I just hope that dumping it does not open a can of worms. Everyone needs to be excited for the fact that this ROM has the potential to be something new. Beyond that, there should be no expectations.
I played a few of these games the other day while standing in line at a mall’s anchor store. I wasn’t impressed. Graphic and gameplay felt like cheap ports. But this Oregon Trail handheld, that has piqued my interest.
From some of the reading I’ve done, it seems it could have been around or one just like it. A stand-alone Bound High! cart was rumored to exist and mentioned in a few posts and PMs that were made public.
…a 100% fully working version of Bound High that plays flawlessly on the hardware. I have the only copy of this that I know of. It is dumped from an actual cart and not pieced together from code. So far I have spoken to nobody else who has such a thing. Just finding someone with the cart is near impossible, let alone finding someone to let you dump it. This is definitely the real deal. I can provide a video as proof if you would like.
It would be interesting know if the cart you are representing is one in the same.
On this night I found my way here as well, Ben. It all started from the Bound High! proto-cart thread. I was interested in the history a bit. Maybe where it’s been or who knows something more about it.
After reading this thread, researching a few spin-offs, checking quick release dates of the FB and FB+ (got curious about the hype of the a BH! ROM), and then thinking on it all for a bit, I’ve come to some amazing conclusions as well.
Cpt. F. wrote:
Is there another finished prototype of this game besides the one I have?
The history of the cart is pretty limited to be honest. At some point it walked out of NOA, that much is certain. May have been passed around, unclear. Then it sat in storage until now, when I asked my associate to let me investigate his old collection. He does not wish to be involved.
I am by no means a VB expert. From what I can recall, the version we have now was compiled from source and no actual cart has ever surfaced. The reason I am interested in the history is that this cart looks production ready yet it has a battery. Bound High! uses a password system. So it has me wondering, what is this cart exactly? Was it a late prototype where they were toying with battery saves? Did someone from Nintendo add to another PCB to build this proto?
I’m really happy to see that this exists. I hope you are able to borrow the community dumper so that the ROM can be compared to the build we are currently enjoying!
this is an interesting find. did anyone know this existed? i can’t recall ever reading about this or hearing about it before.
cpt. f, would you happen to know any of the cart’s history? any way to trace it back through those who have owned it? it’s the provenance of this cart that has most curious. i want to pick it up and ask it where it’s been! lol.
I grab them when I can find them and usually pay $2-4 ea. That is just what they are going for right now. Most used game stores I find them at want $5+ ea.
There is a guy on eBay who sells 3D printed covers: HERE.
I’ve also been curious about the guys in Mexico City. I’ve spoken to what I think were two different people about the lots that get listed. I never got a straight answer as to where they are coming from. It’s eBay and Paypal, so you have protection. If you have the extra cash it might be worth placing an order.
Borman can have one as long as he promises to dump the Dragon Hopper cart they have
(totally joking, don’t bug him about it =P)
I’ve actually already contacted him about these to make him aware of their existance. From what I remember him telling me they don’t yet have a means to back-up VB ROMs/Saves.
I wish they had Dragon Hopper. The day I busted out HF, Space Pinball, FaceBall, and a few HB carts, I hoped he would have matched me with hands-on time with DH. LOL.
I have a few Japanese pack-in Mario’s Tennis carts. Each one is complete with a dust cover. I tested all of them and they all work great. Conditions are Excellent. Most look brand new and never played/touched.
$13 each with a dust cap (+shipping/fees)
$10 each w/o a dust cap (+shipping/fees)
I also have a USA Wario Land cart and manual (no box). I booted it to make sure it works, but have not tested how long the battery may or may not store save files. Condition looks nice. The manual is complete with a corner fold, and is in VG- condition. I have a mint dust cap for this cart as well.
$25 with a dust cap (+shipping/fees).
If you need legit/retail Nintendo VB cart dust caps, I have a few extra. $4 each.
I’m in the US and have Paypal. If you (or anyone) are interested, please PM me for pics.
that is the very thing about this console that i love the most. all these years later we are still finding new information!!
chris,
if this woman would like to preserve the ROM at The Strong museum (Rochester, NY), i can put her in direct contact with the head of video game preservation.
