Bio Force Ape

[paulB812]

Hi,

I found this at a yardsale while visiting relatives in Carson, California. The plain label caught my eye in a pile of Nintendo cartridges, for 3 dollars I thought why not. After doing some searching online am I right to assume this game has not been released?

Here are pictures:


http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/58023d4e.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/1e5bf07a.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/090e3757.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/40e481c4.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/a82c03d3.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/6f75d19b.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/e1676467.jpg

Paul

[jhd7]

It was rumored for the NES as late as mid-1992, but never released. I never knew such a cart existed. Great find!!

jeff d

[DreamTR]

PM Sent.

[kainemaxwell]

Nice find! I remember a preview blurb about it in an old Nintendo Power issue back in the day!

[paulB812]

Here are some details about the gameplay:

The ape character is very animated. Like when you're ready to grab an enemy his chest shifts up and twists his arms and head forward, and he flaps like a bird when he falls for more than a screen.

You can punch, but it's better to grab the enemies and slam or throw them into the ground or walls with the cross pad. There isn't a damage meter but you take a lot of hits before you die and flicker when you're about to.

Paul

[badinsults]

How does it play like? Is it fun?

[Dr. Morbis]

Oh. My. God. Long have I waited for this day. I can only hope that it falls into the right hands.

[Sothy]

"Oh. My. God. Long have I waited for this day. I can only hope that it falls into the right hands."



DreamTR Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:10 pm Post subject:



PM Sent.

nope.

[Queen Of The Felines]

Is it better than Zelda III?

Kristine

[Kid Fenris]

Wow. Bio Force Ape. I'm cracking up at the shot of the ape roaring at the silhouettes of his kidnapped human family.

For those unfamiliar with Bio Force Ape, here's some background info (http://64.53.95.207/ujap/ape/bfa.html).

[intvsama]

Wanna triple your investment? 8*) Good haul. I'm glad to see legit protos are still popping up here and there.

[badinsults]

Oh. My. God. Long have I waited for this day. I can only hope that it falls into the right hands.

Yeah, you do know if DreamTR gets it, it will be dumped, and released, provided he is adequately reimbursed.

[paulB812]

I have not expressed an interest in selling this cart but apparently a few people want to buy it. Was just looking for more information outside of a websearch.

As for how it plays, pretty much like your average Nintendo game I guess. Mostly getting from the start of the level to the end, no power ups. I've had this for a few months and haven't beat it yet because there's not much more to the mine cart rides and beating guys up. Plus there isn't a password option.

Paul

[Enixis]

From the screenshots the game looks sweet! Is the game complete and bug free?

[Skrybe]

Have you given any thought to getting the game dumped?

[Kid Fenris]

I have not expressed an interest in selling this cart but apparently a few people want to buy it. Was just looking for more information outside of a websearch.

Some devoted prototype hunters may have more details, but for the general gaming public, those magazine scans represent all we know: Seta developed Bio Force Ape, supposedly finished it, and then decided not to bring it out anywhere. It's one of the most sought-after unreleased NES games, up there with the Ultimate Journey and Hellraiser.

You'll get a lot of questions in this thread, so I may as well add to the pile. Does the game have any story sequences in addition to that one shot of the roaring ape?

[Dr. Morbis]

I've had this for a few months...
What?!?! I find this highly amusing. Despite the fact that this is possibly the only copy in existance of a highly sought-after unreleased game on a highly collected-for console, you were just minding your own business playing this game for months on end LOL Were you aware that it was unreleased whilst doing all this Bio Force gaming?

Here's the most important question: is the game fun? The fact that you've played it off and on for months has certainly got my hopes up.

[DreamTR]

I SERIOUSLY doubt Hellraiser is that sought after. LOL

[paulB812]

Kid Fenris, as a matter of fact there is. After level 3 you rescue a girl, here are some of the screens after you beat the level 3 boss. I haven't got far enough to save anyone else yet.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/319fdd4d.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/d19892a2.jpg

Paul

[adaml]

That second picture looks like Bob Saget talking to a wild-haired Ossie Davis.

