A guy on eBay has plenty of Golden Axe 3 for sale, brand new Asian version (selling from Thailand). Is this Asian version a fake/pirate or is it an official Sega product, i.e. just the Japanese version with a yellow sticker on the front?
I've searched previous threads and found some people saying it's real while others have suggested it's a fake. Does anyone have a definitive answer to this question? I've attached a picture of the box, cart and manual.
Has anybody bought one of these and given it a look over?
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05-17-2010, 05:25 PM #1Nameless One
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Is the Golden Axe 3 Asian version official?
Last edited by mrpj; 05-17-2010 at 05:31 PM.
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05-17-2010, 05:28 PM #2Pity rep is still rep. Raging in the Streets
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My version of Golden Axe III was exactly the same. If it's a fake then it's a very good quality one and still allows you "enjoy" the game.
Certainly the worst game in the trilogy.
Originally Posted by Kamahl
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05-17-2010, 05:57 PM #3Bite my shiny, metal ***! Hero of Algol
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I think it's the best in the series. Although I finally discovered the qualities of Golden Axe I + II for me not too long ago. So now I enjoy playing all three of them over and over again.
The Mega Drive was far inferior to the NES in terms of diffusion rate and sales in the Japanese market, though there were ardent Sega users. But in the US and Europe, we knew Sega could challenge Nintendo. We aimed at dominating those markets, hiring experienced staff for our overseas department in Japan, and revitalising Sega of America and the ailing Virgin group in Europe.
Then we set about developing killer games.
- Hayao Nakayama, Mega Drive Collected Works (p. 17)
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05-17-2010, 06:02 PM #4Nameless One
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I see this thread has gone off topic already. Please can we avoid a comparison of Golden Axe 3 with other games!
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05-17-2010, 06:35 PM #5Banned by Administrators
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Is it really? I figured I'd grab it on Wii VC if it was available for $8... is it even worth that? Is Part 2 any good? Looks like part 2 is a wee bit expensive. Originally Posted by Mr Smith
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05-17-2010, 06:39 PM #6Pity rep is still rep. Raging in the Streets
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This is Sega-16, you are lucky it got until the third post until it went off topic. The excpetion is those long and boring tech threads. Originally Posted by mrpj
Originally Posted by Kamahl
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05-17-2010, 07:04 PM #7Nameless One
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Yeah I've noticed that things get off topic quite a bit on here.
The thread clearly isn't titled 'What's the best Golden Axe game?', so please no more comments on that. If that's what you want to know, there's the review section!
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05-17-2010, 11:09 PM #8Master of Shinobi
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I have one of those "Asian version"s too. I don't think they're fake fake - I believe they're just the same Japanese version with a yellow sticker on the front.
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05-18-2010, 01:06 AM #9Proud 16-bit War Veteran ESWAT Veteran
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Yes it is legit. There are like 99.7% more Asian copies than non-Asian copies. I think Sega made too many, but yeah, all is good!
The smell of scorched oil hangs in the air as a premonition of danger, while the engine gloriously shouts its war cry...
Throughout history, suspicion has always bred conflict. The real conflict, though, resides in people's hearts. This conflict has just begun.
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05-18-2010, 04:00 AM #10It's called a Mega Drive Master of Shinobi
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My copy of Golden Axe III is the Asian version too, and it looks and feels real enough to me. The only weird thing about my copy is that the manual smells like incense, but that's probably the fault of the previous owner.
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05-18-2010, 04:06 AM #11Bite my shiny, metal ***! Hero of Algol
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Oh, sorry, I did not know this was your message board! Originally Posted by mrpj
The Mega Drive was far inferior to the NES in terms of diffusion rate and sales in the Japanese market, though there were ardent Sega users. But in the US and Europe, we knew Sega could challenge Nintendo. We aimed at dominating those markets, hiring experienced staff for our overseas department in Japan, and revitalising Sega of America and the ailing Virgin group in Europe.
Then we set about developing killer games.
- Hayao Nakayama, Mega Drive Collected Works (p. 17)
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05-18-2010, 10:27 AM #12WCPO Agent
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be aware that many of the "asian" versions of the rarer "classics" coming up on ebay are more than likely to be repro's.....
i bought super shinobi 2 off ebay with the same spec - AND with the little white card...its most certainly a reproduction...
here it is:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-SEGA-MEGA-...item27b161ecb7
ive clocked way over 30 being bought from the same seller over the past few months.
the box / cart / packaging is WAYYY too new....and the BIG giveaway is the printing is not quite right - some parts are unaligned on the print process (on lettering and the like) and also on a totally different weight of card - that goes for the label, booklet and the inside cover....NONE of my other imports are like it.
i have lots of experience with printing throughout my adult life - having worked as a professional designer for many years and also growing up with parents who worked in advertising, so i spot teeny details like this as a matter of course.
i would say that the actual process is almost 100% certain a digital print - orignal MD game boxes / inserts ect are lithographic - digital printing in this way was not in fact used at the time - and to do this, would not be the print method used for game instructions or boxes.
its a BLOODY GOOD REPRODUCTION, but repro nonetheless....that said, im more than happy with mine!!!
as someone else has pointed out - it still gives you the same enjoyment, so.....
i guess its up to you whether you just want purely originals?
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05-18-2010, 11:03 AM #13It's Mathmatics Master of Shinobi
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look at you Mr. Ed just a fountain of sexy man knowledge!
Sorry you got a repro dude! how did they print them back in the day then?
I always thought a dead givaway was a lack of label with instructions covering the screws on the back of the cartridge also...does your shinobi has this?
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05-18-2010, 11:19 AM #14WCPO Agent
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indeed Originally Posted by 64k
nah....its cool man! i suspected as much before i purchased it - but for 11 quid, im more than happy!!!! Originally Posted by 64k
like i said...its a FUCKIN good repro...
yes it does have a label, which again isnt quite "right"... Originally Posted by 64k
ive checked it against a shitload of other imports, and the back label is unlike any others also.
large scale production of labels, instruction booklets and the like are more than certain going to be lithographically pressed....its the most effective method of printing when doing large scale - which games are - and gives way a different "feel" than anything digital
cheaper digi prints have exceptionally small, yet just noticable pixels within the image, edges etc - lithographic is done with printing presses / ink on etched metal plates and gives a super "smoothed" result
the biggest give away is the weight of paper used throughout - unlike the standard stock - which is used for all my other 130+ boxed games...
i could be wrong - but i am 99.999% that this is the case with this particular game, ESEPCIALLY when comparing it to anything else i own....
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05-18-2010, 01:34 PM #15It's Mathmatics Master of Shinobi
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zerr interesting
*sits back and strokes beard*
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