Could this be a legit NES proto (Snow Bros)?

[Gravy--Master]

I know a shit load about rare games, but when it comes to protos I'm clueless.

I got this off of a buddy of mine, he said he picked it up at some kind of yard sale. It's allegedly a Snow Brothers NES proto cart. Before I buy that 6 dollar NES screwdriver kit on Amazon I was hoping the people here could look at it and confirm whether or not that's even a possibility. Is there any way to tell?

The cart itself certainly isn't winning any beauty pageants:






I popped it into an NES and it works fine, although I don't have the retail version of Snow Bros. so I have no idea if there are any obvious differences in gameplay:

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...Sgameplay1.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...Sgameplay2.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...Sgameplay3.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...Sgameplay4.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...Sgameplay5.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...Sgameplay6.jpg


So... should I buy that cart opener thing and take pictures of the board inside?

[portnoyd]

Does it feel heavier than a normal NES cart? Is there label residue anywhere on the front?

[DreamTR]

That's a proto. It came from Gamepro. They used to use marker on the tops of the carts and I also recognize the label.

[Gravy--Master]

Does it feel heavier than a normal NES cart? Is there label residue anywhere on the front?

As far as residue there is a little "gunk" (you can see the little brown spot in the photo.) It's kind of impossible to tell if that's label residue.

As for the weight it's most definitely heavier, I grabbed 5 games at random and weighed them all along with this cart.

Dig Dug: ~3.5 ounces
Bubble Bobble: ~3.5 ounces
Batman: A little over 3.5 ounces
Donkey Kong: A little over 3.5 ounces
Double Dragon II: A little over 3.5 ounces


This Snow Bros cart weighs between 4.5 and 5 ounces.

That's a proto. It came from Gamepro. They used to use marker on the tops of the carts and I also recognize the label.

Really? The magazine?

Is it worth anything you think?

[DreamTR]

As far as residue there is a little "gunk" (you can see the little brown spot in the photo.) It's kind of impossible to tell if that's label residue.

As for the weight it's most definitely heavier, I grabbed 5 games at random and weighed them all along with this cart.

Dig Dug: ~3.5 ounces
Bubble Bobble: ~3.5 ounces
Batman: A little over 3.5 ounces
Donkey Kong: A little over 3.5 ounces
Double Dragon II: A little over 3.5 ounces


This Snow Bros cart weighs between 4.5 and 5 ounces.





Really? The magazine?

Is it worth anything you think?

I would think so but it all depends on who is interested in it. The game runs about $60-70 loose so I would think this would be worth $200 because of the title without question, but NES protos are VERY hit or miss, you just never know sometimes but a safe bet this one is $180-250

[RASK1904]

F'n sweet pick up man!


Buy the screw driver anyways. No collector should be with out one for eveytype you need. Do it.

[Gravy--Master]

Where would you go about selling something like this?

Can you even sell protos on ebay?

[BeaglePuss]

Where would you go about selling something like this?

Can you even sell protos on ebay?

Easy: Sell it to me.

In all honesty, eBay will take down the listing if someone reports the item. Technically speaking beta/prototype items are an eBay no-no, but it really takes a dick to go out their way to report it. Generally prototypes will run their course on eBay unless it's from a known prototype collector (which sucks for me).

Good luck with whatever you decide to do with it!

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Before I buy that 6 dollar NES screwdriver kit on Amazon ...

Um, that looks like a standard flathead screw in there.

Also looks like the rest of the NES bit screws have been removed.

[Gravy--Master]

I didn't even realize NES carts had anything other than those special screws.

Didn't really check all that closely to be honest.

The others must not've been in there to begin with, because I definitely didn't take them out.

[darkslime]

I didn't even realize NES carts had anything other than those special screws.

Didn't really check all that closely to be honest.

The others must not've been in there to begin with, because I definitely didn't take them out.

well open it up and take some pics then

[BeaglePuss]

well open it up and take some pics then

The game will be in my possession within the week. I'll snap off some pics of the board when it arrives.

[RASK1904]

Sweet. Another proto to a good home. Congrats.

[BeaglePuss]

Sweet. Another proto to a good home. Congrats.

Thanks dude!

I have to say, this seller couldn't have been any easier to deal with. Great guy, and fantastic communication. I can't say enough nice things about him.

[skaar]

Thanks dude!

I have to say, this seller couldn't have been any easier to deal with. Great guy, and fantastic communication. I can't say enough nice things about him.

Did you give him a fair price since you talked him out of ebay? That should have gone for a decent amount.

[mrmark0673]

Did you give him a fair price since you talked him out of ebay? That should have gone for a decent amount.

To who? Can you name an NES proto that sold on EBay in say the last year and a half (literally) that hasn't sold to Matt and I? Even one? You just sound like a bitter troll when you say stuff like this. Of course we offered a fair price, we always do, and it's typically more than anyone else will pay for this stuff.

[BeaglePuss]

Did you give him a fair price since you talked him out of ebay? That should have gone for a decent amount.

I did? You might want to reread my post as I said "Generally prototypes will run their course on eBay unless it's from a known prototype collector."

I always pay a fair price. That's why I have so many protos.

This is the last prototype listed on eBay (which I also happened to win):
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wacky-Races-Pre-...item3effe295a0

The game came with box and manual, which together are easily worth between $35-$45. With that said, I paid more for this Snow Bros prototype than I did the WR proto. Add in the fact that he doesn't pay any eBay fees, and I would think he did alright. He also came up with the asking price, not me.

Every time someone post an NES prototype in this forum I shoot them a PM and ask if they're interested in selling and what type of price they have in mind. So far I've had a great deal of success doing it, and it's due to the fact that I tend to pay more than everyone else.

[skaar]

To who? Can you name an NES proto that sold on EBay in say the last year and a half (literally) that hasn't sold to Matt and I? Even one? You just sound like a bitter troll when you say stuff like this. Of course we offered a fair price, we always do, and it's typically more than anyone else will pay for this stuff.

Wow, that hit a nerve.

Protos of rarer titles seem to go for more, that's all. I'm not bitter at all on the protos, I've sold almost every one I've had since I have no interest in them at all from a collector's standpoint and never have. I just keep the rest since I don't think I'll get as much for them now.

I'm more interested in the price offered since I sell protos and don't buy.

Being as the guy had no idea what it was valued at, I just asked an open question. Lighten up!

[skaar]

He also came up with the asking price, not me.

That's enough for me.

[BeaglePuss]

Being as the guy had no idea what it was valued at, I just asked an open question. Lighten up!

But you asked it like a dick. You've also been riding me ever since I started posting here. I apparently insulted you at some point, and you've been a boner ever since.

If I really did something to piss you off, I'm sorry. I don't know what could have been bad enough to have to troll every one of my post, but it must have been pretty traumatic.

I know I've contacted you in the past about selling NES prototypes, so I don't know if you're being dishonest when you say you're a seller, or if you just wont sell to me.