OK, this all makes sense…
except for one thing that just came to mind.

Since as others have confirmed, that the U.S. version of ‘Mario’s Tennis’ was never sold separately,
and furthermore, that the only U.S. version of the box was the display box, I have the following question:

I would assume, that since I believe that Japan does not seem to follow the practice of factory sealing games, that a factory sealed copy of either region of ‘Mario’s Tennis’ does not exist, correct?

I’m slightly a noob when it comes to collecting Virtual Boy stuff… so let me get this straight…

‘Mario’s Tennis’ came prepackaged with each Virtual Boy system when purchased brand new, correct?

So, was the game ever officially sold separately in a standard box?

I read through the thread, and it is slightly unclear to me if official sealed CIB copies of this game were ever sold.

It seems that the original intent of this thread, was to gather opinions as to the legitimacy of the display boxes that were or were not produced for ‘display purposes only’.

Thanks for any clarifications.

The key I scanned is from the exact same display model as you have, and it also works on both of my larger store displays.

OK, I have a feeling that this was never the right key for it though;
it was insanely hard to turn; hence the reason it broke off inside.

The lock itself is a standard lock… you can get a replacement at Home Depot/Lowes, which may be easier than trying to find someone with the same key

OK, that sounds like something worth trying.
If it is OK with you though; I’d like to try
getting a copy of the key first, so let me
know how you would like me to proceed in
doing this.

Thanks again
for all you help!

I attached a couple scans of my key… just print it out and take it to Wal*Mart and they’ll cut you a new key.

Hahaha… you almost had me fooled… *Key*word almost lol

“let me know if that looks like yours and I’ll get a copy made and mail it to you.”

Eh… it doesn’t really look like mine… but it looks like it would fit. With how tight it was; I have a feeling it wasn’t quite the right key anyway; if that makes sense. The notches don’t seem exactly the same; and the head of the key is squarish instead of rounded. Would it work? I guess that’s another matter altogether. It’s worth a shot; and if it doesn’t work; I will just e-mail this guy that has one of these exact platform displays for sale on eBay right now; and try and get him to make a copy and sell me one; or I will just try and find someone with another type of key and get them to make a copy.

Regardless; let me know when and how I should send payment.

Thanks again.

if your key doesn’t work, I’d guess it’s the wrong one, or it is kinda hard to turn when there’s force on it

Well, it turns out it was the right key, it was just very hard to turn… but now I have a bigger problem on my hands; the key bent off and broke while inside the lock.

Am I screwed?

UPDATE: Well… I managed to get the part out of the lock that broke off, thankfully.

I could probably send you one, though it probably wouldn’t be for a week or so.

I’d gladly pay you a fair price if you were able to do this; once I get a hold of enough money.

Even with the display system unlocked;
It is still awfully hard to remove a game
sense there isn’t much room. That is why
I am still looking for any modification
suggestions / etc.

Thanks, a lot.

Which one do you have? Like this one?

No… I have the Platform Display.
Like this one here:
Platform Display

And he just tilts the VB forward, opens the back w/ the key, and swaps cartridges.

Mine came with a key; but it doesn’t seem to turn.
Any idea what the deal is?

Will this technique fix a problem where the brightness on my VB doesn’t seem as bright as it should be / sometimes drops in brightness and then back up?

Troglodyte: added to list

Thank you very much.
Would it help speed things up, lower the price, or otherwise help things along if I supplied some kind of donor cartridge?

Thanks in advance.

Hello, I’m new here, but I too would like to added to the list for the next batch of Flashboys. Thanks in advance.