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Main => Consoles => Topic started by: Howard_Casto on January 09, 2016, 11:23:13 pm

Title: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 09, 2016, 11:23:13 pm
So some vendors are starting to get in nes multicarts and apparently they don't suck.

It used to be they only sold famicom multi carts... that you would need to buy a 30 dollar adaptor to play.  That made them so costly that it kind of defeated the purpose... you were getting in the price range where it's just cheaper to buy a flash cart.  Now they are starting to do NES versions.

Found one that has all the rock mans (mega man), all the Marios, a few rare games, Castlevania, ect...  There aren't any repeats to my knowledge... it's legitimately 150 games.  It's only 16 bucks as well.  That's 74 dollars cheaper than the cheapest nes flash cart!

There are other ones as well, 198 in 1, 400 in 1, ect. but a lot of those have repeats... the 400 in 1 counts all it's hacks (for cheat codes) as games.  If you want to just try them all I believe there is a combo set where you can buy all 4 of the ones currently available for under 60 dollars.

Some of the auctions show pics of what is inside the shells.... it's the original famicom versions with a 72 pin adaptor stuck on the end.  So free adaptor for imports... bonus!  This also means you can buy multi-carts and bootlegs of famicom games, which are often much cheaper than their nes counterparts.

There are a few issues commonly associated with these carts... some of the Nintendo games have had their title screens altered to avoid copyright, some of the games are inexplicably the EU versions, ect.... For the price though it's pretty good from what I've been told.

I'm interested in hacking these but I'm unsure where to start.  Apparently people have examined the games and even though there are repeats, the 400 in 1 legitimately has room for 400 games.  It's be nice to load proper, unmutilated roms onto a couple of these.   The chips appear to be surface mount, which makes me think they would have to be programmed after they are installed by a serial connection.  Maybe there are pins on the pcb?

So anyway I was just curious if you guys are interested in them, or if you've bought any in the past, ect.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on January 10, 2016, 04:03:40 am
I haven't tried one but that was a good read. It would be interesting if you could hack it with a programmer or something and pick which particular rom you want to load on it rather than being stuck with the pre sets. Like make it into a cart with just homebrew titles or your favorites list.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 10, 2016, 04:47:29 am
Yeah.  There's a bootlegs wiki on the net (not sure if I can link to it) and it goes into as much detail as possible in regards to the carts and their game lists and tech. 

I think the largest one ever made is only around 32mb, but that's a fifth of the NES library right there.  If you made a list of games that you like, I doubt it'd be much bigger than that.  What interests me is the fact that these multi-carts use solid state proms to store that games.  Not only is it much cheaper, but since that's that same type of storage real nes carts used, there isn't any of this dumping a rom from a sd card to prom nonsense.  So no waiting. 

I'm waiting for my xmas bills to come in so they can be taken care of, and then I'm going to order one and immediately rip it apart.  ;)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on January 10, 2016, 07:08:35 am
keep us posted. I'm interested in seeing what you can find. hopefully there isn't. a lot of tiny desoldering involved. I wish it could be as simple as dumping a chip on a programmer. I don't really what goes into programming a nes game on a cart, but they get them on there somehow right?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 11, 2016, 11:48:57 pm
Well they are really tiny chips, but obviously they had to be programmed somehow.  I'm hoping it's post-assembly.  There's one particular 150 in 1 variant I'm really interested in.  It allows for a full-color thumbnail of each game, which if you've ever used a text only game list, REALLY helps. 

I figure even if I manage to hack one, it's going to be really crude... like having to replace games with ones of the same size, ect.  That shouldn't be an issue though because some of the larger games are already on these carts. 

I'm also curious about expanding the audio.  Like I said, these carts are famicom with an adaptor, so the extra pins can be exposed and exploited.  I know the castlevania games have the extra audio processor right on the cart and you can just tap the pin and mix it in via standard rca connectors.  I'm fairly confident in at least pulling that off. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on January 12, 2016, 12:18:18 am
if there is a size limit like what you are talking about, where it needs to be the same size. you might be able to pull this off with dummy files. I mean that's what they do with some of the console iso when they have to be the full dvd size.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 12, 2016, 01:14:45 pm
It shouldn't be an issue.  In general at least all nes games were the same size, until a better chip came out and then the max size was upped ect.....  The game logic doesn't care if extra bits contain garbage, or anything really. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 13, 2016, 04:43:01 am
Just an update/clarification.  Even though there are pics of these with a pin adaptor in place, apparently that was older versions of the multicarts with crappier gamelists.  The newest version with the rock mans most likely doesn't come with an adaptor. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on January 13, 2016, 11:08:08 am
Bust out the credit card, Howard.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 14, 2016, 12:46:20 am
I had to get some stuff squared away first, but I ordered one just a few min ago.  I've noticed a few of the carts have a note in their description where they will fill custom orders with custom gamelists for bulk orders.  If hacking doesn't pan out, perhaps we could get them to make a blank cart with means for us to burn our own roms?

Btw off topic, but in regards to that other stuff I had to get squared away..... if you have an amazon store card (not a visa, the store card) I suggest you cancel that pos right now. 

[rant]
I signed up for it a year ago just to get a gift card and I finally decided to use it to separate some gifts for xmas (I'm the computer guy in the family so apparently I have to order everyone elses' stuff).  I went to check the card and it wouldn't let me log in.  Well it turns out the card wasn't activated... and yet it allowed me to charge around 200 bucks on it.  So I activated it, signed in and there wasn't a way to set a payment date...... Turns out you have to link with a bank account to pay it manually and if you want to send in a check, you have to write the company by hand and send in a check.  I finally found an option to send me a statement.... it never came....They send me an email today saying that they can't send me a statement because there isn't a balance.  Not true.... if I sign in I can clearly see the balance yet for due date and amount due it says "none n/a".  There's no way to contact them either other than writing a letter....in 2016.  Turns out they are trying to get me to NOT pay the balance because it's one of those deals where it's no interest for 12 months but if you don't pay the balance in full within that 12 months you have to pay a years worth of interest at a rate of 26 percent.  So I gave up and paid the balance via a check routing number.  I'm going to cancel the card next month.  I mean maybe I'm just too dumb to understand but it seemed extremely shadie compared to my chase amazon card which I can't say enough good things about.  [/rant]
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on January 18, 2016, 01:29:55 am
I'd be very interested with a multi-cart at a great price with a great selection of games !
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 18, 2016, 04:47:26 pm
Well with any luck mine will arrive by spring.  It's the only bad thing about ordering stuff from China. 

I've been researching them online in the meantime and I think getting the manufacturers to make us a custom cart might be the best bet.  It's not that I think it's impossible to hack them, it's just those traces look awfully small in the pictures.  Maybe we could do a kickstarter or something. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on January 21, 2016, 07:11:01 am
This sounds like fun. Keep us posted.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 21, 2016, 06:37:36 pm
Well I've been reading up on the concept of a nes multicart and it's rather fascinating.  It might be a bit above my pay grade, I could certainly use help on a few areas, but I don't think it would be that hard to make a custom one. 

The menu itself is the hardest thing, you've basically got to make a nes game, only it's just a menu.  There are a few open source examples floating around the interwebs though. 

Basically for the games themselves you split the rom into the program rom and graphic rom and add them, in order to rather large memory chips that are big enough to hold multiple carts.  You put the graphics and logic for the menu in the first slot.  The menu will do a soft reset and boot the selected rom, which reads relative memory positions instead of absolute ones, so the game thinks it's a regular cart. 

The only issue is the memory mapper chips (MMCs).  They are proprietary Nintendo chips and while you can mimic their function via a field programmable gate array (FPGA), you are beginning to blur the line between playing the game on a real NES and simulating components.  Also most multi-carts only support games that run on one particular MMC, or similar MMCs for that very reason.    There are lots of advantages though, namely cost and load time.  A multi-cart game loads instantly.... no need to dump it from a sd onto a chip.  Sure you can't fit a full library on a multi-cart, but they are so cheap you can buy 5 for the going rate of a flash cart with a case, which allows 800+ games.  So it's about the same difference if you are going for a full set. 

I'm just spit-balling here, maybe nothing will come from it, but I'm willing to explore our options as I'm not super fond of some of these flash carts.  They get the job done mind you, but a non-graphical list is kind of archaic. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 29, 2016, 03:56:12 pm
So my cart finally came in.  I haven't tried it yet but I have taken it apart (yeah I'm weird, I know).  The build quality is rather impressive considering the low cost.  I inspected the board and there are some exposed traces but most of them I've already identified as those solder-point dip switches found on nes carts.... like the horizontal/vertical rom ordering dip, ect.....  I'll keep at it. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on January 29, 2016, 04:04:21 pm
Pull the potato out of your pocket and snap a few pics.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 29, 2016, 09:23:28 pm
I'm really bad at taking pics of pcbs, but I'll try here in a minute. 

So I tried the cart..... the first thing that becomes apparent is that I need a better upscaler.... my eyes are toast. 

The games all work fine though and the list is rather impressive.  Sure there are some oddball ones missing like the zeldas, punch out, kid Icarus and Metroid, but for the most part this is a list of all the best games on the system.  One oddity is that all of the river city ransom games are on there, by that I mean all those games that use the character sprites based on that manga.  Mind you most of them are good, but they aren't particularly popular here in the west and it takes up like 10-15 slots.  The little thumbnail system works pretty well... it looks like they allocated 4 sprites and 4 background tiles per game to make up a preview image, which is small, but it's enough in most cases.  I obviously haven't tried them all, but I tried some of the ones that would be likely to give issue.  Bayou Billy's wavy title screen still works.  The only two that I noticed having issues were oddly enough SMB 2 and SMB 3.  2 Plays it's music too fast.  I think it's the pal rom and with these carts pressing reset a few times often puts the game in pal mode.  SMB 3 doesn't have a title at the title screen.  I'm pretty sure every US household was issued a copy of smb 1-3 though, so no big deal. 

The boards look very similar to a small website that makes repro carts, so I'll throw some pics up and maybe we can figure out what is going on. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 30, 2016, 04:47:47 pm
Well I tried for about a half an hour on a couple of cameras and I couldn't get a good pic.  I'd just scan it with my scanner, but there are sharp parts and I don't want scratches on the glass.  Anyway I'll try my best. 

The first pic is just so we are all on the same page in regards to what multicart I'm talking about.  I was actually surprised at the quality of the shell.  Aside from the red color it's identical to the official nes ones.  It even has the benzene warning on the back. 

The next two pics are the front and back respectively.  As you can see there are many contact points on both sides.... some are obviously for extra chips, some are dip switches and others... well I don't know. 

Since the pics aren't real great I'll take an afternoon and write the chip names on all the pics as well as any other text I can find. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 30, 2016, 06:21:30 pm
Ok on the battery side the chip says:

HSRM20255LM10
F31M 271
Japan

The text in the upper left corner says "Pocket games" which seems to be the brand name of these boards.

As you can see there is what looks like a place to connect a chip as well as a few dip points.  The one on the right hand side of the battery is closed.  The one next to the chip looks like a solid blob in my cruddy pic, but it's actually 3, and the top two are closed together.  It's labeled "j8". 

---------------------------------------
The back of the pcb:

It says UNION at the top... it appears to be the pcb manufacturer.  The serial on the upper right reads: SMD157D-72  (72 most likely stands for 72 pin as there is a famicom version of this cart).  The large white text in the lower right says SMD151212. 

