I got myself a Marble Madness prototype!

[BeaglePuss]

Hi everyone!

I've been a member of the forum for years, but haven't had a good enough reason to post until now lol. 

I purchased a massive lot of prototype materials from Tengen/Atari, one of which is a Turbografx-16 copy of the unreleased title "Marble Madness."  I bought the lot untested, and in many instances unlabeled (as was the case with the MM prototype).  I knew the game was a TG-16/PC Engine prototype from Tengen though, so I was willing to take a shot.  I figured I'd end up with a prototype copy of KLAX at the very least.  The lot got in today, and immediately fired up the card to find it to be Marble Madness.

I've heard stories of other copies existing, but through all my searching I haven't been able to find concrete evidence to prove it.  Was there a copy for sale on Yahoo Japan?  Does anyone know any collectors that own a copy?  The title screen on mine is slightly different than that of the scans that are floating around, so I'm sure there were other proto cards out there at one point.  The game is fully playable to the end, but I don't know how complete it is exactly.

I will be updating with pics and screen shots shortly.  If you have an idea of who I am, you can trust that this is not some lame hoax.  For the time being though, I'm just trying to find as much info as possible on the game.

[TheClash603]

Very cool.  As long as this doesnt turn into a Bonk: BOE thread, this is awesome news.

I havent seen anyone else post regarding this prototype before, so if there are others out there, it is quite rare.  The Military Madness prototype from maybe a year ago was the only one I have seen to date.

This game still gets a lot of NES play in my house, great two player mode.  I am excited for the pictures!

Just outta curiosity, are you keeping or selling?  If selling, just remember I asked first!

[BigusSchmuck]

Very cool.  As long as this doesnt turn into a Bonk: BOE thread, this is awesome news.

I havent seen anyone else post regarding this prototype before, so if there are others out there, it is quite rare.  The Military Madness prototype from maybe a year ago was the only one I have seen to date.

This game still gets a lot of NES play in my house, great two player mode.  I am excited for the pictures!

Just outta curiosity, are you keeping or selling?  If selling, just remember I asked first!

I much rather have a dump of the Rom for it as there are only so few copies of this game known to exist.

[roflmao]

Awesome find!  Congratulations.

Has a rom for this prototype been released yet?  (not that I'm asking for it, mind you)  Is there a way one can be made with this prototype?

[BigusSchmuck]

Awesome find!  Congratulations.

Has a rom for this prototype been released yet?  (not that I'm asking for it, mind you)  Is there a way one can be made with this prototype?

I can't see how asking for a rom of this being illegal as it was never released for the turbo/pce, but then again I'm not a lawyer.

[rjardina]

Very cool.  As long as this doesnt turn into a Bonk: BOE thread, this is awesome news.

What, What, What? I enjoy the amount of angriness that comes this forum.

[neoxeno]

I'm looking forward to see some screenshots. That will be great to have a dump. Nice find!

[T2KFreeker]

Awesome. Irt would be interesting just to see the Hu Card itself. I don't think I have ever seen a commercial Proto for anything Turbografx/PC Engine.

[Tatsujin]

Thibaut will take it for approx. 10000 bucks

Prepare vous!

[CrackTiger]

Thibaut will take it for approx. 10000 bucks

Prepare vous!

And then it would join PC Cocoron as a PCE game we will never get to play.

[khog143]

That is pretty badass dude.  I love Marble Madness on the NES, but I especially love it with a trackball in the arcades.

[T2KFreeker]

That is pretty badass dude.  I love Marble Madness on the NES, but I especially love it with a trackball in the arcades.

Who doesn't like the arcade version?

[Samurai Ghost]

Awesome find!! I'd love to have a ROM of this so I could throw it on a flash cart at some point!

[Flare65]

I don't think any game by Tengen ever made it to the TG16, aside from Klax.  This game would be one of the first.  I'd love to see some pics of the card itself, and some screen shots.

[Mathius]

Heh, I was just talking to Joe Red about finding a prototype to MM the other day, now lo and behold here it is! If you don't mind letting a few of us borrow it (we are trustworthy) we would love to share it with the community. Of course, you can say, "No!"

