There are 2 different prototypes. This one is a really early one with all the wrong insert. Buyer needs to be aware that the insert text are wrong on this one.

According to Pat, the first insert version on this first small batch was only coming from a brainstorm for what they wanted to implement in the game. So there is no prototype ROM to match those inserts. On this first version, the inserts were scratched on many prototypes (not this one) and a new text was applied and the clock million insert was cut out directly from the playfield mounted. That’s why this version of the playfield didn’t last long and was only use for a really small batch.

TZ Proto has more differences than the 3rd magnet:
Different cabinet shape (check the front door) ,3 more opto switchs, 2 time a 7 optos boards instead of one board, a different harness to be able to plug 2 flasher boards under the door, 2 more PCB for flashers...
At the end what I think is really interesting with this prototype is the major cost saving it had to overcome before production. I don’t think others pin suffered like the TZ with that many features removed.

What’s crazy also is they add the spiral plastic on early prototype, removed it for later prototype, put it back for the early sample and then removed it for good...
They did the same with the post, put it, removed it put it back... then let the operator the choice to add it or not...
This pinball history had a lot of different weired milestones which make it unique. It should have his own book story: hopefully one day someone will trace everything since there was so many changes on this pin.

Regarding the spiral insert. It used to be « gum ball ». The really first sample had it scratched with no text at all and then a spiral text was applied. No sample game never had the original insert without this scratch.

Regarding the lock it’s even more complicated. There are actually 4 version of colored TZ playfield:
1 was used for only the first prototype, one was used for the other prototypes AND the sample but with the Gumball insert scratched (unlike the prototypes). Then the production started and the third magnet holes was removed, but this version had the green lock insert. After few hundred of games, design team decided to make a last change and change the lock insert to orange.
That’s the only difference with the last 2 version of the playfield.

If you compare the first and last version (aside the wrong insert text...) you could notice that there are really few differences: mainly insert colors and the missing clock millions insert.

Here are a list of some other differences hard to notice with proto aside the first version of the clock and well known changes such as the inverted green white colors near the robot or else...:

-Leg elevator (first proto)
-Impossible to adjust the mini PF
-man glasses are not broken on PF
-front door are offset on the left
-ramp has different decals
-mini PF has no text at all on them
-plastic shapes are different (due to the presence of optos for instance or just changed in design)
- one of the cabinet PCB board is screwed on the left (on top right in production)
-red plastic on the bottom left
-different wiring harness with plugs for the flasher lamp boards. (Even different with the samples)
-the 3rd magnet was wired and working and same for the removed optos...
...

Honestly, I’m not a big fan of the 6 color clocks. I think it’s nice for history and nice to have it but, as stated, design team changed it for the commercial photo shoot at last minutes because it was not seen as something great in design. It’s my understanding.