Advice on selling prototype NES cart

KaneRobot

KaneRobot

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Was going though a box of NES stuff and found something that I am probably going to try to sell. I'm in some incredibly dire financial straits due to medical issues (read: I'm nearly flat broke) and need every penny I can come up with, ASAP. This may not even be worth much at all, but I'm grasping at whatever I can get right now, so it's worth a shot. It's not exactly Legend of Zelda, but it's certainly a little more noteworthy than...I dunno...Deadly Towers?

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Ninja Gaiden for NES prototype cart. I played through it once after I received it (many, many years ago...mid-90's). The main difference between this and the final release was the ending and, if I remember correctly, final form of the last boss were not included. This seemed to be fairly typical of prototype/review copies at the time, I guess so the ending wouldn't leak out or whatever. Guessing there were probably some enemy behavior tweaks and stuff as well, but it's been a while since I've played it (I'm going to grab a working NES from my brother and try to play through it in the next couple of days and see if I notice anything else).

The main potential problem with selling it is I have no idea of its origin. It was given to me by a friend back then along with a stack of random games, and I've lost contact with him so I have no real way to find out any info about it, I know that could potentially hurt the value.

I realize the best way to sell it may just be to put it on Ebay and see what happens, but are there some other sites I should post on promoting it if I do put it up for sale?
 
Contact a site like kotaku or joystiq. Maybe make a YouTube video or something to catch their attention. The more people's attention you have, the more potential buyers and increased profit you have. There was a Ninja Gaiden III prototype that ended today, maybe ask the seller how he got his. I know they aren't the same game, but same company. That's my opinion anyhow. Maybe another cag will tell you I'm wrong or right, but that's probably what I'd do.
 
Some people over at NintendoAge are literally chewing at the bit with desire for Ninja Gaiden prototype carts. You can probably get a good bit over there.
 
Thanks a lot guys, will check out some of those this week. Just want to make sure everything works properly. Should be fine, just want to make sure.
 
I think it can also be verified based on what the chip inside the cart looks like? so the origin may not be as important.

but double check on that, don't take my word for it
 
[quote name='Seraphinianus']I think it can also be verified based on what the chip inside the cart looks like? so the origin may not be as important.

but double check on that, don't take my word for it[/QUOTE]

This, get a 3.8mm gamebit (if you don't have one already) and open it up and take pictures of the PCB inside.
 
Don't put it on eBay, I just got two policy violations for trying to sell prototype games (Kingdoms of Amalur prototypes).
 
Over on NintendoAge theres a lot of people that could probably help you. One name that comes to mind is Mr. Mark or something like that.
 
Thanks for the advice on verifying it as far as looking at the board. Will keep that in mind.

I've had a pretty crazy and difficult week and haven't had time to track down a working NES to check it out, I am going to try to get to it this weekend. One dude apparently reallllly wants it, to the point that he emailed Cheapy trying to track me down, then did track me down by looking for my name on Ebay...so yeah, looks like there is an audience for this thing.

[quote name='pitfallharry219']Hope everything ends up okay for you, KR. Is it anything serious?[/QUOTE]

Working on it. It's not a great situation but as of right now the health issue seems to be managable. Talking to doc again today, we'll see how that goes (not trying to be vague, just don't really want to post details, at least right now). I'm not afraid of fighting health stuff, it's more the issue of all this shit happening out of nowhere wound up hurting me pretty badly financially.
 
Instead of tracking down a nes, do you have a retro game store?

I have one somewhat near and they would be happy to test something like that for free ....
 
Ok, sorry it took a while to update, got a lot going on. Borrowed an NES, went to my parents' since they have an SD tv with easy access ports on the front, and recorded a video. Stupid me, I ordered that security bit to open the cart up, and when I got it realized the cart just uses regular screws. Oh well, it's still nice to have it. I used the bit to clean all the carts of the guy I borrowed the NES from.

I put close-up pics in the video description.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81NjBpyxwyE

Will probably be listing it tonight
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']One dude apparently reallllly wants it, to the point that he emailed Cheapy trying to track me down, then did track me down by looking for my name on Ebay [/QUOTE]



That would be me. ;) I'm a huge fan of Ninja Gaiden so this is awesome to see.
 
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[quote name='shane7951']That would be me. ;) I'm a huge fan of Ninja Gaiden so this is awesome to see.[/QUOTE]

Haha I can see that by your avatar pic and your 'about you' - "Looking for a Ninja Gaiden Prototype" :lol:
 
[quote name='highoffcoffee496']Haha I can see that by your avatar pic and your 'about you' - "Looking for a Ninja Gaiden Prototype" :lol:[/QUOTE]


Haha yeah it's my favorite series on the NES. When I saw the post I immediately went :whee:
 
[quote name='shane7951']Haha yeah it's my favorite series on the NES. When I saw the post I immediately went :whee:[/QUOTE]

This guy sounds passionate enough about it. I'd say sell it to him.
 
