28XA-166: Darius -TAITO GAME MUSIC VOL.2-

[Rrolack]

An interesting discovery regarding this album. I happen to own two copies of these, and there are some subtle differences between them.


To start, here are the spines of the two obis. One shows a price of 2800 yen, and the other lacks a price.

https://i.imgur.com/RZXOWmE.jpg


Here is the front of the obis, where the other obi has a price of 2627 yen. Note that the bolded text on the bottom of the obis is also different.

https://i.imgur.com/ULCHyR6.jpg


Here are the back cases. The bolded text is different here as well.

https://i.imgur.com/5v5f6V8.jpg


Judging by Google Translate, it looks like the bolded text difference may denote a difference in the distributor. I'm also guessing that the lower price one was introduced after the 3% sales tax came into effect in 1989, which would make the lower priced one the "second print" if you will.

As for any potential distributor differences, we'd need someone with better Japanese skills to say more.


I wonder for how many other G.M.O. albums the same is true. Looking through others I have, my copy of "Sega Taikan Game Special" (28XA-198) has the same pricing as my "second print" 28XA-166.