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Showing posts with label prototype. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prototype. Show all posts

Sunday, December 9, 2012

The elusive "Orange" Controller (Updated with *NEW* information)

Rare Original XBOX 'Live' Translucent Orange Controller

I have been asked about this controller a couple of times now. Honestly I have no clue whats it is, where it came from, who made it or how one would obtain it etc..

There has been speculation that it was a prize for a contest but I can find absolutely no documentation as to which contest, when and where.

You can clearly see one in this persons (unknown) collection . (middle shelf, on the right).
Rare Original XBOX 'Live' Translucent Orange Controller
(Middle shelf, on the right, in between the hard drive and the prototype crystal controller.)

 Someone that lives in Redmond, Wshington was able to find all three of these in a local thrift store. Here we have a Duke prototype called the "Dakota", a Debug Kit and the ever so elusive orange controller.
Rare Original XBOX 'Live' Translucent Orange Controller

Some people claim that the orange controller was a match to this console. But to me, it looks like either a one-of-a-kind color swatch mock up actually made by Microsoft using a Crystal jewel, or a custom tinted crystal console made by a fan. The hue of orange doesn't seem to match in my eyes...
Update : Actually it was a custom production made from Xbox short run marketing test parts. So this was a one of a kind Xbox.

Other people were trying to say that the orange controller was the segway for the "Super Rare Red Controller"... which turned out to be a batch of custom made, 3rd party controller shells as debunked by members of the xbox-scene forums several years ago.
Rare Original XBOX 'Live' Translucent Orange Controller

Prototype "Test Market" Console

Original XBOX Prototype Console

Description:
(eBay, early 2012)
Microsoft Xbox Extremely Rare "Prototype" Test Market Black Console!

WORKING!!
NO REGISTRATION WITH FCC OR ANYTHING NOTED.
WORKS REGULAR DISC BUT WITH EXTRA GOODIES ON IT, ANIMATED TEST SCREENS SHOWING COMPUTER GRAPHICS, IE...GOLF BALLS BEING HIT ROLLING & BOUNCING, DOLPHINS SWIMMING, ETC. MORE!

Original XBOX Prototype Console

Original XBOX Prototype Console



I'm sorry but this guy must have been a fan of the late great Billy Mays... (caps lock kills my face..)

From what I gather this is not a prototype console, its an early prototype Development Kit! They describe this console to display "dolphins swimming". That describes the Dev Kit to the teeth but without the Raptor interface card installed.

This could be the genuine real deal. If it is, then it's missing the tell-tale holographic reflective jewel that's consistent with early "Prototype Crystal Dev Kits" seen HERE.

I am willing to put my money on the fact that it could also be a hoax. A clever h@x0r may have dumped the bios from a Dev Kit, flashed the TSOP of a standard issue console and slapped home made "Prototype" stickers on it to better their chances of a legit  eBay sale.

Even though the seller claims that it has "extra goodies" and displays characteristics of an official Dev Kit, it can be easily duplicated.

Prove me wrong...

Prototype Duke Controller (no jewel)


Original Xbox Mexican Prototype DUKE controller

Original Description: (Italian)
Prototipo Joypad Xbox

Prototipo del primo modello di controller per microsoft xbox soprannominato Duke.
Tra le varie differenze, un ingresso supplementare nella parte inferiore.


Translated Description: (English)
Prototype Xbox Joypad

Prototype of the first model controller for microsoft xbox nicknamed Duke.
Among the various differences, an additional inlet at the bottom.



Since this is the only photo of this particular prototype I can not comment on the alleged "inlet" or "port" on the bottom of the controller. If this is in fact an actual prototype and not a classic Italian knock-off, it's a semi-early to mid design prototype. The buttons are not colored and there is a sever lack of a jewel.

An early, and I mean EARLY prototype controller can be seen HERE sitting in front of the Alpha II.

Later prototype "Duke" controllers can be found HERE.

If you have any other information on the alleged "Italian Duke" Prototype Controller, please use the "Contact" page above and drop me a line.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Japanese S-Type Controller

Classic Style Japanese XBOX S-Type Controller 

DESCRIPTION:
We all know that when the original Xbox was released, it had huge controllers, sometimes referred to as "The Duke", or "The Potato". Microsoft released smaller controllers for the initial Japanese release of the xbox. Eventually these made their way to the US as the Xbox S Controller. What we have here is the Japanese controller that was issued prior to the release of the S controller in the US! So, it's very rare in the States and completely compatible with the NTSC Xbox console!

FEATURES & DIFFERENCES:
- These controllers are the exact same size as their American counterparts.
- As stated above, they are completely compatible with NTSC systems (it is unknown, at this time, whether they are compatible with PAL systems).
- The controller "Badge", or "Jewel",  is green and features the word "XBOX" rather than the american version which featured a black jewel with the "X" logo above the word "XBOX".
- The buttons appear to be "more clear" than their American counterparts. They are the same color but the white backing insert is significantly more shallow and further away from the actual letter (A, B, X Y).
- The cord, also, seems to be a lighter green hue, rather than their darker green or black American counterparts.

The back of the packaging.

Classic Style Japanese XBOX S-Type Controller
Close up of an "un-boxed" Japanese S-Type controller. 


Classic Style Japanese XBOX S-Type Controller
 A Japanese first issue S-Type controller in the real world. It looks to me like the owner of this controller has modified it to be used on a PC and still be compatible for use with a console.

This is a comparison with eh "Duke" and a Japanese S-Type controller.

VARIANTS:
It has been widely speculated there was a gray version of the Japanese S-Type controller. Not much information about this "speculated" controller exists today. However, I was able to dig up, once-and-for-all proof that they do, in fact, exist. There is no information as to how many were produced, or if they were issued with any particular console. I can only assume that they were sold separately as an accessory.

A loose gray version of the Japanese S-Type controller.

A packaged version of the "speculated" gray Japanese S-Type controller, proving that they do in face exist as an actual product of Microsoft, rather than a custom painted controller.

 



Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Xbox Armour Prototype!

Developed in CAD & prototyped XBOX "Game Armour". Designed to protect XBOX gaming console in an extremely portable package.

Please refer to THIS SITE for more information.