What is this? Prototype?

[Atari Matt]

I have never come across anything like it before.

 

What exactly is it?

 

What is a realistic value of it?

 

Any help is much appreciated.

[Thomas Jentzsch]

Does it work?

[Jettgogaming]

Pirate cart? I'm interested if you are looking into selling.

[Crimefighter]

Well the proto date on this is a day later - so if Taito is missing from the title screen then it's probably the late beta version.

http://www.atariprotos.com/2600/software/polaris/polaris.htm

[+Wonder007]

Can you open the cart up to see the board?  We can give you a better idea on its value. 

[Atari Matt]

Here is the inside board. Thanks

[Shawn]

Looks legit to me.

[Supergun]

I agree that it is most likely legit as well. But mostly because there would be little to no incentive for someone to “fake” a proto of this particular game. As all Tiger Vision carts are scarce, and Polaris is a somewhat rare cart, so purposely damaging one would make no sense. But keep in mind that a green label variation Polaris cart “might” look virtually the same. They also have EPROMs inside. So in theory, one could remove the labels, cut out the plastic housing, and slap an Avery sticker on it with that basic typewriter text, and boom, now it’s a proto.
 

(of course, mostly just paranoia there but just sayin’)
 

But yes, it’s like 99% likely that it’s authentic.

[Rom Hunter]

Could very well be that this one does not contain the Taito logo onscreen.

[Atari Matt]

10 minutes ago, Rom Hunter said:

Could very well be that this one does not contain the Taito logo onscreen.

You're good! That's exactly the difference. Only one I can see.

[Rom Hunter]

Then it most probably is identical to this one.
 

Polaris (1983) (Tigervision, Robert H. O'Neil) (7-007) (Prototype).bin