Bionic Commando (Prototype)

Bionic Commando (Prototype)
Dump status Released Dumped by Frank Cifaldi Released by Josh Hamblin File release date December 25, 2024 Origin HVC-SNROM-TEST-01 cartridge Lot Steven McKay Auction Ownership Josh Hamblin (2024) Game Bionic Commando System NES

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A prototype of Bionic Commando for the NES.

Notes

WATA certification

Certification Number: 595776-051

Analysis: Frank Cifaldi

Object Analysis:

Object is an NES cartridge with a handwritten label indicating the game's title.

The circuit board inside bares part number HVC-SNROM-TEST-01, a known - but not particularly well-documented - prototyping board used for the Family Computer, the Japanese equivalent of the NES. The board is connected to another board, NES-JOINT-01, a known Nintendo part for converting Family Computer games to work on the NES. The board appears authentic, and the IC chips have manufacturing dates appropriate to the game's development period.

Data Analysis:

(Hash info is for the combined headerless ROM)

CRC-32: EB894034

SHA-1: 9C2B427719B779FC3EB1D25FC076E0183A9A4EFE

SHA-256: DEE41418413F448F0A978760BD42AAA9A987AE7B32DFBAE02990674E2AFAEA18

MD-5: 53A2C020995E5C23D4EEF36EA759063E

The game's data differs from the retail version of the game, and does not match any data on the internet. Multiple differences were observed in the game's opening cutscene script, mostly revolving around the game's enemies, called the BADDS in the final game, referred to here as NAZZ.

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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