Sword Master (May 15, 1991 prototype)
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| Download Sword Master (May 15, 1991 prototype) (info) |
A prototype of Sword Master for the NES.
Notes
Analysis: Frank Cifaldi
Object Analysis:
Object is an NES cartridge with a handwritten label on the front identifying the game's title. A window is cut out of the front of the cartridge to allow the game's data EPROMs to protrude.
The circuit board inside bares part number NES-TKEPROM-01, a known Nintendo-supplied prototyping part. The board appears authentic, and the IC chips have manufacturing dates appropriate to the game's development period. A handwritten sticker on the game's ROM data EPROM indicates a date of 5/15/91. Our research indicates the final game data was received by Nintendo on 7/23/91, and was the fifth submission. It is possible that the ROM data here represents an earlier, possibly rejected submission.
Data Analysis:
(Hash info is for the combined headerless ROM)
CRC-32: DF39E73D
SHA-1: A53E347CA1A74B01340F30C09BB82E7F236D9B3D
SHA-256: 4F85685E59828402CB417266775CAD427448C3D0BB85D44DE39906394A78B6B0
MD-5: F5B38AA06698B598E2367221CB0FFB12
An analysis of the game's data shows that it seems extremely close to the final game. No differences were observed via gameplay.
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.
Origin
See also