For at least a couple years now, NTSC-U Saturn (and Sega CD) fans have had a go-to source for their long box replacement cases. Back around 2018, an American gentleman going by “Chris Alaska” pursued the creation of injection molds for replacement Saturn cases and managed to get manufacturing set up in China. He then opened an Amazon storefront called VGC Online and began selling these replacement cases under the Xiguage brand.
The first run of cases had their issues, and the community was quick to point these out. Thankfully, these issues were taken into consideration, and improvements were quickly made in what would come to be known as the SECOND RUN of replacement cases, still currently available for sale. These cases are available as a pack of 10 cases for $59.99 with free shipping within the continental US. That basically puts them at $6.00 USD per case, and while that might seem high to some folks, it’s certainly cheaper than the previous solution of buying a random Saturn sports title for around $10 and cannibalizing the cracked and scuffed up case.
Shipping from the Amazon distribution center in Las Vegas, Nevada, these cases typically arrive fast, well packed and in good condition (based on several orders I’ve received over the past few years).
In the meantime, Limited Run Games also threw their hat in the ring, offering their own replacement cases, which were priced $20 higher for a pack of 10 cases and sold out almost immediately. However, they also received a lot of negative criticism for how they were packed/shipped, as many folks received them damaged upon arrival…
While remaining SOLD OUT on LRG’s own website, it seems these cases have subsequently been added for sale on Limited Run’s Amazon Storefront. The price has been reduced to $65.18 for the same 10 cases, and appears to be both SOLD and SHIPPED by Amazon.com. However, they STILL appear to be packaged in the same fashion (with jewel case and tray insert separate) that made them vulnerable to shipping damage in the first place.
Does anyone want to roll the dice and buy these? If so, let me know how they come out (I’m not brave enough, myself)…
Still, it was only a matter of time until these replacement cases ended up on AliExpress, and that’s exactly what has happened. However, while they are expectedly cheaper than the originals, you definitely get what you pay for, as is usually the CASE. (pun very much intended…)
At just $3.52 per case, you can choose how many cases you need, rather than having to purchase them in a pack of 10… Base shipping from China seems to be $5.77 though, so for this order of 4 cases, the total was $19.85 shipped, which averages out to $4.96 (basically $5.00) per case. Each case is individually shrink wrapped, then the entire bundle is wrapped in plastic wrap and then surrounded in multiple layers of soft foam wrap. That’s how it ships… See photos above.
Thankfully, this seems sufficient enough to get them where they need to go in one piece, without any cracks or broken hinges. Hell, Limited Run couldn’t say that much, so I guess that’s a plus for AliExpress…
So, how exactly do they compare then to the $6 “Second Run” of Amazon cases folks have had access to for a while now? Well, you can’t “judge a book by it’s cover”, and you also can’t judge these cases on their initial looks while sealed. The Amazon cases come in a plastic sleeve that is taped down, while the AliExpress cases come shrink wrapped. Once you tear it off, it’s off…
I would also describe the AliExpress cases as a bit “rough around the edges”… literally…
Like, they’ve saved money by not bothering with smooth edges… LOL (see photos above)
The plastic is also a bit “hazy” on the AliExpress cases, while it’s crystal clear on the Amazon cases. It’s basically this way all over the entire case…
The tray inserts are interesting, as since they don’t really care about obtaining use licenses over in China, they’ve kept the Compact Disc Logo, while it’s been purposefully left out of the Amazon cases.
Still, the overall quality and finish of these trays, just like the outer jewel case, is much nicer on the Amazon cases, which feel slicker and more polished in the hand. The corrugated stamping on the inside and spine of the trays seems like more of a subtle “suggestion” on the AliExpress cases, while it’s boldly stated on the Amazon cases, as it is on the OEM Saturn cases.
In fact, every little detail seems to be more solid and of a higher quality on the Amazon cases… Whereas the AliExpress cases (as expected) cut every corner possible in order to get the produce them at the lowest cost possible. The standard for quality is really quite different from one case to another.
However, maybe you don’t really care about the overall finish and feel, so long as they get the job done and look hot from far away. If that is the CASE, well then, you are in luck, as these really do look more or less the same from a couple feet away with game artwork inside them…
Can you tell the difference?
If the answer is “NO”, then perhaps you’d care to save a buck or two per case by going the AliExpress route. However, if the answer is “YES” and you know it’s going to bother you every time you look over at your games shelf, then maybe an extra couple bucks isn’t that big of a deal…
However, if you are in Canada or overseas, the AliExpress cases might be your only option (not sure about the LGR cases), as the Amazon cases from VGC Online only ship within the continental US. Not sure how many folks outside of the US are looking for replacement Saturn long boxes, but Canada is definitely a good CASE for this new available option…
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