That is correct, those sets have been reprinted multiple times in unlimited. There are ways to tell the original unlimited cards from the reprints. With some experience it is also possible to tell where some reprints came from.
I believe the most recent LOB packs I’ve seen have a 2017 copyright on the front. I don’t think there’s a way to know when Konami will reprint. If you just like the art you might consider opening some Korean boxes, those are very cheap.
I see LOB, MRD, SRL, and IOC every few months in walmart/target. Always only sold as single packs and I’ve only pulled an Ultra Rare at best. IMO they are being resold by 3rd parties and taking out the best pulls from mapped booster boxes, but they are still a blast to open.
Like jyscal said, the reprint packs I have seen say 2017 on the bottom center of the packs.
FYI the best way to identify a card if it is a 2017 reprint or an original run unlimited it to look at the small holo square in the bottom right corner of the card. Hold it up to the light and if you see a star icon in the pattern, it is a 2017 reprint.
iirc these weren’t released in booster boxes - they were included in some kind of special box that was released internationally. they were not printed for or released in booster boxes. I bought a couple single packs from target last year and got 2 ultra rares, one of them being buster blader. I def don’t think these are tampered with. Why go through trouble of opening packs when you can sell them in big box retail stores for market price ($8) instead of msrp?
The main product they came in recently was the Legendary Collection: Gameboard which came with 6 legacy/legendary packs. 3rd party repackers (the folks who make the garbage mystery boxes and mystery cubes) started selling individual packs at target and walmart
To be 100% correct, Legendary Collection was released first in 2010 with the binder edition. Those cards are reprints but don’t have a star pattern in the eye of anubis. Therefore, not having the stars there does not guarantee your card isn’t a reprint.
Also the Gameboard Edition was first released in 2013 so it’s possible to find some packs with a 2014 copyright. Those cards are identical to the 2017 print as far as I’m aware.
@shadowrex is correct, those packs come from Legendary Collection Gameboard Edition. The last North American unlimited LOB booster boxes were released in 2003.
Is there a way to easily identify earlier (i.e. 2010/2014) reprints from the original prints? I have a decent original print collection and recently started buying some Yugioh singles for the first time in a long time… I’m fine buying some reprints, but just want to know if I can mix my binder and later be able to tell them apart.
Of course! The 2010 and later reprints have several differences with respect to the OG print. I always recommend GhezziTCG guides on YouTube. Here’s the one for LOB, but you can find one for each classic set on his channel.