will no longer be subject to further wear and tear whilst in the album. Meanwhile I have the illusion that my carts are brand new! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben from Plaion Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 Great topic. Question for me is how close to the original label are the repros? Two main things spring to mind, firstly, how close is the artwork, fonts, placement of text to the original and secondly what is the finish of the label like, the paper thickness and finish. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundGammon Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 What's a good glue for re-attaching a label? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Neon Wraith Posted April 13 Share Posted April 13 9 minutes ago, SoundGammon said: What's a good glue for re-attaching a label? I use rubber cement, available at Wal-Mart, Staples, Office Max or any craft/hobby store. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 13 Author Share Posted April 13 15 minutes ago, SoundGammon said: What's a good glue for re-attaching a label? What I use is a glue stick. I just apply a small amount so if it has to be removed I don’t believe it will tear the label. If anyone else has a suggestion for glue it would be appreciated! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 13 Author Share Posted April 13 (edited) 48 minutes ago, Ben from Plaion said: Great topic. Question for me is how close to the original label are the repros? Two main things spring to mind, firstly, how close is the artwork, fonts, placement of text to the original and secondly what is the finish of the label like, the paper thickness and finish. Good questions. Some I purchased online look great as far as artwork and fonts is concerned. Although I noticed background color on some is a bit off. And some labels seem a bit thin compared to originals but pretty durable. And some labels are spot on I can’t see a difference. These are a few I made just for Activision. I have a double set of Activison carts that I purchased over time. I made sure to get ones with torn or bad labels. I like the artwork on the labels Edited April 13 by MrChickenz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrChickenz Posted April 13 Author Share Posted April 13 46 minutes ago, John Stamos Mullet said: It’s perfectly fine. The only people who care are the price gougers and scumbag profiteers who prey on collectors with no impulse control. Ha Ha! Let’s relabel them all we’ll show them! 🤣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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