What the heck do I have?! Are these prototypes??

[Satoshi_Matrix]

This might not be the best place to ask, but I've already posted this on AtariAge and thought I might get more insight by asking here as well.

About a month ago, on a residential side street in Toronto, I came across...an unusual find. Standing on the ground near the sidewalk was an old plastic case holding 14 Atari 800 games, and also an Atari 2600 Joystick.

I don't own an Atari 800 to test any of these but here's what I got:

Pole Position RX8034
Star Raider CXL4ON
Pac-Man CXL4022
Donkey Kong RX8031
K-razy Kritters ATR1001
Soccer THB 12003
Joust RX8044
Space Invaders CXL4008
Centipede CXL4020
Qix CXL4027
BASIC Computing Language CXL4002
Pitfall II CZ-011
and finally
H.E.R.O CZ-007

Are these worth anything? Probably not but I know next to nothing about the Atari 800.

Even still, I know enough to know there's something odd about the copy of H.E.R.O I have. It doesn't look anything like the others. In fact, I wonder if it might even be a prototype? Here's a picture.



Can anyone provide some insight for just what I might have? There's a single screw holding it together, but even after removing the screw, I can't figure out how to get the shell apart to take a look at the pcb. If the label is correct, I suspect to see an EPROM chip without a window. If so, should I cover it with black electrical tape before taking a pic? I'm a total noob when it comes to Atari 800. As much info as you guys can provide would be appreciated.

Also.....there's Pitfall II which I feel strongly could be a prototype as well.

Here's some photos of the entire lot.

All 14 games


H.E.R.O proto(?) compared to Kaboom for the 2600, also by Activision


Comparison of the edge connectors. H.E.R.O on top.


The back of the H.E.R.O proto. Pitfall II also looks exactly like this.


Here's Pitfall II. It lacks the extra info H.E.R.O has, but considering it's age, the top sticker could well have simply fell off and I didn't notice it.

H.E.R.O and Pitfall II carts


The tops of both H.E.R.O and Pitfall II completely lack end labels. Most of the others say <- Left Cartridge. Not these.


So this presents the question: Do I have two prototypes here? They look so very different from the others. Any idea of value?

[noiseredux]

wow. I can't help, but those are fucking weird looking. Very curious.

[CRTGAMER]

This might not be the best place to ask, but I've already posted this on AtariAge and thought I might get more insight by asking here as well.

About a month ago, on a residential side street in Toronto, I came across...an unusual find. Standing on the ground near the sidewalk was an old plastic case holding 14 Atari 800 games, and also an Atari 2600 Joystick.

I don't own an Atari 800 to test any of these but here's what I got:

Pole Position RX8034
Star Raider CXL4ON
Pac-Man CXL4022
Donkey Kong RX8031
K-razy Kritters ATR1001
Soccer THB 12003
Joust RX8044
Space Invaders CXL4008
Centipede CXL4020
Qix CXL4027
BASIC Computing Language CXL4002
Pitfall II CZ-011
and finally
H.E.R.O CZ-007

Are these worth anything? Probably not but I know next to nothing about the Atari 800.

Can anyone provide some insight for just what I might have? There's a single screw holding it together, but even after removing the screw, I can't figure out how to get the shell apart to take a look at the pcb. If the label is correct, I suspect to see an EPROM chip without a window. If so, should I cover it with black electrical tape before taking a pic? I'm a total noob when it comes to Atari 800. As much info as you guys can provide would be appreciated.

The tops of both H.E.R.O and Pitfall II completely lack end labels. Most of the others say <- Left Cartridge. Not these.

So this presents the question: Do I have two prototypes here? They look so very different from the others. Any idea of value?

Atari 800 and 400 computers were along the same lines as the Commodore 64. A computer with a game cart port. The 800 so much better with real keys instead of the flat mylar keys of the 400. Some classics in there with the exclusive Star Raiders, only appearing on the 2600, 5200 and on the Atari Computers.

Not sure if that is factory or the consumer who printed out the labels for Hero and Pitfall 2. Looking at the Pitfall label, the printed out labels certainly look authentic from the era as far as the printed font. The faded letters with some parts darker, a sign of an impact or dot matrix printer. Maybe the part numbers are preproduction betas? I don't think you can hurt that EPROM Window from taking a pic. I would be concerned of damaging the cart from prying apart though.

You might eventually find an Atari Computer, for now maybe keep them as a great conversation piece. Any significance of the case they came in, a pic?