Bonkinator and other Treasures

[DragonmasterDan]

Wow, I'm surprised I didn't know about this! Though, the connections I had back then were near the end of TTI's days, & you said he didn't move to California, so, he probably didn't know their secretary Eun Lopez, who I got info from.  Plus I talked to one of the Shirley boys(of WD) back then as well & got some info, so, since it's been so long, I'm fuzzy on what they really told me....& what I dreamt of them telling me   I tried to get Vic Ireland to speak up over in the Sunsoft forums, but, he never answered any specific questions  

As for Zonk, the original working name I knew about was Bonk's Thunder Shooting(I think I remember them even calling it Bonk 3 at one point, with Bonk's Quest/RPC Genjin being called Bonk 4).  Good grief, I'd like to know if this guy has an eprom of The Riftwar Saga!  That's a game I've been trying to track down more info on for years!  I did have a friend, whose friends dad was working on some hack n' slash that never got released(the dude lived somewhere around Calabasas California).  My friend said it was pretty good.  Always wondered if that was Riftwar Saga.

On TV Sports Baseball, Game Dude down here in Southern Cali had a listing for it for years, which always made me wonder if they somehow at one time got ahold of an eprom!  As far as I ever heard, the game was done!  Not to mention they were supposed to be doing a TV Sports Collection on cd(not to mention TV Sports Boxing).  I have no idea if there supposed to be any enhancements(probably not).

Also, my friends dad(Art Huff) did the gfx for Ghost Manor, though, there's really nothing exciting about that.  Though, note that Arthur in the game is modeled after Art Huff.  He seemed to hate the Turbo from what I recall.

Oh, I've probably mentioned this before, but it seems like I recall Eun telling me that Robotech/Macross 2036 was done, but, there were bugs near the end, & they just plain ran out of money.  Ofcoarse, if that's true, I wonder what the final title would've been.  Seems unlikely they would've paid to use the Robotech name, I could be wrong though.

Yeah, it was called Bonks Thunder Shooting at the Summer 1992 CES when I went to the TTI booth. But they were advertising the contest to name the new Bonk and win a free package including a Duo and games.

[SignOfZeta]

Oh, I've probably mentioned this before, but it seems like I recall Eun telling me that Robotech/Macross 2036 was done, but, there were bugs near the end, & they just plain ran out of money.  Ofcoarse, if that's true, I wonder what the final title would've been.  Seems unlikely they would've paid to use the Robotech name, I could be wrong though.

I remember hearing that 2036 was done too. I think I heard it on the phone from a TTI/TZD guy at some point in time.

At the time Harmony Gold wasn't being such a huge pain in the ass like they are now, so it might have been possible. I think even of you call it "Macross" you stillhave to pay them (the rights-squatting money vampires) although not as much...maybe?

[henrycsc]

Wow Nat, I didn't know that.  He said that the EPROM is marked as such.  One big issue though - he said that is one of the ones that doesn't work.  Once he gets here he may need some expert advice on getting it working again.

He did say that these were given to him a while back from the widow of one of his former coworkers.  So it's possible that they are from after his tenure with NEC.  Given the late nature of some of the titles, they probably were some of the last that NEC America converted.

When he showed me the Bonkinator screen shot, I jokingly told him that an EPROM might be the only way to get a TV Sports game to have some value... I had no idea.....  Hopefully Aaron will get him approved here shortly and he can comment first hand on everything.
 

Hopefully he'll be here soon enough and we can ask him.  Dream Job, indeed.

He said that he also has EPROMS of New Adventure Island, Dead Moon, Order of the Griffon, and one called "TV Sports Baseball" (maybe the early name for World Class...)

No way. TV Sports Baseball was developed, but never released. It most certainly is not a working title for World Class.... If an actual copy of TV Sports Baseball were to come to light (ie, if what your friend says is accurate), that'd be just fantastic.

Just please, PLEASE make sure your buddy doesn't sell these things to Thibaut & friends. Those guys will make sure they never see the light of day again outside of their "trust circle."