On the top left hand side there are solder points for what looks like a diode, a dip and another diode respectively labeled D1 R1 and D2.  Since it's labeled R1 maybe the dip is actually a spot for a resistor?

There is a blank spot for a chip on the left labeled  U6 and a chip labeled U9 below it. 

The large chip to the left is labeled U3 and reads:
MXIC 81325
29GL256EHMC-90Q
3P060800
TAIWAN

The square chip in the center is labeled U1 and reads:

SMD132
2015.11.18

 The solder pads (for a dip) to the left of that chip are labeled 5/6K.  The one below and to the right is labeled H/V (the rom order dip).  The rest of the dip pads on this side of the pcb are unlabeled.

As for the rest of the chips on this side, they are frikkin small and I'm an old man so cut me some slack.  Once I find my magnifying glass I'll add them. 






Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on February 02, 2016, 02:16:41 am
Well I knew it was a good idea to look at the inside of the cart before I started playing.  I've spent all day playing Little Samson.  That game is surprisingly good considering it's rarity (a rare nes game usually equates to a crappy nes game). 

So anyway, after looking over the cart, the traces are just too darn small to even think of replacing the chips, ect.  I'm thinking that the best route might be to contact the manufacturer directly and see about getting a blank cart made that we can program with an Arduino or something.  I know the language barrier is going to make that hard though. 

Anybody want to help me out phrasing a message?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on February 02, 2016, 12:49:11 pm
I had been really hoping this thing would have USB headers on the board. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on February 02, 2016, 02:54:32 pm
Well there are some contact points on the back, but without a spec sheet I'm not exactly sure how I could figure out their function. 

They offer to make custom runs so I've got to think that there is a way to program them. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on February 07, 2016, 11:15:54 am
Hey Howard,

as is, just ordering that cart online, you think it's worth it ?
I'm really craving retro game play as of late and wanted to go out today and pick up a RetroN1 ($30 locally).
I was hoping a cart like this would work.

Thanks
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on February 07, 2016, 12:43:23 pm
For 15 bucks... sure it's worth it.  Just keep one thing in mind.  The games it seems to give top billing, the Rockman games, are in Japanese.  So if you want to read the dialog in the games (not much of it) you are SOL.   There doesn't seem to be any rhyme nor reason as to which ones are Japanese either, although most have English text. 

Oh something I ran across last night.... the most horrible port of Altered Beast is included in the cart.  Gameplay wise it's pretty perfect, but there is next to no sound and the sprites are so small that only the top half of the screen is used.  It looks like ports of Toki and possibly Bonk are on there as well.  I haven't had time to try them all. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on February 07, 2016, 10:36:36 pm
$15 ? WOW !

I saw these for $60 or so, I gotta find your source!
I'm in Canada, so it will be a little more, but from $15 to $60 is a HUGE leap.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on March 03, 2016, 10:23:40 pm
I also noticed they're selling single game cartridges for $20.  Pcb looks almost identical to yours...

 :dunno
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on March 10, 2016, 02:02:26 pm
I placed my order, I'm excited for this to come in.
Should be any day now I suspect.
Looking forward to having some retro fun.

Its motivated me to source out other multicarts or EverDrive type devices.

Super excited ! Thanks again Howard
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on April 11, 2016, 01:15:53 pm

This mult-cart FINALLY came in on Friday.
I've been too busy to pop it into the Retron.
(yep, for simplicity I went out and bought one!) 
This week I hope to partake in some 8 bit goodness. 

I'd actually like to build a collection and get a few of these, I'm sure I'll get a ton of repeat games, but for the price they can't be beat.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: fahlim003 on April 12, 2016, 12:37:17 pm
Just joined to add my experience.

I recently bought a Mega Man 6 in 1 multi-cart and had a chance to test it today.

The circuit is the SMD157D-72 with the UNION label obverse Pocket Games reverse.

Everything looks in good order and with that I tested it. First I ran it on a clone system, specifically the Tri-Star Super 8 piggy-back system that goes on a Super Nintendo. Notably, MM2, 3, & 6 all failed to work or locked up very early on. MM1 & 2 had sound issues and was rather garbled.

I then go to my original Toaster NES and the issues with MM2, 3, & 6 go away and everything runs/loads. However, the music in 1 & 2 still sounds poor and as such I opened the cart up to see if there are any issues. Everything looks clean and proper even upon close inspection so it may be the romset that was initially used, or the mapper set.

I've consulted with the seller and am awaiting to hear back and once I do I'll see if this is an isolated problem or a widespread issue.

[Vendorname and link removed per Rule 5 (http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html) -- Scott]
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 14, 2016, 02:44:40 pm
I had some issues with sound, but resetting it a few times made it go away.  You'll have to ask the vendor, but I believe resetting X number of times switches from ntsc to pal. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 15, 2016, 04:35:21 pm
So how soon until someone starts taking the single game PCBs and selling them on E-bay as originals?  Those hipsters will never know the difference.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 15, 2016, 07:54:50 pm
We are probably still a ways off on that.  They are selling these multi-carts for 15-20 bucks a pop and for the majority of the nes library, the originals don't cost that much.  I mean sure if you buy them on eBay or Amazon......
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on April 16, 2016, 03:18:02 pm
I saw some sellers selling custom individual games, you pick the game and the shell color and for $15/20 your set.
I actually sent a message to a couple sellers looking to get a custom ROM set.
I'd love Kid Icarus, Punch Out, Super Spike V-Ball, and 8 Eyes. I don't recall seeing those specific titles on any multicart.

If the price is good I'd simply review the entire US ROM set and make my selections. Even if I need to order 10 pcs I'd consider it.
Trying to sell the others locally via Kijiji, etc.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 16, 2016, 06:25:01 pm
Well what I mean is most of the expensive nes carts run on the same mapper on a very inexpensive game.  It's still cheaper to take a real game, desolder the chips and put in new ones. 

Also most of the high-end collectors know what they are looking for and won't even buy a cart without taking it apart first.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on April 17, 2016, 12:42:15 am
I wish the manufacturer would make a set. Carts 1 thru 4 (or more if needed) and simply split up the complete US library. To me that would be ideal. Outside of that I'm waiting on pricing for a custom cart.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 17, 2016, 03:00:08 am
I've been looking into that.  I think a lot of the reason is the fact that they haven't figured out all of the carts yet.  Do you wonder why Castlevania 3 isn't on the cart but 1 and 2 are?  It's because 3 uses a rather rare mapper and custom sound chip.  There are a sizeable chunk of games that do odd stuff like that, making it impossible to get them running on the hardware they are using now. 

I think they could do half the library though... maybe two thirds. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 17, 2016, 10:09:28 am
If I win the lottery I'm gonna buy every copy of Castlevania 3 and burn it so I never have to hear about it again.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on April 24, 2016, 02:31:13 pm
All in all I like this cart.
For the money you can not go wrong. (IMHO)
I'd actually like to get a few others to be honest, even if I got a ton of duplicate games if they offered 2 or 3 titles I wanted I would not be opposed. I looked into the 400-in-1 and was disappointed in the games list.

I went through the NES US releases and made a list of my favorites, sadly certain "gems" that I wanted were not included.

I'm not versed in the technical side of these, but I wonder why big titles like Punch-Out or Battletoads, Kid Icarus & Metal Gear are missing.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 24, 2016, 06:38:59 pm
It's probably a lot of reasons, but some of it probably has to do with different regions having different tastes.  Mike Tyson's Punch-out was made specifically for the west.  Even when it down-graded to regular Punch-Out I don't think it sold well in Asia.  Battletoads was a western property.  The pc engine was quite popular in Japan and the rest of Asia and the NES version of Metal Gear is actually a horribly butchered port.  I mean they even changed the story significantly.  As for some of the classics like Kid Icarus, Metroid and ect... I honestly don't know. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on April 24, 2016, 08:37:34 pm
Odd I guess!  ???

I still say I'd like to see a set of carts containing what they could of the complete US library.
I think that would be super cool.

I'm actually looking into getting some of the SD cart options. The Sega Genesis one is quite reasonable, the SNES & N64 substantially more.
Being in Canada with a weal dollar I'll wait a lil bit.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 24, 2016, 08:52:47 pm
Regional tastes and all those game specific custom chips...

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on April 24, 2016, 09:49:30 pm
Odd I guess!  ???

I still say I'd like to see a set of carts containing what they could of the complete US library.
I think that would be super cool.

I'm actually looking into getting some of the SD cart options. The Sega Genesis one is quite reasonable, the SNES & N64 substantially more.
Being in Canada with a weal dollar I'll wait a lil bit.
wait until the week of thanksgiving. all the everdrives go 2p% off
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 24, 2016, 10:17:19 pm
Or just get the Chinese version.  They are even showing up on amazon now.  They come complete with a 8 gb sd card. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on April 25, 2016, 12:37:40 am
The Sega Genesis one is quite reasonable, under $40 US.
The SNES & N64 more, the N64 version being the most costly.
I could not find the NES "Chinese" version of the SD-Cart.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 25, 2016, 01:45:34 am
You didn't say anything about the NES version... I mean the everdrive md. 

I'm honestly not surprised that the snes/n64 carts are so expensive.... those systems used all kinds of crazy on the cart chips, the n64 in particular. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 25, 2016, 09:44:34 am
N64 carts only had various security chips, otherwise it was just ROMs.  I spent $300+ on a Z64 back in the day.  :-P 

Go make up incorrect facts somewhere else.


Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 25, 2016, 03:49:20 pm
Umm you just said that it had various security chips.  Next time you want to get grouchy make sure you have a valid reason to. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 25, 2016, 04:35:50 pm
A security chip is nothing like an additional processor or the like that you'd see on the NES cartridges.  The N64 ROMs are easily modified to get around it, and the security chips were emulated via software 10+ years ago. 


It's lack of demand keeping the N64 multicarts from being any cheaper.  10 games worth owning on that system and everyone has them already.





Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on April 25, 2016, 07:19:18 pm
A security chip is nothing like an additional processor or the like that you'd see on the NES cartridges.  The N64 ROMs are easily modified to get around it, and the security chips were emulated via software 10+ years ago. 


It's lack of demand keeping the N64 multicarts from being any cheaper.  10 games worth owning on that system and everyone has them already.
I got my everdrive 64 from my wife for Christmas and I love it. I picked up the everdrive MD after new years and it's great. but I do regret not forking the extra cash for the mega everdrive. the load times suck.
Title: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: MikakoHep on June 11, 2016, 06:00:10 pm
Ive decided to get one of the StoneAgeGamer Adaptors, and it works perfectly with my Famicom. The only thing I should note is that, like with the FC-to-NES adaptors, you must attach the cart backwards relative to the console the sale page shows carts attached the other way.

EDIT: I just noticed that the converter came with instructions, but they stuck inside the box and I didnt find them immediately. Also, the instructions indicate that it was designed for the Yobo FC if anyone cares.

P.S. I would like to ask if in a situation like this, where a significant amount of time has passed and the new post in unrelated to the previous one, should I add a new reply like this or just edit the previous post?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on June 12, 2016, 02:39:04 am
Honestly you could add another post instead of modifying an old post, since you are adding new information. I know some other forums where people get real bent out of shape for double posting.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on June 23, 2016, 11:28:34 am
The 150 in 1 originally mentioned by Howard has crept down to about $6 shipped for a Famicom version.  I bit.

