http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Gameboy-Virtual-Boy-Box-Protectors-clear-plastic-sleeve-CIB-Game-/151362194008?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233de3ca58

I have one like this on my FB #13. It is nice if you aren’t taking the box in and out of the plastic all of the time. It is more for display and protection. I say this because the flap can be easily bent and when you bend this type of plastic it is hard to get it back to being straight.

What is the quality of the t-shirt like? How close was the size you ordered to the actual t-shirt size you wear?

seeing as their is only one known official link cable (and the auction wasn’t cheap) and from what i’ve read a handful of prototype 3rd party community cables, you may end up having to wait until the cable gets officially released.

if we are talking about hyper fighting, i did have someone tell me that the 2-player mode works pretty well. there is that to look forward too. i just hope that all future projects support a 1 player mode as well (or vb-to-usb). i’d hate to miss out on enjoying a game because i don’t own a 2nd vb and don’t know anyone in person who even wants to play vb games.

i’ll always hope to see our talented community come together to start a Kickstarter campaign. a new VB CIB game with a ROM release tier and support for modern 3D hardware.

did you do that cross-stitching pattern yourself or did the material come that way? it looks pretty good. what is the stiffness like? One thing I enjoy about the original is that its soft but also rigid.

With the amount of money you may end up paying 2nd hand from a collector you would be better off purchasing a FB+. It will pay for it self the first time you load up any ROM, homebrew, translation, hack, demo, etc.

Although I am not thinking through the details, I would consider a pre-order campaign if orders were based on a demo and a well written outline. That may be the best way to gather group-based funding for a future project.

There has been talk of custom connectors. If we had a viable (affordable and easy) way to get them going then perhaps a Kickstarter for a Virtual Boy game could be fun? I wonder how much a project like that would need to raise to produce a game CIB? I wonder if there are enough Virtual Boy owners out there that would consider funding such a project?

The last project that hinted at a VB game was Vanguard V. They claimed if they raised 1M that they would produce a version of the game for the VB. It was a joke of a goal but after talking with the team they were ready to back-up it up if funding was met. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1662894668/vanguard-valkyrie/ While this was rather ridiculous, it did make the news. An actual commercial quality game that filled a missing niche (platformer, RPG, etc) would maybe peak interest?

Are you making a 2-player game?

Some valid points there Ben. If I ever, for example, chose to sell one of my 2 copies, any extreme profit I make over what I paid for the game would go off to those involved as a donation. I have been involved with homebrew (testing, creation, writing (script – not coding), reporting, etc) for years. I got into it because I love gaming and I love independently created software. I have worked alone side coders to produce homebrew and I know exactly what goes into it. I’m a former coder myself (hobbyist and through education), although I have long since stopped writing code, to understand exactly how much goes into creating a game from scratch. I’m sure Mr. Anon did most of the work out of love, a love for creating. The money helped, I am sure, and more is always nice, but the love of building something would be my bet as to what drove him to finish his game.

I have a very large collection of homebrew that has never seen the light of day. This is the benefit of being involved in a scene but also the burden. I have special 1-off test builds of software, games that have never been released, games partially coded that I always wanted to see finished, etc. Knowing this, I would have to agree with you and have the same questions. Just how much unknown VB software is out there that simply traded hands between a handful of hardcore homebrew lovers and never saw a public hosting/distribution of any kind. Are their completed games among those projects? Some how this has got me thinking about Dragon Hopper!

[Lester Knight]

This was a very interesting story, Ben. I am glad that you took the time to type it out. I found it very interesting to learn about the roots behind this project. Is there any chance that you would consider snapping photos of your proto-build boards for the sake of posterity?

Ben, you are a very nice person. Everyone who has ever spoken with you will attest to that. Please do not take what I am about to type personally. I mean no disrespect towards you.

If someone decides to sell their copy they would most likely ask what they paid for it, which I am sure some would immediately assume was an attempt to make a profit. If multiple persons wanted the copy and were willing to bid against each other for it, then that is their business. At this point it is no longer personal, it is consumerism. A seller has a desirable item that they paid for, regardless of the back-story for its creation, it remains simply what it is (a video game) with its monetary value. If I paid to have a game made and then others created carts for it, I would not hope for trouble to come their way. I would only be upset if the ROM was shared without my permission, as essentially I would (at least partially) own that finalized version as I personally paid for its creation.

Perhaps I am wrong. We may not agree on this. This is just my opinion.

