Section 5: What is a...?
Section 5: What is a...?
=======================
``What is anime?''
Anime refers to Japanese animation. It tends to be aimed towards a more adult
audience than American animation, and has a large cult following in the US.
Historically, much anime has been brought over with heavy cuts and/or changes
in plot, but companies have recently begun to release more accurately dubbed
or subtitled anime. The connection with video games is that many Japanese
video games are based on anime; furthermore, such games are often the least
likely to be brought over to the US since Americans supposedly aren't
interested in it.
``What is a Tera Drive?''
It's a Japan-only system which combines a PC and a Mega Drive; it's not
available in the US.
``What is a Wonder Mega?''
It's a Japan-only system combining a Mega Drive and CD with a JVC CD system.
It's not available in the US.
``What is a Super Gun?''
It is a "home" system which plays an arcade board at home. This plays the
same as the arcade game, of course, but also costs about as much as the
arcade game (over $1000 for Street Fighter II).
``What is Valis I?''
It is a Famicom game not brought over to the US. There are Mega Drive/Genesis
versions and there will eventually be a Super PC-Engine CD-ROM version.
``What is Thunderforce I?''
It is a game produced by Technosoft for Japanese personal computers only.
``What is Phantasy Star I?''
It's a Sega Master System (8 bit) game.
Section 6: System Capabilities:
==============================
[chart originally by Corey Kirk]
______________________________________________________________________________
| | Neo Geo | SNES | Genesis | TG-16 | NES | Sega M2 |
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
|Bits (CPU)| 8 + 16 | 16 | 16 | 8 + 8 | 8 | 8 |
|Bits (Gx) | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 8 |
|CPU | Z80 68000| 65816 | 68000 | 6502 6502| 6502 | Z80 |
|APU (Aud) | | 6502 | Z80 | | | |
|MHz | 4 12| 3.6 | 7.6 | 3.6 3.6| 1.8 | 3.6 |
|Graphics | 320 x 224| 256 x 224| 320 x 224| 256 x 216| 256 x 240| 240 x 226|
| -2nd mode| | 512 x 448| |512 x 262*| | |
|Colors |4096/65536| 256/32768| 64/512| 482/512*| 16/52| 52/256|
|Sprites | 380 | 128 | 80 | 64 | 8 | 16 |
| - size | unlim | 128 x 128| 32 x 32| 32 x 64| 8 x 8 | 8 x 8 |
|Audio | 15-lyr |PCM 8-lyr | 10-lyr | 6-lyr | mono | mono |
|RAM | ? |128K+64Kgx| 72K+64Kgx| 8K+64Kgx| 2K+ 2Kgx| ? |
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
|CD CPU/MHz| none | ?/21 |68000/12.5| none | none | none |
|CD RAM | | 1024K | 768K | CD=64K | | |
| | | | | SCD=256K | | |
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
* This information has few sources and may be wrong.
________________________________________________________
| | GameBoy | Lynx | GameGear | TExpress |
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
|Bits (CPU)| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 + 8 |
|Bits (Gx) | 8 | 16 | 8 | 16 |
|CPU | 6502 | 6502 | Z80 | 6502 6502|
|MHz (CPU) | 2.2 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 7.2 |
|MHz (Gx) | | 16.0 | | |
|ScreenSize| 2.6" | 3.5" | 3.2" | 2.6" |
|Graphics | 160 x 144| 160 x 102| 160 x 144| 256 x 216|
|Colors | mono (4) | 16/4096 | 32/4096 | 241/512 |
|Sprites | 8 | unlim | 64 | 64 |
| - size | 8 x 8 | unlim | 8 x 8 | 32 x 64 |
|Audio | 2-lyr | 4-lyr | 4-lyr | 6-lyr |
|RAM | 16K | 64K | 24K | 8K+64Kgx|
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
``Does the Genesis CD-ROM have extra colors, sprites, or resolution?''
No. Gamepro magazine said otherwise one issue; this was an error.
Section 7: Compatibility:
========================
FAMICOM: Same as NES. Adaptors reportedly exist.
FAMICOM DISK SYSTEM: No US counterpart. (People kept copying the disks.)
SUPER FAMICOM: Same as Super NES. The European or Australian, and the
American or Japanese, versions aren't compatible because of lockout chips; but
you can buy an adapter which takes two cartridges and uses the lockout chip
from one and the program from the other, letting you play the games (either
way). Games run faster on US machines and slower on European ones.
For American/Japanese games, the cartridges are shaped so as not to fit in
each other's machines. If you cut away the plastic that prevents them from
fitting, or if you buy an ``adapter'', you can play them... usually. Although
lockout chips don't cause problems between American/Japanese systems, the cart
may detect what kind of machine it's being used on, and refuse to run; the
Japanese version of TMNT 4 does this. The Super Famicom equivalent of a
language switch would solve this problem, but nobody knows how to make one.
One usenetter called Nintendo and was told that newer _machines_ weren't
compatible (Japanese/US). There's no real evidence for this, however.