Was Ape's reply: "I'm gonna git dem suckas"?

[Kid Fenris]

Interesting screens. Our ape hero is apparently a shape-shifting celebrity impersonator.

Anyway, thanks for posting these shots. It'd be interesting to find out just how many levels the game has. Seeing as how there are two more family members to save, I'd bet on at least another three stages: two for the rescues and one more for the typical NES action-game showdown at the enemies' lair. Of course, that's assuming the game is complete.

Now, if only someone could find that long-rumored Vanilla Ice game.

[TheRedEye]

I want New Kids, myself.

[adaml]

Interesting screens. Our ape hero is apparently a shape-shifting celebrity impersonator.

Anyway, thanks for posting these shots. It'd be interesting to find out just how many levels the game has. Seeing as how there are two more family members to save, I'd bet on at least another three stages: two for the rescues and one more for the typical NES action-game showdown at the enemies' lair. Of course, that's assuming the game is complete.
.

Games of this genre were typically around 7 stages. The way these characters are looking up close I wouldn't be surprised if there was a bonus stage. Something like Hogan's Alley, but instead of criminals you have Mrs. Butterworth and Aunt Jemima spinning on placards and you have to shoot liquid butter at them.

Just a thought.

[gamergary]

Paul you should perhaps talk to TheRedEye on this forum or over at his own site http://www.lostlevels.org/ . He would be interested in dumping the game and releasing it to the masses.

[jajaja]

Thats crazy.. finding a unreleased NES game for $3 which is worth maybe $2000++ @_@
Advice, dont dump it if you can, the value will drop.
Damn lucky and great find ;)

[Mattiekrome]

@_@

wowzas! Bet yer glad you decided to drop the $3.00 on it! I must say, quite the find :)

[adaml]

Thats crazy.. finding a unreleased NES game for $3 which is worth maybe $2000++ @_@
Advice, dont dump it if you can, the value will drop.
Damn lucky and great find ;)

Yes, please don't dump it. Those NWC carts can be had for a mere pittance now.

Greedy, buttery bastards.

[TheRedEye]

Adam you're falling behind on your NES beatage.

[jajaja]

Thats crazy.. finding a unreleased NES game for $3 which is worth maybe $2000++ @_@
Advice, dont dump it if you can, the value will drop.
Damn lucky and great find ;)

Yes, please don't dump it. Those NWC carts can be had for a mere pittance now.

Greedy, buttery bastards.

Thats diffrent. I'd like to see a proto that have been dumped going for ~$2000. Its easy to say when you dont own it yourself. If you knew the value would drop alot when dumped why would you do it?

[adaml]

It's all about the $$$ for you, eh?

Like I said, greedy, buttery.....

[jajaja]

Of course. Its an investment + its cool to have something that no one else have. I'd like to see you throw hundres of dollars out the window for free :)

[Mia D]

Of course. Its an investment + its cool to have something that no one else have. I'd like to see you throw hundres of dollars out the window for free :)

also butter

[jajaja]

Peanutbutter!
Dont want to start another big discussion about this, but its easy to talk when you dont have a unreleased game.

[Mia D]

Dont want to start another big discussion about this, but its easy to talk when you dont have a mouth full of butter.

Ok, point taken.

[jajaja]

So you have a mouth full of butter? Doesnt sound to good hehe. I'll leave ur butter fetish alone ;)

[TheRedEye]

Of course. Its an investment + its cool to have something that no one else have. I'd like to see you throw hundres of dollars out the window for free :)

He has, and so have I.

[adaml]

Yes, I have spent money on protos in the past knowing full well that the most I would own is a ROM of the proto. I'll gladly do it again if it means saving a one-of-a-kind treasure from the butter-slathered hands of a greedy, beady-eyed, hoarding fattie.

[jajaja]

Heh, so just because someone dont want to dump a game he/shes a "butter-slathered hands of a greedy, beady-eyed, hoarding fattie"?
Sure, I dont mind people dumping games for free, but I fully understand if someone dont want to do it.

