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Could this be an ALF prototype?
Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2023 2:39 pm
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Hello all,
it has been years since I have logged in here or posted. I found this cart and thought it was interesting, been wanting a copy of ALF. It looks like it has never had a sticker applied, so I opened it up and see that there is an eprom board inside. What do you think? could it be a prototype? I will dump it, but that could be months away. |
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2023 2:57 pm |
It certainly could be, or it could be a final version for review. I guess we can only hope to find a copy of ALF that is less complete and polished… | |
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2023 3:26 pm |
Ha, if only we could be blessed with that.. But I guess it is for sure not a production cart with a missing label? I found this cart in Europe, I just realized that there was only an American release looking at the database. Only thing that jumps out as maybe different is cut off text on title screen. Not sure if that could just be a modern tv issue, or side effect of running an NTSC game on a PAL console. |
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:20 pm |
Nice find.
Let me know if you need help dumping it (or I would also offer to buy it and dump/release). The cut out column suggest a VDP bit is set which is normally used for scrolling, so I would guess this is not exactly a final build, but unfortunately it doesn't have the "other" title screen sometimes seen in catalogs! |
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:37 pm |
Dumping and comparing dumps would be easier to find out any differences :) | |
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Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:06 pm |
I have all the tools for the dump, only issue is that I am currently in Germany for work, will not be back home in USA for some time. Trying to gather some PAL stuff while I am here :)
I dont have any other Sega protos, but have been collecting Atari prototypes, you can see some of my collection at this link. Dont really want to part with it, think it is cool that I found it in the wild. https://forums.atariage.com/topic/282721-dumbos-flying-circus-4483-wip/?do=findC... |
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2023 1:54 pm |
Only a part of the first column seems to be cut out, which probably means it's the TV screen cutting out that part, not the 'hide first column' VDP bit... |
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Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:07 pm |
Hey guys, wanted to update you all on this. I was able to dump this cart today, unfortunately it is a 100% match to the released version. Oh well..
At least it motivated me to build this cool cart dumper, so I didn't have to desolder the EPROM. |
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:36 pm |
Neat, where did you find the plans for the dumper? | |
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Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2024 2:18 pm |
The dumper is my own design, maybe I can document it some time if I het the chance |
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Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 7:21 am |
I applaud the care you took with the eeprom! I dont think many people would do that. Very cool :) | |