VDR-5222: Namco Video Game Graffiti Volume 2

[Crash]

Based on the back scan, it looks like the release date should be October 21, 1987. The scan shows O.10.21, with the O representing 1987 (this same letter shows up in the back scan of e.g., Namco Game Music Vol. 2, which was also released in 1987). The copyright date on the back scan also shows 1987, and while that's not always going to be the same as the release date, it strengthens the argument IMO. JGML also shows an October 1987 release date.

I'm curious to see the evidence that suggests this was released in August 1988.

[Gigablah]

Looks like Yahoo! Japan lists it as August 1988 along with GMR. However, from the date printed on the back cover it's pretty clear that JGML has the correct date, so I'll go ahead and change it to that.

VCH-1886 also has October 21 as the release date:
http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r50839194

Another argument is that Namcot Game a la Mode II was released on August 21 1988 with the catalogue number VDR-5243, and that's a big jump from VDR-5222 which makes it unlikely for them to be released on the same day.

[LuxKiller65]

this release has at least two print, one at 3000 Y and one at 2812 Y. i'm always confused which one is earlier. it seems the tax was increased? but frankly the 2812 one seems newer. it has ads on the obi, which are missing completely on the 3000 one. so i think 2812 is newer.

[depa]

After April 1989 they switch with new tax rate and switch price to 2812 (from 3000), 3008 (from 3200), etc

[LuxKiller65]

i remember someone saying the higher prices are newer, but all the albums i see with 2 prices, seem to have the lower price after, not before (especially those with a sticker covering the older higher price - that's a definitive proof). why would they lower the price after the tax was introduced?

2812 in this case is the price after tax (not before).

[Phonograph]

prolly due to japanese economy miracle's ending at the beginning of the 90s
higher prices coulda killed enterprises so it was prolly better to lower prices to allow a continuity of sales till a better economic period

[depa]

Generally OST albums were updated with lower price, while vocals with increased prices. Columbia for example colored the catalogue number in black on the side of the obi compared the 1st press colored in White.
While Canyon put updated price also on side of the obi with a black belt while original only had catalogue number. Most of the labels only added the updated price under the catalogue number

[LuxKiller65]

thanks.
will be adding scans when i receive the album.
it's a shame vgmdb has no better way of separating same catalog numbers with obvious differences such as updated price that affects spinecard and back insert. it's super messy looking through scans, especially since they seem to order themselves automatically.

[depa]

best way would be add a "(xxxx yen)" near back and obi scans