Does Your Virtual Boy Have “PLAYLINK” or “EXT.”?

May 11, 2013 • 16:11

It has been noted that some Virtual Boy systems have a label that reads “PLAYLINK” next to the link cable slot, while others have a label that reads “EXT.” The purpose of this thread is to find out which Virtual Boy systems have “PLAYLINK” and which ones don’t. If you would like to contribute to the data, please provide the serial number of your Virtual Boy system or systems and also tell us whether the label next to the link cable slot reads “PLAYLINK” or “EXT.” It would be best if you could provide a picture of these areas as proof, but if you would not like to provide a picture, please consider looking at your Virtual Boy system(s) and sharing the pertinent data with us anyway.

Here are my data for the systems that I currently have:

1. USA Demo System (with white box)
Serial Number: VN10000940[8]
It reads: “EXT.”

2. USA Platform Display System
Serial Number: VN10031062[7]
It reads: “EXT.”

3. JPN Demo System (with mosaic box)
Serial Number: V10037488
It reads: “PLAYLINK”

4. JPN Retail System
Serial Number: V10084459
It reads: “PLAYLINK”

5. USA Retail System (1) – My very first Virtual Boy
Serial Number: VN10169097[1]
It reads: “EXT.”

6. JPN Retail System
Serial Number: V10178013
It reads: “EXT.”

7. USA Retail System (2) – Currently my only solder-fixed system
Serial Number: VN10249735[7]
It reads: “EXT.”

8. USA Retail System (3)
Serial Number: VN10252578[4]
It reads: “EXT.”

9. USA Retail System (4)
Serial Number: VN10321531[8]
It reads: “EXT.”

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Viewing 18 replies - 21 through 38 (of 38 total)

37 Replies

Jul 29, 2014 • 03:52

retronintendonerd

Later Japanese systems got the EXT name as well. Looks like it was changed from Playlink to EXT at some point, we’re kind of trying to pin point where in the serial number list that happened.

Ah Ok. If anyone is willing to take the time out, usually ebay sellers have the pictures of the undersides with serial and port in view. Don’t know how serious the search is though.

Jul 29, 2014 • 03:55

speedyink

I don’t think it’s too serious, more of a curiosity I would guess. While it is interesting to me, I’m not sure if I’m prepared to scour ebay though =P Not to say someone with more spare time them me couldn’t, it would be helpful to the VB database we have here.

Jul 29, 2014 • 07:59

3DBoyColor

Pretty sure both of mine are USA.

VN10035307[5] EXT.
VN10417713[4] EXT.

Jul 30, 2014 • 02:30

Benjamin Stevens

Here is what I managed to find today on Ebay’s worldwide listing for Virtual Boy:

VN10012661[7] – EXT
VN10027690[9] – EXT
V10034445 – PLAYLINK (Japanese Mosaic Box/Demo Unit)
V10034454 – PLAYLINK (Japanese Mosaic Box/Demo Unit)
V10065621 – PLAYLINK
V10111489 – EXT
VN10119664[0] – EXT
V10126794 – EXT
VN10139732[0] – EXT
VN10217925[3] – EXT
VN10246016[6] – EXT
VN10262599[6] – EXT
VN10344318[6] – EXT
VN10439397[8] – EXT
VN10514686[3] – EXT
VN10556567[1] – EXT
VN10629160[9] – EXT

Dec 13, 2014 • 18:04

Benjamin Stevens

http://www.planetvb.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=30793#forumpost30793

Here are all of the pertinent data that have been gathered up to this post:

