I recently won an ebay auction for 2 used and untested Virtual Boy controllers…
https://m.ebay.com/itm/172857475960
…and one of them happens to be a preproduction!
Not to be confused with a shoshinkai multi-colored button prototype controller, this “preproduction” controller closely ressembles any normal retail one. But when closely inspected, only then can one notice the subtle differences that it features.
This is the controller that was used for preproduction Virtual Boys, the ones that had the black “ipd” and “focus slider” like this one …
http://www.planetvb.com/modules/hardware/?type=vb&sec=protos&show=10
…and it’s even pictured alongside preproduction units in many early Virtual Boy advertisements (first pic).
Here are the differences that I can find when comparing the preproduction controller to the standard retail released ones…
1. The “VIRTUAL BOY” logo has thicker letters.
2. The “select” “start” “B” and “A” are further away from the buttons.
3. Preproduction controller is made in Japan, retails are made in China.
4. The “R” and “L” buttons are lighter
5. The preproduction controller cord has a connector with smoother plastic, and is missing that plastic clasp beneath the cord connector (what’s that for anyway?)
To further more confirm this being a preproduction, the seller of the controller himself is from Washington, home of Nintendo of America headquarters.
Whoa! Has it really been 2 months since my last post?!
Sorry for the late replies here, but shortly after creating this thread, life decided to smack me hard across the face with a bunch of Bullspit. But time heals all, and the BS is over… So now I’m back in the game! Woot woot.
I definitely have some catching up to do.
Splain wrote:
I believe I had bid on that auction,…
retronintendonerd wrote:
I almost bought that lot!
Are either of you guys still looking for a controller? I know it’s now 2 months later but if you still are, then you can have the one that was pictured with the pre-production controller in the sellers ebay listing. Just send me a PM with your mailing info and I’ll send it off to you as soon as I can. Free of charge, I’ll even cover shipping.
First to respond, gets it!
KR155E wrote:
DocAetzn also had such a pre-production controller, which also came with a pre-prod stand. Some images in here: http://www.planetvb.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=28432
Hmm…was that “pre-production stand” included with that pre-prod controller when DocAetzn originally acquired it? I only ask because I’ve always known it to be like this…
As we all know, both the Japan and North American Virtual Boys have the normal retail stands that we’re all familiar with.
The Shoshinkai prototype Virtual Boys with the multi-colored-buttons had stands that have a circular adjustment knob like the one pictured in DocAetzn collection.
And the “pre-production” units with the black “IPD” and “Focus” buttons had stands that seem to have a feature that’s not included with any other stand…
By observing the picture provided below, you’ll notice that I circled what looks like a security screw featured on the side of the “release button”. It looks like it’s there to lock in the head unit. Screwing the screw all the way down would prevent you from pushing-in the button to release the head unit.
This is something I don’t think I’ve seen anyone discuss before… It’s quite interesting though.
Attachments:
Here’s a quickly put together comparison of the Virtual Boy Prototype Stand (just thought to throw it in here). I couldn’t get the lighting right for each shot, but you should still be able to see things pretty clearly. Also, I didn’t write any text explaining which stand is which, but I figured it would be quite easy to distinguish the retail stand from the prototype one.
And big ups to my man macbiggins (bigmac) for giving me the opportunity to purchase the prototype stand, if it weren’t for him, I’m quite positive that I wouldn’t have found one any other way!