One other thing should be added for everyone who has read about this game and may not get to experience it. This game has become a testing ground for a board with larger memory. It also proves that coders are willing to work for money and produce an amazing game. This game should pave the way for what I am sure will be a future of excellent VB games. Its very existence is what we should be celebrating, and not if you will get to play more than a demo. Think to the future, what game could possibly come next? We are proving that their is a market for VB homebrew.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by Lester Knight.

Dave_ wrote:
in one of his comments Lester mentions picking up two copies, suggesting there was at some point an opportunity to order. Did Tusker stick up an order page for half an hour?

This really isn’t a huge conspiracy, but the names will be withheld. Some people decided to put the game on a cart if it was ever finished. It was, so they did. A full package was created and a possible price was set. At first it was more of a dream to try and get the game completed, and it was never set up to turn a profit for those involved. Last I heard a few CIB were in the wild. If I am allowed to give specific numbers then I will, but I need to ask first. I was given the opportunity to reserve 2, if I wanted, as I do believe everyone else was as well. They weren’t cheap. I can tell you that. From what I know very few bought 2. It really had nothing to do with being any certain type of person or collector. It was more if you happened to stumble into it and if you had the money to afford a copy.

Eventually these are going to make their way for sale. I have no doubt about that. Someone will want to turn a profit, or simply just hook up someone else with a copy. Eventually this ROM will be dumped (if not released), because of how rare this cart is and how few are in private hands. The quality of this homebrew turned out so high that it has already created a demand beyond what everyone assumed. People are signing up just to ask if they can get a ROM. What I would like to see happen is a stripped down version released (no voices, less music, no 2-player, etc) that would fit onto a FlashBoy. Leaving the full version with the 2-player mode limited to the cart, so that the cart can retain its value.

not to go too far off topic, tetris is a story i’m familiar with. i was reporting for a video game site and we got letters from different lawyers. tetris is now trademarked and we couldn’t use it in certain contexts. we had to rename and/or pull all associated files from the site.

this game may use an original engine and code, but it is using sprites, sound, music, and IPs without permission. selling it openly would be a pretty bad idea. if a few of these hit public sale i don’t think much will happen. but a site selling them in bulk would surly have problems. i’ve seen paypal/banking sites frozen for far less.

from what i’ve read, this game will not get a public sale due to copyright worries. a C&D from capcom would end all of the fun rather quickly.

last i read the link cable was still being toyed with. we all expect it to be sold as soon as it is ready.

I like how the checked off dates are in red and black.

it is a really sweet port. the 3d depth is really fun, it works pretty well with the sprites. sound effects and everything are rather impressive. the game really shows what is possible on the VB. i picked up two copies so i could try the VS when the cable is released, but i’ve since lost interest in spending more money on a second VB. has anyone tried a 2player game, is it any fun?

i will also suggest that you contact BigMak for more information. he has been involved with past reproduction/prototype releases and will have more information for you. give it a try.

As the glue heats up the problem will often correct itself, depending on how bad it was. However, it will only get worse over time and the only permanent fix is to have the cables soldered.

There are threads on this board that detail different drivers and bits you can purchase to open the security screws. Try the search box, I am sure you will be able to come up with some answers. I ordered my gamebit off eBay and then modified it to accept a flat-head screwdriver. It was relatively simple but did require a bench grinder and a dremel, both of which you may or may not have access too. If you do remove the security screws I recommend that you replace them with a normal head screw. I used #4 1/2″ sheet metal screws with a pan head. The same size wood screws will also work.

The designer and builder of the FB+ is a member of our community. I would suggest that you PM him directly for more information. Minestorm

Hello Easycakeoven,
I am sorry to read that your VB is experiencing issues. Before you run to a local retro shop I would like to give you a nickles worth of free advice.

The soldering of the VB cables is a delicate process that requires not only a steady hand and skills, but I believe experience. I can not speak for your local shop, as I’ve no idea what type of soldering they may have done in the past. What I can suggest is for you to research just how many VB systems RunnerPack and TheForce81 have fixed for this community. When it comes to 20 year old hardware, going with experience over chance seems like a smart bet to me.

You asked about Bound High!. Have you considered purchasing a FlashBoy+? With a FB+ you will be able to enjoy BH and all of the other prototype, hacks, translations, ROMs, and homebrew available for the VB. It is a great investment and a device every VB owner should not be without.

i had no idea pokemon-mini.net was your site, chris. i still want a mini and a flash kit, and it is because of that site.

pvb is a fun community and i really enjoy my vb. i’m happy to hear that it’s sticking around and getting an upgrade. there really is no better place to discuss the virtual boy.

i would still very much like to see doom 1 and 2 brought over to the virtual boy.

here is an example from doom2 m1e1

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