VN10000566[0] has “EXT.”
VN10000940[8] has “EXT.” (USA Demo system)
VN10012661[7] has “EXT.”
VN10020059[1] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10027690[9] has “EXT.”
VN10031062[7] has “EXT.” (USA Platform Display System)
V10034445 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
V10034454 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
VN10035307[5] has “EXT.”
V10037488 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
V10047635 has “PLAYLINK”
V10065621 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10084459 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10093028 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10111489 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
VN10112924[2] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10119664[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
V10126794 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10135382 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
VN10139732[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
V10162816 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10167485 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10168481 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System, later became USA Retail System VN10413008[5])
VN10169097[1] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
V10178013 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10187552 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System, later became USA Retail System VN10321531[8])
VN10217925[3] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10245019[2] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10246016[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10249735[7] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10252578[4] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10255715[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10262599[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10321531[8] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System, was previously JPN Retail System V10187552)
VN10341495[7] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10344318[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10397006[4] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10413008[5] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System, was previously JPN Retail System V10168481)
VN10417713[4] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10439397[8] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10456891[8] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System) – Note: No rectangle around “EXT.”
VN10468045[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10497150[3] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10510512[9] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System, was previously a JPN Retail System)
VN10514686[3] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10556567[1] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10629160[9]has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10631799[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)

Some important notes:
1. It looks like the last Japanese Virtual Boy system that was released with “PLAYLINK” on it occurred between unit # 93,028 and unit # 111,489 in the production run. If anybody has a serial number that reduces this range, reporting it to us would be beneficial. Also, if anyone has a serial number that throws a monkey wrench into the whole thing, either by a “PLAYLINK” unit falling beyond unit # 111,485 or a unit that shows something entirely unique, that would be very interesting to note.
2. Right now, it seems that a lot of North American units with serial numbers ranging from 321,531 to 510,512 could be reused Japanese retail systems. Any who might report about North American units in this range or beyond should check to see if there is that noticeable bump underneath the North American serial number sticker, indicating an original Japanese serial number sticker beneath it. This might give us a better idea as to how many Virtual Boy systems were actually made.

Dec 13, 2014 • 19:57

speedyink

V10037488 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
V10047635 has “PLAYLINK”
V10065621 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)

Unit number V10047635 is mine, and it’s a Japan Demo System. Just in case you want to fill in that blank.

Dec 13, 2014 • 22:24

16-Bit

Here’s mine!

Vn100204049 – EXT

EDIT: Whoa, that pic was just a little unnecessarily big. 😛

Attachments:

wp_20141213_012.jpg

Dec 14, 2014 • 20:41

Benjamin Stevens

speedyink wrote:

V10037488 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
V10047635 has “PLAYLINK”
V10065621 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)

Unit number V10047635 is mine, and it’s a Japan Demo System. Just in case you want to fill in that blank.

Do you actually have a mosaic box and/or instruction manual to go along with the unit, and if so, does the serial number appear on the instruction manual somewhere? I question whether the unit is originally from a demo-only, mosaic box, since the serial number appears to be too high to be one. Thus, if you simply got the unit without a box or manual, along with a small, Japan-exclusive Store Display, I would say that you got a regular retail unit that happened to be included with the small store display. However, if you do have an original instruction manual showing the same serial number on it, then please attach a pic of it, and I’ll update the list.

Dec 15, 2014 • 01:25

speedyink

Benjamin Stevens wrote:
Do you actually have a mosaic box and/or instruction manual to go along with the unit, and if so, does the serial number appear on the instruction manual somewhere? I question whether the unit is originally from a demo-only, mosaic box, since the serial number appears to be too high to be one. Thus, if you simply got the unit without a box or manual, along with a small, Japan-exclusive Store Display, I would say that you got a regular retail unit that happened to be included with the small store display. However, if you do have an original instruction manual showing the same serial number on it, then please attach a pic of it, and I’ll update the list.

No I don’t, it just came with my Japan Store Display. I thought the serial number was below most retail units, but you’re more in the know than I am, so my mistake.

May 15, 2015 • 15:52

Benjamin Stevens

I found a “monkey wrench” system recently:

The Japanese Virtual Boy system with serial number V10131707 has “PLAYLINK” on it. It could be the case that it was intended for this unit to have its “PLAYLINK” label removed and replaced with the “EXT.” label, but such got overlooked somehow.

