A "first print" is the initial production run of a game before packaging or label revisions. While gameplay is usually identical, packaging variations drive significant collector value.
I have about a dozen black box games in my personal collection. They're old and worth more, which is why I've always set aside very nice-looking black box games. Yes, first-print games command higher prices on the used market.
The Table of Contents
What is an NES First Print?
A year or two back, I sold a first print black box Original Mario Bros for three times what the regular print complete-in-box variant sells for (around $215). The other big price difference I've encountered is with Mike Tyson's
Punch-Out. The different colored bullets do have a price difference, but only a few dollars nowadays. The real difference when selling original Tyson copies is the letter Mike included in the first print copies. The copy I had sold for $550 compared to what it typically goes for without the letter, around $198.
Another big factor in black boxes is whether or not the box has a hang tag. These hang tags are part of the box, and a game sells for more if that hang tag was never used and is still flush with the back of the box.
Super Mario Bros 3's "Left Brothers" variant sold for nearly $50 back in the early 2010s. Now that more people know about this variant, I sell left brothers loose copies for around $35. The left brother's box variant sells for nearly $200, while the regular variant sells for around $80.
Yes, collecting these different variants is confusing. You really need to know what you're looking for. Even when I sell manuals, I always get buyers asking to see what the seal variant looks like above the table of contents.
(Source for the Duck Hunt Photo si: Heritage Auctions)
How to Identify First Prints (Black Box Series)
The original 30 "Black Box" games follow the most consistent identification patterns:
Seal Type:
- Matte Sticker: The earliest seal used on the first 17 titles.
- Gloss Sticker: Used on later print runs and 10 of the final 13 Black Box releases.
- Shrink Wrap: Replaced sticker seals in later production waves.
Box Codes:
- 1 Code (NES-GP): The earliest generic production code.
- 2 Code (NES-P-XX): Later game-specific codes (e.g., "NES-PS" for Pro Wrestling).
- The "TM" Marker: Later production waves added a "TM" symbol after the word "System" on the front of the box.
For more on Black Box first print identifiers, see the Video Game Authority’s NES Black Box game guide.
Visual Game Comparison Examples:
Example 1: Super Mario Bros. 3: – The “Left Bros” First Print Variant
This image compares different print runs of Super Mario Bros. 3 for the NES:Super Mario Bros. 3 First Print – How to Spot the Left Bros Variant
Example 2: Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! – The White Bullets Controversy
Collectors can identify different production runs of Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! by key box and label features that changed over time. First Production: The earliest release has No Rev-A marking and white bullet points on the back of the box. Early Production: Still No Rev-A, but bullet points were changed from white to orange. Mid Production: The first version to include a Rev-A marking and a round Nintendo Seal of Quality (SOQ). This marks the packaging transition era. Late Production (1987): Updated with the oval Seal of Quality introduced by Nintendo later that year. Last Production (1989): Still Rev-A with an oval seal, but includes the 1989 copyright and final printing details before Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! was replaced by Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream. This timeline helps collectors determine which printing they own—from the rare white-bullet first print to the common late-1980s reissues.Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! – First Print & Production Timeline Guide
For a detailed breakdown of Punch-Out!! variants, including the White Bullets vs Orange Bullets debate, check out WATA Games’ Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! Variant Guide.
Example 3: Castlevania: The Overlap Label First Print
The first-print Castlevania cartridge can be identified by the “Double Konami” layout — the Konami logo appears both at the top of the label and again within the artwork border. This early version also includes the round Nintendo Seal of Quality and has no “Rev-A” marking, which appears on later reprints. Later printings removed the top Konami logo, leaving it only within the artwork frame. This subtle change helps collectors easily spot the earliest release.Castlevania First Print – How to Identify the “Double Konami” Variant
Example 4: The Legend of Zelda: TM vs. ® Seal Variant
The first-print release of The Legend of Zelda for NES can be recognized by the small “TM” trademark symbol that appears after the game’s title on the front of the box. In later printings, Nintendo replaced the TM with the ® registered trademark symbol once the trademark was officially registered. This subtle change marks one of the easiest ways to identify an authentic first print of the original gold-box Zelda release. Other early indicators include the round Seal of Quality and the No Rev-A marking, which were updated in later runs along with the oval seal and “Rev-A” text. Collectors often refer to this as the “TM Box” variant, and it remains one of the most desirable early prints among Zelda fans.The Legend of Zelda – First Print “TM” Box Variant
Example 5: Mega Man: The “Dr. Wright” First Print Typo
On the back of the first-print Mega Man box, the game’s description incorrectly names the villain as “Dr. Wright” instead of Dr. Wily. This typo appears exclusively on early print runs and was corrected in later releases of the game. Collectors often refer to this misprint as the “Dr. Wright version”, making it one of the most recognizable early Mega Man box variants.Mega Man First Print – The “Dr. Wright” Typo Variant
Example 6: Dragon Warrior: The “1HP Box” First Print
On the back of the first-print Dragon Warrior box, one gameplay screenshot displays the text: “Thy Hit decreased by 1.” In later printings, this same screenshot was updated to say: “Thy Hit decreased by 2.” This small but clear difference has led collectors to nickname the first print as the “1HP Box” variant.Dragon Warrior First Print – How to Spot the “1HP Box” Screenshot Variant
Example 7: Rad Racer: Daytime Screenshot First Print
On the back of the first-print Rad Racer box, all screenshots show a daytime level. In later printings, the box was updated to include a mix of daytime and nighttime screenshots. This subtle artwork change helps collectors easily distinguish the earliest print run of Rad Racer.Rad Racer First Print – How to Identify the Daytime Screenshot Variant
Example 8: Gun.Smoke: The “Bar Artwork” First Print
The first print of Gun.Smoke features a simple, almost bland box illustration showing a lone cowboy standing in front of a bar. In later printings, Capcom replaced this with more dynamic artwork featuring horses, gunfights, and a close-up of a serious, grave-looking cowboy. This makes the original “Bar Artwork” version an easy and highly visual way to identify a first print.Gun.Smoke First Print – How to Spot the Original “Bar Artwork” Box
Understanding NES Black Box First Prints – Your Most Reliable Clue
Specific Identification Examples:
- Super Mario Bros. 3: The "Left Bros" variant (where the "Bros." is on the left side of Mario's hat) is the primary first-print indicator.
- Final Three Releases (March 1987): Pro Wrestling, Slalom, and Volleyball are considered first prints if they have the 2 Code but no TM symbol after "System." For more on Nintendo seal variants and how they changed over the years, read our complete nes seal article.
- Many first-print black-box games use 5-screw cartridges. This is different from the later 3-screw design, marking them as early production. Learn more about screw variants and why they matter.
- Some of the earliest NES games, such as Gyromite, include Famicom-to-NES adapters inside the cartridge. Read our Famicom adapter article to see which games have these hidden adapters.
Have a First Print NES Game to Sell?
Whether it’s Castlevania, Zelda, or something rarer, The Old School Game Vault buys NES games and rare variants, not to mention nes consoles and accessories.
