View Full Version : Prototype SNES controller? Was this released? 56K beware!
maxlords
08-09-2004, 06:17 PM
Ok, recently, I managed to get a wicked cool Japanese SNES wireless controller at an obscure shop and posted about it. It's called the Konami Hyperbeam. Very cool, but also fairly hard to find. Has a great range and everything. After getting it, I asked around a bit, and a guy I know happened to have another one....a US one. I can't find any information about a US release of the unit however. I actually have both the US and the Japanese ones in hand, and they're basically exactly the same unit, except the US one doesn't have NES/Famicom compatibility like the Japanese one. I've included some pics below.
Does anyone know anything about a US release of this unit? Saw it in stores back in the day? Seen one in person? Anything? I can't find squat and I'm wondering if it was released or if this is some sort of US proto. Anyway, here's the pics....any information is very welcome! Just in case anyone asks, I'm keeping both for personal use :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/cdd4a091.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/76415b9f.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/eef2580a.jpg
SoulBlazer
08-09-2004, 06:26 PM
Very cool! I might have bought that back in the day.
It's interesting in Japan how they still refer to it as a 'computer' where in the States they called it what it really is, a 'entertainment system'. :)
Balloon Fight
08-09-2004, 07:06 PM
Hmm, that is very cool. I've never heard of those before, but I'll try and track them down some info. All I know is that I want that U.S. one. :)
Ed Oscuro
08-09-2004, 08:30 PM
http://www.gamersgraveyard.com/repository/snes/peripherals/controllers-enhanced.html - it's mentioned here, $40 MSRP? LOL
Guy's not sure if it really was released here, though. Keep your eyes peeled[/supercontra]
maxlords
08-09-2004, 08:46 PM
Need..more..info. That doesn't even have a picture! :(
maxlords
08-10-2004, 08:44 AM
I'll take the severe lack of response as a sign that this one is a complete stumper for everyone. If anyone is interested, I've emailed Konami about it, and we'll see if I get a response at all....
If anyone does find any data, it would be much appreciated! I know it was covered in a few gaming mags back in the day, but no one seems to have any evidence that the unit was released.
Predatorxs
08-10-2004, 11:07 AM
Hey Maxlords,
They are pretty common! especially in europe!.. ;) Could you tell us some of the info on the back of the box, ie where it's made, the year, it might even say which region of snes it's made for.
I'm alittle confused as well in the pics one is for the Super famicom and the other is (what looks like) a UK PAL controller????
I have seen these on ebay.co.uk and Ebay Austrailia too. Not that often, but i have seen them!
Box Info please?
:vamp:..XS
Pedro Lambrini
08-10-2004, 11:13 AM
Yeah, I think they are for the UK (PAL) market. It may seem obvious but the coloured buttons are the same as the Jap, PAL releases. I think this is the biggest give away, although, admittedly, i've never heard of them! Look pretty groovy though! :-P
maxlords
08-10-2004, 12:26 PM
According to the info I've read, they were definitely NOT released for the PAL market. That's what the link Ed posted said at least. I'm really not sure. No box for it though....I have a Japanese one (which I pictured) and a US one which i also pictured. Anyone have any confirmed info? If they were protos...would they bother to change the color scheme?
In fact , I have some US Ascii ones that are 3rd party (like these Konami ones) that are also the 4 color scheme. I know it was done in the US...
Predatorxs
08-10-2004, 04:03 PM
I'm pretty sure the Konami wireless pad, with SUPER NINTENDO in grey in the middle of the pad is PAL UK / maybe Austrailian!...
If you go to ebay.co.uk and search for "snes" and have alook around the controllers and stuff you'll see there very close to the one you have pictured!..
that is the UK Pal style with the Grey lettering and the SUPER NINTENDO in the middle..
If i find one or even a boxed UK Pal version, i'll post a pic! ;)
:vamp:..XS
maxlords
08-10-2004, 05:49 PM
I'm pretty sure the Konami wireless pad, with SUPER NINTENDO in grey in the middle of the pad is PAL UK / maybe Austrailian!...
that is the UK Pal style with the Grey lettering and the SUPER NINTENDO in the middle.
:vamp:..XS
See, the thing is tho, it's EXACTLY like the Japanese one....it's not a PAL variant for color scheme cause the Japanese one I have is exactly like it. However, there's no way to prove or disprove that it's PAL at all. Nothing says it on the unit itself. Only way would be the box, and I don't have one for the US version. I really don't think the color scheme is an indicator though. If you can show me a few for sale in PAL countries....that would be different....
JJNova
08-10-2004, 06:56 PM
Bleh. I dont remember these at all. And the idea that the receiver looks like a radio signal but has an Infrared bulb portruding makes it discerning. Plus the words Super Famicom and Konami both being in bold print in the center. Could be a prototype. There were infrared controllers released on the SNES though. I don't remember Konami making peripherals..... Where did you get the Pics from?
maxlords
08-10-2004, 08:07 PM
The Super Famicom one is NOT a prototype. It's a Japanese release from Konami. However, the US one, I don't know if it was released here or in Europe or not at all.
As for the pictures....well....thought that was FAIRLY obvious....but I took them myself. Those are both units that I have sitting in my living room at the moment. I have both in hand...they're not pics I just randomly got off the net or something.
The real question is if the "Super Nintendo" ones were released anywhere at all, and if so, where? They're obviously not common :)