EDIT - another thing I noticed is that we are in the era of single game reproduction cartridges.  Roughly $15-30 each for both rare retail games and weird fan projects (like FF VII NES).  Clearly someone is able to reprogram these PCBs....



Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: yotsuya on June 23, 2016, 11:51:37 am
The advent of flash EPROMS has made this stuff easier. I've been using them on my MultiVS and they're awesome.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on June 23, 2016, 12:15:13 pm
The 150 in 1 originally mentioned by Howard has crept down to about $6 shipped for a Famicom version.  I bit


The venders all seem to ship world wide free. I have plans to pick up a Famicom now that I'm moving to Loas. I'v seen them for under $45 on the local version of eBay. I'll be picking up a 150 in on shortly there after.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on June 23, 2016, 03:09:39 pm
The 150 in 1 originally mentioned by Howard has crept down to about $6 shipped for a Famicom version.  I bit.

EDIT - another thing I noticed is that we are in the era of single game reproduction cartridges.  Roughly $15-30 each for both rare retail games and weird fan projects (like FF VII NES).  Clearly someone is able to reprogram these PCBs....

There are points on the pcb that make me think that a proprietary McGuffin is placed over the pcb and they are flashed that way.  Unfortunately I'm not a hardware guy that can look at a chip and tell what point is for what, so I'm not sure how to re-flash them. 

As yots said, re-flashable eproms make things simpler.  If you are willing to manually flash the game you want to play via a pc connection, you can make a generic cart on most systems at this point.  Some cavets apply, like nes roms needing the proper mapper from a donor cart, ect....

I'm looking at the 70's style stuff and thinking that a bank switching cart might be the way to go.  You can easily fit 90% of the 2600 library on a couple of eeproms.  Vectrex, colecovision and ect are the same way.  (note to self:  purchase vectrex). 

I saw a Spanish site where a guy had used a cheap avr and had up/down buttons that changed the game number, displayed on 7 segment lcds, instead of dip switches for one of these 2600 multi carts.  I'm wondering how much more kit/expense it would take to have a cheap lcd just display the game label instead. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 08, 2016, 10:28:30 pm
Mine arrived.  Pcb is different.

Anyone still running an NES needs to own one of these.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on July 09, 2016, 08:32:35 am
Mine arrived.  Pcb is different.

Anyone still running an NES needs to own one of these.

 :cheers:
Which one did you Get?

Nevermind, you said it like 4 posts up.
But you got a picture?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 09, 2016, 08:45:40 am
Here's a couple of low quality pics.  I got the Famicom version because I already had an adapter laying around.

(http://imgur.com/QtnRBxw.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/JU7TS6E.jpg)

No battery but it still has Kirby on it.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 09, 2016, 11:00:05 am
Lol Kirby don't work.  This is apparently a bootleg of a bootleg.  If you must play the crummy Kirby game, get the version with a battery.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 09, 2016, 11:38:07 am
Actually it's one of the best Kirby games and most people didn't play it because it was released near the end of the NES life cycle.  That being said, it's the one of the best Kirby games is like bragging about your highly polished turd.  Silly gamers, Kirbys for kids!

I don't know if it's from the pics or what, but it looks like the upper left pin on the back isn't connected.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 09, 2016, 02:09:52 pm
There's an unpopulated spot for a diode.  That's probably to block the cartridge from charging the (missing) battery while the system is turned on.  If I thought the presence of a battery would get Kirby going, I'd toss one on there and see what happens.  Might try it anyway...

Do you have Mario or Sonic on your splash screen?

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 09, 2016, 02:29:35 pm
It has an outline of Mario's head, so maybe this is a different cart.  Once you are in the menu it's blue with Mega Man in the corner.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on July 09, 2016, 04:02:40 pm
I was a Kirby fan.  :dunno
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 09, 2016, 06:57:05 pm
I don't dislike Kirby, it's just they are decidedly kids games.  They are so easy I can make it through most of them on a single life.  Epic Yarn was worth the trip though. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 09, 2016, 09:37:15 pm
Couple of pics... Super Mario 2 & 3 are hilariously glitchy and you cannot beat the first levels.

Also, the boot splash screen...


(http://imgur.com/3YJFNG6.jpg)

(http://imgur.com/2JDnzxE.jpg)

Cheat code works on TMNT Manhattan Project, so I'm playing through a game I never saw in person...

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 09, 2016, 09:58:23 pm
That's the same one. 

My SMB 3 was ok, I didn't try 2. 

TMNT III was one of our favs back in the day.  It's a shame that one never became an arcade game. 

Btw, I was meaning to tell someone else this.... imgur doesn't seem to be working.  I can manually put the url in a browser and it shows up, but not on the forum. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on July 09, 2016, 11:16:39 pm
This makes me miss my front loader NES. I see a cheepish one on eBay for about $50 shipped that...
Quote
"This has been tested and it does not work properly. Units keeps flashing purple screen when trying to play games.
"

Does this sound like it would be fixed by doing the lock out chip mod? Should I risk it?

Because I have a working top loader, $50-$60 is about as mush as I would pay for one at the moment.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 09, 2016, 11:33:31 pm
90% of the time, "non working" NESs just need the pins pulled out or a good cleaning.  Classic Nintendo stuff is like Buddy Lee, you can't bust 'em.

I've never even had to clip the lock out chips myself. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 09, 2016, 11:42:20 pm
(http://i.imgur.com/CXocVPp.jpg)

Top loader for life.   :P

Contemplating composite mod.  There is a ton of bad info out there....
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on July 09, 2016, 11:44:48 pm
(http://i.imgur.com/CXocVPp.jpg)

Top loader for life.   :P

Contemplating composite mod.  There is a ton of bad info out there....

I love my top loader but want to have the 1985 look on the shelf. I'll sleep on it.

 and congratulations :cheers:

Edit: The composite mod looks cheep and easy if you are talking about this (http://www.retrofixes.com/2014/05/nes-101-toploader-av-mod-kit.html). But if I was going  to mod I would probably go all in with RGB.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 10, 2016, 12:01:56 am
(http://i.imgur.com/CXocVPp.jpg)

Top loader for life.   :P

Contemplating composite mod.  There is a ton of bad info out there....


You just contradicted yourself there.....  if you want to use composite, you use a front loader.  Even with a composite mod, the top loader video quality is pretty poor.  I'm wondering how long it'll be before the Chinese sites start cloning the rgb mod for the nes.... then it'll be a wash as you'll be able to get the 100 dollar mod kit for 20.  ;)

Cowabunga, do machines....ect....
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 10, 2016, 12:33:38 am
It's $2 worth of components difference in the front loader vs top loader circuits but whatever you say.

 ::)

Manhattan Project was a legitimately fun game.  Spamming both buttons eventually kills you, so it's not like TMNT 2 where you wanted to kick your friend for doing the jump slash over and over....
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on July 10, 2016, 12:56:49 am
I just ordered the 72 pin version and started losing top loaders Ebay, I'll keep at it till I get the price I want.   

I also noticed that the FAMICOM go for more then I would have thought. I have seen them in Thailand for about $45 USD and even cheeper on a local web sites. I may pick a few up to sell next summer when I come back home.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 10, 2016, 01:47:18 am
I just ordered the 72 pin version. tarted losing on Ebay. I'll keep at it till I get the price I want.   

I also noticed that the FAMICOM go for more then I would have thought. I seen them in Thailand for about $45 USD and even cheeper on a local web sites. I may pick a few up to sell next summer when I come back home.

Yeah, I guess the thought behind it's appeal is you can use crazy stuff like the disk drive and the keyboard accessories and all that expansion port goodness.  Objectively speaking though, the famicom kind of sucks compared to the NES.  The gamepads are connected and the wires are short, it looks like a fisher price toy, ect...
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 10, 2016, 01:53:40 am
It's $2 worth of components difference in the front loader vs top loader circuits but whatever you say.

 ::)

Manhattan Project was a legitimately fun game.  Spamming both buttons eventually kills you, so it's not like TMNT 2 where you wanted to kick your friend for doing the jump slash over and over....

I don't know what to tell ya man.  Maybe they started using cheaper parts on the later models, but usually the comparison videos show *some* top loaders with as good a picture quality as the original nes and some are noticeably worse.  How to tell which version you have is beyond me. 

What I liked about III was we finally got some new content.  You can only fight on the streets of New York so many times, to ultimately face Bebop, Rocksteady, Shredder and Krang.  Sure eventually you do those things, but the stages where the turtles are out of their element were noteworthy as well as the new bosses that were some serious deep cuts in the action figure isle.   Even turtles in time, which tried to mix it up with the time travel element, ended up being a greatest hits of the generic stages you go through in every beat-em-up. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 10, 2016, 11:50:51 am
Yep, completely agree on Manhattan Project.  Never cared much for Turtles in Times.

My top loader is RF only and has the jail bars.  10 year old you and me wouldn't have noticed or cared.

Today I'm going to take the pcb out and shove the cart into my FOAC.  Supposedly some of these hacks don't work well on real hardware, so I'm curious to see if that'll clear up Kirby and Mario 3.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 10, 2016, 06:56:19 pm
I think it depends on what you use to display it.  The really old tvs did a great job with composite and even rf, but as tvs got cheaper, the way they handled anything but broadcast and digital started to suffer.  I've got two flat screens I play on.... one does a really good job of upscaling but constantly loses sync and another keeps sync but upscales horribly. 

I've even got a couple of crts to test on, but as they were built around the time flat screens were coming in, even they do a rather poor job. 

I would love to get a really old 1980's tv...a 25 incher.. and maybe mod it for rgb input. 

I've been trying to convert everything I have to rgb, not because I'm one of those "sharper is better" guys, but because it's too much of a hassle to get a reliable signal on anything but vga or hdmi. 

I'm curious about the FOAC as well.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 10, 2016, 07:50:48 pm
Everything works 100% on the FOAC, even the saving in Kirby.

Sigh.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 11, 2016, 07:34:11 pm
How does it save without a battery?  Is there a cap on the board or something?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on July 11, 2016, 08:33:02 pm
How does it save without a battery?  Is there a cap on the board or something?
I was wondering the same thing
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 12, 2016, 12:23:10 am
I'll test it further, but I played a level, turned off the system, played another game, turned off system, turned back on and fired up Kirby and the save was there and worked.  Supposedly playing some games will corrupt the Kirby saves... 

 :dunno

I played Rock Board.  That game is.... A polished turd.  Three hours gone...






Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 12, 2016, 02:53:44 pm
Maybe that covered blob on the pcb is a battery?  Seems an odd way to do it though. 

Yeah the Rockman board game is kind of like the mentally challenged version of Mario Party.... minus any fun. 

The one that surprised me, because I barely played it once as a kid, is Rush N' Attack.  A surprising amount of skill and strategy is required for that one.  Tons of fun if you are into that sort of game.   
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 12, 2016, 05:14:06 pm
I'll take another look at the chips.  My version has far fewer components on it than the Pocket Games labelled one.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 12, 2016, 07:39:04 pm
Okay, scratch all that.  Save games are not retained with Kirby on this version.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on July 13, 2016, 10:24:04 pm
Just to confirm, Howard yours saves right?

