Virtual Boy prototype console. Glossy red finish, Black knobs, lightly colored VB logo. The Controller has a wider font for the words "Virtual Boy" than normal, and the stand has different mold markings from retail. The eye foam comes from a different mold, and the knobs on the console do not have the Names IPD or Focus on them like a normal VB. The bottom of the unit is glossy and does not have any molded text like retail. This console was made after the very original Shoshinkai 1994 prototype console, and much before the post-release dev unit that ASSEMbler owns, which was a normal production style console but just with an added serial Cable for connection with the DEV units/TV Boy. Prototype units like mine were commonly featured in Virtual Boy advertising before release. They can be seen anywhere from pre-release VB magazine Articles to BlockBuster Coupons. Most early ads had almost always shown the glossy proto console with black knobs. Anybody else have one of these?
Yeah, the text looks great but the blue logo + red console makes it appear purple. IDK why that matters, since purple seemed to be Nintendo's Number 1 color in the GameCube age.
Some extra pictures would be great too, looks very nice... Now wonder if anyone owns any Nintendo DS Protos
Lol, no stickers or serial numbers or any text at all on the proto, as I already mentioned. Here are some quick candid comparison pics, my apologies for not polishing off any fingerprints. Proto left / retail right Retail console says "Focus" on the red plastic shell below the slider, and also says IPD on the IPD knob. No text on the proto. Proto controller left / retail right Fat proto controller font vs skinny retail font: Bottom of proto console w/ no text vs retail console Proto stand plastic vs matte retail stand plastic Proto stand medallion vs retail matte medallion
wow! It looks so similar to the final product! I wonder why they made the switches on top of the console grey... I think the black/red is a much nicer combo. Good stuff.
Yeah, Black & Red made so much more sense. Here's a close-up of the top (proto doesn't say Focus or IPD):
Very nice comparison pictures. Thanks for sharing this. I only know one person over at Planet Virtual Boy who has one of these. There certainly don't seem to be too many out in the wild.
