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Permanently renewing cartridge slot pins, never blow again!
Posted on April 15th, 2012 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
Last week I finally went about modding my NES to play imports. You can find the details on the web fairly easily, all you have to do is flip pin 4 on the region lockout chip. I also did the solder to pin 11 (gnd) for safety.
While I was at it, I was going to replace my cartridge slot assembly. My NES is at the point where even after multiple slot cleanings and cart cleanings, you still have to play the reset game for about 3 minutes to get any cart to play.
I had picked up a replacement cartslot a while back and it’s just a slide-on piece, no soldering required. But while reading up on the mod, I also read about using a pin to bend the cart pins back up to improve contact and fix the cart playing issues.
I tried that. At one point I accidentally inverted one of the pins but luckily managed to get it back together correctly. If you’re not careful it’s an easy way to brick your current cart slot.
Well, it didn’t work. Even after even more cleanings, it still requires 3 minutes of powercycle and cart shuffling to get anything to play (though my region-mod did worked, and I can now play those codemasters games).
The codemasters and other 3rd party games, even though they have that A/B switch on the back that’s supposed to make it work with any NES, it would NEVER work with my particular model of NES. But now it works.
But I still wanted to fix the cart playing issues. I finally came up with another idea. I have this electrical contact cleaner that I got from Radio Shack a while back. It’s in a spray can like those computer airdusters. I use it to fix Atari paddle controllers. You just spray into the pot inside the controller and wiggle it around a while and poof it’s as good as new.
So I sprayed the electrical contact cleaner on my eliminator cart slot cleaner (you know the big pink cart with the rubber tab), and started making sweat love to my NES with it.
I did that a few times, and POOF the contacts are now clean as new, and it plays games first try easy now!
All those years of suffering are over. In fact I plan to try it all all my cartridge based systems. It’ll no longer be an expected requirement that I need to use the eliminator fluid and felt stick on every game before I play it anymore!
Jeux Video
Posted on March 17th, 2012 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
I was in Paris recently on business and stopped at a used video game store I saw while driving downtown.
It was called “Jeux Video” but I think that’s some generic term for used video game stores.
It turned out there were three used video game stores within a couple blocks on the same street. Of course I had to look since it’s fun, but figured I wasn’t going to be buying any PAL games anyway. But I was surprised to see that all three had a selection of import Japanese games, which I do collect. And on top of that, one of them had a large selection, as well as just a flat out amazing museum-quality exhibit of gaming retroness!
Road Rash Sega CD Blue Screen of Death
Posted on February 2nd, 2012 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
LOL I couldn’t believe it when it happened. I booted up Road Rash for the Sega CD and got a blue screen of death!
It was just a blue screen with the word “placeholder”.
Well it didn’t take too long of tinkering to figure out it was a backup ram issue. I deleted some files and it booted fine. I surfed the web and apparently it’s a well known design flaw. The game won’t boot unless you have sufficient free space in your backup ram. Luckily I have a back-up ram cart.
SNES Pocky & Rocky Sprite Issues over S-Video
Posted on December 14th, 2011 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
I just got Pocky & Rocky for the SNES. The character sprites where all weird, cropped, moved, compressed.
I tried everything, but eventually tracked it down to the use of an s-video cable.
Now the weird thing is that I had tried to rule that out by using an old fashioned NES style RF adapter. But it turns out that as long as the s-video cable end of the a/v adapter is plugged in to something, even if you are actually viewing the video over the RF port instead, the sprites in the game are messed up!
What in the world could cause that?
So in order to play I just have to unplug the s-video end from the av cable, to make sure only the composite video end is connected.
Super Fantasy Zone Megadrive
Posted on December 12th, 2011 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
I just got super fantasy zone for the megadrive to complete my genesis collection. My genesis/segacd/32x want list is all checked off now! (not a *complete* collection, just everything I want).
Anyway, just some interesting things. As usually I popped it in first without throwing my region switch just to see what happens (game genie for physical connection), and the game has no problem running. I think I’ve only actually encountered one or two imports that actually require the switch. But while watching the intro, I realized it was all in english!
