Putting together my collection of Mega Marbles, I realized that there was a significant number of packaging styles over time. Few people collect the different styles, focused on the marbles themselves. However, it may be useful to have a reference of these packaging, just to spot in time when the marbles bags we have were available in stores...

This list covers the US Mega brand headers. Of course, there were also different styles in other countries, but this post wouldn't have enough room to show them all...

• SHIELD SHAPE

First packaging I know is shaped as a shield. I have only one like this, and I'm not sure to what extent it was used for multiple marbles theme.

• YELLOW HEADER

This packaging last until 1999. the header is a 92mmX78mm rectangle. It is available with MEGA brand name (Vacor US) or QUALATEX brand name (Pioneer Balloon Company).

MEGA:

QUALATEX:

• BLUE HEADER

Starting 1999, Mega headers are Blue or Magenta, the size being unchanged. Not sure at this time why some headers were blue and other were magenta. Not sure either if a marble name was distributed with the two different header color...

BLUE:

MAGENTA:

• THEMED SQUARE HEADER

By 2003, 2 major changes happened : first, the size changes to a smaller 70mmX70mm square. But more important, the marbles types got each their own dedicated design, with a specific picture....

1ST VARIATION:

Specifics: Naive painting, red triangle as a warning sign icon, includes two display rings, and no game rules on the back, distribution brand is "Mega Marble USA":

2ND VARIATION:

Specifics: Same as first, additional game rules on the back, some lost the recycling icon:

Note: Some yellow warning triangle appeared on some packaging, not sure though that these were distributed in USA.

3RD VARIATION:

Specifics: Same as second, but the warning sign is smaller. The Mega Marbles icon on the back is more stylized:

Note: This variation seems to be dedicated to the new styles issued in 2008.

4TH VARIATION:

Specifics: The painting changes for existing style and becomes more photo realistic. The warning sign is included in a black rectangle, with white letters. No more red triangle. Now includes "fun facts" within the header, and distribution brand becomes "Fabricas Selectas USA":

5TH VARIATION:

Specifics: Same as fourth, but the warning sign is now black on white. Some includes the two display rings, and then not anymore:

Note: Starting 2012, the "Mega" logo on the back reverts to a less stylized drawing (no "shading").

6TH VARIATION:

Specifics: Starting in 2013, the marbles on the front of the picture disappear. Compliance statements appear on the back, along with a 2013 copyright:

7TH VARIATION:

Specifics: Starting in 2014, The 5+ is mentionned on the front. Okay, very light change, but still...

8TH VARIATION:

Specifics: For year 2015, border disappears, MEGA logo appears on the front. The front picture is repeated shaded on the back

Note: Only the new 2015 styles will have this style : Asian elephant, Jaguar, Poison dart frog, Red panda, Snow leopard.

9TH VARIATION:

Specifics: As for 2015, year 2016 sees a new change of the bag style for the new styles. The label turns to a vertical rectangle.

Note: Only the new 2016 styles will have this style : Firefighter, Police officer, Scorpion, Seahorse, Starfish, Troll.

10TH VARIATION:

Back to square world in 2017. Name is now written in a more stylized way, with bigger font. No more Mega logo on the front of the label.

Note: Not all 2017 styles will have this style : Jupiter and Penguin, though the marble styles changed, retained the former label styles

11TH VARIATION: