I know this is NA, but I've already posted this on AtariAge and thought I might get more insight by asking here as well.

About a month ago, on a residential side street in Toronto, I came across...an unusual find. Standing on the ground near the sidewalk was an old plastic case holding 14 Atari 800 games, and also an Atari 2600 Joystick.

I don't own an Atari 800 to test any of these but here's what I got:

Pole Position RX8034
Star Raider CXL4ON
Pac-Man CXL4022
Donkey Kong RX8031
K-razy Kritters ATR1001
Soccer THB 12003
Joust RX8044
Space Invaders CXL4008
Centipede CXL4020
Qix CXL4027
BASIC Computing Language CXL4002
Pitfall II CZ-011
and finally
H.E.R.O CZ-007


Are these worth anything? Probably not but I know next to nothing about the Atari 800.


Even still, I know enough to know there's something odd about the copy of H.E.R.O I have. It doesn't look anything like the others. In fact, I wonder if it might even be a prototype? Here's a picture.



Can anyone provide some insight for just what I might have? There's a single screw holding it together, but even after removing the screw, I can't figure out how to get the shell apart to take a look at the pcb. If the label is correct, I suspect to see an EPROM chip without a window. If so, should I cover it with black electrical tape before taking a pic? I'm a total noob when it comes to Atari 800. As much info as you guys can provide would be appreciated.

Might want to throw this in the prototype forum?

moved

Sorry, I didn't even realize we had this section! Good call. Hopefully I'll get some help with this.

Yes. What more help would yo want? NESDev topic already says yes, and I can't find the AA one. Link to theirs? They might shed more light on it.

Sorry for the wait. Here's some photos of the entire lot.

All 14 games


H.E.R.O proto(?) compared to Kaboom for the 2600, also by Activision


Comparison of the edge connectors. H.E.R.O on top.


The back of the H.E.R.O proto. Pitfall II also looks exactly like this.


Here's Pitfall II. It lacks the extra info H.E.R.O has, but considering it's age, the top sticker could well have simply fell off and I didn't notice it.


H.E.R.O and Pitfall II carts



The tops of both H.E.R.O and Pitfall II completely lack end labels. Most of the others say <- Left Cartridge. Not these.


So this presents the question: Do I have two prototypes here? They look so very different from the others.

Take them apart. If they have EPROMS, I'd say yes. Also, get them dumped to compare the ROM images.

90-95% certainty both HERO and Pitfall II are protos...their labels look consistent with other early protos I've seen over the years. For what system? Good question...but I'd venture to guess (a bit less certain on this...probably 70%) they're for the 400/800/XL/XE series.

I'd love to take them apart, but I can't figure out how to do that without breaking them. ANyhave have any knowledge how to take apart Atari 400/800 carts?

Nope. Get them dumped ASAP thoguh. Both should be epromed and nothing special, since the one cart even says EPROM on it.

Nice score there, totally cool find - both look to be Protos - to be 100% sure, open them up, cover up the window if it is uncovered (on the eprom) and snap some pictures.

Also, are you interested in selling either?