[Sparky]

nice henry!!! final had time to read all this thread and a good read and hope more is to come

[ParanoiaDragon]

Wow, I'm surprised I didn't know about this! Though, the connections I had back then were near the end of TTI's days, & you said he didn't move to California, so, he probably didn't know their secretary Eun Lopez, who I got info from.  Plus I talked to one of the Shirley boys(of WD) back then as well & got some info, so, since it's been so long, I'm fuzzy on what they really told me....& what I dreamt of them telling me   I tried to get Vic Ireland to speak up over in the Sunsoft forums, but, he never answered any specific questions  

As for Zonk, the original working name I knew about was Bonk's Thunder Shooting(I think I remember them even calling it Bonk 3 at one point, with Bonk's Quest/RPC Genjin being called Bonk 4).  Good grief, I'd like to know if this guy has an eprom of The Riftwar Saga!  That's a game I've been trying to track down more info on for years!  I did have a friend, whose friends dad was working on some hack n' slash that never got released(the dude lived somewhere around Calabasas California).  My friend said it was pretty good.  Always wondered if that was Riftwar Saga.

On TV Sports Baseball, Game Dude down here in Southern Cali had a listing for it for years, which always made me wonder if they somehow at one time got ahold of an eprom!  As far as I ever heard, the game was done!  Not to mention they were supposed to be doing a TV Sports Collection on cd(not to mention TV Sports Boxing).  I have no idea if there supposed to be any enhancements(probably not).

Also, my friends dad(Art Huff) did the gfx for Ghost Manor, though, there's really nothing exciting about that.  Though, note that Arthur in the game is modeled after Art Huff.  He seemed to hate the Turbo from what I recall.

Oh, I've probably mentioned this before, but it seems like I recall Eun telling me that Robotech/Macross 2036 was done, but, there were bugs near the end, & they just plain ran out of money.  Ofcoarse, if that's true, I wonder what the final title would've been.  Seems unlikely they would've paid to use the Robotech name, I could be wrong though.

Yeah, it was called Bonks Thunder Shooting at the Summer 1992 CES when I went to the TTI booth. But they were advertising the contest to name the new Bonk and win a free package including a Duo and games.

I could be wrong, but I feel like I remember them having to choose between several people that came up with "Zonk", so maybe did some kind of random draw for them.  My entry I think was Chomp or Crunch or something like that, cuz of the teeth weapon.  I wish I had come up with Zonk!!

[blueraven]

Thanks again for all of your work on bringing this to everyone's attention!

Just please, PLEASE make sure your buddy doesn't sell these things to Thibaut & friends. Those guys will make sure they never see the light of day again outside of their "trust circle."

I couldn't agree more. Greed Circle is more like it.

[ParanoiaDragon]

Found this video with some early Turbo stuff at the 92' CES!

Bonk 3 with a Bonk 1 esque title screen, Bonk's Thunder Shooting, & guys in Bonk & Zonk suits!!

I hope Aaron approves this guy soon so we can see more of this kinda stuff!

91' CES, Bonk Bonk's a guy at 1:05

[shubibiman]

Just please, PLEASE make sure your buddy doesn't sell these things to Thibaut & friends. Those guys will make sure they never see the light of day again outside of their "trust circle."

BTW, who are those friends you're reffering to?

[nat]

That prick "Adol" and his alleged "twin," and anyone else involved in their l33t "trust circle."

[MotherGunner]

Wasn't Thibaut getting rid of all his shit now?

[shubibiman]

Not at all. All the games he's selling are extra copies.

[RoyVegas]

Wasn't Thibaut getting rid of all his shit now?

He bought a huge box of stuff from me when I sold mine, I wouldn't think so.

[henrycsc]

He's still awaiting approval to the site, but got another email today - he also has another non-working EPROM called "Spring Ninja".  Is this a working title for Ninja Spirit, or another fantastical story like the TV Sports Baseball?  I sent him the great vids that ParanoiaDragon posted!  Awesome stuffs!

[nat]

No idea... Never heard of Spring Ninja. Aaron told me he just approved a batch of accounts, so I'm curious why he hasn't been approved yet. Maybe he needs to try re-registering.

[TheClash603]

Found this video with some early Turbo stuff at the 92' CES!

Bonk 3 with a Bonk 1 esque title screen, Bonk's Thunder Shooting, & guys in Bonk & Zonk suits!!

I hope Aaron approves this guy soon so we can see more of this kinda stuff!

91' CES, Bonk Bonk's a guy at 1:05

That Zonk suit actually was pretty cool...  but what the hell is wrong with Bonk?  That looked terrible!  It looked like a bad costume of someone trying to be a Garbage Pail Kid from the movie.