NES game test cartridges

[iniche]

I was wondering how "test cartridge" versions of NES games differ from the final, commercial release. For example, some of the ones here.

Thanks

[Tanooki]

Prototypes are incomplete in some form depending how far along in the process they are. You could have anything from a nearly finalized copy you may not be able to see the difference in off the retail title to something so early you have to pull up the levels using a menu or a game that has zero music/sfx or any audio at all as it wasn't added in yet. It really just depends.

Actual test carts though, those were used by repair shops to evaluate the system and accessories to make sure stuff is working right. You're using a very old thread there and it has a mix of both test carts and prototypes.

[iniche]

You got a point that it's an old thread.

I do know about prototypes, but it's the test cartridges in particular that caught my attention (Probotector II in particular). The only things I could find about test carts (google, etc) are youtube videos showing non-game test carts; but also some sites that talk about non-game carts that are used at service centers.

I'm curious about the game "test carts" and if they could be different.

[Superman]

You got a point that it's an old thread.

I do know about prototypes, but it's the test cartridges in particular that caught my attention (Probotector II in particular). The only things I could find about test carts (google, etc) are youtube videos showing non-game test carts; but also some sites that talk about non-game carts that are used at service centers.

I'm curious about the game "test carts" and if they could be different.

Like Tanooki mentioned, test carts are a diagnostics tool for a system.

I believe you are referring to a prototype when you say 'test cart'. You are kind of right when you say test cart, as they were used to test games when they were in development. But since the games aren't being tested anymore and most people use other terms such as protoype or sometimes, beta version.

[iniche]

I see. I was confused because prototype and test cart were used for different games in that thread.

That clears it up, thanks guys.

[Tanooki]

Just to add some confusion there are test cart games, few, Nintendo and in yellow shells. Zelda is the common of them also out there is at least me confirmed duck hunt and a gyro mite I think too. It was discussed over at NA before its pics or I wouldn't even know of it outside of Zelda. They're just the normal game in a Yellow shell.