3 Game Gear Prototypes acquired - Thanks to everyone :)

I've recently made contact with someone who has a Sonic 2 GG Auto Demo Prototype he's been wanting to sell off. From what was discussed, there's every possibility this might be the one we've seen in many video game magazines during it's development.

http://info.sonicretro.org/images/f/f5/EGM_Issue_38_September_1992_133.jpg
http://info.sonicretro.org/images/c/c8/EGM_Issue_38_September_1992_132.jpg
http://info.sonicretro.org/images/7/7e/EGMAugust1992Page_04.jpg
http://info.sonicretro.org/images/4/48/S2_vgce_03.jpg

He wants $400 for the item + $80 to have it quickly shipped to me (within 3 days) with tracking information. As always, there's a chance this might not be anything but given what I was told, the things I've researched to take into consideration (which I'll post at some point) along with the fact that this is Sonic 2 GG, I'm willing to take that chance as we may never get a chance like this again. He's giving plenty of time to sort something out but I wouldn't leave it too late.

I'm looking for donations this time around. I'll be able to chip in some. Unfortunately I just don't have enough. Doesn't matter how much you contribute. Any and all contributions would be greatly appreciated. If some how there's more than enough contributions, it could always go towards the tools to dump it or any more Sonic prototypes I might find (trust me). I've got these oddities (Link 1 - Link 2) for example I'll be posting at some point.

Those of you who are interested and have PayPal, you can send the donations to this email: [email protected]

Don't let an opportunity like this slip!

 

$100.00 has been donated so far. Many thanks to all of you who've contributed! Anyone else would like contribute? Remember, every little helps

Now onto what I've researched. As Bill Nye the Science Guy once said "Please consider the following..."

Now many video game magazines would've had those screenshots above during it's development. The screenshots which show where Sonic was, what he was doing, how many rings he had and at what time seem to reflect what was shown on the rough maps they had of each level. Note how all the articles talk more or less about the same thing. Sonic started off in Green Hills Zone, then hang glided all of the sudden and then rode in a mine cart all of the sudden (notice the time on all those screenshots).

According to our records, the only video game magazines that had something slightly different to show in their articles was GamePro & MegaPlay.

http://info.sonicretro.org/images/8/87/S2_GamePro_Issue039_October_1992-114.jpg

Notice the screenshots of Sonic going through the loop, how many rings he had and at what time. It still reflects what was shown on the rough maps which suggests there was an Auto Demo version of this particular build (which this prototype the seller has might be). While it's possible the screenshots came from a pre-recorded VHS tape which would have been sent off to video game magazine companies given the quality; it's not far fetch for video magazine companies to be given the actual cartridge which they played on a television while taking screenshots of it.

http://info.sonicretro.org/images/9/98/S2_MegaPlay_Issue11_August1992_Page024.jpg

But then we have these screenshots. Where Sonic was, what he was doing, how many rings he had and at what time in those screenshots don't seem to reflect what was shown in the rough maps. In fact, if you look closely, the screenshot on the right looks like it was taken at a video game conference (notice the lights reflecting on the screen). So a playable version of this particular build must have existed as well.

We've been down this road before where we've discovered that SEGA has made a playable versions of a particular game and a Auto Demo version of that particular game. It wouldn't have been the first time for SEGA and it wouldn't have been the last.