This also doesn't take into consideration that some proto collectors don't like to advertise what they own in any form, probably for the same reason that Bronty doesn't let on which games he needs for his set...some spiteful people might want to drive the price up just to cost them a few extra bucks for something they need to fill a hole in their collection, as opposed to buying for reselling/trading.

It's possible, but I highly doubt it.  I mean, I know what both Dream and NesGod own, and everyone knows what Mark and I own.  A quick search on DP and NESworld will give you a good idea as to what Martin, Nesoholic, Van Halen, and others own. 

There are not that many prototype collectors out there, at least not active ones that is.  If there were I would know by now as I would have bid against them at some point.  Most prototypes collectors tend to be dick-wavers like myself (but to a lesser extent of course).  Some collectors try to keep quiet, but it only takes one laps.  When I'm at a computer for 3+ hours watching students complete a standardized test I tend to do some searches (and take notes). 

Once I (or fellow prototype collectors) get a hold of a source, we tend to shut-up about it, so you're right in that regard I suppose.  I know Dream still has some secrets and so do I.  It's still not as interesting as you would think though.

There's this stigma that comes along with prototype collecting that I will never understand.  I chalk it up as folklore at this point.

I also can't think of a single example of a spiteful collector driving up the price of a prototype in my years of prototype collecting.  We tend to work together more often than against one another.

I was simply speculating as to why it might not be feasible. There is occasionally a spiteful person who just doesn't want certain guys to get deals, and that happens in any aspect of this hobby, and it's firmly rooted in jealousy. The fact that there's few dedicated proto guys doesn't necessarily mean that there aren't spiteful folks outside of that community that wouldn't pull something like that, but it's rare. Just saying that paranoia could be a factor, not the sole obstacle

stop hoarding shit you guys, geesh.

You first Josh. It's time for a firesale goddamn it! Protos for $1!

i only hoard sealed games, not rare unreleased shit. Matt and Mark, I expect hi-res scans of that original unreleased box art at no less than 300 dpi in png format posted for everyone to have for free.

Got a few more gems in today, including 2 more unreleased NES games:

First up, Airball:



Obviously, most have you are familiar with Airball after BunnyBoy made it famous with his first major Retrozone repro release. This one is cool for a few reasons. First, it is a VERY early build and completely different from the version Bunny released. Although early, it is still beatable (I actually beat it minutes ago). It does not have a difficulty option, so it's one hit and you're toast this time around. No floating ability and you can burst from over inflation. the one thing it DOES have that the Retrozone version doesn't have is the ability to change the configuration of the D-Pad movement. You can set it to "Diagonal" which is the set up you have in the Retrozone version, or you can set it to "Normal" which allows you to move up and down and left to right.

Next up, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier:



After reading all of the hate about this game, it's honestly not THAT bad. Decent graphics and platforming aspects, it just doesn't seem polished. I can forgive it for that as it never saw release. The game definitely has a tough learning curve, but I found it enjoyable enough.



I also picked up a proto of James Bond: The Duel for the Genesis with box (what appears to be a photocopy of the final art), but I'm just not excited enough for it at the moment to snap a picture.

These two games bring Matt and my total of Unreleased NES games to 16! Not bad for a couple of Science Teachers

Wanted to give a big thanks to Portnoyd for hooking up my brother and I with some sweet deals.  Thanks so much man, we really appreciate it!

Ah, the sweet 16! Congrats on the finds, I'm looking forward to seeing the photo of the Genesis proto.

Has a ROM for Star Trek V been released? I'd be interested in checking it out if there is one.

Nice pick ups indeed love the Star trek proto!

Yay Airball! Glad you got a cart and took the time to figure out what is different. Wonder why the movement part was taken out, or if remains of it are still there in the version I have.

That should just leave one board that hasn't been checked out for differences?

The existing one takes a weird mapper but it's out there. I've never played it, just haven't gotten around to it lately, but if someone does a nice boxed release of it for us trekkies (HINT HINT) I'd jump on that bandwagon.

Edit -- if anyone's interested, I'll do the full manual and box art for this, I'd really be eager to take a crack at this. I've watched STV probably 30+ times -- although as a caveat, it was a version that had the MST3k treatment by some fans, so if that counts, it's definitely at least 30 times

The Star Trek V I have (presumably from lostlevels.org) is just plain MMC1. Quick look at that proto board would show what mapper it uses. It may even be the same cart that Lost Levels had. Would be a great repro to get signed! Let me know when you finish your art/manual

It's an SLROM, which is definitely one of the nicer donors to need. Lots of cheapo shitastic games that use that mapper, donors are a plenty. Be a very cool Retrozone release if you guys toss it together, then you wouldn't even have to worry about donors.

FYI, my copy appears to be identical/near identical to the ROM already floating around, so you guys aren't missing anything

Dan, if you want screen caps or anything for box art, I could toss some your way whenever, just let me know!

Today's prototype: Snow Bros.



Purchase off DP for $200 shipped.  Stirred up a little drama with the purchase (sorry about that Skaar), but everything ended well in the end. 

I have not had a chance to test for differences, but from what I gathered from the seller it appears to be the same as the retail release.  This is at least the third known Snow Bros prototype to be in a collectors hands.  This also brings our NES Capcom prototype total to five carts.  I would love to go for a complete set at some point, but I think a few titles have yet to be found in prototype form (Megaman 1 comes to mind).

Congrats on the find guys! Looking forward to an update once you've been able to play it.

Wow, talk about a great prototype to have. Interesting to hear that you guys are going for mini-sets of protos! Nice find!

Why not compare it with the released ROM. In the command prompt, type fc /b rom1.nes rom2.nes, and if it's identical to the released one, it'll tell you or list the differences.

Today's prototypes:  Bad News Baseball, Blaster Master, Freedom Force, Iron Tank, Milon's Secret Castle, RBI Baseball, Rad Racer 2, Rally Bike, and Tecmo World Wrestling.

I just got this bad-ass lot of games in the mail.  I wasn't home when it was originally delivered, so I had to pick it up at the PO.  It was in Mark's name (and insured) so they wouldn't give it to me without a proper ID.  I was able to swing home and grab Mark's Driver's License.  Wonder Twin Power Activated!







Anywho. . .
These were purchased off of the NESWorld forum.  If you've never been over there, it's definitely worth a visit.  Martin run's a great site, and it's home to one of the most comprehensive list of NES prototypes/prototype pictures.

This is one of our largest hauls.  I'm pumped about some of the titles included, but at least two are duplicates (Tecmo Wrestling and Bad News Baseball) but they have sweet labels.  I actually didn't even realize I had a Bad News Baseball prototype until I went to update my list here lol!

I haven't had a chance to fire them up, but I will after a quick cleaning.  Check back here for an update on differences (or lack there of).  And for those wondering, RBI Baseball and Rad Racer are the two games without labels.  The seller posted a picture of the PCBs though, and RBI Baseball is on a SICK Atari PCB. 

Ah hell yeah nice score there guys! I love the SNK label, that thing is the balls.

So i guess the goal is to get a prototype of every released NES game since Mark and you have a complete NTSC collection, right?

Hahahaha!  Honestly?  Yes.

Will we ever achieve that goal?  Of course not!  It will keep the thrill of collecting intact indefinitely though.

In reality I would settle for owning the largest NES prototype collection in the world.  We're getting there, slowly but surely.

you guys never cease to amaze me. nice lot o protos there.

So NOW I know why my grandma called NES games tapes. Even SNK called them cassettes!

Thanks dude!



Hahahaha! 

It could be worse.  To this day my mother calls the NES an "Intendo."  Trying to correct her is useless at this point.

wow impressive