Hey y'all a buddy of mine has a copy of Cakewalk prototype that he is thinking of selling. Label is rough but according to an "expert" the prototypes were destroyed and there are only 2 known to exist, including this one. So before he sells could anyone on here that knows anything about this game or the market for the rarest prototypes provide a little insight?

I'd put it up on AtariAge for maximum exposure. They have some pretty hardcore guys for this stuff if it truly is that rare.

Theres still an AtariAge? Sweet...

Is it NTSC or PAL? I'd love to have it, haha but I'm too broke atm... Q_Q

It's ntsc. Someone told him it would sell for over 20k but there's no way unless it's really that rare and someone's that crazy. Apparently it's more rare than SE but who really knows

I can almost guarantee its more rare card than SE, but that doesnt mean its more expensive than SE.

Sorry I dont have much more info than that.

Yeah, most all prototypes are going to be rarer than SE, but next to none are going to sell for anywhere close to an SE cart.

 

It's a prototype of a released game, and it looks identical to an existing prototype that has the final version's code on it. This is going to excite someone for sure (the game itself is legendarily rare, and CommaVid has its following) but there's no way it sells anywhere near 5 figures, let alone $20k.

Yeah, "Someone" is full of Alamogordo poop.  

 

One sold on ebay or $975-ish and I'm thinking no more than $1500.

 

I suggested that unless he REALLY needed the money to hold on to it simply because of the fact that it is ultra rare and probably will steadily increase over time. I mean it's been over 30 years so if it goes up it'll take awhile. BTW, the "someone" apparantly does video chronicling of discovered rare games in the wild. If I get his name I'll let yall know

 

I would advise him to sell it as soon as he finds a buyer that offers a price he can live with. "Steadily increase over time" doesn't really apply to Atari except for a few R10 titles (Air Raid, Mangia, etc)

You dont think just the rarity anone would be enough to justify a heftier price even though it is just Atari?
Well, I guess it would have to be a serious Atari collector if it goes any higher

unless of course you throw it in the dump first  

I wouldn't be surprised if this prototype sells for less than a retail version would tbh. It's a really cool piece, but I wonder if there are more hungry people looking to add the regular game to their collection than there are super collectors who want a prototype of it.

But Atari collecting has always been pretty unpredictable for me, so don't take this as gospel!

Ten years ago maybe.   Most things Atari are deader than fried chicken, the mid-rarities took the biggest hit (stuff like Chase the Chuck Wagon, QBert's Qubes, etc).  

Frank's assessment above is likely spot-on, as I think you would have more collectors seeking the retail release than this one, and with it also being hard to find may command a better price.