Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1980
The Game was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
87 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 39 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.
EMA 795 A-4U MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side A, variant 1
EMA 795 B-10U MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side B,, variant 1
EMA 795 A-3U MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side A, variant 2
EMA 795 B-10U MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side B, variant 2
EMA 795 A-3U MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. 1 4 1A Side, Stamped
EMA 795 B-7U MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.B Side, Stamped
5E-513-A 2AR ❀ B 15082 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A. CALIF.Side A runout, variant 1
5E-513-B 3AR ❀ B 15083(1)-3 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A. CALIF.Side B runout, variant 1
5E-513-A 2AR ❀ B 15082 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A. CALIF.Side A runout, variant 2
5E-513-B 3AR ❀ B 15083(1)-3 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A. CALIF.Side B runout, variant 2
5E-513A•1CSM B11 1SSide A Etched (variant 1)
5E-513B 1CSM B10 2SSide B Etched (variant 1)
5E-513 A• 1CSM A7 1SSide A Etched (variant 2)
5E-513 B CSM B16 \SSide B Etched (variant 2)
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. 5E-513-A 6ED ❀ 0-2 I GOL [Europadisk logo]Runout side A, variant 1
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. 0-2 I-GOL 5E-513-B SH ❀ + SLM + △423-X B-15095Runout side B, variant 1
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. O 5 S̶ 6 5E-513-A 6ED ❀ SPGD [Europadisk logo]Runout side A, variant 2
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. 5E-513-B SH ❀ + SLM + GOL △423-X B-15095 SP-GD 0-15m1-2Runout side B, variant 2
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A. CALIF. 5E-513-A1 ISH ❀ + SLM ++ △423 B-15094Side A runout
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A. CALIF. 5E-513-B SH ❀ + SLM +++ △423-X B-15095Side B runout
5E-513ASide A label
5E-513BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI 8823First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Elektra 5E-513First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Barbados | EMI EMA 795First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Bolivia | EMI International BOLP-455First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064 63923First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064 63923First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra X5E-513First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra X5E-513First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra X5E-513First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra X5E-513First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra X5E-513First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Chile | EMI 5244 / EMI 32C 064-063923First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Chile | EMI 5244 / EMI 32C 064-063923First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Colombia | EMI 11779First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | EMI EMA 795 / EMI 2C 070 63.923First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | South Korea | EMI EKPL-0223 / EMA-795LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1994 | Russia | Santa Records П94 RAT 30754LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1995 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-211 / Hollywood Records MFSL 1-211LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Europe | Parlophone QUEENLP 8 / Parlophone 5099968486112LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK & Europe | Virgin EMI Records 00602547202758LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2018 | Italy | Virgin EMI RecordsLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2018 | USA & Canada | Hollywood Records D002946201LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2019 | Japan | Virgin EMI Records / DeAGOSTINI Japan 18LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Spain | Virgin EMI RecordsLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2020 | UK & Europe | Virgin EMI Records 602508872259LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 2022 | US | Hollywood Records D002946201LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | Chile | Virgin EMI RecordsLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Argentina | EMILP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2024 | Italy | EMI 0602547202758LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | Italy | EMILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2026 | UK & Europe | EMI 19802956611LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EMI 062-63923 / EMI 1A 064-63923LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | EMI 064-74 6213 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | EMI 1A 062-63 923 / EMI 1A 062-63923LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | EMI 14C 064-63923LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | EMI 14C 064-63923LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Italy | EMI 64 1639231LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Malaysia | EMI EMA 795 / EMI OC 064-63 923LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | New Zealand | Elektra 5E 513LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | South Korea | Stereophonic SH 876LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Taiwan | Boy Records BR-2006LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | EMI EMA 795 / EMI 0C 064-63 923LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | UK | EMI EMA 795LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
136 vinyl pressings of The Game are listed here, from 46 countries, released between 1980 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, France, Ecuador and more. One of them is EMI EMA 795, released June 20, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMA 795, 5E-513, 2C 070 63923, 303-0083) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMA 795 A-4U MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. and EMA 795 B-10U MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.. 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.