So for run, I restarted the game, this time with the japan switch thrown, and sure enough, now all the story text was in japanese.
It seems very clear to me that they did parallel development for world release of super fantasy zone. The game was basically ready to release for US (barring some questionable translations, but nothing like zero wing). So I wonder why they didn’t? Especially since fantasy zone had been a fairly successful franchise on both the Master System and NES. I mean they released crap like last battle and shaq-fu and x-perts and time killers and sword of sodan.
Even with the genesis ruling the scene for a time, I just think of how much better it would have fared if some of the more late-era japanese games that pushed the genesis to its limit had been released stateside. The genesis was already known as THE system for shooters. Truxton, thunderforce, lightningforce, hellfire, m.u.s.h.a. I see no reason why gleylancer, eliminate down, super fantasy zone, and panorama cotton (with a standard issue sprite swap to turn it into a sonic-themed game or something just so the US gamers would buy it) never made it. I’d think throwing some of the DBZ fighting games over would have gone over well as well. I mean those DBZ fighting games have been on an endless streak since the playstation. The genesis could have owned that as well.
(FYI, I know super fantasy zone got a european release, so they did get use of the english mode. But still it was ready for US release).
Arcade Original or the Port
Posted on September 9th, 2011 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
Typically video games (in the past anyway) started out as an arcade game, and were later ported to multiple consoles. At the time, consoles were vastly inferior to arcade machines, and thus ports ranged from inferior to terrible. Eventually as consoles got more powerful, “arcade perfect” ports were possible. Later, “original” modes were spawned, where they would actually improve upon the arcade, or fix known issues.
It seems to be the general consensus that the arcade version is always superior. But I don’t know if I always agree.
How much is based on nostalgia? And it goes both ways. If you played the arcade first, the port will never be exactly the same, so you’ll always deride it. But if you played the console port first, you don’t have that preconception.
I never played arcades. I used to go to Chuck-E-Cheeze Circus Circus all the time, but I always played skee bowl, and rode in a helicopter or truck that went up and down. I always thought it was absurd to pay 25c to 1$ per play when I could play all I wanted for free at home (and most of my games came from garage sales for <5$). The only time I played an arcade game was if it had some cool gimmic you couldn’t do at home, like a moving chair or some other interactive environment (like Galaxy Force, and there was some afterburner-like game were you actually moved the whole thing around 360 degrees to aim).
Oh, and I loved the ball pits! Funnest thing ever when you are 5. But now that I think about what was probably down there I’m not sure I’d do it again. But it was damn fun in my ignorant youth.
So I had an atari 2600, and my first experience with games like millipede, moon patrol, joust, mario bros., etc. was on that. And those were my favorite games for the system. To me, the arcade perfect ports look better, sound better, but the simply don’t “play” right. The simpler control and patterns on the atari ports just created a lot more replay value. I remember practicing joust constantly to learn where to start each round to get instant kills. For instance, you can time falling off the top ledge just right to get two instant egg hits in the bonus round. Or knock out the first two birds right as they fly into view. The best was if you stood at the right place on the ledge, when the ledge disappears as the next level begins you’ll fall and hit a bird.
On the other hand, some games, even playing the port first, I much preferred the arcade version afterwards. For instance, the 32X arcade versions of afterburner and space harrier are far better to me, even though I played the NES and SMS versions first.
And then there’s original modes. Typically when there is an original mode in conjunction with an arcade mode, well actually typically I’m not savvy enough to notice the minute details (like changes in a fighting game engine), but for the more obvious once I prefer the original, as it usually adds extra stages, ships, or makes things easier.
Speaking of which, one thing that makes port better than arcade usually is the difficulty. Arcade games are designed to eat quarters. Not to be beaten in under 3 continues. I much prefer a more sane level of difficulty. Dying every 3 seconds isn’t quite my idea of fun. Usually ports are easier, or give unlimited continues. Some people actually complain and say that spoils it, but I much prefer it that way.
Sonic Games Ranked List
Posted on September 6th, 2011 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
Maybe this has been done a gazillion times. But thought it might be fun to list out all the sonic games and rank them top to bottom.
