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midget35 · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 27

Hi all.

Several years ago I did my work experience at Future Publishing, Bath. They are a UK oufit responsible for mags like TOTAL!, Edge, and Games Master.

During my 2 week placement there I got to work with staff on all three magazines, and regularly talked about my passion for NES games.

Long story short- just before I left there I was given several NES games, one of which was particularly interesting.

It was a NES cart without a real label, but a sticker that read something like 'Probotector II (proto) Germany.'

Through serendipity I also used to live in Germany, and had a working NES console purchased there with which to try it out on.

It worked, but I never thought it a significant enough find to really play test it. I do remember thinking that virtually nothing was different from the original released version, however.

Is it worth me getting this dumped? Is it worth me uploading pictures (will take me a while)?

Thanks for any feedback,

regards.

* update: label is very similar to this one, but mine is definately PAL:
http://www.nespit.com/new/proto/probo.html

Smeg · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:13 pm Post subject:

Of course it's worth it! It's up to you whether you want to dump it, but if you can't do that yourself someone around here can help you get it dumped. It'd be real easy for the dumper to compare the ROM file to that of the released version to see if there are any differences to search for.

TheRedEye · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:11 pm Post subject:

Did they like to not pay people back then too?

midget35 · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 27

TheRedEye · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:27 pm Post subject:

midget35 · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 27

Oh right. I worked there nearly 9 years ago & the staff turnover rate is phenomenal. I wouldn't know the people you dealt with recently.

I just couldn't comment on their culture or ethics after just 2 weeks experience there, though I was promised an interview there (for full-time paid employment) which never transpired :/.

Anyway, I'll get a cart photo up in the next few days, for anyone who's interested.

Regards

Extra Zesty · Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Posts: 7

Hi! I just wanted to say thanks for being unselfish enough to share your proto with us. Here's hoping it'll have some interesting differences from the unreleased verison!

midget35 · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 27

Ballz · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 11:10 pm Post subject:

I'm unfamiliar with a game called "'Probotector II." Did it go by a different name in the States, or am I suffering from NES alzheimer's?

Carnivol · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 11:11 pm Post subject:

Probotector = Contra/Gryzor.

In Europe, the extreme "violence" of this game made them do a graphic adjustment, turning it into Probotector, the biggest difference is how the main character Rambo rip-offs are replaced by kinda Veritech/Valkyrie (Robotech) looking robots (which in my opinion kicks 10x as much ass)

Too bad they ended it on the 16bit consoles... and went with Contra on the PSX and out... (would've loved to see they do cut-scenes and store adjustments for Neo Contra)

Ballz · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:03 am Post subject:

Oh, cool then! I think it's worth dumping, y'never know, there may be some minor differences.

midget35 · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 27

Right. I just got a phone picture from my dad of the cartridge labels. I will upload the (very) poor quality pics tomorrow, but in the meantime- here's the schema & content of the label:

<Front of cart, VERY similar to NTSC sample linked in 1st post>

SAMPLE
----------

Probotector
II

(RP023)
Germany

<There is then a small label just beneath it that reads:>

N-029

<On the reverse of the cart it simply reads (possibly hand-written):>

Euro

That's it.

This is- essentially- an apology. I was under the impression for almost a decade that this was a prototype, but that is not necessarily implied with the word 'Sample'.

In a week where we have seen zelda III & Bio Force Ape fakes, I would like to humbly apologise if I have unfairly raised the hopes of anyone in the gaming or rom-dumping community (both of which I care & consider myself a part of).

This was never my intention. Nonetheless...

Is it still possible that this is a proto? Would anyone be willing to dump it?

I shall, of course, upload the cart pics tomorrow.

Regards as always

Li Wang · SnHX WiIYrd Joined: 29 Aug 2003 Posts: 798

TheRedEye · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:54 pm Post subject:

I think the only "sample" for the NES I've seen that wasn't a full game was Ninja Gaiden 2.

midget35 · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 27

The pictures are of poor quality, but I will post better ones in the next week or so. I almost feel out of sorts posting 'hard evidence' of a rare cart. I kind of wish this were a fake to keep with the zelda3/bio force trend!

Again- I need someone to dump it. This is priority number 1.

But I have one small condition: I would then like someone to help me sell it. These things get pulled from Ebay all the time now, so someone w/ some experience & respect and contact w/ collectors is expected.

I am not greedy! If this cart is worth nothing, then so be it, this will not affect whether the rom gets dumped or not one bit.

I will even consider offering a share to whoever helps me set up the bid!

Ok- that's it. Hope someone can help me out. thx

Ballz · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 5:56 pm Post subject:

I'm sure dreamtr would be interested in buying it. Quoth he: "me wants protos"

TheRedEye · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:27 am Post subject:

He doesn't like PAL stuff though, he's an ethnocentric prototype guy.

midget35 · Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 27

No one has yet offered to dump this game. I must admit I am rather surprised.

Does anyone knbow any other forums where I might be able to get this game dumped?

kap · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 5:06 pm Post subject:

Li Wang · SnHX WiIYrd Joined: 29 Aug 2003 Posts: 798

The thing is, I can't really think of anyone in Europe to do it. If you're willing to send it to America Kev could probably figure it out in like 5 seconds.

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