Hit the Ice (May 11, 1992 prototype)

Hit the Ice (May 11, 1992 prototype)
Build date May 11, 1992 Dump status Released Dumped by Frank Cifaldi Released by Josh Hamblin File release date December 25, 2024 Origin DMGC-MBC-2M-EPROM-01 cartridge Lot Steven McKay Auction EPROMs 1x Intel D27C010J-150 Labels HIT THE ICE (case) HIT THE ICE (GB) 5/11 (EPROM) Ownership Josh Hamblin (2024) Game Hit the Ice System Game Boy Genre Role-playing game / Sports - Hockey Release date NA Oct 1992 EU 1993

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A prototype of Hit the Ice for the Game Boy.

Notes

• Contains what appears to be a four-player option not present in the final game, which only goes up to two players.

WATA certification

Certification Number: 595776-004

Analysis: Frank Cifaldi

Object Analysis:

Object is Game Boy prototype cartridge, with an opening on the top-front to allow a game's EPROM to protrude. A label on the front denotes the game's title. Inside is a PCB with part number DMGC-MBC-2M-EPROM-01, a known Nintendo-provided prototyping board, and it appears to be authentic. The game's data EPROM denotes the game's title and a date of 5/11. Our research indicates that the final version of the game was either received or approved by Nintendo on 8/24/92.

Data Analysis:

CRC-32 (Ethernet and PKZIP): 37627030

SHA-1: C75A236CA74D60C1239F9E9B5BEEF929CFB0360E

SHA-256: 2332C5FD90E5AE16BB24A70DBE6AF1EEDA0C71F54DA6BB5BEF008569F3041D7D

MD-5: 3AB483B3042F9096582C16191B3A3448

The data does not match the final retail version of the game, nor does it resemble any data available on the internet as of this writing. A gameplay demonstration revealed a significant difference: the game's multiplayer option appears to allow up to four players, whereas the final game only allows two. Beyond this, no differences were observed in gameplay or appearance.

Provenance Notes:

According to the submitter, this item was purchased from the McLaren Auction Services "Vintage Nintendo Online-Only Auction," which ran from March 25 to April 1, 2022. McLaren claims that these items came from Steve McKay, former "General Manager of the Mexico Division" at Nintendo. Approximately 97 items from this auction were submitted to WATA at once. Given that the auction listings are not archived on McLaren's website, I was unable to verify each individual item as having come from the auction. However, I did view this auction when it was live, and can attest that the scope of this collection is in line with my memory of what was available.

Conclusion:

Given the authentic parts used, the provenance, and the unique data available across the items from this McLaren auction, I have no reason to doubt the authenticity of this item. Why a Nintendo rep might have a bootleg PCB is a mystery for others to solve.

Origin

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