[Tatsujin]

Yeah math, i advised you to get the tg16 one, now go and check your bank savings

[soop]

I'm looking forward to see some screenshots. That will be great to have a dump. Nice find!

I thought this was funny.

[Otaking]

Thibaut will take it for approx. 10000 bucks

Prepare vous!

+1

[Chuplayer]

Please dump it or get it dumped!

[khog143]

That is pretty badass dude.  I love Marble Madness on the NES, but I especially love it with a trackball in the arcades.

Who doesn't like the arcade version?

I guess that's a very good point

[Otaking]

Someone pleeeeeeeeeeease please do a (ntsc-j) fan press of this game with similar level artwork and print quality to anime4ever   
If they do I would drop £30 for a copy without any hesitation.

[soop]

Someone pleeeeeeeeeeease please do a (ntsc-j) fan press of this game with similar level artwork and print quality to anime4ever   
If they do I would drop £30 for a copy without any hesitation.

I want a HuCard 

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Assuming you're not full of beans, this is pretty cool news.  I look forward to seeing screenshots, pics of the proto, and anything else ya have to share. 

Please dump it or get it dumped!

+1.  Even if it's not shared (though I hope it is), it should be dumped before the board dies.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

Amazing find Beagle!!  I hope you look to get it shared/dumped.  This is very HUGE NEWS!!!

You should dump it, then sell it to Thigh Butt for millions. 

[SMF]

AWESOME FIND, MM ON THE TG16 SOUNDS EPIC..................I CANT STOP SCREAMING LOL.

[Bernie]

Yeah, if this is true the rom should be dumped.  If you cannot do it, I am positive someone here can get it done.  Then put that puppy away. 

[BeaglePuss]

Here's a pic of the board to hold you over for a moment (Note: I added the stickers.  The EPROMs had no covering when the game was purchased).


As for the preservation of the game, I think I have things under control lol.  This ain't my first rodeo fellas.  I've purchased, dumped, and preserved hundreds of prototypes over the years.  This is nothing new for me.

Now, back to my original post....
Can anyone fill me in on other owners of the game?  Someone mentioned early on in the thread that there are "very few" of these out there.  Well, how few?  Was there a Yahoo Japan auction?  What other history can you tell me about the game.

I have more pics and screen shots that I will be slowly leaking over course of the day/week.  I'm really interested in the history of the game at the moment though, not it's potential distribution.  No offense meant of course, just don't want to put the carriage in front of the horse is all.

[Otaking]

Now, back to my original post....
Can anyone fill me in on other owners of the game?  Someone mentioned early on in the thread that there are "very few" of these out there.

If this is for real, this is the only known prototype of this game.
There were screenshots of the game in issues of PC Engine Fan Magazine and some western magazines took info from that source.

Has Thibaut contacted you yet? he has been actively searching for this game for years.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

fucking outstanding.


 

[BeaglePuss]

Now, back to my original post....
Can anyone fill me in on other owners of the game?  Someone mentioned early on in the thread that there are "very few" of these out there. 

If this is for real, this is the only known prototype of this game.
There were screenshots of the game in issues of PC Engine Fan Magazine and some western magazines took info from that source.

Oh, it's very real.  Again, if you had an idea of who I am as far as prototype collecting is concerned, you'd already know that...

I've read that there are two other Marble Madness prototypes in collector's hands, one of which sold at auction on Yahoo Japan.  How are you so sure that this is the only known copy currently when I've read otherwise (during my brief search).

But because you were nice enough to actually answer my question, here's a screen shot of the game in action:

[Otaking]

Someone pleeeeeeeeeeease please do a (ntsc-j) fan press of this game with similar level artwork and print quality to anime4ever   
If they do I would drop £30 for a copy without any hesitation.

I want a HuCard 

Yeh if that could be done/arranged it would be incredible.

[Otaking]

Now, back to my original post....
Can anyone fill me in on other owners of the game?  Someone mentioned early on in the thread that there are "very few" of these out there.

If this is for real, this is the only known prototype of this game.
There were screenshots of the game in issues of PC Engine Fan Magazine and some western magazines took info from that source.

