Vinyl pressings
by George Clinton · 1982
Computer Games was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ST-1-12246-2-2 #2 .─◁ Criteria MFRunout side A, variant 1
ST-2-12246-2-4 #3 .─◁ Criteria MFRunout side B, variant 1
ST-1-12246-2-3 #2 .─◁ Criteria MFRunout side A, variant 2
ST-2-12246-2-4 #3 .─◁ Criteria MFRunout side B, variant 2
0 ST-1-12246-2-1 #24 Criteria MFA-side runout, variant 1
0 ST-2-12246-2-1 #24 Criteria MFB-side runout, variant 1
0 ST-1-12246-2-1 #1 Criteria MFA-side runout, variant 2
0 ST-2-12246-2-1 #1 Criteria MFB-side runout, variant 2
EST 1 12246 - 1 - 1 - 1 →Side A, runout
EST 2 12246 - 1 - 1 - 1 →Side B, runout
EST 1 12246-1-1- 1-0Side A, runout, stamped
I ⊢ ⌐ M [vertically reads like: T73]Side A, runout, etched
EST 2 12246-1-1- 1-8Side B, runout, stamped
EST1 12246Side A, label
1-1-1=8 400143-ARunout etched side A
1-1-1=8 400143-BRunout etched side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia & New Zealand | Capitol Records ST-12246First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Barbados | Capitol Records ST-12246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 400143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Capitol Records ST 12246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-400143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-400143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Capitol Records 2C 068-400143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST-12246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Capitol Records EST 12246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Capitol Records EST 12246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | Capitol Records ST-12246First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Capitol Records ST-512246LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1982 | US | Capitol Records ST-12246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Capitol Records 11C 078-400143 / Capitol Records 11C 080-400143LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Capitol Records B0022821-01 / Capitol Records ST-12246LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2015 | US | Capitol Records 602475371892LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | UK | BGP Records HIQLP 175LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ST.12246LP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Computer Games are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1982 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Barbados, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12246, released November 5, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12246, EST 12246, 31C 064 400143, ST 12246) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12246-2-2 #2 .─◁ Criteria MF and ST-2-12246-2-4 #3 .─◁ Criteria MF. 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.