[quote name='The Lord of Awesome']This guy sounds passionate enough about it. I'd say sell it to him.[/QUOTE]

I like the way you think :)
 
[quote name='shane7951']Haha yeah it's my favorite series on the NES. When I saw the post I immediately went :whee:[/QUOTE]

Well I hope you get it :bouncy:
 
[quote name='highoffcoffee496']Well I hope you get it :bouncy:[/QUOTE]

Seconded, always nice to see a rare piece go to an enthusiastic collector.
 
[quote name='ferant316']Seconded, always nice to see a rare piece go to an enthusiastic collector.[/QUOTE]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it. Hopefully I'll be able to take this bad boy home. :)
 
Sounds like Kane needs and should get top dollar. Kane, definitely hit up all sites posted and spread the word before you accept any offers. And definitely auction the puppy to the highest bidder. Remember, NG is one of the crown jewels of the NES library.

Shane, no doubt you will be willing to pay market value and help a CAG out, given your love of Ninja Gaiden which is abundantly apparent.
 
I think Shane joined CAG just for the purpose of going after the prototype. He's one of the many aforementioned chewing-at-the-bit people for a NG proto
 
[quote name='Cthulhu']I think Shane joined CAG just for the purpose of going after the prototype. He's one of the many aforementioned chewing-at-the-bit people for a NG proto[/QUOTE]

I'm sure there are others that want the proto but I can promise you none have been looking as hard or as long as me. I currently have a Ninja Gaiden III proto so I'm looking to complete the set.

I did join CAG to try and get in touch with Kain but I actually dig the boards so I plan on sticking around after this is done. :)
 
[quote name='highoffcoffee496']Just saw the Ebay auction; it's going for a good amount (and with 8 days remaining) xD[/QUOTE]

Link?
 
It's still sitting at $770, where it has been for the last several days, but I'm sure there will be some last minute action. Anybody want to guess what the ending price will be?
 
[quote name='pitfallharry219']It's still sitting at $770, where it has been for the last several days, but I'm sure there will be some last minute action. Anybody want to guess what the ending price will be?[/QUOTE]

Around $900.
I just can't imagine spending so much for a game.. xD
 
This is eBay, I guarantee that the auction will be removed. eBay has a stupid policy towards pre-release items. Of course, you might get lucky...
 
$770 with 2 hours to go. So it looks like it may actually hit the $900 mark.

I have to say, seeing the $3.50 for standard shipping made me chuckle a bit :lol:
 
Damn, that's alot for one game! The most I've dropped on a single game is $110 for Clayfighter Sculptor's cut and I thought that was getting up there.

Hope the money helps Kane out.
 
Like I said, no one has put as much effort into finding a NG proto as myself. Not that I am entitled to it but there's no way I was going to not get this. So yeah I won and now that bad boy is coming home to me.
 
[quote name='shane7951']Like I said, no one has put as much effort into finding a NG proto as myself. Not that I am entitled to it but there's no way I was going to not get this. So yeah I won and now that bad boy is coming home to me.[/QUOTE]

Question is are you gonna put it in a badass display?

We need pics if you do.
 
[quote name='shane7951']Like I said, no one has put as much effort into finding a NG proto as myself. Not that I am entitled to it but there's no way I was going to not get this. So yeah I won and now that bad boy is coming home to me.[/QUOTE]

Haha well congrats! You must be extremely passionate to spend that much on the game :lol:
Were you surprised it went for so much or did you expect to pay more?
 
I'll do a display when I get a NG2 proto. Then I'll have the trilogy, pics will be shown! :)

Thanks man I'm very happy to finally have it. That was a long auction! ;) I expected it to be around the $750 range. I didn't expect it to escalate that much so fast. My immediate thought was "ah crap this is going to get nuts"

Glad I could win it and hopefully help Kane out a bit
 
[quote name='shane7951']I'll do a display when I get a NG2 proto. Then I'll have the trilogy, pics will be shown! :)

Thanks man I'm very happy to finally have it. That was a long auction! ;) I expected it to be around the $750 range. I didn't expect it to escalate that much so fast. My immediate thought was "ah crap this is going to get nuts"

Glad I could win it and hopefully help Kane out a bit[/QUOTE]

Hopefully you're the awesome type of collector that'll play it sometimes too.
 
[quote name='The Lord of Awesome']Hopefully you're the awesome type of collector that'll play it sometimes too.[/QUOTE]

If playing your prototypes is cool then consider me Miles Davis ;)

Trust me this will definitely get played. Oh I just got contacted about a NG2 proto so the set is complete. I'll post a pic of all three when one and two arrive for anyone interested.
 
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