What To Look For In Proto Games?

[MrAtari2600]

Well i have seen so many prototypes, but also i hear of fakes, scams and more.

so before i go scrounging through every store i know of, every pawn shop has me on call (laugh).

What should i be looking for?

is there definite symbols or markings etc to show its TRUE and not a fake?

or a reproduction

[+Psionic]

Well i have seen so many prototypes, but also i hear of fakes, scams and more.

so before i go scrounging through every store i know of, every pawn shop has me on call (laugh).

What should i be looking for?

is there definite symbols or markings etc to show its TRUE and not a fake?

or a reproduction

It's doubtful that you'd encounter fake protos at a pawn shop or anywhere else in the wild. The basic way to tell a real one from a fake is that protos will almost always use EPROMS instead of standard ROM chips. If you try to buy one from someone else and you're not sure, you could always send a pic to Tempest or CPUWIZ for verification.

 

As far as what protos look like, you can go to Tempest's site (AtariProtos.com) and see pictures of many of them. I've attached photos of two common-brand (Atari and Activision) protos below.

[Tempest]

More than likely, if you find it in the wild, then it's real. The only fake prototypes I've seen were either sold by Best Electronics in the late 90's (this is a whole different topic) and a few here and there that have popped up on ebay from time to time. Fake prototypes aren't nearly as common as you'd think, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. When in doubt, send a picture to someone such as myself or CPUWIZ and we can help you out.

 

Tempest

[Foxsolo2000]

In the field of foreign prototypes does anyone know how many have been found and what cart shells they used?

[MrAtari2600]

cool!.

there was a game with a label like that in the mall,

i didn't have time to read it but it was 50 cents

-__-" the red one

wonder if it was a proto or it was just a red label game hmm.

>.< oh well i think with my luck ill come across one sooner or later <3

thanks for the help guys and if i do come across one ill be sure to verify with you