I just ordered a front loader for $36.99 with two remotes off eBay. It is mission the door so I ordered on for $5 shipped. If I find a 23 SCART CRT over seas I'll RGB mod this one or my top loader. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 13, 2016, 10:40:28 pm
Yeah... I mean I tried it once, but like pbj I'm not super into Kirby. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 14, 2016, 09:57:26 am
Also, TMNT 1 does not work on a real NES, but fine on the Famiclone.  That was another one I read was problematic...

Spend the extra $8 and get the NES version with the battery.  For $6.15, I'm not at all upset but there's no sense in not spending a few more bucks and having it all work.

:cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on July 14, 2016, 10:35:46 am
Thanks PBJ,

I or the NES one. While I was at it, I ordered a front loader NES for $36 with two remotes. It's my last day of vacation in the US so both will arrive at my parents house after I leave. I can't wait to have my own place in the US so I can design to display and you know play on original hard ware from time to time.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 14, 2016, 12:52:52 pm
I'm thinking of lugging out a smaller crt and getting that multicart with all the lightgun games on it.  Does anyone have any info on that one?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on August 23, 2016, 11:26:26 pm
There's a new one, I've seen it called 139 in 1.  Menu is simpler but the games are in alphabetical order.  Includes final fantasy, mother, zelda, etc.  The catch is that even starting another battery game can kill your save on another game.

Howard - sacrifice thy wallet.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on August 24, 2016, 12:04:54 am
Eh... the N8 clones are finally out, so I'll probably just go that route. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on August 24, 2016, 06:32:56 am
Odd I guess!  ???

I still say I'd like to see a set of carts containing what they could of the complete US library.
I think that would be super cool.

I'm actually looking into getting some of the SD cart options. The Sega Genesis one is quite reasonable, the SNES & N64 substantially more.
Being in Canada with a weal dollar I'll wait a lil bit.

http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32716178027.html?aff_click_id=abadcf49df004a8086a5954c3a1cb5d0-1471958166277-06049-ENjUBzea&aff_platform=y (http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32716178027.html?aff_click_id=abadcf49df004a8086a5954c3a1cb5d0-1471958166277-06049-ENjUBzea&aff_platform=y)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on August 24, 2016, 07:15:54 am
Does it play Castlevania 3?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on August 24, 2016, 07:45:09 am
Does it play Castlevania 3?

You will be the first to know for sure.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: mike boss on September 09, 2016, 08:33:20 pm
@ thomas_surles

I'm just getting back to this thread and the Ali Express link you posted doesn't work.

Since coming across this thread I ordered a few Multi-Carts, for the price (Around $20 CDN) I think they are super cool, super fun.
I saw one recently that was supposed to be "the 120 (or so) best NES games ever!"

It had Kid Icarus which I thought was awesome, none I've found had Punch-Out! (that sucks!)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on September 10, 2016, 12:58:30 am
Yeah, "the best of Nes" is the 143in1.  Been fighting the urge to buy it.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on September 10, 2016, 10:05:15 am
@ thomas_surles

I'm just getting back to this thread and the Ali Express link you posted doesn't work.

Since coming across this thread I ordered a few Multi-Carts, for the price (Around $20 CDN) I think they are super cool, super fun.
I saw one recently that was supposed to be "the 120 (or so) best NES games ever!"

It had Kid Icarus which I thought was awesome, none I've found had Punch-Out! (that sucks!)
The link died like the next day. No longer available. But I snatched one up for $60
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: JDFan on September 10, 2016, 12:05:17 pm
The link died like the next day. No longer available. But I snatched one up for $60

Nice find - seems they only have the empty cartridges listed on aliexpress anymore and the sites with the PCB want over $100 for the bare PCB and about $20+ for the cartridge and label.  SO $60 for the cart label 8GB. SD card and PCB is a good deal.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on September 10, 2016, 02:25:39 pm
The link died like the next day. No longer available. But I snatched one up for $60

Nice find - seems they only have the empty cartridges listed on aliexpress anymore and the sites with the PCB want over $100 for the bare PCB and about $20+ for the cartridge and label.  SO $60 for the cart label 8GB. SD card and PCB is a good deal.

It is the Chinese knock-off, but it's of the latest version of the n8 ( which really don't need anymore updates) but if your going to get a fake everdrive, this is the one. Bout to test castlevania 3 for mister jelly.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on September 10, 2016, 03:37:55 pm
Does it play Castlevania 3?

You will be the first to know for sure.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on September 10, 2016, 05:19:47 pm
The link died like the next day. No longer available. But I snatched one up for $60

Nice find - seems they only have the empty cartridges listed on aliexpress anymore and the sites with the PCB want over $100 for the bare PCB and about $20+ for the cartridge and label.  SO $60 for the cart label 8GB. SD card and PCB is a good deal.

They keep popping up occasionally.  "Everdrive" is no longer a valid search.  Flash Card or China Ver.  will most likely get you some results.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on November 11, 2016, 09:55:11 am
It's 11/11... big discounts running on these from your favorite Chinese importers.....
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on November 11, 2016, 10:22:48 am
They have a lot on sale, but I have trouble searching their site anymore.  I can't find anything.  One thing I did see was the 8bitdo Bluetooth dongles for the snes on sale for 16 bucks.

They have a new xxx in 1 cart for this season, but I haven't heard if it's any good or not. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on November 11, 2016, 10:35:33 am
What's the new one called?  The last one I saw was "The Best of NES Remix" or something that had Final Fantasy and Earthbound on it.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on November 11, 2016, 11:48:42 am
Hmm.... I should have kept the link.  It just said something like "new for fall 2016.... includes contra". 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: bigster on November 15, 2016, 03:05:40 pm
There are some cool looking snes ones with Zelda lttp and parallel worlds plus 2 other RPGs.  Looks like they do custom multis

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on December 08, 2016, 07:44:44 pm
This arrived today, about $12 shipped. Took a month.

(https://i.sli.mg/25m2oL.jpg)

The problematic games on the Famicom version (Mario 2 & 3, TMNT 1) are fine on this version.

The boot up screen has also been removed.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on December 12, 2016, 10:29:13 pm
Nice.  Not fond of the color, but that looks like the one I mentioned before.  I might have to get it just to get rid of the boot screen.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on December 12, 2016, 11:43:49 pm
They had multiple colors... I picked green.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: jabsder on December 15, 2016, 11:29:47 am
green?  :dunno

green is not nintendo like.

Nintendo is red or purple and sega is blue, thats it. Everything else is amateurish
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Mike A on December 15, 2016, 01:37:12 pm
What sort of gibberish is that?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on December 21, 2016, 12:12:22 am
FYI these are unplayable on a RetroDuo.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on March 18, 2017, 12:41:17 pm
Tried a couple of mods on the Famicom cartridge.

First I added a Zener diode to the unpopulated spot on the PCB.  These traces were not bridged already as they are on other multicarts.  No change.

Next I ran a jumper wire from the OE pin of the ram chip to the CHR RD pin (#17 on the cartridge).  This scrambled all my graphics but everything booted and "played."

So these mods were both removed and we are back to "stock."  Games that didn't work previously still don't work.

Oh well.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 24, 2017, 10:11:02 am
So this showed up on Saturday:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=358178)

It was $12.43 shipped.  Ordered on March 30, arrived April 22.  Obvious searches from usual sellers should turn up many variations of this.

No boot up screen, kicks you directly to a text menu with the games in alphabetical order.  Only exception I saw was Mario Bros that they grouped in with SMB 1, 2, and 3 which was a nice touch.

River City Ransom is the USA ROM and in English.  I played it about an hour and it seemed 100% working.  Perhaps it's just wishful thinking, but it seemed like less character flickering than I remember.

Unfortunately, the games I bought this to play (primarily Final Fantasy 3 and Star Tropics 1 & 2) have annoying issues.  All the dialogue text in Final Fantasy 3 is garbled so the game is unplayable.  Star Tropics 1 & 2 both go completely silent once you get passed the title screen.  Which would be a blessing for many NES games but is annoying for those. 

Legend of Zelda seemed to be fine.

So, the non-working ones are a real bummer, but the library on this thing pretty much nails the NES.  Between this and a 151 in 1, I feel like I have the system covered.

 :cheers:



Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 24, 2017, 04:49:08 pm
Multi carts are awesome.  They are so cheap I'm tempted to get one of each so we can do a database of which ones have which games and which games are broken ect.....

I never have managed to contact someone about getting a batch of custom carts made. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 24, 2017, 11:12:27 pm
Hm, that's an interesting idea.  Have it searchable by either game or specific cartridge so you can drill down to the one that has the games you truly want.  I could throw a list into a spreadsheet quickly.

Tonight I've been enjoying Deja Vu.  Probably 25 years since I beat it.  I'm surprised by how many of the steps I remembered.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 24, 2017, 11:49:14 pm
Yeah I would be glad to take an afternoon and do mine as well.  Maybe we can get a database going assuming we aren't the only two people that likes these things. 

It never ceases to amaze me how much I can remember from an old game.  I've got to think the portion of my mind used to memorize mega man patterns and mortal kombat ii fatalities could have been used to cure cancer or something.  Oh well... gotta have priorities I guess. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on April 25, 2017, 01:30:38 am
Tonight I've been enjoying Deja Vu.  Probably 25 years since I beat it.  I'm surprised by how many of the steps I remembered.

Good game. I replayed shadow gate last year. I forgot enough to make it very frustrating at times. There is a sequel called Deja Vu 2 that I have never played. There was also a kick starter a while back do a remake of shadow gate. Its on steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/294440/) and looks good.

 I ordered one of these cats last summer, I'll also make a list for you guys.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on April 25, 2017, 02:37:01 am
We need to take pics as well... inside and out as many of these carts are hard to tell apart.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 30, 2017, 06:50:16 pm
Finally beat Deja Vu.  Sad to see Engrish in an American game..

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=358451)

Not a single walkthrough on Game Faqs gets the final steps exactly right, either.

Turns out Final Fantasy 2 & 3 never had NES release.  FF3 is unplayable but FF2 appears to be a decent fan translation.

Despite saying Little Samson on the game select menu, it boots up Lickle.

Bubble Bobble works.

Been an interesting session of oddities with this cart.  Cracked it open and it has a pcb similar to what we are seeing in the others, but screened "mind kid."  Native 72 pins, no converter.





Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on May 02, 2017, 07:26:03 pm

Turns out Final Fantasy 2 & 3 never had NES release.  FF3 is unplayable but FF2 appears to be a decent fan translation.


Yea, Here are links to FF2&3 fan translations patches.

https://www.romhacking.net/games/126/ (https://www.romhacking.net/games/126/)

https://www.romhacking.net/games/127/ (https://www.romhacking.net/games/127/)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Kidpanda on May 02, 2017, 10:58:13 pm
I know the FF3 translation is solid as my buddy and I bought a repro CIB copy for a friend od ours and he played all the way through it with no issues.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: kane916 on May 03, 2017, 04:18:59 am
I'm thinking of lugging out a smaller crt and getting that multicart with all the lightgun games on it.  Does anyone have any info on that one?

Never heard of this I would love to try one. I have a nes and crt already set up in my garage just haven't been able to get myself to invest in an everdrive when really all I want it for is light gun games. Any info or links for a cheap light gun games multi cart would be great.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Mike A on May 03, 2017, 07:48:10 am
I am looking to expand my NES library beyond the handful of games I have at home. Is there any advantage these multicarts hold over an EverDrive besides price?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on May 03, 2017, 09:48:05 am
Nah, I can't think of any advantages.  They're idiot proof and the menus look better than Everdrive.