[TheRedEye]

Sure, I dont mind people dumping games for free

Oh, well thank you so much, I was concerned.

[paulB812]

Hey guys I played a little more with the game today and discovered a new move! You hold the punch button, hold down and release and the ape unleashes a super move. It's so powerful it messes up the game's graphics.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/eccc8d98.jpg

Paul

[adaml]

Heh, so just because someone dont want to dump a game he/shes a "butter-slathered hands of a greedy, beady-eyed, hoarding fattie"?

More often than not.

I'm sure if someone got right down to it and did a statistical analysis, at least 2 out of 4 of the above mentioned characteristics would be present at least 9944/100% of the time.

[adaml]

Hey guys I played a little more with the game today and discovered a new move! You hold the punch button, hold down and release and the ape unleashes a super move. It's so powerful it messes up the game's graphics.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/eccc8d98.jpg

Paul

I must say Paul, that pic is absolutely phenomenal! Could that be the said "Biological Force" in action?

[Garry Silljo]

I agree that no one should be pressured into dumping roms if they don't want to. All the people screaming greed should just take their sour grapes elseware. If I had that Proto I'd probably not dump it. I'm not a fan of emulation at all and don't think I should support it by dumping even more roms out there. I know, I know, not endorsing emulation means I'm greedy, so be it then. To anyone with a rare game taht hasn't been dumped, do what pleases YOU with YOUR things, and screw the jealous.

[adaml]

I agree that no one should be pressured into dumping roms if they don't want to. All the people screaming greed should just take their sour grapes elseware. If I had that Proto I'd probably not dump it. I'm not a fan of emulation at all and don't think I should support it by dumping even more roms out there. I know, I know, not endorsing emulation means I'm greedy, so be it then. To anyone with a rare game taht hasn't been dumped, do what pleases YOU with YOUR things, and screw the jealous.
_________________
Bacon, Bacon, Bacon, IT'S BACON!!!!

Your sig says it all.

[Garry Silljo]

I enjoy eating a certain cut of pig meat, and therefore am a greed monger. You sir are ridiculous.

[adaml]

I enjoy eating a certain cut of pig meat, and therefore am a greed monger. You sir are ridiculous.

As much as I love to discuss the ingestion of swine and the inevitable correlation of butter to hardcore game collectors, we owe it to the thread originator to stay on topic and discuss Bio Force Ape.

Paul, I noticed the ape looks a bit...different in a couple of the photos. If you get another pic as you progress further into the game I would love to see if the ape continues to look like an ape or if it completes its morph into an angry Lou Gossett Jr.

[Li Wang]

Yes, I have spent money on protos in the past knowing full well that the most I would own is a ROM of the proto. I'll gladly do it again if it means saving a one-of-a-kind treasure from the butter-slathered hands of a greedy, beady-eyed, hoarding fattie.

It's people like you who give classic gaming a bad name. How is Paul ever going to make his investment back with a prototype that becomes a worthless piece of garbage after everyone can play it? Emulation cheapens the experience for real gamers. What's the use in having it if everyone can play? It's the same principle that applies to gargantuan jungle gyms and Power Wheels.

Nobody should ever be told what to do with the legitimate investments they make in black market intellectual property. If the people behind the games wanted them to be ruined by emulation I have a feeling they'd always be getting in contact with you and enthusiastically participating in articles, providing you with games, etc. Real gamers support the industry by buying the original prototype.

You should be grateful to all the collectors who condescend to share and help preserve information on these finds. The process of name dropping the titles they have acquired plus maybe a couple blurry screenshots is more of a contribution to the community than you pirating thieves could ever hope to make. Bother them enough with your alternate opinions and this amazing gravy train of information could grind to a halt.

You guys are just pirates who want something for free. We have a word for your kind. Communists.