I’m going to discard all fake sonic games (games that are only “sonic” to take advantage of the brand, not to be an actual sonic game, like sonic tennis or sonic kart racing or something).
1. Sonic 1 (Genesis)
- I know everyone says Sonic 2 is the best, and maybe it is, but there’s just something magical about the first one, the more simple, methodical gameplay.
2. Sonic 3 (Genesis)
3. Sonic 2 (Genesis)
- So I’m going to buck the system and not put sonic 2 first for a change. It’s not worth starting a topic to repeat what everyone else does.
4. Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast)
- I like what the did for 3D sonic in the dreamcast games
5. Sonic and knuckles (Genesis)
6. Sonic CD (Sega CD)
- I’m also miss putting this in the top 5, though some say it is the best sonic game of all time. It is good, good music and colorful. But something about how the levels are just a bit shorter horizontally. They did that to compensate for having to go through the whole level 3 times (present, past, future), but in the end it makes the levels seem a bit small. And the forces repeating of the same parts of the level 3 times (for good ending) is a bit annoying at times. I will admit to being a huge sega CD fan, favorite console.
7. Sonic Advance 3 (GBA)
8. Sonic Advance 2 (GBA)
9. Sonic Advance (GBA)
10. Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast)
10. Sonic Triple Trouble (Game Gear)
11. Sonic Chaos (Game Gear/SMS)
12. Knuckles Chaotix (32X)
13. Sonic 2 (Game Gear/SMS)
14. Sonic 1 (Game Gear/SMS)
15. Sonic 3D Blast (Genesis/Saturn)
Now I haven’t played the PS2 afterwards sonics yet (Heroes, Rush, sonic 4, shadow, etc) so I’m hoping others can advice me where to insert them into the list.
New duo-consoles good for sega or bad?
Posted on September 4th, 2011 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
What impact does the proliferation of those new aftermarket multi-console systems have on retro sega gaming?
There’s a couple of different perspectives. One is for spreading the games. The other is for the used market.
Clearly the more people who have systems to play the games, the more people will experience the old sega games. Bundling the NES/SNES/Genesis on one console can help, because some people just remember the SNES as their favorite, and this piggy-backs the genesis onto their console, so they might then pick up some of those games and see firsthand that the genesis was in fact far superior to the SNES in terms of capabilities and games.
If it convinces people to buy more games, or they need to buy any games for a new console, that helps the secondary used market for games. As you know I vend used video games a bit. I can’t say I specifically have ever made a sale of a game I know went to someone who had one of these new duo/triple systems. I’m not really sure I know anyone who’s bought one.
I would expect that at the minimum it would hurt console system sales. Since it’s cheaper (50$) to get three consoles in one than to buy them all separate. Plus only one power supply instead of three wall bricks. Plus the pins are probably better so you don’t have to clean it all every time you play a game.
But in fact I’ve sold 2 genesis systems this summer at flea markets already, which is actually a lot as far as genesis is concerned (and consider I’m a small player, and only have like 4 in stock for the year).
I personally kind of don’t like them, just because I think people should buy the “real thing” and not a knock off. But at the same time, I think if it gets someone to play Sonic who might not have otherwise played sonic, we all win.
Street Fighter III Third Strike
Posted on September 1st, 2011 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
See I had SF3TS on my dreamcast want list for a while. But the DC version goes for like 60 dollars. But They released that SF anniversary pack on the PS2 with SF2Turbo and SF3TS and I picked it up for 15 dollars.
Now I’m going to admit, I have never been a fan of Street Fighter. Ever since the dawn of fighting games, I remember playing it at a friends house and never being impressed. Mortal Kombat on the other hand was an instant hit. Fatal fury wasn’t too bad. But never quite got street fighter.
Yet it is “universally” considered the best fighting game of all time, the whole line. All other fighting games are measured up to it and never achieve it’s level. Who decides this bull?
Anyway, SF3 looked pretty good on youtube videos and reviews so I wanted to give it a shot. I actually had found ST3 double impact at a thrift store for a dollar before. But I didn’t play it too much since I intend to find third strike to devote my time to.
