Vinyl pressings
by Buckner & Garcia · 1981
Pac-Man Fever was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
p ZSS-169907-1A MASTERDISKA side variant 1
p ZSS-169908-1A MASTERDISKB side variant 1
p ZSS-169907-1H MASTERDISKA side variant 2
p ZSS-169908 1A MASTERDISKB side variant 2
ZSS 169907-2C T TIIIRunout side A variation 1
ZSS 169908-2C TIRunout side B variation 1
TI ZSS 169907-2DRunout side A variation 2
ZSS 169908-2D TIIIRunout side B variation 2
MASTERDISK 1T ZSS-169907-1DRunout side A, variant 1
1T ZSS-169908-1CRunout side B, variant 1
T ZSS 169907-1D MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 2
ZSS 169908-2D TIRunout side B, variant 2
XSS-169985-1B MASTERDISKSide A runout
XSS-169984-1A MASTERDISKSide B runout
BG-1001-ALabel side A
BG-1001-BLabel side B
p ZSS-169907-2ARunout side A printed variant 1
ZSS-169908-1B VRunout side B etched (V printed) variant 1
p ZSS-169907-1A MASTERDISKRunout side A etched variant 2
ZSS-169908-1B VRunout side B etched (V stamped) variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | CBS BA 222952First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Discos CBS 43.523First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia 18-02673First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBSA 12-2055 / CBS A-12.2055First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP-598First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 598First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | CBS BS-35,033First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Peru | CBS CSR 1194First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS SSC 5334First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBSA 2055 / CBS A-2055First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS A2055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 44-02762First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 44 02762First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | BGO Records BG-1001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 18-02673First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia 44-0276212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
31 vinyl pressings of Pac-Man Fever are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Columbia 18-02673, released December 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 18-02673, 44-02762, BG-1001, 44 02762) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p ZSS-169907-1A MASTERDISK and p ZSS-169908-1A MASTERDISK. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
