Vinyl pressings
by Sham 69 · 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.
8 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 7 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.
POLD 5033 A//1 EP 1 3 toneSide A runout variant 1
POLD 5033 B//1 EP 12 toneSide B runout variant 1
POLD 5033 A//2∇EP 11 1 toneSide A runout variant 2
POLD 5033 B//2∇EP 11 1 1Side B runout variant 2
6. 24 399 - 01 - 1 H1 Manufactured in GermanyRunout, side A - stamped/etched
6. 24 399 - 01 - 2 H1 Manufactured in GermanyRunout, side B - stamped/etched
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 | France | Epic epc84492First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Vinyl 6.24399 AO / TELDEC 6.24399 AOFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2383 580First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Norway | Polydor 2383 580First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2383 580First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor MPF-1315First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Polydor POLD 5033 / Polydor 2442 173First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Polydor POLD 5033First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Italy | Earmark EM3014 / Get BackLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP4061 / Sanctuary MOVLP4061LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of The Game are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Japan, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5033, released April 4, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5033, MPF-1315, epc84492, 6.24399 AO) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD 5033 A//1 EP 1 3 tone and POLD 5033 B//1 EP 12 tone. 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.
