I started this thread here, but if it is better suited for the Famicom section, please move it.

Anybody into Famicom Protos?  I've just recently been eying Yahoo Auctions Japan, and I've found something that at least looks good for one:

http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m32635382

'Course I can't read Japanese for crap, so it could be a released game.  But released games usually have color cart plastic and some sort of a picture label (even if just a pattern design).  Pirates usually have those goofy, composite pictures that display games on the same label that don't even belong together.  

This one is just black and white, the equivalent of what I imagine a Japanese typeset label to look like.  The label also doesn't fit the cart, and there's no back warning label at all.

Can anyone read Japanese, even a little?  It's going for 5,000 yen, which is about $44 US dollars.  My question is, what is it?  It does not say what game it is in the description (I used a translation service).

Thanks.


edit:

Well, I have a partial translation.  The game is called Kerunaguru.  Anybody know if there was an English version?    

Still looks like a prototype or a pre-release though, because here is the released version:

http://www.famicom.biz/all/htmls/4907892000636.html

The game costs 4,900 yen, and is dated July 21 (7/21) of an unknown year.

A friend is working on the rest of the translation for me.  I'll post it when I get it.  


Edit 2:

Ok.  Translation complete.  It reads as follows:

--------------------------------------
Kerunaguru
Release Date: July 21
Price: 4900 yen
Store display item (Not for sale)
---------------------------------------

So it is a copy, probably for a store display, distributed directly by the company.  Mystery solved.  Now does anyone know if it was released in the U.S. as something?


Anyway, back to my original question -- is there an interest in Famicom protos here?  It would be sad if I just had to talk to myself.    

I'll post others if I find them.

You see i told ya, Yahoo auctions. Alot Japanese and Chinese ppl still use it every day.

Some would be watching these indeed. JC is a fami collctor, these are nice items so he might snatch them.

Looking at yahoo.com constantly now, pretty interesting stuff up there.

pmed

Hey JC, good to be back. Hopefully I'll start hanging out at famicom world again too...

Yeah and it's one of those weird ass looking protos as far as I remember... looking like the RAM cart for a Famicom Disk System, correct?

I have a few FC protos, like the infamous Bugs Bunnys Fun House that became Bugs Bunny's Crazy castle and was a port of a Famicom Disk System Roger Rabit game

Nice man, would love to own a couple of fami protos. If anyone here wants to get rid of his dev stuff please contact me.