Believe me: I understand. If you don't want to release it that's fine. I'm not even saying you should release it. I'm just getting to the point that it's not really about that.  You spent the money and it's yours to do with as you please.

I'm not sure if I was clear enough:
The scenario I described was not a "what if." One of the two creators already did release a broken NTSC proto ROM thinking it worked where it sits on his website today with that same assumption. The other already did say pubicly that he was OK with this which is why the website is still up. That's essentially BOTH creators publicly saying that they want a working NTSC proto ROM out there and taking the actions needed to put it out there, even though they seem to have bungled that.

Let's say that I did email them and they specifically said "yes" and I relayed it to you. It wouldn't change anything if you still don't want to release it. Once again: It's yours and I totally respect that. I'm just the jerk who isn't going to beat around the bush when the spat between the creators leaves us with this perfectly juicy nugget that directly relates to your stated reason for not releasing it.

I know I'd contribute to a fund if you ever chose to do it that way because I really want to play this and could not afford to buy it out-right. Whatever you decide to do: Good luck!

That... is cool.
 

I've been specially asked in the past not to release the rom. That may have very well changed, but it was explicitly stated last time I inquired.

Gotcha. Super-jelly though.
Only proto I ever had cost me $0.50 (LUCKY!). I really respect the effort and expense you guys go through to obtain/preserve this stuff.

I uploaded a super short video of my Elite prototype.

Oh boy. Not this again. DIE HOARDER!

That's badass. I assume that ROM is not for public consumption? What mapper did this game use? Any other cool vector gsmes on NES? Is there a Famicom version?
 

"Super short?" I dunno. Looks super TALL to me...

 

I found an NTSC "Elite" proto in the No Intro ROM set my Powerpak. I am sure it is not yours unless you leaked it somehow. Possibly a previous owner, or a different proto version dumped? Graphics are corrupted below a certain scanline on the screen. I'm not sure if it's the ROM or the mapper causing the corruption. The results of the wireframe display engine within the demo are always the same. Sprte corruption within the "Window" below a certain point. I have not attempted to play it yet.

I am using the Powermapper megapak presented in the first download on the Powerpak thread, but am tempted to revert back to the Powerpak~BAK/ which I conveniently renamed in case I didn't like the changes, I can just hotswap both mapper sets by renaming the two Powerpak folders.

That is the old "NTSC Demo" version Ian Bell hacked up from the PAL ROM.  It only works on old, inaccurate emulators like iNES by inputting PAL-friendly parameters.  Ironically, it should work in a real PAL NES, although perhaps not quite as fluidly as the real PAL ROM.  

What BeaglePuss/Mark has is the real deal (or he is a very skilled hacker, but I'll rely on his reputation that he isn't).  I'd love to take a look at it, but I don't think he would be willing to invite a stranger over to his house to play  

Oddly enough, I totally would.  Where are you in Mass?  

Also, you better be bringing the beer.
 

You mean, quality beer.  It needs to be on par with what I gave you guys.