Well, my first impression is that I don’t really like the art. The character art style just doesn’t jive with me. I like my anime to look like ranma or sailor moon. Fatal Fury has good character designs. But all the girls in SF are not attractive at all. That’s half the pleasure of fighting games is monster vs. eyecandy.
Now there were a couple monster things in this game as well. I don’t know what place they have in the street fighter universe. I don’t remember either van damme or jackie chan fighting these guys. But they turned out to be my favorite, and had good animations to go with them.
But I was shocked at how small the moves list was. Some only had 3 special moves. What is this, 1993? They have some bonus moves but they only work if you have a full power guage, and you have to get beat up for your power gauge to increase (huh?).
And then my biggest beaf with all street fighter games (except alpha). They are VERY unforgiving in button sequence. You have to be damn fast (faster than PoS2 controllers can do! Luckily I have some arcade pads) and perfect. No slop at all. And what you think is fast, that still isn’t fast enough! You got 0.5 seconds to roll the thing 8 times and land at exactly 325 degrees and then hit ABXBXABBXSY. They are too hard to pull off easily during a match. I get killed while trying unsuccessfully to pull off the moves over and over again. And how do I get killed? Because the computer opponent is throwing some fireball at me continuously for the entire round.
And the moves in general aren’t very exciting. For the amount of blood, sweat, and motherloving beer it took to pull of all three special moves, they were unimpressive and did little damage.
Before that I played Soul Calibur II and III I just picked up, and I actually liked both of those quite a bit. I played them side-by-side assuming I’d just keep the better, but they were both different enough and good I think I’ll keep them both. And Soul Calibur DC. And Soul Blade PS.
Interestingly enough, I do love fighters, play them a lot, but for some reason always suck.
There have been a few fighting games in the past I’ve devoted considerably time into. And even after mastering a character and beating the game, my friend can come over with little experience and still kick my ass. I’m just missing something.
But since I do love fighters, I own very very many of them for many systems. In the past I could devote myself to one. But now when I actually get a chance to play, it’ll put in an hour with a friend to one game. And next time it will be another game. So it’s really necessary that the game is relatively pick-up easy.
Now I’m not a button masher. By pick up I don’t mean just craming buttons and cheezing the fireball. I print out the special moves lists and we run through a few practice rounds with a character to learn the special moves and try to pull off some of the super-special attacks or fatalities, and then move to another character once we’ve seen all the moves. And I’m tired of getting my butt wasted. I always pick the cute girl and he picks the giant behemonth and then I complain about losing.
But if we play a game and run through a dozen characters and can’t pull off more than 25% of the moves, we figure something is wrong.
Now sometimes it is the controller. For instance stock PoS controllers suck in all regards. And I’ve had some 3rd party d-pad controllers for normal systems that somehow are incapable of registering directions right for special moves. I’ve had some amazing times where just switching a controller makes the difference between special moves being easy and impossible.
Some games won’t play on certain Dreamcasts
Posted on August 2nd, 2011 by JMT.
Categories: Articles.
I acquired a homebrew game, but was having difficulties because it just wouldn’t play on my dreamcast.
I tried everything. Multiple power cycles, cleaning, disc swapping, using a game enhancer disc. I even made a CDR copy of it on my computer and it wouldn’t play.
But the system plays all other games fine, including other CD-Rs.
I grabbed one of my dreamcasts from my sale bin and tried it out on there, and sure enough it worked fine.
The assumption is that the laser is just getting touchy on my other dreamcast. But how can it be touchy such that it is so distinctly picky with what it plays or not? What gets me is that if it was just having trouble reading CD-Rs, why did it read other CD-Rs just fine? And if it was a problem with the specific pressing or quality, why did it still refuse to read a copy of the CD-R? The copy was on high quality media, no bit errors from the computer copy.
It seems more like there is something about the content of the disc, and not the actual quality.
Is it possible for a particular boot system to not work on certain revisions of the dreamcast? I know these homebrews use these boot systems which are exploits of some dreamcast hole. Did they clean up these holes in later models? Or maybe they didn’t exist in earlier models?