Star Force NES Variant label/proto/demo...

[dcescott]

I wasn't sure if it was a demo/proto or whatever. I have the normal cart for this great shooter. I got it home and took the pics for you guys to see and tell me what's it worth and where did it come form/any history on the cart? But I didn't want to pass this up when I saw it today. Thanks guys!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f289/dcescott/frontSF.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f289/dcescott/backSF.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f289/dcescott/topSF.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f289/dcescott/innards.jpg

[Niku-Sama]

from what i rember starforce isnt a 5 screw cart, let alone a converter cart, i think i gotta copy some place lemme check.

edit:
i cant find it, my best guess is some one took a converter cary (gyromite, stack up etc..) and jammed a pirate or import copy in there.
is the game in english as far as you can tell?

[dcescott]

It's english, I can't find anything on the net so far. I'll keep looking. The title screen is the same as my normal copy. I'm thinking it's a promo copy, like what a company would send out ahead of the street date to boost intial sales. I dunno, I hope the experts here will crack this case.

[mb7241]

Do you have a pic of the other side of the board?

[dcescott]

Yeah gimme a sec.

[dcescott]

Here's the other side and two closeups of the chips/banks.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f289/dcescott/SFinnardsSIDE2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f289/dcescott/bank2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f289/dcescott/bank1.jpg

Whaddya think?

[Kitsune Sniper]

Those are EEPROMS, and the markings on the board appear to be legitimate. This has got to be a promotional or review copy. Nice find!

[dcescott]

Sorry for the many posts, here's the original game to see the difference between the two.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f289/dcescott/SForiginal.jpg

[dcescott]

Sniper,
What does this mean? Man I can't find squat on the internet on the subject. Of course I only looked for around 20 minutes so far.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Okay, in normal carts the chips cannot be erased. But in your cart, it looks like those are rewritable chips - the sticker seems to suggest it, at least. Prototype games are made with EEPROMs so they can be modified when necessary.

[dcescott]

Cool!
Just when you think everything has surfaced from 20+ years ago...
If possible, I would help document this cart to go with the others like this, but I have no idea where to look or who to contact. K-Snipe, thanks, I knew you would reply by seeing all your crazy ebay auctions and rare findings. Not trying to kiss your ass, but really I value your input

[mb7241]

Have you played it at all to see if there's any differences between it and the retail release? I'd say you probably have a review copy on your hands (99.5% sure of it).

[Blitzwing256]

excellent find you have there, if you'd like to have it dumped feel free to shoot me a pm.

i'm curious if its the japanese version on the chip (is the code on the us version any differnt from the jap one I never noticed anything myself)

[dcescott]

screen titles are the same. Both games played exactly the same through the first round and a half. I will however play it more to see if it goes through all 24 levels, Alpha, Beta, etc. etc. Both are in english too.

Review copy huh? Sweet. How come I can't find other review copies floating around the internet? Trying to make a comparison to this cart.

[dcescott]

Blitzwing 256, sent a pm
Ironically, I posted to the Gamma dump drama and stated If I ever run across something like this.... Well I guess I did and I need stand up to my words and get it dumped since they are on EEPROMS.
To clarify the game, it's a 60 pin famicom type chip through the usual gyromite/stackup adapter to the american 72 pin, but it's the english game, title screen and all. Strange indeed, cool find!
I never got a what's it worth though...can't find anything like it.

[DreamTR]

I sent you a PM, usually NES proto carts range from about $75-150 (there are special cases like Zelda and Mario and Bubble Bobble type games)

The last NES proto on eBay went for $72 or so (Archon). Usually eBay pulls those things, though.

[dcescott]

The rom will be dumped soon to check for comparisons and documentation as promised. DreamTR, I am not going to sell it since I only own one of these gems, sorry brother! I'll never see another unless I win lottery.
The guys at Lost Levels will be taking care of the process since I don't have copyNES and I am a mac user too. They will check the codes on the English version, famicom 1 and the 2nd one along with this proto to see the differences.
Dumped for public use is up in the air, I am asking around what is the best method and how to handle the situation without the drama of the Gamma atari game, what a mess. I have a public site or I can set up one after I get my dumped copy but I'm honestly thinking noone will make repros out of this.

[DreamTR]

dcescott: I'll trade you two protos for it =) I collect NES protos, so that's why I would like to get it...

[dcescott]

huh? Oh that's right you have over 200 protos, they told me over at Lost Levels. Do you have a tradelist? Just checking my options kind sir. My proto is in transit to being dumped right now anyways to Skrybe.

[DreamTR]

I think I have more like 370 NES protos now or so..

For NES I have Thunderbirds, Mendel Palace, Conquest of the Crystal Palace, Puzznic, and Quattro Arcade I think off the top of my head, but I have to make a list or so for the other 5 or so doubles....

Skyrbe is a couple of states away, so if we do work out something, he could feasibly send it right to me. I'll get you a list by tomorrow night and post it here...only NES you are looking for? I have Game Boy, SNES, and Genesis doubles as well.

[dcescott]

Well I am in no rush really. I am more interested in what gets dumped.

[Niku-Sama]

ah when you post pics of the other side it makes things a little more clear, thats pretty cool, good eye

[dcescott]

http://forums.lostlevels.org/viewtopic.php?t=1619&start=40

Rom has been posted!
It had some copy protection, but clearly a proto of the American version. We still haven't figured the differences yet, they are built differently. Many thanks to Lost Levels - Skrybe for having the patience to dump the rom. Daniel