[SoulBlazer]

Gee, who pissed in your corn flakes today? :roll:

[punkoffgirl]

I agree that no one should be pressured into dumping roms if they don't want to. All the people screaming greed should just take their sour grapes elseware. If I had that Proto I'd probably not dump it. I'm not a fan of emulation at all and don't think I should support it by dumping even more roms out there. I know, I know, not endorsing emulation means I'm greedy, so be it then. To anyone with a rare game taht hasn't been dumped, do what pleases YOU with YOUR things, and screw the jealous.
_________________
Bacon, Bacon, Bacon, IT'S BACON!!!!

Your sig says it all.

I'm sorry, but your attitude says a whole lot more. This thread isn't a discussion about whether or not people should or shouldn't dump roms of protos. And your posts appear to me to be borderline harassment.

Li Wang, the same thing goes for you. Please stick to the topic at hand.

[kainemaxwell]

Anyone with old NP issues can scan the article or preview they did on this game?

[Kid Fenris]

Hey guys I played a little more with the game today and discovered a new move! You hold the punch button, hold down and release and the ape unleashes a super move. It's so powerful it messes up the game's graphics.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/eccc8d98.jpg

Paul

Oh Lord, this game just gets better and better. I wonder if Seta canceled it after realizing that Nintendo would never allow this sort of thing.

I'll echo adaml in wanting to see more cinema shots. Considering how the ape changed from his original roaring appearance to the rescue scene, he may well look like Bea Arthur by the end of the game.

Question for the proto hounds here. Is it generally thought that Bio Force Ape was developed in Japan? I assume it was on account of the Japanese preview, and I don't even know if Seta had any American programmers. Then again, I've never seen the game's credits.

[Skrybe]

Yeah, BFA was developed in Japan. Its original working name was Crack Buster.


Anyone with old NP issues can scan the article or preview they did on this game?
Right here. (http://64.53.95.207/ujap/ape/bfa.html)

[Dr. Morbis]

Anyone with old NP issues can scan the article or preview they did on this game?
Check Kid Fenris' link on the first page.


It's people like you who give classic gaming a bad name. How is Paul ever going to make his investment back with a prototype that becomes a worthless piece of garbage after everyone can play it?
Nobody is asking him to dump it for free. The normal course of action in these cases is that someone (or a group) pay the going rate for an unreleased game such as this and then have it dumped once it is in their possession.

Emulation cheapens the experience for real gamers. What's the use in having it if everyone can play? It's the same principle that applies to gargantuan jungle gyms and Power Wheels.
You cannot see the forest through the trees. The point of emulation is not to play it on PC, period. The point is that once it's dumped it is:

A)preserved for posterity, and
B)available to play on real machines via a repro


Nobody should ever be told what to do with the legitimate investments they make in black market intellectual property. If the people behind the games wanted them to be ruined by emulation I have a feeling they'd always be getting in contact with you and enthusiastically participating in articles, providing you with games, etc. Real gamers support the industry by buying the original prototype.
You are, again, making invalid assumptions. "ruined by emulation"??? And how would buying this game from the owner support the "industry"?


You should be grateful to all the collectors who condescend to share and help preserve information on these finds.
Having this game dumped and released would be doing exactly that.

The process of name dropping the titles they have acquired plus maybe a couple blurry screenshots is more of a contribution to the community than you pirating thieves could ever hope to make.
Actually some of the posters in this thread have paid a lot of money to purchase and release unreleased protos to the community. That is a much greater contribution than "name dropping" and "blurry screenshots" as you put it.

What's wrong with you man? Assuming the owner is justly compensated for his proto, how could not releasing it ever be more beneficial to the "community" than having it released???

[pragmatic insanester]

that's a pretty nifty looking game.

[jajaja]

On that pic with the gfx is fucked up, is he farting? lol
It looks like hes holding for his nose and his ass explodes.

[Ed Oscuro]

Hey guys I played a little more with the game today and discovered a new move! You hold the punch button, hold down and release and the ape unleashes a super move. It's so powerful it messes up the game's graphics.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/eccc8d98.jpg
Such a move has been rumored to exist for years, but until now we had no proof it existed. I say it should be called the "Six Ways Corrupted" move, unless somebody comes up with a better name...which shouldn't be too hard.