Here are all of the pertinent data that have been gathered up to this post:

VN10000566[0] has “EXT.”
VN10000940[8] has “EXT.” (USA Demo system)
VN10012661[7] has “EXT.”
VN10020059[1] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10020404[9] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10027690[9] has “EXT.”
VN10031062[7] has “EXT.” (USA Platform Display System)
V10034445 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
V10034454 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
VN10035307[5] has “EXT.”
V10037488 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
V10047635 has “PLAYLINK”
V10065621 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10084459 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10093028 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10111489 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
VN10112924[2] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10119664[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
V10126794 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10131707 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10135382 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
VN10139732[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
V10162816 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10167485 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10168481 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System, later became USA Retail System VN10413008[5])
VN10169097[1] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
V10178013 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10187552 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System, later became USA Retail System VN10321531[8])
VN10217925[3] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10245019[2] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10246016[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10249735[7] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10252578[4] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10255715[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10262599[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10321531[8] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System, was previously JPN Retail System V10187552)
VN10341495[7] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10344318[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10397006[4] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10413008[5] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System, was previously JPN Retail System V10168481)
VN10417713[4] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10439397[8] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10456891[8] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System) – Note: No rectangle around “EXT.”
VN10468045[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10497150[3] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10510512[9] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System, was previously a JPN Retail System)
VN10514686[3] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10556567[1] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10629160[9]has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10631799[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)

Attachments:

v10131707-playlink.jpg

Jul 11, 2017 • 18:03

Benjamin Stevens

http://www.planetvb.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=37387#forumpost37387

Latest Update:

VN10000566[0] has “EXT.”
VN10000940[8] has “EXT.” (USA Demo system)
VN10012661[7] has “EXT.”
VN10020059[1] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10020404[9] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10027690[9] has “EXT.”
VN10031062[7] has “EXT.” (USA Platform Display System)
V10034445 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
V10034454 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
VN10035307[5] has “EXT.”
V10037488 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Demo system)
V10047635 has “PLAYLINK”
V10065621 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10084459 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10093028 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10111489 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10117121 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
VN10112924[2] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10119664[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
V10126794 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10131707 has “PLAYLINK” (JPN Retail System)
V10135382 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
VN10139732[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
V10162816 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10167485 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10168481 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System, later became USA Retail System VN10413008[5])
VN10169097[1] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
V10178013 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System)
V10187552 has “EXT.” (JPN Retail System, later became USA Retail System VN10321531[8])
VN10217925[3] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10245019[2] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10246016[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10249735[7] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10252578[4] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10255715[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10262599[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10321531[8] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System, was previously JPN Retail System V10187552)
VN10341495[7] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10344318[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10397006[4] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10413008[5] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System, was previously JPN Retail System V10168481)
VN10417713[4] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10439397[8] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10456891[8] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System) – Note: No rectangle around “EXT.”
VN10468045[0] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10497150[3] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10510512[9] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System, was previously a JPN Retail System)
VN10514686[3] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10556567[1] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10629160[9]has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)
VN10631799[6] has “EXT.” (USA Retail System)[/quote]

Jul 12, 2017 • 15:00

xs4all

Just some FYI pics of my JAP Retail v10117121 console’s Box and User Manual.

Attachments:

Sep 30, 2017 • 05:06

husan93

Just looked at my japanese Virtual Boy and it also says Playlink.
V10113156

The manual illustrates an EXT Port.

Oct 03, 2017 • 06:04

S7AYONTARGE7

My new us model is an ect. Ive never seen one that said playlink, and ive had two japanese models in the past I know said ect.

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Nov 08, 2022 • 23:54

Mac

Hello, I have a Virtual Boy store kiosk with this serial number: VN101681498 (8 in gray box). Does anyone have any idea what country this Virtual Boy would originally be? Greetings.