Howard - tell us more of these multicarts for light guns.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Mike A on May 03, 2017, 09:55:46 am
Thanks.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on May 03, 2017, 01:00:46 pm
Nah, I can't think of any advantages.  They're idiot proof and the menus look better than Everdrive.

Howard - tell us more of these multicarts for light guns.

I haven't ordered one yet, but there was one on the site that shall not be named that contained every NES lightgun game.  It wasn't particularly expensive either.  I think there are actually a few on that multicart I got ages ago, but I haven't had my NES hooked up in several months so I would have to check. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on May 03, 2017, 01:18:17 pm
I just checked... the red 150-in-1 carts like I have contain Wild Gunmen, Hogan's Alley, Duck Hunt, and Bayou Billy (has lightgun stages).  So that's 1/4 of the games right there.  The only remaining good ones are Barker Bill and Gumshoe imho. 

I checked aliexpress and they aren't carrying the multicart anymore.... or at least I couldn't find it with their crappy search function.  At one point they had a snes 6 in 1 with a bunch of bazooka.... er lightgun games on it, but I don't see that one either.  I guess I should have bought them when I had the chance. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on May 03, 2017, 03:27:48 pm
Gotta move quick.  I think they make exactly one batch of these PCBs before moving onto the next version.

I remember kinda liking Gotcha! back in the day.  NES was fairly lousy for gun games, to be honest.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on May 03, 2017, 08:59:50 pm
Yeah Gotcha! was pretty decent. 

Well I'm trying to find a good lightgun solution.  I need to talk to headkaze about expanding his vjoy program and then I can finish my mayflash bar program. 

I've also been thinking of using that "broken" wii I picked up as a dedicated lightgun box.  Throw all the emulators on there and just add the lightgun games to the main menu.  The wii itself has plenty of lightgun games as well, including several arcade ports.  I think there is a version of mame as well. 

I still prefer real lightguns, it just crts are such a pain in the butt... especially the bigger ones that would make gun games really fun. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on May 03, 2017, 09:02:54 pm
Wii had a nice version of Big Buck Hunter.  That game is forgiving enough to allow magic wand controls.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on May 07, 2017, 08:00:48 am
At over $50, there not the kind of thing you just order to see if whats what but SNES multicarts are a thing as well.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on July 01, 2017, 12:00:09 am
this made me smile. But just wanted to share it because there seems to be a battery inside. Working saves?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 01, 2017, 02:01:44 pm
It's probably for Kirby.  All the ones out this year have a battery save... just for Kirby. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on May 24, 2018, 12:50:17 pm
There's a new one out called the Forever Games 405 in 1.  It has a very exhaustive library and includes Mike Tyson's Punchout.  Not that any of us need this... but I'm waiting for the price to drop down from $25.


 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: bigster on May 24, 2018, 10:33:35 pm
One of these days there will be a cart with the entire American set

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on June 18, 2019, 04:38:03 pm
New hotness is "Forever Duo Games" which combines the 405 in 1 with a 447 in 1.  I guess you toggle between lists with the select button.  Looking over the game list, it looks comprehensive.

One of you crack open your wallet and spend $25.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on June 18, 2019, 04:50:58 pm
New hotness is "Forever Duo Games" which combines the 405 in 1 with a 447 in 1.  I guess you toggle between lists with the select button.  Looking over the game list, it looks comprehensive.

One of you crack open your wallet and spend $25.

I just bought two of the 143-1  you pointed out a while back for $9 each shipped. I'm fixing (pins, Retro bright, cutting lockout leg, & maybe recaping just for practice and to say it was done) some NES for I got my hand on. I'm doing the rehab for fun but will be trying to resell for a profit. Not counting the time spent on it, that's going into the leggier as fun and enjoyment.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Titchgamer on June 18, 2019, 05:19:07 pm
I see Krikkz is updating the Nes N8 cart soon.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 16, 2019, 01:11:11 pm
Anyone have any experience with SNES multicarts?  It looks like the "good ones" are the 101 in 1 and the 68 in 1.  There's a slightly better version that's PAL only and a 70 in 1.  Have decent menus with alphabetical lists of games.  Both about ~$20 shipped.



Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on July 16, 2019, 01:20:14 pm
Anyone have any experience with SNES multicarts?  It looks like the "good ones" are the 101 in 1 and the 68 in 1.  There's a slightly better version that's PAL only and a 70 in 1.  Have decent menus with alphabetical lists of games.  Both about ~$20 shipped.

No but I read that Pal games won’t play on NTSC console.

I got a knock off ever drive from China for $44. It works well.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 16, 2019, 01:45:27 pm
I'm with locke on this one.... just get a super everdrive china version.  Mine's been going strong for a while now and they are pretty cheap. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 16, 2019, 02:02:04 pm
This isn't for me.  I need something with an attractive menu in alphabetical order that's super simple to use.  No walls of text or weird loading screens.  No inability to save on games that should support save. 

This is going to a dude that's been rocking NES/SNES daily since release - he's burned out 1 toaster, given me his top loader, run through a couple of SNES, and was the source of that Retro Duo that magically still worked occasionally despite ~8 broken wires.  I've got a RetroN 2 coming in for him and I'm genuinely curious how long it will make it.  It adds an SNES eject button so I'm reasonably hopeful - I'm going to preemptively crack it open and bulk up the PCB support, though. 

I already tried emulation with this guy via original Xbox.  I did everything I could to strip it down.  Nice large font, custom themes.  Total dud.  He wants cartridges.   :lol

I went ahead ordered a "Super 101 in 1".  It's mostly the same list at the 68 in 1, but drops Donkey Kong Country 1-3 and Breath of Fire 2 and adds a bunch of other stuff. 


I did find an Everdrive knock off called "Super China Version" that's ~$34 shipped.  Maybe that's the one for me. 

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 26, 2019, 02:18:54 am
And here we are, just 10 days later.

 :dizzy:

The bad:  The Retron 2 hates this thing.  I had to take out the PCB and use a metal nail file to grind down the outside edges of the edge connector to make it fit.  The edge connector is also about 2mm shorter than an authentic cart.  Moving the pcb to an authentic case alleviates this somewhat, but you still have to jam it in to make it work.  I’m contemplating taking the case to a belt sander and knocking some plastic off the bottom.

EDIT - I played with it again this morning and didn't have nearly so many issues.  It could be because the Retron 2 is so new that the cartridge connector hasn't quite broken in yet.  The PCB is still slightly shallower and the cartridge connector on the Retron 2 is not as deep as the Retro Duo.


The neutral: menu has no music, but it’s clean and mostly alphabetical.  You also scroll right to left, which is weird and exotic.  There are some Japanese games mixed it, but it’s weird junk like Baseball and Firefight.  Nothing anybody cares about.


The good: games load in about 5 seconds.  Cartridge remembers what you played last when you turn the system on (has it pre selected in the menu).  Lots of awesome games on this.  No issues at all with it in my Retro Duo.  It has both Mario World and Dinosaur Island.  The Sf2 variant is Turbo.  MK2 and MK3 play great. 



Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: opt2not on July 26, 2019, 02:28:50 pm
Interesting.

Here's the game list for that Super 101 Cart:

(https://image.crov.com/pd5-OWVbqPoRNYvI/best-snes-video-games-cartridge-101-in-1-snes-game-cartridge-16-bit-snes-games.jpg)

Handy that they list off the games that use the battery for saving.

Also, what's Castlevania DX?

Seems like you got all the bangers here. Only one version of Bomberman though, and no Breath of Fire II.  But still, that's a pretty good list of games.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 26, 2019, 02:40:17 pm
Just a few notes on the game list:

Castlevania DX = Castlevania Dracula X, which I guess was some semi-port of Rondo.

Fire Fighter is some Japanese Jaleco crap where you're a fire fighter.  Kinda reminded me of that Ghostbusters arcade game.  Sort of.  Lots of Japanese to wade through on the menus.

Frogger is some awful Majesco version from the mid 90s.

Incantation is some weird European platformer.  Kinda reminded me of a NeoGeo game like Top Hunter.

Krusty, as pictured above, is Krusty's Super Funhouse.

Mario All Star is the version that also includes Super Mario World.  Which I didn't know existed.  That's a lot of Mario!

Mario World is Super Mario World.  So I guess this one is redundant.

Metroid is Super Metriod.  It plays and looks beautiful as expected.

Mortal Kombat 3 is Ultimate edition.

Street Fighter II is Street Fighter 2 Turbo.

Greatest Hit is Arcade's Greatest Hits.  I can't remember if it was Atari or Midway.  It was 2am.

Super Mario is Super Mario World: Return to Dinosaur Land and has a date of 2016 on the title screen.

Zombies is Zombies Ate my Neighbors.

That's as far as I got before I peeled myself off the controller and went to sleep.

 :cheers:


Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: opt2not on July 26, 2019, 02:56:19 pm
Castlevania DX = Castlevania Dracula X, which I guess was some semi-port of Rondo.
Oh, the SNES Rondo of Blood. Yeah, that was an actual SNES release. It's not really a port of the PC-Engine CD version (which is flippin' excellent), it's kind of a completely different game.

Fire Fighter is some Japanese Jaleco crap where you're a fire fighter.  Kinda reminded me of that Ghostbusters arcade game.  Sort of.  Lots of Japanese to wade through on the menus.
Weird, they included the japanese version and not the one released to North America (The Ignition Factor)?  Strange.

Mario All Star is the version that also includes Super Mario World.  Which I didn't know existed.  That's a lot of Mario!
This is one of my favourite carts in my collection.  Yeah, that is a ton of Mario! I plan on busting that out when my daughter is old enough to play games, just to give her the complete history of Super Mario Bros, in one cart.

Super Mario is Super Mario World: Return to Dinosaur Land and has a date of 2016 on the title screen.
Yeah, that's a homebrewer's romhack of SMW. I haven't played it myself, but I believe it's one of the more popular SMW hacks.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 29, 2019, 02:45:04 pm
Another cute innovation from China... bootleg PiCarts.

They're called 'ShellNES' and are freaking hilarious.  FOAC merged with a multicart.  All put inside an NES game shell.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 29, 2019, 03:36:18 pm
I'm still waiting for a hd-enabled famiclone.  I'd get that and retire my nes. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 29, 2019, 04:22:22 pm
https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Plus-Console-nintendo-entertainment-system/dp/B073DV931V (https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Plus-Console-nintendo-entertainment-system/dp/B073DV931V)

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: bigster on July 29, 2019, 06:25:29 pm
I am waiting on the Chinese fpga clones to come out....

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 29, 2019, 10:16:41 pm
https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Plus-Console-nintendo-entertainment-system/dp/B073DV931V (https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Plus-Console-nintendo-entertainment-system/dp/B073DV931V)

 :cheers:

I said a famiclone, not an ugly monstrosity. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on July 29, 2019, 10:27:25 pm
Keep moving those goalposts.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on July 30, 2019, 03:56:43 pm
I never did, I think you consider a famiclone any NOAC.  When I say famiclone I mean a console that looks like the famicom.  I'd get that, a ram cart from a famicom disk system and it'd be able to handle all nes and famicom games. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on August 01, 2019, 09:55:45 am
I couldn't take it anymore, so I ordered a Chinese clone Everdrive for $33 shipped.  And now we wait.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on August 01, 2019, 01:12:39 pm
For which system?  If you found one for the NES for $33 you need to PM me with a link.  :)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on August 01, 2019, 03:42:18 pm
SNES.  The 101 in 1 is nice, but it's going to a new home soon and it lacks a few games I want to try out.

