Dominus (Prototype)
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A prototype of Dominus for the Sega Mega Drive.
Notes
Analysis: Frank Cifaldi
Object Analysis:
Dominus for the Sega Genesis is an unreleased game, a conversion of the MS-DOS game created by Visual Concepts. The submitted object presents as a retail Sega Genesis clamshell case with a mockup cover. Inside is a cartridge with a simple black and white label denoting the game's title and copyright information. Inside is PCB with part number 8MEGA 4EP-ROM M5, a known Sega-provided prototyping part. The four EPROMs have windows covered in painter's tape, though I believe this to be a modification made by the item's submitter.
Data Analysis:
CRC-32 (Ethernet and PKZIP): A36166DA
SHA-1: 1F63B79169E5D0CEA8FAAAD7AD63E88C2B6F8250
SHA-256: A8B4508C10BB15BA4925C55938C1596C92FEF90CB0AECC4248AD2E9590AE7C40
MD-5: 0CB74DE6E8F79014A23F121894A974EF
The data is not a match for the existing prototype ROM available online. A gameplay side-by-side revealed several differences between the two, though it is difficult to determine which of the two is earlier than the other, as both appear to be prototypes with placeholder functionality. If I were to guess, I would say that this is the more advanced of the two, though gameplay differences appear to be negligible.
Provenance Notes:
This object was provided to the submitter by Randel Reiss, who worked at ASCII Entertainment at the time. Reiss was shown a photograph and verified that he was the originator of the object, and that it was a byproduct of the game's development period.
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
