Sega Genesis Cardboard Box Reproduction Inserts - Review

Some people who read this blog and frequent Sega Age may have seen that a new product has hit the market, well a new old product. I am of course talking about Sega Genesis Cardboard Box Reproduction Inserts (that is a mouthful). When I first learned of these I was immediately curious, as I am sure many people who own Genesis CB (cardboard) games were. My curiousity lead to a purchase, which lead to the video review below.

I know that some people are conflicted about these, others are down right insulted, and some are fist pumping the air and cackling like mad men knowing that they can finally display some of their otherwise beat to hell CB games. All of these are valid responses. I am not here to to tell you if this is right or wrong or engage in a moral debate. For the record I did not create these, I am not a salesman for them, and I get no kickbacks, I am simply sharing what I found. Please feel free to post your thoughts for or against I welcome healthy debate.

If  you wish to purchase these I bought mine from eBay here is the Link. I have only had one transaction, but their feedback is good. I can tell you that I have dealt with Wal R' US games at http://uncletusk.com/ on other purchases and have found him to be a very reputable seller that I would recommend. You can find the repro inserts on his front page.

This video was done quickly so forgive its roughness.

Thank you for reading and watching

~Johnny~

What is a Sega Pico? (Complete Set)

Oh-Man, You guys remember the Sega Pico right? What a great console, the countless hours spent playing Musical Zoo, Sonic's Gameworld, and... Wait, you have never heard of the Sega Pico? It was only the number one educational Kids Computer created by Sega in 1994.

In all seriousness if you have never heard of the Sega Pico AKA the Kids Computer Pico you are not alone, but if you can make it through this article I will tell you all you need to know if you want to collect it. 

Basic Pico Facts

Sega Pico was released in the US in 1994, and was discontinued in 1998. The system did well in Japan and wasn't discontinued there until 2005. In the US 20 games were released, while Japan had nearly 300. The Pico was branded as a computer and sometimes as a toy Sega did it's best  for it not to be known as a video game console. This approach was taken in an effort avoid negative associations that were attached to video games. The Pico was suppose to be an educational product and the slogan for the console illustrates this mind, "The computer that thinks it's a toy". The system itself is a clamshell design which unfolds to hold the large book shaped carts that the system used and also act as the controller. The controller portion of the console had a very basic touchpad  a "Magic Pen" and a large button which you used to play the games. The carts for this system are unlike any other system and were called Storyware. The carts act like books and have pages that open up and allow you to play different parts of the game (look at the pic below for clarification).

 Pico was the first Sega console to carry a licensed game made by Nintendo, Pokémon says Hello

BTW  - This is a pic I found on the net and is not mine

Why you should collect Sega Pico

It's a console oddity from a major publisher, it was Sega's last cart based system, and nothing else in your library will look like Pico games, they stand out. It's and easy set to complete because their are only 20 games in the US and not many people collect for the system so they are cheap. The system also has 3 major Sega titles in it's library and they are all exclusive to the Pico: Sonic the Hedgehog's Gameworld, Tails and the Music Maker, and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt.

What you need to know to collect

The console came in a few version one that was just the console and one that was the console and the game Richard Scarry's Huckle and Lowly's Busiest Day Ever. The version with the pack in is the one you will find the most often. 

What's in the Box:  Not much really. Cart, Parenting Guide (manual), and Insert.  They all come sealed in a plastic bag if hte game is new.

What's Hard to Find: Sonic Gameworld was the last US release and is difficult to find with it's box, Richard Scarry's Huckle and Lowly's Busiest Day Ever even though it was a pack-in it did have a boxed version, while the cart by itself is very common the boxed version doesn't show up very often. Storyware Sampler, by far the rarest US title to find, good news is that it wasn't a retail release and isn't needed for the set.

Variants: It wouldn't be Sega without variants, The shells for the games often come in different colors without rhyme or reason. A full list of these do not exist as far as I know.

Games: Only 20 games released in the US. Here is the full list.

A Year at Pooh Corner

Adventures in Letterland With Jack and Jill

Crayola: Create a World

Disney's Pocahontas Riverbend Adventure

Disney's The Lion King: Adventures at Pride Rock

Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt!

Magic Crayons

Math Antics with Disney's 101 Dalmatians

Mickey's Blast Into the Past

Muppets on the Go

Musical Zoo

Pepe's Puzzles

Richard Scarry's Huckle and Lowly's Busiest Day Ever

Scholastic's The Magic School Bus

Sesame Street Alphabet Avenue

Smart Alex and Smart Alice: Curious Kids

Sonic the Hedgehog's Gameworld

Tails and the Music Maker

The Berenstain Bears: A School Day

The Great Counting Caper With the 3 Blind Mice