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DogP wrote:
The quality of the molds definitely vary, but I believe on a couple of the pictures above, you can't see it in the picture because it's one of the better quality ones, and the lighting/angle isn't just right. But at the correct angle, I'm pretty sure you'd be able to see a slight rectangle (maybe Benjamin can confirm).
Yes. There is a noticeable rectangle on all of my “EXT.” systems. Some are ever so slight, such that you can only see them if you are closely looking for them.
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That, or another interesting thing is that the US manual calls it the GameLink port. Is it called PlayLink in the Japanese manual? Maybe they changed it to EXT. so all regions (JP, US, and presumably EU if it ever made it there) could use the same mold without inconsistencies on GameLink, PlayLink, etc.
I checked my three Japanese manuals and found something interesting.
1. In my Japanese demo system's manual (Serial Number V10037488), on the pages where it gives an illustration of the Virtual Boy along with descriptions, it shows “PLAYLINK” on the illustration, and then the connecting description reads: 外部拡張ジャック PLAYLINK
2. In the manual of my retail system with serial number V10084459 (this system has “PLAYLINK” on the actual system itself), it shows “EXT.” on the illustration page of the manual, and then the connecting description reads: 外部拡張ジャック EXT. Thus, assuming my system didn't get put in the wrong box, it looks like they changed the instruction manual before changing the mold on the system itself.
3. In the manual of my retail system with serial number V10178013 (this system has “EXT.” on the actual system itself), it shows “EXT.” on the illustration page of the manual, and then the connecting description reads: 外部拡張ジャック EXT.
One will notice that the Japanese characters never change across the manuals. “ 外部拡張ジャック” translates to “External Extension Jack.”
The data that we have gathered so far does seem to indicate that the original mold for all Virtual Boy systems said “PLAYLINK,” and the first systems produced were released in Japan with “PLAYLINK” on them, but at some point in the production run, they decided that all systems from then on would say “EXT.” Thus, the area near the extension jack had to be modified, and this would have happened before any systems were shipped to America, since all North American systems seem to say “EXT.”
Now, the question is: what is the largest serial number on a Japanese Retail system that still has “PLAYLINK” on it? It seems that people with Japanese units around the 100,000 mark would best help to answer this question.
USA
JPN Demo System.jpg (42.49 KB)
