I wish I could dismiss this just as easily as you can. But being the optimist that I am when it comes to this subject, I just cannot get myself to do it.
I think I may have already said this before, but the biggest problem is the communication barrier. Well, it is the trifecta really. The communications barrier, mixed with the overseas / long distance barrier, mixed with the Japanese culture barrier. It just blends together to create this clusterfuck of an untenable situation. If this was some store here in the states, the game would have already been plugged in and tested at the store; if not by me personally, then by someone else here on these boards. And I mean 99% GUARANTEED on this. Here in America, money talks and bullshit walks. Nobody turns down big cash for 2 minutes of your time. And even failing that, (which is extremely doubtfull given the average game store owners and employees in the USA) plan B would then absolutely work no matter what, as in 100%, which would of course have been the "smash & grab" concept. That item would have a shelf life of a few hours in this country sitting in a glass case.
So unfortunately, all we have is what we have.
I now have a collection of 3 completely different pics of the game in the case at that store taken by different people over the course of the past year. The game has sat in the same position for all 3 pics. (in other words, nobody has even moved it, not even after hours or by employees to reorganize the other items in the case, etc.) what does that tell you? I don't know, you tell me? As for it "looking fake", guys, that never means anything. The cup of Christ was not some amazing jewel encrusted chalice or golden goblet. It was a freakin' carpenter's cup. Most, if not all protos for all systems that I have ever seen are almost always ugly ass sub standard looking items in horrible condition with type writer sticky labels or hand written notes, etc. Of course the art looks "hand drawn" or "photocopied" or crappy quality materials, etc. Whether fake or real, it would appear fake anyhow because of that. As far as whether the rom data on that cartridge is art of fighting or the actual real game, well nobody knows for 100% sure. Again, not yet anyway.
I agree, as the months have passed, it has become lost and forgotten and it has also become harder and harder to remain optimistic about this lead. But the reality of it is, nobody here has aggressively pursued this lead. And believe me when I tell you, THAT is when something happens. I cannot speak for others here, but for me it is just too far away, and it is not valuable enough to warrant the time & money to pursue it. Also the game itself is not "as exciting" as other missing titles in the catalog.
. I have mixed feelings about NCI.
