Rarest Mega Drive title ever?

[winona]

So I read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tecmo_Cup_Football_Game

its listed on Sega-16 but not on Digitpress or guardiana. AFAIK there are no know copies even among hardcore collectors.

Does anone recognice the gameplay, maybe it was released under a difrent title, or maybe its just a fanmade rom?

Any help would be great.

[playgen]

I wouldn't trust information on wikipedia - especially concerning wether a megadrive game is released or not, theres so much wrong information out there. I would say its an unreleased prototype devloped by Tecmo, and because the rom has been dumped and on the net for years and years people just presume it must have been released. I've just given the rom of it a play, and its an awful game, plays like an FMV game, you just press buttons occassionally while the game animates confusingly, hardly the sort of game that would have sold well in europe, or anywhere for that matter.

Ninja Gaiden was also under development for megadrive by Tecmo, but that was unreleased too, theres also a rom of that avaliable which also has dodgy translation and poor gameplay. Lots of websites say that Ninja Gaidern was released, it definitly wasn't, many sites even claim its a compilation of the three nes games, which its not at all - its a bad version of the original walkalong beat-em-up arcade game.

[winona]

Well, according to this site it had a spanish release:

http://www.meristation.com/v3/des_articulo.php?pic=GEN&id=cw438cdfa6c3a45&idj=&idp=&tipo=art&c=1&pos=4

And ive seen it beeing mentioned on other spanish sites aswell. I know the NES version was indeed released as stated on the same site:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Juego-NINTENDO-NES-Tecmo-WORLD-CUP-SOCCER_W0QQitemZ300145876832


Edit: I see you edited your post. Anyway, it would have been great fun if it was indeed released. Something rare to hunt for.

[108 Stars]

Tetris is still more rare.

[playgen]

For pretty much every unreleased megadrive theres a whole bunch of sites with people claiming it was released, yet strangely enough nobody can ever show the box art or anything. There is so much wrong information on the net, just because a rom dump exsists people just say it was released, I guess this stems from the fact that these roms were dumped a long time ago in the early days of the internet, so it was never properlly documented that the dumps came from prototype cartridges - from the developers themselves in a couple of cases.

[winona]

Tetris is still more rare.

Now, lets pressume there is in fact a release for Tecmo. So far not a single one have been found meaning there could be as little as 1 copy still intact. Or there might be a spanish warehouse full of unopened boxes. So it would be pretty hard to say that tetris is rarer without knowing.

Unless you wanted to say that its the rarest confirmed title? And just out of curiosity. How many known copies of Tetris are there?

[Genesis Knight]

Yeah, I believe Tetris is far and away the rarest game around for G/MD.

Besides, the Wiki article only says that the game is unheard-of to hardcore fans, not that it's necessarily rare.

[108 Stars]

There are 5 copies of Tetris afaik. If the whole run of that Soccer game has not been destroyed for some reason it is hard to be any more rare than 5 copies.

[winona]

For pretty much every unreleased megadrive theres a whole bunch of sites with people claiming it was released, yet strangely enough nobody can ever show the box art or anything. There is so much wrong information on the net, just because a rom dump exsists people just say it was released, I guess this stems from the fact that these roms were dumped a long time ago in the early days of the internet, so it was never properlly documented that the dumps came from prototype cartridges - from the developers themselves in a couple of cases.


True true, but on thing strikes me as odd. Guardian does not list this game amongst the unreleased titles like all other prototypes:

http://www.guardiana.net/MDG-Database/Unreleased-Games/

I know a guy that makes reproductions of unreleased protypes for the megadrive. I think he is a prototype collector aswell. Ill see what he have to say about this title.

[winona]

Yeah, I believe Tetris is far and away the rarest game around for G/MD.

Besides, the Wiki article only says that the game is unheard-of to hardcore fans, not that it's necessarily rare.

Once again assuming that the game does in fact exist. Not beeing listed on guardiana would make it pretty darn rare imho. There are some hardcore collectors on that site.

Edit: And yes, they have tetris listed.