Oh, it's very real.  Again, if you had an idea of who I am as far as prototype collecting is concerned, you'd already know that...

I've read that there are two other Marble Madness prototypes in collector's hands, one of which sold at auction on Yahoo Japan.  How are you so sure that this is the only known copy currently when I've read otherwise (during my brief search).

But because you were nice enough to actually answer my question, here's a screen shot of the game in action:

Amazing!
I'm not much of an expert on this particular PC Engine/NEC subject, but I'm not aware of any previous confirmed owners of this game.
Thibaut is the one to talk to, I'm sure if there's any info on the history of this game he'll know everything there is in great detail.

[FiftyQuid]

I'm new to the game here, but even I find this impressive.  The prototype board is gorgeous and immaculate!  Any chance we could see some in-game shots?

[Otaking]

Here's Thibaut's email:  thibautg@yahoo.com

BTW any chance of getting a fan press similar to this http://sapphire.anime4ever.de/
and possibly on hucard if made contact/ linked up with some forum members here: https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=12141.0

[SamIAm]

If you are who I think you are, then I am very happy indeed.

Nice find either way.

[BeaglePuss]

Here's Thibaut's email:  thibautg@yahoo.com

BTW any chance of getting a fan press similar to this http://sapphire.anime4ever.de/
and possibly on hucard if made contact/ linked up with some forum members here: https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=12141.0

I'm sure our friend Thibaut will find me soon enough, I won't be searching him out just yet.

As for the Hu-card release, I rather like the idea.  I've released prototypes for the NES (Kitty's Catch and Hoppin' Mad) as well as for the Genesis (Beastball and Dragon's Lair) on their respected software with a decent amount of success.  Again, that's down the road a bit, though I would entertain the idea for certain.

I will say that the purchase cost me many thousands of dollars already though.  This wasn't something that I just stumbled upon, but something I actively sought out.

[BeaglePuss]

I'm new to the game here, but even I find this impressive.  The prototype board is gorgeous and immaculate!  Any chance we could see some in-game shots?

I will have in-game screen shots within the day for certain.  You have my word.

If you are who I think you are, then I am very happy indeed.

Nice find either way.

Much appreciated.

[Otaking]

I will say that the purchase cost me many thousands of dollars already though.  This wasn't something that I just stumbled upon, but something I actively sought out. 

Yes I agree it's a highly valuable item.
The idea of fan press everyone wins, you recoup your money and possibly make a profit and we get a new HuCard release 

[BeaglePuss]

I will say that the purchase cost me many thousands of dollars already though.  This wasn't something that I just stumbled upon, but something I actively sought out. 

Yes I agree it's a highly valuable item.
The idea of fan press everyone wins, you recoup your money and possibly make a profit and we get a new HuCard release 

I couldn't agree more, which is why I've gone with such a release so many times in the past.  Again, I don't want to get carried away just yet.  There's a lot that needs to happen before I could commit to anything like that.

[Sadler]

I will say that the purchase cost me many thousands of dollars already though.  This wasn't something that I just stumbled upon, but something I actively sought out. 

Yes I agree it's a highly valuable item.
The idea of fan press everyone wins, you recoup your money and possibly make a profit and we get a new HuCard release 

I couldn't agree more, which is why I've gone with such a release so many times in the past.  Again, I don't want to get carried away just yet.  There's a lot that needs to happen before I could commit to anything like that.

Congrats on the find! I'm very happy to hear you'd like to get this out to the community, thank you so much!

[BeaglePuss]

I will say that the purchase cost me many thousands of dollars already though.  This wasn't something that I just stumbled upon, but something I actively sought out. 

Yes I agree it's a highly valuable item.
The idea of fan press everyone wins, you recoup your money and possibly make a profit and we get a new HuCard release 

I couldn't agree more, which is why I've gone with such a release so many times in the past.  Again, I don't want to get carried away just yet.  There's a lot that needs to happen before I could commit to anything like that.

Congrats on the find! I'm very happy to hear you'd like to get this out to the community, thank you so much!

Easy does it friendo, I don't want to get too much into talks of releases and rom distributions just yet.  One step at a time. 

