Utopia: The Creation of a Nation (Prototype B)

Utopia: The Creation of a Nation (Prototype B)
Dump status Released Dumped by Frank Cifaldi Released by Josh Hamblin File release date December 25, 2024 Origin SHVC-2P3B-01 cartridge Lot Steven McKay Auction Ownership Josh Hamblin (2024) Game Utopia: The Creation of a Nation (Prototype B) System SNES Final build JP Aug 27, 1993 EU Mar 18, 1994 US Jul 8, 1993 Release date JP Oct 29, 1993 EU Aug 1994 US Sep 1993

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A prototype of Utopia: The Creation of a Nation for the SNES.

Notes

• Different copyright info on title screen
• Different in-game graphics observed on first level
• Different menu color in-game (lighter shade of gray).
• Seems earlier than two prototypes that are online.

WATA certification

Certification Number: 595776-015

Analysis: Frank Cifaldi

Object Analysis:

Object is a bare circuit board displaying part number SHVC-2P3B-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 piece of painter's tape present on the game's singular data EPROM has the game's title written in pen, though I believe this modification was made by the item's submitter.

Data Analysis:

CRC-32 (Ethernet and PKZIP): 4DFF06FF

SHA-1: C39422786C4753F3BB0B6DC101C1E83AC28B6E13

SHA-256: 5E08A1617DC73C0D5C92833FFAA8177C0743814E4F0DCDB2E4F41017CB893B82

MD-5: 42B68843F1CA779C03CA99011376753B

The data differs from the final game, and does not match any known data available on the internet as of this writing. Observable differences in gameplay include different copyright information on the title screen, different in-game graphics on the first level, and a different menu background color in-game. It appears to be earlier than either of the two prototype builds available online.

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

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