[108 Stars]

Guardiana also lists Command & Conquer as an unreleased prototype although it is only a homebrew.

[Genesis Knight]

Yeah, I was about to ask when Guardiana became so hot. =P

[winona]

Guardiana also lists Command & Conquer as an unreleased prototype although it is only a homebrew.


Hmm? Its clearly marked as Bootleg/Pirate.

[108 Stars]

Oops, sorry.
Although it is still a bit wrong...I mean, it´s not a pirate because it never was released on cartridge either, but I guess they just don´t have a homebrew-section.

[winona]

Yeah, I was about to ask when Guardiana became so hot. =P

Well, their listing is WAY more accurate that the one on this site, and like I said they have some hardcore collectors there. Like Adol, the guy that collects and have complete freaking sealed sets for various systems.

Dont get me wrong, I like this site better for the forum and the reviews. But the the seriosus collectors dosent visit here AFAIK.

[Black_Tiger]

I fired up a 4-in-1 cart last night for the first time and found that Tetris was one of the games. I played it for a bit and it was okay, although the pieces 'pull' down too fast for my liking.

I had no idea that the original was so rare.:p

[David J.]

Tetris is on Guardiana... I quit using it because the English version sucked ass, and it was too PAL/JAP orientated, plus it wouldn't let me change my collection anymore. And it IS the rarest game... Bootlegs are out there, but there is no rom dump of a legit copy.

[Zebbe]

I hear there are 10 copies of Tetris for the Mega Drive.

[j_factor]

Supposedly there are two copies of Virtua Hamster for 32x.

[David J.]

Supposedly there are two copies of Virtua Hamster for 32x.

Well, it wasn't released in any shape or form... Tetris was, but recalled and many copies where destroyed.

[Mr Smith]

From what I've heard Tetris was the rarest, but heard there were 6 copies. Fido Dido looked awesome - I wish it had been released.

[AD2101]

I heard that there was only 6 known copies aswell, but at that point does it really matter if there is another game with lets say 4 known copies? Since these are not exact numbers i think its kinda splitting hairs.

[winona]

Just rememberd. Bug Blaster and Star Strike are pretty rare in its PAL version. Only 5 copies of each were ever made, just for fun and giggles.

So thats 2 confirmed 5 copy games for the Mega CD ^^

[Phantar]

Why would there only be five produced copies of a game?

I mean, okay, let's say they produced about 1000 copies, sold 5, recalled the rest and destroyed them... this still sounds highly unlikely in my ears (not to mention not profitable... recalling the games alone must be a real chore, not to mention everything that went into production etc.)

Limited editions, okay, that I can understand. But even those should usually range somewhere in the thousands, not only in a handful (considering the market, "a thousand" should count as a handful nevertheless).

So what's the story behind Tetris, for instance? Just why are there only 5 or 6 or whatever known copies?

[Zebbe]

Because of licensing issues the game was immediately pulled back. Only 10 copies were able to escape from the Doom of Destruction.

[playgen]

Yeah theres an interesting story behind the battle developers and publishers fought to get their hands on the Tetris license, with KGB spies involved, unlicensed games being made etc.
There was an interesting documentary on TV about the history of Tetris not so long ago, which is no doubt avaliable to download somewhere.

[winona]

Why would there only be five produced copies of a game?

I mean, okay, let's say they produced about 1000 copies, sold 5, recalled the rest and destroyed them... this still sounds highly unlikely in my ears (not to mention not profitable... recalling the games alone must be a real chore, not to mention everything that went into production etc.)

Limited editions, okay, that I can understand. But even those should usually range somewhere in the thousands, not only in a handful (considering the market, "a thousand" should count as a handful nevertheless).

So what's the story behind Tetris, for instance? Just why are there only 5 or 6 or whatever known copies?

As far as star strike and bug blaster goes, these games were actually US releases, but the developers printed an additional 5 copies in PAL format aswell. They were snatched up instantly. As to why the hell they did it, I dont know. But its been confirmed.

