Looking to sell my WATA'd Clu Clu Land sample.








Another one of these is set to go live on Heritage Auctions November 1st.  I wanted to offer this up on NA prior to Ebaying it, but either way the sale will happen before the Heritage Auction goes live.

This is your chance to get it early and save 20% in buyers premiums.

Very willing to get a deal done, so don't hesitate to send any/all offers my way.  With the sticker hype right now, I'm guessing there will be some fairly strong interest in an item like this from the HA type crowd, so get in early and cheap.

So what is this, exactly? Is it like an early "NFR" type cart where it would have been used as a demo in a store? You're not calling it a "prototype", so I assume it's something like that.

Regardless, this is a super-cool item and I'm sure it's value WAAAAAY far more than I could afford. Thanks for offering it here, though. If someone on NA want's it, I hope it goes to you.

I'm just using the terms WATA set for the item.  I'm unsure of the exact use of the cartridge, but it says "protect" next to the IC, later it says "for aging" which is often seen in test applications in Japan.  Directly above the "NES" at the bottom, the characters read "Nintendo Co., Ltd.".

My guess has always been a Japanese created test cartridge for testing NTSC systems stateside at select service centers.

I don't know who WATA has on staff who has experience with these things the way Matt or I do, so I think they took the safe course of action and just authenticated it as being "genuine".

All being said, a very rare item associated with one of the hottest things in the NES collector circle right now, so I figured it was time to let go of it.

Didn't realize that clu clu land of all things had achieved popularity in collecting. Any particular reason why?

Not Clu Clu Land specifically, but black box games in general, especially early prints.

I had a Robot Block (Stack Up) sample years ago, a WCTM/SMB/DH sample, and I know of a Soccer sample as well.  I'm unaware of any other black box games that had samples/protos confirmed, though I know there's claim of a SMB proto from a respected collector.  Seeing pictures of the cart in question, it always appeared to me to be a factory repair, but the reputation of the collector in question is bullet proof, so I'm torn on the authenticity of it.

If you want a sample black box game, your options are limited.  There's more than one of these, but the rarity and association with black box NES stuff gives me reason to believe someone would be interested in this.

Damn this is really cool, I never knew about these sample carts, makes it even better that it's Clu Clu Land since that game is the GOAT of the uncommon black box games

Clu Clu has always had huge popularity in the black box set simply because it is one of the mire elusive titles in the set. Neat item.

Thanks for the kind words folks!

I have no idea how many of these are out there, but I sold a VGA'd copy way back before the current craziness in 2014 for just over $1,500:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Prototyp...

i am NOT looking for anywhere near that amount. I have a real estate opportunity that fell into my lap and I'm looking to become a hair more liquid.

If you're even remotely interested, shoot me an offer and I can all but guarantee we can come to a deal.

PM'd

Use the money for this to get us some Patriots tickets!!  

Free bump for ya!

You aren't back in the area, are you?!?!  I'm 100% down for going to a playoff game if you are!

Sold pending payment, thanks to all who were interested!
 

Nice work Mark, great stuff as always

I've seen multiple prints of this cart for sale in Japan, has been one on Ebay. Was wondering if it was legit or not. Interesting.

Don't worry everyone that missed out theres one on eBay right now

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/...

Almost positive that it's the exact same one.  Looks like a private sale was made, and the seller just up and decided to flip it (based on location of OP here and eBay seller location details).

Still not sure what this is, as shouldn't a true "sample" have been a 5 screw cart, since the 3 screw ones with the tabs didn't come out for at least a couple of years after the launch of the NES?

So much snark it didn't even register  
 

May or may not be the one I sold as I haven’t looked at it closely.  Buyer was awesome so if it is the person I sold it to 
I wish them all the best.

In regards to what this truly “is”, I’ve never made a specific claim.  I know it’s legit, I sent to WATA, and they independently came up with the designation of sample, etc.

I have no idea how that company works and as I’ve mentioned previously, only use it to flip games.  You’d have to ask them how they came up with a sample.