In this thread, let’s post pictures and information about cool hardware that was never available (or rarely available) to consumers. You know the type: devkits, Kiosks, Prototypes, etc. Even if it doesn’t cleanly fit these categories, by all means feel free to include it if it’s cool and/or obscure.
I’ll start us off with one of the most modern examples I could think of:
https://www.gamepur.com/files/images/2016/black-image-1.jpg
Pictured above, a final Switch devkit. Unlike most devkits, it’s nearly identical looking to a retail unit, with the only visual exception being that it has black joycons. I have no clue whether there are any other hardware differences, however. Most kits generally have beefed up specs compared to those at retail.
Here’s another one that I got to personally experience as a kid, although I can’t find an actual picture:
Nintendo Gateway system. Basically, for an hourly rate in some airlines, you could play a few SNES games in a small screen in the monitor embedded in the seat in front of you. On a long flight home during a family vacation, I got to play F-Zero, Kirby’s Dreamcourse, and SMW because my parents decided to pay the hourly rate (bless them). It was very novel at the time. Here’s what I think was probably the UI, but bear in mind I’m trying to remember something from 20 or so years ago:
https://snescentral.com/1/0/1/1019/nintendo_power_57_1.jpg
So, by all means, let’s fill this thread with other cool stuff. I’m looking forward to seeing what you all dig up.