At the moment I'm interested in sharing pictures, screen shots, and maybe some video.  I'm also interested in gathering up what data there is to be had on the game currently.

We'll see where we end up when the dust settles.  If you know who I am (or starting to figure it out), you'd know that I'm no hoarder.  I am a dirty profiteer though, and I'm not interested in throwing money away.  It was a massive initial investment that I plan on recouping at the very least.

[Sadler]

Easy does it friendo, I don't want to get too much into talks of releases and rom distributions just yet.  One step at a time. 

At the moment I'm interested in sharing pictures, screen shots, and maybe some video.  I'm also interested in gathering up what data there is to be had on the game currently.

We'll see where we end up when the dust settles.  If you know who I am (or starting to figure it out), you'd know that I'm no hoarder.  I am a dirty profiteer though, and I'm not interested in throwing money away.  It was a massive initial investment that I plan on recouping at the very least.

Fair enough. I have to admit I do not know who you are, but outside of PCEFX I'm not plugged into the retro game scene. Anyway, the mere fact that you are willing to share pictures and aren't immediately stating you'll never entertain the idea of a ROM dump puts you miles ahead of lots of others in my mind. I'll chill though and enjoy what you leak out.

[Bernie]

Im curious now..  who are ya?  lol

[BeaglePuss]

Im curious now..  who are ya?  lol

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=off&sclient=psy-ab&q=beaglepuss+prototype&oq=beaglepuss+prototype&gs_l=hp.3...480.4921.0.6582.20.18.0.2.2.0.185.1891.5j11.18.0...0.0.DLA64cdzMb8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=a78cf0cc3a51342a&biw=1440&bih=770

[VestCunt]

Anyway, the mere fact that you are willing to share pictures and aren't immediately stating you'll never entertain the idea of a ROM dump puts you miles ahead of lots of others in my mind. I'll chill though and enjoy what you leak out.

Ditto. A friendly request for information and trivia on a prototype purchase is a nice change of pace from the usual wave-it-over-our-head hoarders and liars we get around here. I wish I knew something about the game, but this is the first I've heard of its existence. Nice to see it's not one-player only like the SMS version!

[BeaglePuss]

Nice to see it's not one-player only like the SMS version!

I haven't had the chance to actually try playing with a second player though (I am adapter-less at the moment), so I'm not 100% sure that the second player has been implemented yet.  I will have to pick up a multi-tap and give her a run-through.

The game comes equipped with a stage select feature (Simply pressing the select button does the trick).  I plan on posting (at least) a single screen shot from each level of the game.  The game itself does have an ending, but on the off-chance this is released, I would hate to spoil things (as anti-climatic as they may be).

[Nazi NecroPhile]

We've discussed Marble Madness off and on over the years and nobody's been able to give solid info., so I doubt you'll get much now (though I'd love to see someone come forward).  Heh, you probably already know more about it than all of us put together.

[BeaglePuss]

We've discussed Marble Madness off and on over the years and nobody's been able to give solid info., so I doubt you'll get much now (though I'd love to see someone come forward).  Heh, you probably already know more about it than all of us put together.

That's a bummer.  I'll have to poke around a bit more apparently.

[csgx1]

Wow, amazing find!  Congratulations.  I'm excited to see more screen shots.

[BeaglePuss]

Well, I have plenty to report:

Firstly, I took a picture of the opening screen and each level.  The game opens up in the exact same fashion as the "Off the Wall" prototype does.  The player is greeted with "Tengen presents: Debug Level II."

After a bit messing around, I discovered an insanely awesome debug menu.  I have pictures of each "Test" that will likely do more justice than my simple explanation would.  Each test has to do with sound effect and things of that nature, but one choice allows you to mess with the color pallet.  At the end of all the test, the game defaults to a debug mode that allows you to "fly" your Marble across each landscape.  The color of the level depends on the pallet you chose.  I'm sure this sounds insanely confusing, but the pictures will help put things together.

As an aside, the second Marble is pictured leading me to believe this is a legitimate two player game.

I'm putting some primitive watermarks on the pictures and plan on uploading them shortly.