Best double golden lucky price I can find on an NES Everdrive clone is $64 shipped.  Those are getting cheap enough I doubt I'm buying anymore $25 X in 1 cartridges and I'll just wait until the clones creep down in price.

Found this list of SNES hacks that improve original games.  I look forward to trying a few of them out:

https://www.resetera.com/threads/smaller-quality-of-life-rom-hacks.2476/ (https://www.resetera.com/threads/smaller-quality-of-life-rom-hacks.2476/)

I'm planning on finally trying Terranigma.  If I manage to get through that while pedaling on my stationary bike, I figure I've gotten my $33 out of it.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: opt2not on August 01, 2019, 05:17:31 pm
Here's another list of good hacks out there:

https://www.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/cajs90/useful_rom_hacks_for_retro_games_my_life_in_gaming/et9d6er/

It's mixed up and not as cleanly listed as yours, but it has some not mentioned in your link.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on August 01, 2019, 10:57:29 pm
$64 isn't bad at all.... the best I could find a while ago was around $100.  Been thinking of getting a nes everdrive just to play those modded zapper games.  Then again I've got a stack of modern games I haven't burned through.... horizion zero dawn is still on my ps4 hdd for some reason.  I think I need to switch to god of war or something. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on August 03, 2019, 10:15:35 pm
I don’t think I have seen a NES ever drive clone. I must be using the wrong China based on line market place.

Also, the original FinalFantasy is a good example of a game this is improved via fan hack patches. It has a long list of bugs that all have fix’s. The whole this weapon is strong against (undead or what ever) doesn’t work in the original.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on August 13, 2019, 11:16:19 pm
 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on August 13, 2019, 11:19:46 pm
Knock-off everdrives are the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Locke141 on August 14, 2019, 07:20:49 am
Yea, I have the same one. Mine came with a big set of Rom. I think they’re copies of an older version that doesn’t play some games, but I never checked.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on August 14, 2019, 10:00:50 am
Yeah, mine had an 8GB SD card with all PAL/NTSC roms on it already.  I loaded up my own patched copy of Terranigma (which was in the photo).

It won't play any of the DSP1 or FX chip games.  So no Pilot Wings, Mario Kart, Mario RPG, or Star Fox.  Otherwise I think it plays everything worth playing.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: KenToad on August 14, 2019, 12:40:39 pm
That's pretty great for $33 shipped!
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on August 15, 2019, 12:21:38 pm
Yeah, mine had an 8GB SD card with all PAL/NTSC roms on it already.  I loaded up my own patched copy of Terranigma (which was in the photo).

It won't play any of the DSP1 or FX chip games.  So no Pilot Wings, Mario Kart, Mario RPG, or Star Fox.  Otherwise I think it plays everything worth playing.

 :cheers:


Actually.... mine came with a Mario Kart rom that worked.  Or at least it booted and the first stage seemed ok.  SFX games are out but you might want to try the dsp games. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on August 15, 2019, 01:57:31 pm
You know, I just violated my own pet peeve of "why didn't you just try it first before you posted about it..."

I'll give that a shot and report back.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on August 16, 2019, 07:54:34 pm
Well, I cracked open the cartridge to take a look at the PCB and it's been redesigned slightly.  No empty sockets for the DSP1 or clock chips.

Pretty much looks like this, except the left side isn't there.

(http://www.evolvingconsole.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/img_1084.jpg)

Pilot Wings will boot up and then lock when you start a mission.  Mario Kart doesn't make it past the Nintendo logo.

Oh well.

 :cheers:

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on August 18, 2019, 02:28:21 pm
This is difficult to photograph but here you go

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on January 10, 2020, 02:51:26 pm
My obsession with these things continues unabated.

NES Everdrive clones are down to $54.  Still waiting on those to keep marching down in price.

The SNES Everdrive clones are down to $27.  I play mine all the time and have been very happy with this purchase.  Right now I'm pedaling through Mystic Quest.

The SD2SNES clones are down to $96 but you have to get really creative with your searches to find them.

I also found something called a "DSP Games Collection" that's probably a SD2SNES clone for $70 but details are scant and I don't want to risk getting a 10 game multicart.


I've come to the conclusion that the Top Loader NES systems wear out pins on the cartridges.  I've already got a copy of Dragon Warrior 1 that won't work on anything besides a top loader.  Now it turns out the family copy of Dragon Warrior 2 has the same problem.  Boots up to garbage screens on the clones unless you get very lucky or push on the cartridge at funny angles.  So I was going to get a "Dragon Quest Remix" but it suffers from that same NES multicart problem of only supporting 1 save game at a time.  Turns out the the Dragon Quest games were released on SNES in Japan, and there's fan translations that patch them to English, and you can pick those up for about $10-20 each. 

So I've got a Dragon Warrior/Quest 1 & 2 coming in the mail.

 :cheers:



Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 10, 2020, 02:56:28 pm
Still waiting on the NES clones to come down myself.  I've been thinking of getting a custom cart of the hacked zapper games that run on a lcd tv.  Seems like it'd be better if a few of us got a small run made of them but I question the morality of that.  I wish the guys who did the hack would do that. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on January 25, 2020, 09:04:21 pm
Went to visit my uncle, he’s having a hell of a time with his Hyperkin Retron 2.  Turns out the connectors are shallow and you either have to really shove the carts in there, or take the pcbs out of the cases and shove them in yourself loose.

 I do some googling and turns out hyperkin products are universally reviled.  So I’ll never buy one of those again, adios $40 and hours of my life.

Since he’s running a flat screen now, I looked into HDMI options.  I just spent $80 on a Retro-Bit Super Retro TRIO HD.  If this doesn’t work well, I’m grabbing another Retro Duo and reinforcing the pcbs before I turn it over to him. 

For now, he’s playing his games with pristine edge connectors.

Will update after this $80 clone arrives.

 :banghead:

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 26, 2020, 03:20:29 pm
How about shoving some game genies in there in the meantime.... just take the carts loose from them as they have better edge connectors. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on January 26, 2020, 03:22:57 pm
I’m considering that, we’ll see how the hdmi system does first.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on January 28, 2020, 10:41:41 am
The HDMI system, thus far, has been very nice.  The composite NES picture is fairly comparable to my Top Loader, and the SNES picture looks like the Retro Duo.  HDMI looks fine on my 4k TV.  Blocky.



I have ordered a "218 in 1" for the Sega Genesis, primarily because it has Minnesota Fats / Side Pocket on it.  Feels a little silly to spend $18 on a multicart considering you can get an Everdrive clone for $25, but it has a nice menu and good selection of games.  There's another multicart out there with 100 Genesis games and 100 Sega Master System games that seemed interesting, but maybe another time.

 :cheers:



Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: KenToad on January 29, 2020, 03:53:12 pm
Still waiting on the NES clones to come down myself.  I've been thinking of getting a custom cart of the hacked zapper games that run on a lcd tv.  Seems like it'd be better if a few of us got a small run made of them but I question the morality of that.  I wish the guys who did the hack would do that.

I've tested the hacked lightgun games quite a bit. A big drawback is needing to buy a 3rd party lightgun. I got the Tomee Zapp gun, which is smaller than a Zapper, with a cheap feeling trigger and a very short cord.

As for the LCD hacks' functionality, it has worked well for me, as long as the target is at least as big as a duck. I can't seem to reliably target anything smaller, such as clay pigeons in the distance. The Duck shooting part of Duck Hunt, Wild Guns, and Hogan's Alley work the best. Some of Barker Bill's mini games work well and others don't, again seemingly based upon target size. I suppose part of it could be the latency of my TV, although I can't remember those numbers off the top of my head.

It is pretty cool to be able to play the arcade version of Duck Hunt at home on an LCD, although it didn't seem to work for me as well as regular Duck Hunt.

Also, a friend of mine recently got a CRT, so I brought my NES over and we played through all the light gun games. I'm sad to say that the selection is really poor. Nothing ever got better than Duck Hunt. Freedom Force and To The Earth had a lot of potential, but just ended up being repetitive and boring. Gumshoe was fun for about 5 minutes. Baby boomer needed a lot more polish and design work to make the levels interesting.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 29, 2020, 08:16:03 pm
Some of the famicom zapper games are pretty good.  There's one that's basically Alien... you used a uzi light gun similar to the one on t2 to play it.  Of course those would have to be hacked as well and they haven't even hacked all the US games yet. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: KenToad on January 30, 2020, 12:18:55 pm
Some of the famicom zapper games are pretty good.  There's one that's basically Alien... you used a uzi light gun similar to the one on t2 to play it.  Of course those would have to be hacked as well and they haven't even hacked all the US games yet.
Yeah, I tried Space Shadow, but couldn't get very far without the ability to move. Also, go watch a YouTube video of someone playing that game. It's about the worst strobe effect I've ever seen. It's enough to make you queasy. The Hypershot is pretty cool looking, though, reminds me of an Entertech squirt gun, if anyone remembers those.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on February 24, 2020, 08:05:19 pm
Genesis multicart arrived.  Oddly, the menu will display your current region at the bottom.  So, in the picture my console was set to Europe/PAL.  The games that have multiple regions in the rom are affected, so Streets of Rage 3 becomes Bare Knuckle 3, etc.

USA shows up as Europe NTSC but close enough.

Very nice game list on this cart.  Sadly my clone console maps Genesis button C to SNES L but what are you gonna do.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: SaiNRuB on October 25, 2020, 11:14:38 am
Hi guys. Noticed the China Version N8 clone got updated.

Quote
Features:

    Custom game cartridge label,
    The Newest version, OS-V23 , The newest and best circuit
    Support OS updates.

    With save function, save progress, never lost
    Come with a 8 GB card as a gift, come with many games
    Any question, just contact us.

 
KY Technology-N8 HARDWARE:

    Powerful Cyclone II FPGA.
    2 x 512Kbyte SRAM for PRG and CHR data.
    128Kbyte battery backed memory. It write save data to SD.
    Max II CPLD to handle FPGA reconfiguration, BIOS and SD interfaces.
    1Mbyte flash BIOS.
    Voltage shift buffers on PPU and CPU bus for matching levels between 5V bus and 3.3V bus. Far better than simple resistor buffers at reducing noise and power consumption.

(http://)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 25, 2020, 03:01:06 pm
Well, you nailed me.  Got one ordered now.   :lol

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: SaiNRuB on October 25, 2020, 08:38:06 pm
Nice! I wonder how much a discount these will get for black friday. Does anyone know what the sale prices were from years prior?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on October 25, 2020, 10:11:27 pm
The usual sites are Chinese so they don't really do the black Friday thing.  Now Chinese new year typically has some coupons. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: SaiNRuB on October 26, 2020, 02:12:58 am
Oh, that's too bad. Thought aliexpress did Black Friday sales. Well if stone age gamer have n8's for $89 or less I would probably spring for one. If not N8 plus will have to do. :D
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 26, 2020, 07:19:10 am
Never more than a few dollars off with Aliexpress and they do observe some odd holidays.  I got on there once during one of those racist European Black Pete Christmas holidays and felt like I had warped into the 1800s.  Nothing like ordering video games from a website covered in blackface.