[Elusive]

So many conflicting numbers: the sad thing is, as reliable figures from the time are near-impossible to find, it'll most likely stay a mystery forever so all we can really do is argue at each other :(

[redrum666]

Why would there only be five produced copies of a game?

I mean, okay, let's say they produced about 1000 copies, sold 5, recalled the rest and destroyed them... this still sounds highly unlikely in my ears (not to mention not profitable... recalling the games alone must be a real chore, not to mention everything that went into production etc.)

Limited editions, okay, that I can understand. But even those should usually range somewhere in the thousands, not only in a handful (considering the market, "a thousand" should count as a handful nevertheless).

So what's the story behind Tetris, for instance? Just why are there only 5 or 6 or whatever known copies?

well for one thing the company that released both Bug Blaster and Star Strike is base in the US new york

[conando]

streets of rage 3 would have to be the hardest for me to get hold of

[kylera]

Reminds me of the Tengen Tetris craze...

[Sixfortyfive]

streets of rage 3 would have to be the hardest for me to get hold of
I was looking around for Genesis games on eBay recently and was surprised at how much that one goes for. Not wallet-busting by any means, but $25-$30 was the average for the cartridge alone. I guess it really didn't sell that well originally, otherwise it'd probably be easier to get.

[Mr Smith]

streets of rage 3 would have to be the hardest for me to get hold of
Streets of Rage 3 isn't rare - there are always copies knocking about. The problem is they cost so much. In saying that, the investment in SoR3 is well worth it as the game is awesome.

[stealth1]

Tecmo bowl!

[Black_Tiger]

Anyone know how rare this game is?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SEGA-MEGA-DRIVE-MEGA-ANSER-JAPAN_W0QQitemZ320152257477QQihZ011QQcategoryZ3642 QQcmdZViewItem

[Joe Redifer]

And what a great game it is! Doesn't it just answer the phone when another Mega Drive calls? Or maybe it is used for online banking. I think I'd rather have the Dreamcast Zip Drive.

[Rusty Venture]

Maybe i'm overly picky, but for $1200 it should at least come with a manual.

And for some reason that cover screams "bootleg" to me.

[Sixfortyfive]

Maybe i'm overly picky, but for $1200 it should at least come with a manual.

And for some reason that cover screams "bootleg" to me.
http://sega.jp/archive/segahard/md/answer.html
http://sega.jp/archive/segahard/md/answer_t.html

[Rusty Venture]

For $1200 they should at least print out the manual for you!

[Genesis Knight]

People need to understand that even "Fantastically RARE" doesn't necessarily mean "High prices".

[Mel]

Nope. don't like that site. Too Euro, and I'm not Euro. Wrong Hemisphere. (and my French is broken)

I think Tetris is the Megadrive/Genesis Holy Grail

[Rusty Venture]

What the hell are you going on about?

[Mel]

Guardiana is too European for me to totally comprehend.

[Zebbe]

How is it European, apart from the French language? (English is 70% French words)

[Mel]

That was pretty much it. ^.-

[Zebbe]

OK. Then you should have said: "Too French, and I'm not French". France does not equal Europe, really.

[winona]

I love this thread. Lots of previously unheard of stuff appears out of nowhere. I dont give a damn about if the ANSER "game" is worth 1200$ I think its bloody cool.

This is why I enjoy collecting, finding and discussing rare items is part of the fun.

[Mel]

OK. Then you should have said: "Too French, and I'm not French". France does not equal Europe, really.

I'm quite aware of that. I was only teasing. The comment wasn't meant to be taken seriously in the least.

I can actually read the French (struggling). And it's not that bad of a site. I just like this one better.

[Rusty Venture]

I can't read "the French". I can read "the English" and some of "the Spanish".

I hear Zebbe can read "the Swedish" and "the English".

Can anyone read "the Esperanto"?

[Zebbe]

I'm quite aware of that. I was only teasing. The comment wasn't meant to be taken seriously in the least.

I can actually read the French (struggling). And it's not that bad of a site. I just like this one better.