PC ENGINE/COREGRAFX: Same as Turbografx-16. Cartridge games are not
compatible, but you can buy adapters for $20-30 through many mail order places
(get a game magazine and check the ads). CD-ROM games (and, according to
rumor, Super CD-ROM games) are compatible without adapters; the Super CD-ROM
expansion (3.0 card plus 256K memory) will also work in a TG-16 with adapter
(in case you can't wait for the US version). Buying an adapter may well be
worthwhile since the PC Engine is very popular in Japan, and many games
released for it never reach the US. (So far. This may change.)
An adapter in reverse, to play a TG-16 game on a PC Engine isn't possible.
Note: The CD-ROM2 is the counterpart of the CD, not the super-CD. Why it's
named 2, I have no idea; maybe because the system is version 2.0.
SUPERGRAFX: No US counterpart. (The Supergrafx is an enhanced PC Engine and
can play PC Engine games without modification, though of course these are hard
to get in the US.)
MEGA DRIVE: Same as Genesis. (The Wonder Mega is a Mega Drive with a built-in
CD-ROM, combined with a JVC CD system.) Compatibility is a bit tricky.
The European and Australian machine known as the Mega Drive is (except for
putting out PAL signals) identical to the Genesis, and all comments below
which refer to the Genesis, not to the Mega Drive, apply to them. Converted
Japanese machines are popular in Europe; these often have permanent English
language modifications (and act like a Genesis with respect to compatibility.)
If you want to play a game on the "opposite" machine, you have to cut out some
plastic around the cartridge slot on a Genesis. On a Mega Drive, you _might_
have to disable the cartridge lock (I didn't, but some people have told me they
needed to). The cartridge lock is the plastic tab that pushes into the slot
from the left side when you turn the machine on. There are also adapters which
alleviate the need for cutting things. Some games are bilingual, and play in
Japanese/English depending on which machine you use them in; the list is below.
The Mega Drive games Rolling Thunder II, Thunder Force IV, and Super Monaco GP
2 won't play on a Genesis unless you install a language switch (see below).
The Genesis game Dragon's Fury won't play on a Mega Drive without a language
switch (though the MD version, Devil's Crush MD, works on both machines). It
is rumored that some other Mega Drive games won't run on a new machine, but I
have no examples.
For the CD-ROM, there will be 4 different versions: American, European,
Japanese, and Asian. The origin of the CD drive and the origin of the disk
must match. If you have a new machine, the origin of the machine must also
match, but you can reportedly get around this with a language switch. (Anyone
tried that firsthand?)
There are bilingual CD games, with two versions depending on the language
switch. (Of course, if you have a Japanese CD drive and want to see both
versions you'll need an old machine, since a new machine will only work at all
on one language setting.)
(The excuse for incompatibility, as reported in EGM, is that current games
don't use music or footage from licensed properties, but CDs will, and
licensing might only apply to limited geographic areas. Needless to say,
current games _do_ use music, and at least digitized pictures from, licensed
properties. Nor do the compatible PC Engine/TG CD's seem to have this sort of
problem. Nor do regular music CDs or laser discs, for that matter).
SEGA MASTER SYSTEM: same as and compatible with US version.
NEO-GEO: same as and compatible with US version.
GAMEBOY: same as and compatible with US version.
LYNX: same as and compatible with US version.
GAME GEAR: same as and compatible with US version. The Japanese TV tuner,
however, works on Japanese TV frequencies, some of which differ from US TV
frequencies.
PC ENGINE GT: This is the equivalent of the TurboExpress, and runs PC Engine
games. The same adapter that plays PC Engine games on a TG-16 will also play
them on a TurboExpress.
MISCELLANEOUS: The "Master Gear" adapter plays Sega Master System games on the
Game Gear; they must be 256K or less. (Phantasy Star is >256K and won't play
properly.) The games will reportedly not run at the correct speed if the game
is from a country where TV uses PAL (i.e. Europe). Adapters in reverse are
probably possible, but I haven't heard of any.
How to make a language switch (Genesis/MD).
On a Genesis/MD, there are jumpers labelled JP1, JP2, JP4, and JP3. The Genesis
has a capacitor on JP1 and a trace on JP2; the Mega Drive has a capacitor on
JP2 and a trace on JP1. The bottom ends of JP1 and JP2 are connected together.
So if you cut the trace and the top end of the capacitor, and install a DPDT
switch between them which reconnects them either unchanged or swapped left to
right, you have a language switch. You'll need some wire, a soldering iron,
solder, and a DPDT switch.
[I DIDN'T TEST THIS]: Some machines do not have the capacitor. They have an
open circuit instead. Also, I have been told (though I haven't checked!) that
even on machines with a capacitor, you can throw it out and leave an open
circuit. In either of these situations, the switch is a lot simpler, requiring`a SPDT switch and less wire and solder.
JP3 and JP4 can be similarly swapped for a 50/60 hz switch.