Actually, suddenly I realize that "Forest Wind, Mountain Fires" isn't too bad a name after all!

I had a good chuckle at this.

As for those claiming a dump would destroy the game's value...is there really any evidence that people are creating fake prototypes (outside of the Atari scene, and those are almost always labeled as repros anyway) and trying to get rich off them? I haven't seen it. If the game sufficiently catches somebody's fancy, they'll pay big bucks for it.

[TheRedEye]

my favorite part of this thread was when dr. morbis argued against the sarcastic post

[Captain Wrong]

I've had this for a few months...
What?!?! I find this highly amusing. Despite the fact that this is possibly the only copy in existance of a highly sought-after unreleased game on a highly collected-for console, you were just minding your own business playing this game for months on end LOL Were you aware that it was unreleased whilst doing all this Bio Force gaming?

Considering all he did was just come here wanting to talk about it and he's got all these people trying to tell him what to do with his game now, I can compeletly see why someone would sit on the fact they found an unreleases NES game. This scenerio seems to play out every time someone finds an NES game.

Frankly, if I ever found an undumped NES proto, none of you would ever know about it because I wouldn't want to deal with all this bullshit.

That said...nice find. Very interesting. Enjoy your game, you lucky bastard. :)

[Griking]

Of course. Its an investment + its cool to have something that no one else have. I'd like to see you throw hundres of dollars out the window for free :)

It wasn't an investment. He found it and spent three freaking dollars for it at a tag sale.

Personally I find it kind of funny how the vultures have swooped down and are circling this post. LOL.

I he's a collector I suggest that he keep it and enjoy the fact that he owns a rare and unique item. But if he DOES decide to sell it, make sure you get a pretty penny for it because you know damn well than anyone who buys it from you is going to look to profit themselves off of it.


It's people like you who give classic gaming a bad name. How is Paul ever going to make his investment back with a prototype that becomes a worthless piece of garbage after everyone can play it? Emulation cheapens the experience for real gamers.

I feel your pain dude, hose NWC and Stadium Events carts are practically worthless now that the roms been dumped. LOL

[TheRedEye]

My second favorite part of this thread is when griking seriously responded to the sarcastic post. It wasn't as funny as dr. morbis though.

[Mia D]

My second favorite part of this thread is when griking seriously responded to the sarcastic post. It wasn't as funny as dr. morbis though.

I'm sorry Frank but you know that the threat of ROMUNISM is very real around here.

Also I want more Bio Force Ape images

[Aussie2B]

You know what's funny? Just a couple months ago I was reading that preview in Nintendo Power, and I just naturally assumed that the game had come out. It's a shame that it didn't since it doesn't look half bad. Gives me a Werewolf kinda feel.

As for this ROM dumping business, I'm absolutely NOT into emulation. I prefer the true experience, and I always encourage people to go out and buy the real deal because even if a game is out of print, the company owns the intellectual property and you never know what they may do with it in the future. However, this situation is very different. This is what I believe is the true purpose of emulation - to preserve a piece of software that could easily be lost in the sands of time. Up until now, none of us had any idea if anyone would ever get to experience Bio Force Ape outside of a few screenshots. While I fully support Paul in whatever decision he makes with the cartridge, I do hope that eventually, one way or another, the ROM gets dumped just so the game is never lost again.

[Apossum]

My favorite part was the ape punching so hard that it ripped the very fabric of the game and revealed the 1s and 0s that it's made out of.

oh and the people arguing over it as if it were theirs.

If I had it, I'd sell it in a heartbeat to someone who could dump it(and take good care of it).....being a poor ass college student and a believer in the conservation and experience of the truly odd, abstract corners of gaming.

[NESaholic]

W--O--W!!!! @_@ Dude you just made it to the top on best finds ever if you ask me.Sweet pics also,congrats!

