I'm curious about that with NES prototypes in that you're most likely not going to find big differences. I know there are a few examples that do have bigger differences but most times when you get a prototype it's exactly like the final version or pretty close to it.

What are the chances of finding a prototype from it's very early stages of development? Am I correct in thinking they would basically just keep overwriting their work with each change or would they use alternate carts?

Just curious as I plan to keep looking for earlier NG protos.

I have a Caveman Games that is an earlier build of the game with entirely different controls...it's really neat to find ones like this as it gives you a more in-depth idea in certain instances of what the people making the game were thinking and why they may have changed some of the things that they did. As far as which games tended to have some early builds, I would think it kind of depends on the company at times.

Yeah I was thrilled just to see minor text differences on NG. I've seen really early screenshots of NG, where's he's a different color and the layout of stage 1 is different too. I'd love to find that if it exists.

I don't think there's any way to possibly approximate the chances. It's always chance. Though when it comes to NES protos you can mostly assume if the seller conveniently doesn't mention a thing about differences then you're likely being duped into buying an expensive version of the final =p

I don't expect anyone to actually have percentages for me I guess I really just want to know how early of a build can you normally find of a proto

Hmm, well that again is impossible to say since it's all chance. I'm not really sure what sort of answer you can expect anyone to have for this, unless someone here wants to bullshit and say "Ah yeah, Ninja Gaiden, you'll be finding a very early proto of that one!" =p Most you can do is just hope.

Okay forget I said Ninja Gaiden, this is more a general question on how early in development can you find of a prototype.

Thing you gotta keep in mind is that a lot of these games were developed in Japan, and then just a few tweaks here and there, a translation, and the game would be thrown into the USA market as a release.

Have a few early build protos with differences. Most extreme one is an early build N64 proto of a nonreleased title. It's possible to own one, finding one at random is growing slim. Collecting protos has grown widely over the past few years. Majority of carts have passed through several hands and dumped.

It just depends. I've had rolling demos, extremely early protos that crash consistently, 1 to 3 level demos with huge differences, games that were entirley overhauled before release, minor changes, and full retail ROMs.

Buy enough of them and you'll find unique and odd things.

I never thought about that. Makes sense

Yeah, at least that has always been my take on the matter.  Sometimes some games would go through major changes before being released in the US market, but other times, the games were already basically programmed, and I can't imagine finding a lot of cool stuff in the majority of those protos.

You have more chance to find a final version since these we're shipped to the press for magazines and stuff and made in more quantities. Early builds stay most of the time inside the company where they we're developped, but it is possible to get them if the company bankrupt. Obviously, in both cases there is exceptions.

I just wish there was a way to get in contact with the people who had a hand in making the games. That language barrier can be brutal

Yea i would think famicom protos would have more of a chance at big differences, then the US ones.

Wasn't there a monster party famicom proto that is completely different then the US release?
And sold for around 6K a long time ago.