I wish that site was Canadian. Then you would have to eat up your words ;).

[Mel]

I wish that site was Canadian. Then you would have to eat up your words ;).

I kinda already ate 'em. lol

I'm fluent in English, and Spanish. I can read a little French.

[Zebbe]

I speak Swedish, English and a little Spanish. I can read and understand most Norwegian and Danish. I can also read and write Runes from the Viking Age.

[Rusty Venture]

But no Esperanto. :shame:

[winona]

I can also read and write Runes from the Viking Age.


Everybody know how to read runes. But do you understand the words? :)

[TmEE]

hah, nobody of you can speak or read Estonian !!!!

[Zebbe]

Everybody know how to read runes. But do you understand the words? :)

Very few.

[winona]

hah, nobody of you can speak or read Estonian !!!!

I speak finish, its pretty similar. At least they understood me when I was there. As to what they were saying...a lot harder to understand.


Derailed thread deluxe :)

[Melf]

I'm fluent in English and Spanish, and I know a little Italian.

See? :D

[ThunderForce]

Tetris MD is retarded.

[Kollision]

I can communicate in English, Spanish, Portuguese and German (wenn man langsam spricht...).

[Joe Redifer]

I'm fluent in English and Spanish
Nice! Que tiennes es uno, por no pablo te noches su llamos y no la carabra.

[Mr Smith]

I can speak English, a little bit of German and HTML.

[Rusty Venture]

I know English, Bad English, & Broken Spanish.

Broken Spanish = Words and phrases I remember from High School, but I haven't used *since* High School.



P.S. Nobody gets bonus points for speaking "Klingon"

[Mr Smith]

P.S. Nobody gets bonus points for speaking "Klingon"
Are you kidding? Anybody who speaks Klingon should be worshiped like a God. Either that or shunned by other human beings.

[TmEE]

where can I learn Klingon ?

[Joe Redifer]

The planet Klingulous, I think.

[Mr Smith]

The planet Klingulous, I think.
The Klingon homeworld is called Qo'noS, fool :roll:

[Joe Redifer]

Klingulous.

[Rusty Venture]

Mr. Smith, I don't care enough to look and see if that info is true.

I'll just say that it is true, label you a "heathen", and also remove you from my "invited to my birthday party" list.



where can I learn Klingon ?

You use the same tool to discuss Sega that you could very well use to unlock the Klingon language....I think.

[Joe Redifer]

You mean my ass? People say that's what I always talk out of.

[TmEE]

... my friend did such thing once... stood up, turned his back, bent down, and used his arms to move his butt (meanwhile talking and in the end he farted).

[Rusty Venture]

You're friends with Ace Ventura?

[TmEE]

nope... my friend copied Ace... but as far as I remember, Ace didn't fart in the end....

[snume]

Ha Ha - I clicked on the last page of a thread talking about the rarest Mega Drive game ever and I end up reading about Tiido's buddy farting while he was about to "ass you a few questions" ;-)

[Mr Smith]

Mr. Smith, I don't care enough to look and see if that info is true.

I'll just say that it is true, label you a "heathen", and also remove you from my "invited to my birthday party" list.
Star Trek means more to me than an invitation to your crummy birthday party. :p

Ace Ventura is tosh, mainly because of Courtney Cox, although it does get bonus points for having a Basset Hound in.
http://www.dogcastmedia.com/upload/P1801.jpg

[Rusty Venture]

My party is going to include hot lesbian strippers who do each other.

Everyone else is going to enjoy the show except you.



Ha Ha - I clicked on the last page of a thread talking about the rarest Mega Drive game ever and I end up reading about Tiido's buddy farting while he was about to "ass you a few questions" ;-)

Off-topic is the law of the land here.



nope... my friend copied Ace... but as far as I remember, Ace didn't fart in the end....

He should have. I'm still immature enough to find farts funny. :lol:

[snume]

I love the part near the beginning where the "grateful" owner of the pekingese thanks Ace and we watch him swinging back and forth - "Holy Shnikey"