[paulB812]

my favorite part of this thread was when dr. morbis argued against the sarcastic post

My favorite part of this thread is when Dr. Morbis realizes there isn't a Santa Claus.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/de44798f.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/b585dbeb.jpg

[D_N_G]

Those are the most awesome screenshots I have ever seen in my life

[Ed Oscuro]

My favorite part of this thread is when Dr. Morbis realizes there isn't a Santa Claus.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/de44798f.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/b585dbeb.jpg
Okay, now you're just pulling our collective legs. There's NO way that can be real! :D

[badinsults]

Oh man, that is hilarious.

[TheRedEye]

I can't wait to dump this ROM and make it worthless!

[Kid Fenris]

This is officially the greatest thread I have ever seen here.

More screens, please.

[adaml]

my favorite part of this thread was when dr. morbis argued against the sarcastic post

My favorite part of this thread is when Dr. Morbis realizes there isn't a Santa Claus.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/paulB812/de44798f.jpg


You've got to be #$#%ing kidding me....hahahahahaha.

[Ed Oscuro]

This is officially the greatest thread I have ever seen here.

More screens, please.
Also, more appearances by The RedEye. I gotta FEver...and the only prescription is more ruined investments!

[TheRedEye]

This is officially the greatest thread I have ever seen here.

More screens, please.
Also, more appearances by The RedEye. I gotta FEver...and the only prescription is more ruined investments!

I'LL RUIN YOUR INVESTMENT.

[Climax Together]

I could go into a whole philosophical debate about why so many people here are wrong but just let me start by saying this.

You know, they don't have to dump it if they don't want to, but seriously, does it even matter if you have something that nobody else has in a materialistic sense? Does that mean they should love you more because you're keeping it to yourself? I mean, for the love of God, it does NOT make you Mother Teresa to own the damn thing so stop acting like you are special. People should be judged moreso by the things that they do rather than the crap they own. Do they actually think it matters when they tell people they have this elite proto? Does it still mean they're going to be loved? NO! They're not changing people's attitudes about them when they possess these things, and if they do manage to do so with gullible idiots they will be hated even more by the wise because the whole idea is about power. I do NOT know WHERE they draw from in their mind that this makes them important to actually own it, or why it makes them so much more inclined to have it and not share it at all. It just promotes selfishness, and it's not like it's going anywhere. But again, they shouldn't be forced, that is just something THEY should think about.

2) No one should have to dump it for free, I suggest asking for a price before even going through with doing that.

3) If you have a problem with emulation, that's your problem, you dinosaur. Should we be concerned about ripping and sharing old out-of-print non-reissued vinyls simply because the copyrights are still on them? The masters may have even been destroyed and the recordings forgotten, as with alot of old games, plus in the gaming industry often times the ones that get re-released are just the popular games. You know, when new games become more complicated people obviously want to pay LESS for older, shorter games anyway so it has to do with the philosophy of technology evolving and often they don't update them enough to be worth spending 30-40 on. Saying people should only play the original is like forcing an atavism (throwback in evolution/technology) on people. Why can't you demand the same for 8-tracks or other formats? Because alot of people don't and SHOULDN'T have to be bothered with obsolete crap, this is the modern world. HELLO? Maybe people are just insecure about adapting to something more up to date and convenient like going from CD -> MP3. Seriously, emulators aren't really much more complicated than f***in' MP3 players. (NOTE: I do not condone the downloading of newer games...)

And alot of unreleased games would otherwise be forgotten by the developers anyway.

And stop whining about your dumb collectables. Start finding something better and more worthwile to store up in your damn room.

Protos may lose their value, but that doesn't make them uncollectable. I mean NWC carts could still be valuable either way, even if they are dumped. Maybe not as much, but it doesnt matter. So boohoo.

[TheRedEye]

good lord.

Look, folks, there's nothing that can be said in the "dumping versus not dumping" debate that hasn't already been said. It's advantageous to both sides to just shut the hell up about the whole thing and let people do what they want. If you want to make a difference for your cause, arguing your point on a message forum for videogame collectors is pretty much the opposite of helpful.