You can always set up new accounts for the new customer discount but I don’t bother anymore.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on October 26, 2020, 02:25:20 pm
Apparently Black Pete is still a thing in some parts of Europe..... I'm not sure how a holiday where the nice white man gives you presents if you are good or else the evil black man gives you a beating is still a thing outside of Alabama.  ;)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 26, 2020, 09:53:16 pm
So I guess with the FPGA, it’ll actually emulate the extra sound chips on some of the Japanese games, and everything they added in the famicom disc system games.  I’ve done some reading on modding the top loader and it seems feasible.  Also makes me wonder how my Retro Duo is going to handle it.  Is this the day I finally emulate Castlevania 3 100%?

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: SaiNRuB on October 27, 2020, 12:50:48 am
I hope it is pbj! I have a front loader that needs some rgb and expansion audio mods. I really hope this cart works out too!  :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on October 27, 2020, 03:31:48 pm
You guys let me know how it goes..... I'll wait for video of Castlevania III (jap) ;)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 27, 2020, 09:58:05 pm
This is where I mention that less than 24 hours after my purchase of the clone, new firmware came out on the real thing.

I suspect that all it does is brick clones....

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: KenToad on October 27, 2020, 10:26:05 pm
Is it a clone of the standard N8 or N8 pro?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: SaiNRuB on October 28, 2020, 07:00:30 am
standard
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: KenToad on October 28, 2020, 10:33:43 am
I have an original N8 and am a little reluctant to upgrade the firmware, since it can be a PITA. IMO, there haven't been any major improvements since 1.20, which released in December of 2019. The FDS disk system was overhauled at that point and the extra music channels from Gimmick and Japanese Castlevania 3 sound like the real thing or very, very close. Also, save states are possible for pretty much all games, although they can be glitchy. According to the ED forum, some people had issues with random freezing and a game breaking glitch on the disk system Mario 2. I'm not even sure if I have the patience to even test that game to level 4-4, but so far I have had zero issues with the N8 1.20 firmware, so I'm sticking with that.

I bet the clones at this point have 1.20 or better firmware and really won't need to be updated.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: SaiNRuB on October 29, 2020, 10:23:48 am
These will be $54 on Aliexpress on 11/11. 
 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on October 29, 2020, 03:13:36 pm
Ah come on.... I don't need another everdrive but at that price how can I say no?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on October 29, 2020, 03:20:23 pm
Looks like tg16/pce ever drives will be a mere $36 on 11/11.  Dang now if the prices of the actual consoles would just go down. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 29, 2020, 10:54:59 pm
Hahahahha.  Firmware update AND a price drop.  FML.

May buy that TG16 everdrive just to have it in the drawer.  Despite all my considerable ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- talk, it’s only a matter of time before I buy one...

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on October 30, 2020, 02:07:59 am
Yeah I'm feeling like stockpiling that one.  I'm also wondering if the console prices will go down on 11/11 to compete with aliexpress.  Dang it isn't even black Friday yet and we are deal hunting. 
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on October 30, 2020, 07:18:50 am
Has anyone managed yo get holy diver working on the N8? I have an older clone.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: KenToad on October 30, 2020, 10:13:18 am
Holy Diver works fine on my N8. The newer clones should run it, if they are running firmware 1.20 or later.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on October 31, 2020, 04:08:27 am
Holy Diver works fine on my N8. The newer clones should run it, if they are running firmware 1.20 or later.
Im afraid to update my clone. Its several years old
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 31, 2020, 09:20:44 am
Just get a new one, bro. Life is too short.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on November 21, 2020, 11:58:16 pm
My everdrive clone arrived and appears to work.  I will confirm if Castlevania 3 is 100% tomorrow.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on November 24, 2020, 09:15:18 pm
And there it is.... one jumper wire on the Everdrive and a resistor jumper added to the Top Loader.

Castlevania 3 - 100%

 http://youtu.be/F8UNfpG2dzQ

 (http://youtu.be/F8UNfpG2dzQ)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: KenToad on November 25, 2020, 01:53:03 pm
Nice work! I did the console modification with a resistor to my front loader NES, but I didn't modify my OG N8 at all. Was the cart modification something specific for the top loader or the clone N8 functionality?
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on November 25, 2020, 11:29:55 pm
On the top loader, pin 54 doesn’t exist on the cartridge slot.  You can jump pin 54 on the Everdrive to a few pins that aren’t used on the top loader pcb.  Pin 51 is close, so it seems most jump to that.

On pin 51 inside the nes, which is ordinarily connected to nothing, you add a 1.2k ohm resistor from there to the sound output on the transistor.  I did it once with very short leads on the resistor and had horrible hum.  I used a different brand of resistor, left about 1/4” on the leads, and folded it over to the side (sandwiched in electrical tape) and the hum went away.

I really should post a photo.  There is exactly one on the internet, you have to use archive.org to pull it up, and it’s horribly blurry.  All information you can find online links to that photo.

I still have jailbars on my top loader, but I may finally bite the bullet and kill RF functionality and redo my composite mod.

I also learned that if you dip copper braid into flux and then lay it on top of an edge connector, you can clean solder off nes cartridge pins very easily.

 :cheers:

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on December 07, 2020, 09:57:04 pm
Clone Everdrive is confirmed working with 1.24 firmware. I checked with the vendor first and he assured me it was fine.  Downloaded from krizz and copied to the cart and I'm good to go.

Also learned that save states and game genie codes don't work unless you're on original hardware.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on December 07, 2020, 11:27:53 pm
Clone Everdrive is confirmed worked with 1.24 firmware. I checked with the vendor first and he assured me it was fine.  Downloaded from krizz and copied to the cart and I'm good to go.

Also learned that save states and game genie codes don't work unless you're on original hardware.

 :cheers:
Awesome gonna have to update mine now. Thanks
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on December 17, 2020, 09:14:13 pm
..sigh..

Forum ate my long post.  This is a nice cart.  Desirable games and multiple save game support.

 :banghead:

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: KenToad on December 18, 2020, 10:37:05 am
Looks good. You must have quite a collection of multicarts by now.

Re: losing forum posts, I make it a habit to always copy my posts to the clipboard before clicking post. For whatever reason, this forum seems particularly bad about eating posts.  :dunno
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on December 18, 2020, 11:29:35 am
I do. They're fun. I've enjoyed watching the evolution. 2 steps forward, one step back. This one has all the nes mini games listed first in alphabetical order, then 200 more games in alphabetical order. The library is definitive. You can jump through the list by first letter of game name, so these menus are getting more advanced.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on March 22, 2021, 09:19:51 pm
New snes cart. Different menu than the super everdrive.
It was $26. Not letting me post screens of the menu. Says it failed security check.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on March 22, 2021, 09:32:19 pm
Does it do anything different?  Dsp1 games?

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on March 22, 2021, 09:33:50 pm
Does it do anything different?  Dsp1 games?
I doubt it does any special chip games I'll give dsp1 a try. Name a game and I'll test it.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on March 22, 2021, 09:35:17 pm
Pilot Wings
Mario Kart
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: opt2not on March 22, 2021, 09:58:58 pm
I love Pilotwings. Such a great early game to show off that mode 7.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: thomas_surles on March 22, 2021, 10:08:43 pm
Pilot Wings
Mario Kart
Conveniently not a single special chip game available on the included micro sd. Seems whomever made the list did a good job of excluding the non working roms.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 06, 2021, 11:02:40 pm
So a forum member, who may identify himself if he sees fit, sent me a SEGA Genesis II.  It’s brought me lots of joy and found a nice home on my Tv stand.

I had a huge library of games in the 90s.  Borderline obscene.  Master system, genesis, 32x, SEGA cd.  It suffered the same fate all our collections did when we moved out.  I can’t even begin to afford to recapture it these days.

But it’s Current Year so I bought a “1200 in 1” which is an Everdrive 3 Pro clone.

Only got some limited time with it tonight but so far so good...

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Titchgamer on October 07, 2021, 01:45:28 am
So a forum member, who may identify himself if he sees fit, sent me a SEGA Genesis II.  It’s brought me lots of joy and found a nice home on my Tv stand.

I had a huge library of games in the 90s.  Borderline obscene.  Master system, genesis, 32x, SEGA cd.  It suffered the same fate all our collections did when we moved out.  I can’t even begin to afford to recapture it these days.

But it’s Current Year so I bought a “1200 in 1” which is an Everdrive 3 Pro clone.

Only got some limited time with it tonight but so far so good...
Dannggg they added Xeno Crisis to a flash cart already!?
I only just got my original NGCD version through the post yesterday!

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211007/32c218a30b417db4f0aa0d816cc54cdd.jpg)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: KenToad on October 07, 2021, 09:18:49 am
It's weird to me that they would release Xeno Crisis on the Neo Geo because of the lack of buttons. It's a good game, but only playable on the Genesis with the 6-button controller. Personally, I wish that they had released it for the SNES because it plays better having grenade and roll on the shoulder buttons.

My experience of owning a Genesis back in the day was of having only Sonic. All my games were at the rental shop.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 07, 2021, 12:05:37 pm
No special chips on Xeno Crisis, so it was easy to copy.  You can buy a bootleg cartridge with a box and manual for $12.  Piers Solar appears to be the unobtainable.  I have no doubt it could run on these cheap clones but nobody is going to write the mappers.  I played it for 20 minutes on Dreamcast and was already annoyed with it, so I think I'm good.  (also couldn't get the Dreamcast version to save... it may require an actual VMU).

There's actually quite a few new Genesis games out there, and some nice quality of life improvement rom hacks. 

I'm on the hunt for some random cartridges just so I have something to touch, but there's really no need.  I may also pick up at 196 in 1 cartridge as those were rather nice and have a great library.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 07, 2021, 11:59:22 pm
So, cheapest I’ve been able to squeeze counterfeit games is ~$3.25 each in bulk.  Considering tossing $20 at it and seeing what happens.  For $30 you can get a flasher and then the blanks are around $10.  Another option.


Pier Solar and Special FX Unit Yuki are no-go on this cartridge, it won’t attempt to write anything larger than 4MB.

The rom hacks for SF2 get it right there with the snes version.  SEGA got done wrong.

Cave Story runs great.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 08, 2021, 08:17:42 pm
Well, I just bought a new in box “cassette organizer” and 14 bootleg games from China.

 :dunno
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 14, 2021, 12:08:29 am
Seller canceled my order and jacked up his prices when he got in the office Monday.  I’ve since placed a smaller order with another seller and we’ll see if this one actually ships.  Came out to ~$4.09 shipped with tax per game.  As always, you can bounce around temporary accounts and scam Ali express out of new user coupons if so inclined


 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on October 14, 2021, 10:13:39 am
So a forum member, who may identify himself if he sees fit, sent me a SEGA Genesis II.  It’s brought me lots of joy and found a nice home on my Tv stand.

