Zelda: The Hyrule Fantasy BETA?

Hi everyone,

As you'll no doubt notice from my status, I'm quite new to all of this, but didn't want that to stand in the way of asking the more seasoned members of the forum to help me determine if I've gained possession of a rare piece of gaming history.

Okay, here goes, from the beginning...

About a month ago, I won an auction for a so-called beta version of the original Japanese Zelda no denstesu for the Famicom Disk System. Before bidding, I scutinised the pictures as thoroughly as I could and, since I read Japanese, was able to quickly spot the "開発用ディスクカード" ("Development Disk Card") label on the disk itself. Being an avid collector of gaming rarities as well as currently working in the industry has taught me that early builds of games tend to contain large amounts of material that either gets changed or removed altogether from the final builds.

Anyway, after finally finding some free time, I was able to photo the disk, case and associated packaging to present to the members of this forum. I must stress that the software has not been tested by me yet as I don't have the necessary hardware.

So, if there is anyone who can help me determine the authenticity of this disk, please don't hesitate to reply or send me a PM. Ultimately, I'd like to try the item out on an actual Famicom Disk System, but I've read that the drives tend break down (something to do with a rubber band?) and I really don't want to put the disk in any danger.

 

wow nice, I have never seen this before :love:

do you wanna sell it :redface:

 

Hi Tenchi!

First things first, I want to get the thing properly verified.

Once I know exactly what I have, I may consider selling, but I'll probably be happier with a trade. I collect all things Biohazard and also developer hardware (debug machines and such).

I spent 8 years in Japan and so have amassed quite a collection of bits and pieces.

 

Unfortunately the only way to really verify the contents is to load it up in an actual FDS. It could be nothing more than a retail copy of the game or it could be an early revision.

FDSs do have their drive belts break down after years of use, but replacing the belt is a minor repair and it's not something that you have to worry about damaging the disk.

On the upside a Fami+FDS isn't horribly expensive or uncommon so determining exactly what is on the disc should be relatively easy for you.

And welcome to the boards!

-hl718

 

There are members here which have the equipment to copy the Disk image to a file for you to back it up and use it on emulators as well. Should it be anything interesting it would be wise to get someone to make a backup copy for you. And hopefully if it is anything interesting you will share pictures or video with us.

 

Hi hl718!

Yes, during my time in Japan, I purchased a number of Famicom Disk Systems for the sole purpose of selling them on, which I did. Now, however, I only know one person who owns one, but they currently reside in the UK.

I have at least one trip planned there, but not until later in the year.

On a side note, I discovered the following site a while back which confirms that the so-called "Development Disk Cards" are second only to the gold-coloured disks (competition prizes) in terms of rareness:

http://park19.wakwak.com/~fantasy/fds/disktype/disktype.htm

I suppose what this means is, even if the contents of mine don't turn out to be spectacular, hopefully I'll still have something relatively unusual!

 

Hi MottZilla!

That's very encouraging indeed. Like I said in my introductory piece, it's the knowledge and expertise of the people in this forum I'm after.

Although, and I'm sure you'll understand, I'm reluctant to send the software itself to someone I've not met, I find myself in various places quite often (mostly Japan, England and Germany), meaning if there was someone living nearby, I could meet them in person.

Naturally, I'd be happy to share any videos and/or screen shots here!

 

Sorry, but I've got no idea why the link in my post above isn't appearing properly.

 

We have members all over, maybe one who can dump FDS disks lives somewhere nearby. You might have to make a new topic or something saying you need someone that can dump a FDS disk for you. I understand not wanting to mail it off.

 

Interesting, I have PMed you about helping you with the disk.

 

man, that is an amazing find. damn you to hell for it.

your info is correct; white disks like this are all internal nintendo dev equipment that were never circulated, and only turn up when something worms its way out onto the market. there was a pattern generator disk of the same kind on yahoo jp a few weeks ago; that auction for what is in all liklihood a test program of little to no interest beyond value as a curio ended at over 100,000 yen. the fact that it's a white disk plus the famous beloved franchise means you have one hell of a collector's item regardless of its contents.

 

Hi sharc!

I follow the Yahoo! JP auctions more often than I do Ebay actually. I can't tell you how many interesting bits and pieces I've gotten from there.

A couple of years ago, I remember finding something really similar to this. It was a "SAMPLE" version (実演用サンプル版) of the same title. I tend to look for "SAMPLE" games, so that was a very nice find. As it turns out, I was totally outbid in the end, so when this came along, I just thought I'd throw caution to the wind and pay the asking price!

If this turns out to be the real deal, obviously I'm going to be rather pleased. In fact, the only thing that'd please me more would be to stumble across Biohazard 1.5!

 

Yeah, I look for サンプル's too, but somehow I missed this one. Can't wait for the screenshots

 

Regarding the "SAMPLE" games, I was chuffed when I located the three relatively rare Square games: Chrono Trigger, Romancing Saga 3 and Seiken Densetsu 3.

I really wanted the Shounen Jump version of Chrono Trigger too, but the Buy It Now price was a little too steep.

 

These store samples of Chrono Trigger, Romancing Saga 3 and Seiken Densetsu 3 actually appear quite often on YJ.

 

Yeah, I think there were a couple of Seiken 3 recently. One was missing the manual and the other was just the cartridge though.

 

Just a quick update as I've taken a couple of extra pictures:

 

I'm surprised no one has brought up the very high liklyhood that this is just a white disk in a Zelda case. Similar but not quite the same would be the Zelda some idiot put on a gold prize disk labels, data and all. It would be sweet indeed if it were real but the lack of important bidders bidding also puts doubt on it.

Above someone said white disk were internal dev only, which is somewhat misleading as worded; they are internal to development houses only not just Nintendo. All of the white disks I have are from 3rd party companies.

 

MatthewCallis,

That's a very good point. Actually, after adding the additional pictures above, it stuck me as odd to have a supposed dev disk in retail packaging... Not to mention the fact that it says "1986年2月28日初版", or "28th February 1986, First Edition", on it.

I'd like to assure everyone that I'm not attempting any kind of scam and that this is the exact package I received after the auction.

Other dev software I've collected (inc. Super Famicom, PS2 and PS3) tends to come precisely as ASSEMbler says, "loose".

Either way, it would be great if it were some sort of Zelda build, but I'm fully prepared to find something totally unrelated as well.