Adrian M Posted January 23, 2002 Share Posted January 23, 2002 Aside from the occasional prototype cart floating around on ebay, where is the best source for Atari 5200 prototype carts? I know that Best Electronics is famous for their 2600 Loaner cartridges, but I didn't see any 5200 ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 23, 2002 Share Posted January 23, 2002 Your best bet is to get to know collectors and hope one of them needs to sell off their collection. Your odds of finding any in the wild are slim to none (a tiny bit higher if your in CA. but not much). I've gotten most of my prototypes through friends or through contacts I've made over the years. Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian M Posted January 23, 2002 Author Share Posted January 23, 2002 Guess I'll have to keep checking on ebay then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted January 26, 2002 Share Posted January 26, 2002 Quite a few Atari 5200 prototypes were sold on eBay in the past year, so that's a good source of prototypes if you're patient and have the cash to spend (since it's going to be pretty competitive, especially where prototypes for unreleased games are concerned). The best way to get several protos at once is probably to buy them from a fellow collector, but most people wouldn't sell their protos unless they're getting out of the hobby or are in dire need of cash. You can pretty much forget about finding protos in the wild, although it does still happen from time to time. Just don't go thrifting expecting to find any. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian M Posted January 27, 2002 Author Share Posted January 27, 2002 Yeah, that's kind of what I was afraid of....very few collectors seem willing to part with their prototypes, except in rare cases where they need money or are getting out of collecting, which is really quite rare. Thanks for the info so far. I'll keep an eye out on ebay and also on this messageboard. The cost really isn't an issue for me, it's just finding a source where I can get the protos that's the hardest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent X Posted February 10, 2002 Share Posted February 10, 2002 I found a Track & Field prototype about 4 years ago at a local thrift store here in New Jersey. It set me back a whole 80 cents, and I didn't even own a 5200 at that time! I had to try it at a friend's house just to verify that it worked. So, anything is possible when it comes to spotting prototypes in the wild! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted February 10, 2002 Share Posted February 10, 2002 What's the date on that prototype? Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t.skid Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 quote: Originally posted by Agent X: I found a Track & Field prototype about 4 years ago at a local thrift store here in New Jersey. It set me back a whole 80 cents, and I didn't even own a 5200 at that time! I had to try it at a friend's house just to verify that it worked. So, anything is possible when it comes to spotting prototypes in the wild! That's one - of the many - lucky reasons to live in the U.S.A. I can tell that I don't think to find never a proto in Italy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent X Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 quote: Originally posted by Tempest: What's the date on that prototype? There's no date on the outside, just a typewritten "Track and Field" sticker on top of the "Loaner Cartridge" label. I've seen the board inside once before when the cartridge fell and the two halves of the shell separated (luckily, there was no damage), and I recall seeing a tiny handwritten sticker somewhere inside of the cartridge, but I don't feel like trying to pry it open again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 No problem. BTW, you can safely open the prototype with no problems, I do it all the time. You just need to be a little careful not to snap one of the little tabs on the inside. If your careful it should be fine. Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TunnelRunner Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Originally posted by Adrian M:[QB]Aside from the occasional prototype cart floating around on ebay, where is the best source for Atari 5200 prototype carts?" If you attend the Philly Classic you may see some repro protos in newly designed authentic looking boxes and labels. A fellow in Arizona, Voltman3, has burned some protos onto EPROMS and I finally got to play Asteroids, Tempest, Millipede, Track and Field, Xevious, etc. on my 5200. Feels great! Tunnel Runner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubersaurus Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 Any word if the Philly Classic will have any 7800 protos for sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattG/Snyper2099 Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 @ ubersaurus, I'm bringing my only 7800 prototype to the event. It's ballblazer... Even though I'm not really looking to sell or trade it, it's not out of the question if you bring the right stuff to trade or enough $$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted February 21, 2002 Share Posted February 21, 2002 I'll be bringing my only 7800 Prototype Karateka (ick!) as well. Were you serious about possibly trading or selling Ballblazer if the price was right? I might take you up on that offer... What kind of stuff are you looking for? Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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