You're welcome bro! I'm glad you are enjoying it. Despite owning an everdrive clone I still wanna build up my cart collection again. I keep either getting sniped on ebay, or they want $54 to ship. I just picked up Virtua Racing , and I think that's the only retail cart that cant run on clones. I have had some issues with some home brew and hacks but that is kind of to be expected. The Ultimate MK3 hack not working is disappointing, but the MKII Unlimited hack works just fine. The Hyperstone color hack is a game changer and the 2 Street Fighter II hacks are pretty amazing especially the audio fixes.

I have a pretty sweet copy of NHL95 and the case has lots of character and patina!
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389140;image)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 14, 2021, 11:01:10 pm
So, I got to relive the console wars from the comfort of a well worn chair.

I’ll summarize by saying all three of these are nice conversions.  But the differences are interesting.

Genesis with sound and color enhancements via RF because my composite cable ain’t here yet

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389142)

SNES via composite

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389143)

PC Engine Duo via composite

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389144)

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 15, 2021, 09:04:34 am
Moved recently, realized I’ve been carting around a box and manuals for a cartridge I lost a long time ago.  AliExpress to the rescue.  Pretty ballsy bootleg, has Nintendo stamped on the cartridge, seal of quality, and a tri wing screw.  My sincere hope is this thoroughly confuses some collector in 40 years when my widow sells all my ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- for $5.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on October 18, 2021, 05:35:31 pm
ShaqFu biznichez!
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389172;image)

10 games for $32 shipped!
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on October 19, 2021, 06:26:59 pm
Ive spent more on Genesis games than PC games in the last month.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389174;image)
Virtua Racing was the most expensive at about $30 USD, I picked up Sonic, RBI 4 , and sports talk 93 for a total of $11 "shipped". My neighbor was selling them on ebay so I made him an offer to just drop them at my door step and he accepted!

On the serious tip, Virtua Racing on the Genesis is still damn impressive to this day. I think its on par or better than the 32x version... and despite my love for the Sega Saturn, Virtua Racing isnt very good on it.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389173;image)

I need to pick up some cheap EA games just to gank the case for ShaqFu and a replacement case for NHL 95.
Unfortunately I now own 3 pretty bad NFL games. The speech is pretty amazing for a cart based game, but the game play is not very good. The zoom in on the older games is very jarring.
I also forgot how terrible the UI is on the PGA games, its like a port of an old DOS game faking a windows GUI. I'm going to have to look up if its still the same on PGA III and European tour. If it is, I'll probably skip getting them.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 19, 2021, 09:13:41 pm
Virtua Racing for $30?  I know what I’m bidding on next.

Genesis is fun to mess around with.  Lots of good games and the loose carts sell cheap.

Ali Express keeps flaking on my bootleg orders.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on October 25, 2021, 04:28:38 pm
I blame PBJ
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389214;image)

I now have another Model 1 Sega Genesis (version 2 this time though, lacking the "high definition graphics" around the ring)
I guess I'll throw it and all my dupes up on eBay and try to recoup some of my expenses.



The thing to remember is , I have a flash cart than can already play all these games (except Virtua Racing)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389215;image)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on October 25, 2021, 11:10:14 pm
Something to be said about stroking a stack of cartridges.

I opened up my Top Loader NES and snapped a photo of the expansion audio resistor.  Ignore the other wires, those are from my RCA out mod.  Ordinarily this resistor is wrapped in electrical tape.  With short leads and close to the motherboard I was getting hum.

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on October 26, 2021, 07:57:55 am
This was worth buying for R-Type alone:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389220;image)

Street Fighter II is actually pretty amazing too but the controller makes it pretty much impossible to play. The card that came with it is loaded with hacks and demos so it's going to take me a while to prune out all the garbage.  I need to figure out how to run CDs from it, because I don't feel like burning discs.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on October 27, 2021, 09:18:42 pm
Unless something has changed in the last few months, you can't run cds from it.   The only thing you can do is change the bios your cd drive runs with.   
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: JimmyU on November 07, 2021, 11:54:26 pm
Virtua Racing for $30 isn’t too bad considering it was around $100 new back in the 90’s.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on November 09, 2021, 11:36:12 am
Virtua Racing for $30 isn’t too bad considering it was around $100 new back in the 90’s.

Its a shame that Sega didn't do the SVP cart addon idea instead of making the 32X. Seems like the SVP chip could have handled almost everything the 32x did at a much lower cost.  Woulda coulda shoulda I guess.
Virtua Racing on the genesis is still big fat Oprah tits though, if only the genesis had a wheel ;) Speaking of 32x, someone made a new Engine for DooM for 32x and its kind of amazing.

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/119202-doom-32x-resurrection/

As for wasting money..... I bought this:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389306;image)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on November 11, 2021, 12:03:53 pm
It's Singles Day in China, which means some discounts on Ali Express.  You can get a Sega Genesis cartridge flasher for about $30 shipped right now, so I ordered one along with a rewriteable TMNT cart that will get the color fix patch put on it.

About $8.15 per cartridge for 4MB and no ability to save.

About $10 per 2MB cartridge with save ability.

And, yes, I know this has all been 100% emulated for over 20 years.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on November 26, 2021, 08:29:51 am
Getting tough to find game lots that don't include either an sports game or MsPacman...... with reasonable shipping.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389428;image)
Some of the EA sports game cases are going to get new box art printed for the non EA sports games, like Shaq Fu and General Chaos. 1 will probably also get modded to house Virtua Racing. Seems like right after I bought that game a ton went for sale with the real box for less money.

I'm also convinced old dorks like me are getting their seasonal bonus checks cause I keep getting outbid on weird games on eBay. I did just pick up Columns and Caesar's Palace with boxes for $15 shipped though :)
If anyone has any Genesis games with boxes, let me know! Im still looking for  MK1, UMK3, NBA Jam TE, NBA Hangtime, Sonic 1 and 3 but I'd still be interested in what you got!

Unrelated, why does Paprium go for such big money? It looks like an average "fight and go right" based on youtube vids. I mean I'm all about supporting an indie dev and I'd probably drop $50 for a cart to help the cause but $500+ doesn't make sense.


EDIT: Got Jam TE for $13.50 shipped
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Howard_Casto on November 26, 2021, 12:59:50 pm
It's not a regular genesis cart.   It includes a couple of custom co-processors designed just for the game.   It's a shame because that probably means we aren't going to get it emulated or on a flash cart anytime soon.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on November 26, 2021, 01:23:29 pm
It’s also encrypted and nobody has figured out how to dump the rom yet

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on November 26, 2021, 06:46:52 pm
It's a shame because that probably means we aren't going to get it emulated or on a flash cart anytime soon.

Im down to buy a cart or pay the devs for a ROM, but Im not going to bid $500 on a ---smurfing--- Genesis game on eBay
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on November 29, 2021, 10:15:36 pm
So, after a month of waiting, my stack of bootleg Genesis carts got here today.  I also ordered a cartridge flasher two weeks ago that coincidentally arrived today.  Shipping from China is mercurial.

Anyway, here we go:

Cyborg Justice, Jungle Strike, Water Margin, Castlevania, and Streets of Rage 3 were all about $4 each shipped.  The flasher was $30 and came with the loose rewriteable PCB that had Crackdown on it.  The Hyperstone Heist cart was $8 and is rewriteable.  The pcb inside is identical to the loose one.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389439)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389438)


Because I’m foolish and buy the same thing twice, here’s a legit Jungle Strike beside a bootleg.  Some bootlegs had that diode on the left, some didn’t.  Otherwise they’re identical inside.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389437)

And here’s the backs.  Legit cartridge on right, tmnt flash cart on left, cheap bootleg at bottom.  The cheap ones just snap together, no screws.  The TMNT is dead on besides cross head screws.


(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389436)

The cheap bootlegs are very light, are as thin as a US cartridge, and have a notch in them.  This makes them universally physically compatible.  The TMNT is very similar in weight and feel to a legit cartridge.  All of the repro pcbs are slightly thicker than original.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on November 29, 2021, 11:50:48 pm
And here’s the loose cart inside a very special temporary loaner case flashed with the SF2 enhanced rom that fixes the colors and voices.  PCB drops right in and fits correctly.

 :cheers:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389443)

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on November 30, 2021, 03:24:59 pm
Pretty sure Miyamoto would roll over in his grave.... if he was dead.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389447;image)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on March 02, 2022, 08:28:55 pm
Getting tough to find game lots that don't include either an sports game or MsPacman...... with reasonable shipping.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389428;image)

I've still successfully not bought Ms.Pacman but I did end up getting Zoop :/

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=390312;image)
I think I need to stop buying carts. Not pictured: my bootlegs  I do have a legit mega ever drive pro and a bootleg one too.
I'd still like to get a good copy of UMK3 and maybe SamSho
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on March 02, 2022, 09:27:51 pm
I just received a box of 44 sports games that I paid 85 cents each for shipped.  If I can’t figure out how to make EPROMs and turn these into things I will actually play I’m not sure what I’ll do.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=390313)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: opt2not on March 02, 2022, 11:01:26 pm
Pretty sure Miyamoto would roll over in his grave.... if he was dead.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=389447;image)

Pretty sure he’d laugh and say, “finally, Genesis does”.
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on March 25, 2022, 05:42:17 pm
so with everything that was pending, now delivered.....

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=390542;image)
Bootlegs not pictured as I'd hate for PL1 to tell me to buy a kade while banning me for no reason like Im Neph or something.

95 legit carts, 11 bootlegs, 1 legit and 1 fake ever drive

Only dupes are Triple Play 96, NFL 95, Montana 93, Madden 95 & 96, NHL 95&96, NBA Jam TE, Aladdin and Vectorman1
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on March 25, 2022, 11:40:12 pm
We need to get you into some storage solutions.  I’ve been told MikeA is working on it.  Napa Valley cassette racks work beautifully.

If I can’t figure out how to make EPROMs and turn these into things I will actually play I’m not sure what I’ll do.

What a difference three weeks makes.   :lol  First batch of 4MB EPROMs should arrive in the next few days.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on March 28, 2022, 09:33:48 pm
These finally showed up, ordered them over two months ago.  Back before I was honest with myself and got into EPROMs.

Anyway, more classics from “16-Bit.”  I’ll replace these labels eventually.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=390580)
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 05, 2022, 11:06:59 pm
And one more “I’ll never buy an eprom programmer” purchase from a few weeks ago showed up today.  Got this for $6.50 off EBay.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=390650)

The 196 in 1.  The game list is definitive and supports saving.


(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=390651)

Unfortunately, my Mini Gen HD doesn’t like it.  Alien Soldier crashes within 30 seconds.  Road Rash 2 made it a few races.  I’ll try it on original hardware but I’ve been kind of bummed about this.  Must have a weird memory mapper because there are huge games on this cartridge.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=390652)

Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: Malenko on April 06, 2022, 07:06:23 am
The 196 in 1.  The game list is definitive and supports saving.
Only if Skitchin` is on there :p
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on April 06, 2022, 01:16:16 pm
Works fine on original hardware.  Kind of bummed because I had a specific clone console lined up for this cart but that's how it goes.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: NES/Famicom Multicarts
Post by: pbj on June 19, 2023, 01:44:46 pm
Well, between the Zoom class action settlement, various Amazon gift cards, and such, I bit the bullet on an SD2SNES.

This thing is so far superior to the stock experience on an SNES that there's no point in making reproduction cartridges.  It can emulate Super Gameboy 2, you can overclock the Super FX emulation, and it runs all the MSU-1 enhanced games.

 :cheers: