I see people still confused by NGF KOF2K, so I´ll tell what I know. First, almost all neo geo games contain all languages and it´s the system that determines the region. No need to alter the game code. What differs a Japan release from the USA one it´s just the paperwork. Second, unlike every SNK neo geo game out there, NGF KOF2K paperwork was printed in USA. Dion proudly showed all the printing plates in his website for years. Even added some anti counterfeiting measures like microprinting. No other NG game has it. Now here comes the problem. With the printing plates you can print as much paperwork as imaginable. Why stop at 100? Since all carts are the same, hardware and software wise, all you need to do is slap the NGF paperwork on a Japanese KOF2k to make a new one.
I wouldnt say "confused" just "I know little about NeoGeo other than its full of drama, please explain" But in that case, I dont see why its a "OMG NGF RELEASE" if its just the paperwork? The carts are the same, he printed some manuals...? But yes, seeing as you could just buy a jap release, then bundle the US paperwork with it - there could be any number of them out there
Yes, he printed manuals, inserts and stickers. Neo Geo software is always the same. It´s the system bios that changes it´s region and mode. Even MVS and NGH releases share the same game code. in terms of neo geo collecting, the paperwork matters a lot. It´s the only difference among releases.
That's some racket. I'm kind of surprised this kind of switch'a'roo hasn't happened more often. At least professionally. If some Chinese business figured out the money involved, I could easily see someone funding for super high quality inserts for something like Kizuna Encounter or whatever. I mean, it's a lot easier to make high quality inserts than it is for bootlegging whole SNK cartridges.
Well, it´s happening right now with less noticeable games like, Double Dragon, Metal Slug 2 and KOF2K. Kizuna would be a big con. With that kind of money involved the buyer would request assistance from experts for sure.
Kinda makes me want to make my own KoF2k reproductions with my own APE SEAL OF APPROVAL with certificate of reproduction authenticity. Anyone selling a KoF2k game without either is clearly dealing in bootlegs of my reproductions!
This helps it all make more sense. Essentially the same AES carts just with different manual, cover art, but I'm guessing the cartridge label is the same right? As in the cartridges are identical between US and Japan.
Cart stickers also changes. For the American NGH release SNK just placed and U.S. sticker on top of Japanese carts, with new manual and insert. It´s common to see early ng games with a Japanese sticker below the U.S one. It´s what makes Kizuna and Ultimate 11 so rare as well. Unsold stock was shipped back to Japan and repackaged as Japanese homecarts.
The funny thing is, I'd probably value your home cart more than a NGF one. At least I know you do good work. I mean, if I have to get a bootleg I might as well get a bootleg that has reliable quality control. Just look for the APE (B) sticker of authenticity.
Thing is, from what is mentioned above - NGF didnt even make a bootleg.... They just got the Jap version and put a new sticker on it, which is even less impressive.
think of Sonic for Megadrive if you buy a japanese copy and slap it in a genesis it will work with no flaw for example: if you buy garou den 1 it will show english test in a Us/pal machine, so if i sold you a supposedly english fatal fury you never know if it was an originally english release or japanese release with all the "arts" changed
what happened exactly? NGF got their own pcbs,maskrom, cartridge and cases all factory made in US territories back then?
It is funny, I mentioned the region thing too and 2-3 posters just completely skipped that and still wrote responses....lol
Here is a screen cap from the lawsuit that SNKP filed against NGF. As you can see, they had multiple copies of inserts and manuals for the King of Fighters U.S. - and this was after the games were sold out. Also, the inserts are listed as counterfeit. I also have a friend who was at Dion's house and saw a roll of KOF cart stickers, inserts and manuals. The answer is YES, they can print up more copies of the game anytime they wish.
So essentially KoF 2000 "US" copies should not be considered worth anything more than the Japanese version right?
Actually, less. If NGF had not altered the artwork, it would be a legit game. The problem here isn't the game itself - its a 100% authentic King Of Fighters 2000. NGF asked how much it would cost to make a US version if they bought a good number of Japanese copies. At the time SNK's sales were tanking hard due to the MVS being bootlegged 3 days after release. The AES market was the last chance to push the roms they had left. SNK made many more rom sets than they sold so the parts were already there. When NGF agreed to buy a good number and pay for the printing SNK was glad to take them up on it. SNK simply didn't care, they had 500-1000 carts and simply wanted them gone. You could have called them and asked for a neon glow in the dark version and if you were willing to pay to have it done they would have. SNK made the art and sent digital files to NGF in normal resolution to proof the design. NGF insisted on higher resolution versions to make sure the quality was equal to that of other english releases (they use a template so it's always high quality). SNK sent the files and NGF approved them. The files they were sent were not the masters meaning they couldn't load QuarkXpress and mod the template (most SNK files are done in QXP btw). They got a tiff or bmp of the file which was high enough to print from but couldn't be changed as easily as the master. You could use the file in Photoshop and simply overlay your name like they did. At this point it went to press and the first few carts were made to confirm consistant quality. Note that if any problems were found at this late stage SNK would normally sell the game as is but when you have a 3rd party paying for it you need to make sure it's right. The job was approved by SNK Japan and out of the ones that were made in Japan one or more were sent to NGF for final approval. I don't know for sure how many were sent to them but they only needed 1. NGF approved it and 200 art sets were sent to them. In the sets they had 200 - US gold warning stickers, cart stickers with rounded corners, inserts, manuals. No manual bags were given since they were already with the Japanese carts. Maybe NGF kept the gold stickers for other conversion since that sticker normaly would require a higher dollar sac cart. So now we have the original sets paid and shipped plus the carts made for approval. We also have the over run stock which no one has found. It takes on average 500 sheets on a press just to hit the color so trust me when it was done they had a lot more than 200. SNK normally did 4 up on a plate not 2 like NGF is showing so going by NGF's 2 up thats 1000 inserts before the 200 even starts. SNK also out sourced the work and didn't keep their printing plates. The gold warning label missing on all KOF2K's is a dead give away. Now after all of this NGF clearly took the digial proofs and made changes. They may not have had the proof of the cart sticker which is why they had to make their own rather than wait for the order to arrive. That's the true story right there. So make whatever you want out of it. I was sold a copy of the NGF 2K by Dion - it did look fantastic, but was still fake. People with more money than brains will spend whatever to get any game in their collection. Hence the $600+ price. No NGF KOF2K has sold for more than that.
