13 replies to this topic

[madhatter667]

Hey everyone.
I won this auction for what is claimed to be Airball, made by Tengen, for the NES. I am not sure if it is a reproduction cart, or a real proto. I know this game was never released, I do not know whether the ROM was ever dumped. I bid a little high, given the high possibility that it IS a reproduction, but hell, I wanted it. The description also makes no claim as to whether it is proto, repro, or just flat out mislabeled. The guy was also selling a reproduction Earthbound (0) for the NES as well. But I think that went a little too high for something that was obviously a repro. However, he was also selling a number of NES multicarts, which, while pirate carts, aren't had too often by y experiences. At least he has good feedback...so reproduction or no, I am pretty sure I'l be getting it in the mail.

I suppose the only definitive way to find out is to open the case up and take a look at the ROMS/EPROMS.
Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/...em=250236716931

[Tempest]

It's probably a repro. There was someone selling copies of this last year.

Tempest

[Buyatari]

You won't know for sure till you open it but there is a 99.999999999999999% chance that is a repo.

[Crazy Climber]

Here is the repro
http://www.retrousb....p?productID=154
Bought the same price you paid plus you get a nice box/label and manual....tough luck man

[carmel_andrews]

Was that released also on the 7800 or just on the 8bit (not inc. the st/miggy versions)

[madhatter667]

The Airball repro on Retrozone looks really cool. Still, I can't complain too much... prices weren't that much different, and I am not too worried about having packaging to go with it. I'll pop the cart open and take some pics of the boards if I can when it arrives. Has anyone seen the internals of a real Airball proto? Wondering what I would be looking for?
Protos used re-burnable EPROMS, correct? I am guessing that there would be two of them? Likely to have some handwritten stickers covering the window denoting what is contained on the chips?

Still that clear cartridge is pretty sweet. Too bad companies didn't much in the way besides grey, black, and occasionally pastel blue/green, gold, or silver. I'd think red, and clear (or translucent colors in general) would look badass on NES carts.

[DracIsBack]

carmel_andrews, on Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:11 PM, said:

Was that released also on the 7800 or just on the 8bit (not inc. the st/miggy versions)

I think it was announced for 7800 but definitely not released. I have the A8 version. Wanted to like it but couldn't get into it.

[Propane13]

I'm very glad for this thread.

I've been waiting to play Airball for many years. When I saw this thread, I immediately purchased it.
It came *fast*, and I thought it was well worth the money (quality game, and nice packaging).

Definitely a fun game.
-John

[madhatter667]

Yeah, this Airball was a reproduction. I opened the cart up, and there was as stickerin there saying "Dumped, and reproduced by..." with a name and email address 2001. I left the seller positive feedback because he didn't explicitly state one way or the other if it was repro or original. Though, given the blank Tengen cart, I'd say it was trying to masquerade as real. Though I would argue that a well done reproduction, in non-look alike form would have brought better money.

[NESaholic]

Sellers try to mislead like that, he should have put it in the auction, he knew it for sure.

Edited by NESaholic, Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:42 AM.

[drgrafix]

NESaholic, on Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:36 AM, said:

Sellers try to mislead like that, he should have put it in the auction, he knew it for sure.

IIRC, there were only 2 (or maybe 3) original Airball prototypes in existence, and only 2 of those were complete games. I had one and sold it to a collector in Europe for over $1,000.00. I got it directly from an Atari exec years ago and was told I could keep it because they weren't releasing it.

I still have other NES Prototypes and I'm looking to sell off my collection... which includes prototypes from Natsume, RARE, Absolute, and Western. I also have Game Boy Prototypes... something you never hear much about.

[Ransom]

Ah, Airball. That game is actually one of the first things my wife bought me (back in 1991, at B&C -- the A8 version obviously). So it has a special place in my heart.

[Tempest]

drgrafix, on Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:40 PM, said:

NESaholic, on Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:36 AM, said:

Sellers try to mislead like that, he should have put it in the auction, he knew it for sure.

IIRC, there were only 2 (or maybe 3) original Airball prototypes in existence, and only 2 of those were complete games. I had one and sold it to a collector in Europe for over $1,000.00. I got it directly from an Atari exec years ago and was told I could keep it because they weren't releasing it.

I still have other NES Prototypes and I'm looking to sell off my collection... which includes prototypes from Natsume, RARE, Absolute, and Western. I also have Game Boy Prototypes... something you never hear much about.

So there is a complete version out there? I wonder if anyone will ever dump it?

Tempest

[Propane13]

I thought the one referenced in this thread was.
I was able to complete missions 1 and 2 just fine.

-John