I have a ROM image of a version of Tetris by Tengen with:

©1988 Atari Games Corp

It has a different title screen, different graphics and no way to start the game. Does anybody know what this is and what mods I'd need to make in order to try it out?

Below are a couple photos... You can view more at:

http://atariusa.com/flashback/thu...










-Xious

I have a playable prototype that appears to be identical (or damn near it) to what you have here. DreamTR also has a similar prototype, but I know there are slight differences between the title screen of his and mine.

What you might have here is the Vs. Tetris, although I'm admittedly unfamiliar. Maybe the issue is you inability to "Insert" coins? Total guess, but that's the best I've got. The only other guess would be that this was actually designed to be a rolling demo, and no game play was intended from the start.

Yeah, as Matt has said, it's very similar to our prototype but it's more than likely just the VS System version. Compare the two title screens:

VS System Version:



And now for our Prototype title screen:



Note the difference in where the title text is placed as well as the lack of a blue boarder around the word Tetris. There are other noticeable differences (like the ability to play the game ), but it's hard to compare without the other ROM.

I've seen other VS ROMs modified to fun on the NES, so I think the issue is that you can't "add" a coin.

Very cool find regardless, I'd love to hear what others think.

Edit:  Forgot to mention that ours is clearly the Licensed by Nintendo Tengen version as noted at the bottom of the title screen (the licensed by Nintendo is displayed on a later screen), while the screen cap you provided lists Atari Games Corp instead.

Was there an actual VS Tengen/Atari Tetris release for the VS. cabinets or the PC10? I thought that those were all the Nintendo verson. If anybody want to try to take this rucker apart and monkey with the code to get it working, well, you know what you can do.

Can you add some photos of the gameplay to compare the appearance of the pieces? The blocks in the demo are flat and featureless, but the don't changhe colour when they land, as opposed tot he final release.

Do any of the protos have the arcade levels, such as where the game inserts random blocking-bricks to work around or raises the height of the puzzle every few lines?

When and for what reason did Nintendo license the Atari/Tengen version?

If it is waiting for an inserted coin, does anybody know how to mod the game or an NES to use 'Select' as a coin-ccounter so that we can test that theory?

-Xious

A couple of things:

1. Yes, there was an actual Atari version of Tetris for the Unisystem, a short video showing bits of it can be seen here:



This version never states "Licensed by Nintendo" as my prototype does.

As far as appearance of pieces, they are exactly as you see in the demo (flat and featureless) as mentioned here: http://tetris.wikia.com/wiki/Vs._...

The "final" release that you're referring to is very much a different game than the original idea of porting something similar to the VS System version, everything down to the palace on the title screen was completely redone.

The "arcade levels" that you're referring to are not from the Atari version, so no, they do not appear in my proto.

I'm not sure of the details of the plan to have Nintendo license the Tengen version. It's quite possible that Tengen developed it while they still had an official license (back when they did Gauntlet, RBI, etc.) and included that information in game. This could have all fallen apart when the lawsuits began.

It's a very cool piece of history found smack in the middle of one of the most significant events of the life of the NES and it's probably my favorite collection piece.

Dreamtr's version (one of them rather) seems to be a mid point between the version you show and my proto: http://www.neswarpzone.com/x191.h...

It has the dropping logo effect that yours has, but the Tengen copyright information that mine has. Pretty cool to see a progression of the game. The article also mentions something similar to my hypothesis about when and why there were plans for a Licensed by Nintendo Tengen released version of Tetris.

Anyone else have other Tetris prototype info?

A screen cap reference point for those who want to see all 3 together:

OP's version:



Dreamtr's Version:



My Version:



Op's Version: Unplayable, no Tengen info, Tetris logo falls in place with blue boarder, close formatting of words at top. Same as VS System version with the exception that it can run on NES.

Dreamtr's Version: Tetris logo with boarder and top word formatting is the same, but now playable with Tengen legal information added.

Matt and My Version: Top word formatting, logo and boarder now changed. Legal info and playability appears to be identical to Dream's.

Not sure if this is linear or not, but that's my best guess. Then again, your version may flat out be the VS System version as I notice no differences at first glance.

Edit:  Resized so people could compare easier.

Double Edit:  On second look, my version may have added a fancy smancy blue color to the inner and outer boarder, though that may just be the TVs from the other 2 giving it that appearance.

Thank you kindly! I would oove to see a video of it in action, if anyboy can make one. I'd also like to chat with 'Dreamtr' about his game if he's around.

-Xious

One thing to know about protos that Matt and I own...

At some point in time, you'll be able to play it for free

Might have to wait a little bit for this one, but rest assured that at some point in time (hopefully sooner rather than later), you'll be able to pop this into your NES or emulator and mess around with it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/docu...

Found this little gem of a documentary on Tetris (can be found on your favorite p2p or torrent site). Great watch!

^ Thats a great doc...I caught it a few months ago on tv. I recommend if you havent seen it.