Whatever your opinion is of grading video games, the process of grading unreleased prototypes is pretty dumb.
These non-retail versions are incredibly important for game preservation, as they often contain significant differences from the final edition, and studying these differences allows game historians to understand more about their development and production.
However, this boneheaded process does happen – and the YouTube channel Hard4Games has taken it upon itself to "correct" one such "horrible Injustice" by freeing a prototype game from its plastic tomb.
A WATA-graded copy of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back on the NES was sent into the channel for this express purpose, and, as you can see from the footage below, it takes quite some effort to get that plastic case off the cart.
The team then dumped the ROM for preservation purposes – and used the WATA case to drink and eat out of, as you do.
Sadly, it seems that this particular pre-release prototype is quite close to the final retail version (which was pretty awful) and doesn't showcase any unique differences, but the point still stands – let's free these entombed games, people.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 8
Hammers yes !!!
This is what we do with graded garbage
Wata is nothing but a scam to upcharge for games and the like
Games are meant to played.
Comics are meant to be read.
Movies are mean to be watched.
Edit: removed the second this.
@KitsuneNight Yes, Yes and Yes
Think of all the people who were involved in the game, all their hard work and time, just put in a plastic box never to be used for the reason it was created. It's just injustice.
Also WATA, is a massive scam, there is loads that have been graded wrong, its just run by people who make money from it instead of love for the products
Free all sealed Games! They want to be played and maybe treated with a new Battery! Not rott wrapped in Plastic.
Btw. the Wrapping can damage the Boxes and squeeze them, as they shrink by Time or also damage the Painting.
@Azuris
I just ripped off the wrappings of two brand new sealed Wii U games.
Mario Tennis And Zelda.
They are meant to be played and will be played.
@KitsuneNight
thank you for saving them!
I guess I'm impressed with the durability of those cases graded games are put in, but yes, games are meant to be played — ESPECIALLY rare and hard to find games.
I can understand collecting and keeping sealed copies of games, but an undumped prototype...that's messed up. Seriously messed up.
That was cathartic. Keeping common games sealed is fine, as there's always a lot of copies floating around online. But a proto? It belongs dumped, free, and in a museum.
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