The language switch lets you choose between English and Japanese mode on games
which have dual-version ROMs, and lets you play the Japanese version of
Rolling Thunder II and Thunderforce IV on a Genesis, or Dragon's Fury on a
Mega Drive.
Genesis/Mega Drive dual version (language switch) list:
Bonanza Brothers: Game plays in Japanese.
Columns: Instructions are in Japanese.
*Cyberball: Japanese version has a modem option.
Dragon's Fury: This game does not play at all on a Mega Drive, giving a
message about how it's not intended for use in Japan. (The Japanese version,
Devil's Crush MD, does play on either system.)
Dynamite Duke: Harder on the Mega Drive.
Elemental Master: Harder on the Mega Drive.
Fatal Labyrinth: Game plays in Japanese.
Fire Shark: Different title screen with Kanji.
Flicky: characters have Japanese names and instructions are in Japanese.
Forgotten Worlds: Text is in Japanese.
Gaiares: Plays in Japanese language, but the language can be changed to
either version on either Genesis/MD. Hold down A, B, C, and press Start for an
options screen which lets you choose the language.
Ghostbusters: The Ghostbusters speak Japanese.
Ghouls and Ghosts: Different title screen with Kanji. To see it on a
Genesis, select the last music and sound (26 and 56) from the options screen,
then press lower left; A, B, or C; and Start all at the same time. (I never
tried this, but Gamepro magazine claims it works.) The game shows some other
Japanese text, and when you die during a boss you start out earlier.
Insector X: Title screen refers to company as Hot-B, not Sage's Creation.
The MD version shoots more slowly. Ending text for the game is still in
English.
*Marvel Land: The Japanese version says "for Mega Drive" or "for Genesis"
but the language stays Japanese. Presumably the English version does the same
in English (can anyone confirm this?)
Mystic Defender: This game is actually the anime-based Kujaku-Oh (Peacock
King) 2 game. In Japanese mode, the opening text is replaced by a graphics
screen (never seen in the US version) with Japanese. The levels have names,
the main character wears a white robe, the lightning magic effect is different,
and the character is named Kujaku in the ending text (which is still English).
Outrun: The attract mode does not include sound, the startup screen says
"push" (not "press") start button, and "(C) Sega 1986, 1991" is printed in
reverse order. The default options are KM/H and a different button selection
(but can still be changed on the option screen).
Quackshot: Text is in Japanese.
Revenge of Shinobi: Title screen changes to Super Shinobi, and credits are
shown at the end.
*Rolling Thunder II: The Japanese version only works on a Japanese setting.
Streets of Rage: Title screen changes to Bare Knuckle, and all text is in
Japanese, including the introduction. The clock resets when you encounter thes and black-haired on a MD.
* Information obtained by testing a Japanese cartridge
In addition, most gamesð¯.ë with a standard "Sega TM" screen omit the TM when
".
Thunder Force III: company's name is spelled "Tecnosoft".
*Thunder Force IV: The Japanese version only works on a Japanese setting.
*Thunder Storm FX (CD): Turns to Cobra Command when set to US.
Truxton: Turns into Tatsujin. (What does this mean?)
Twin Hawk: Different title screen with Kanji.
*Wrestle War: The wrestler is blond on a Genesis and black-haired on a MD.
* Information obtained by testing a Japanese cartridge
In addition, most games with a standard "Sega TM" screen omit the TM when
played in Japanese mode, even if the game isn't otherwise bilingual.
Super NES/Super Famicom dual-version list:
*Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4: only runs on Japanese machines.
*Super Adventure Island: In the opening, Master Higgins appears upside down
on Japanese and right side up on US machines.
PC Engine/TG-16 pinout.
This information was posted by David Shadoff (david.shadoff@canrem.com)
and is mostly verbatim:
Notes:
(1) For reference, pin 1 is the short pin (on the left, if the card
is to inserted forwards), pin 38 is the long pin on the right.
(2) * - means I think this is what it is
** - means I don't know
(bar) - means it is an active-while low condition (usually denoted
by a bar over top)
(3) I'm telling you all I know (which really isn't much), and it may
contain errors, also - I will not be held responsible for errors
in this list. (or any damages resulting from the use of, or
inability to use, this information, etc...)
Pin Use
--- ---
1 ** 20 D4
2 ** 21 D5
3 A18* 22 D6
4 A16 23 D7
5 A15 24 CE (bar) - chip select
6 A12 25 A10
7 A7 26 OE (bar) - output enable
8 A6 27 A11
9 A5 28 A9
10 A4 29 A8
11 A3 30 A13
12 A2 31 A14
13 A1 32 A17
14 A0 33 A19*
15 D0 34 R/W (bar over W) - read/write
16 D1 35 **
17 D2 36 **
18 Gnd 37 **
19 D3 38 +5V
It is interesting to note that pins 6 thru 29 are basically exact
duplicates of the functions of pins 2 thru 25 on a 2764 EPROM.
Obviously, the design of the chip's die was not a complete re-work;
it just sits on a different package.
I got this information from tracing address- and data-paths through
the PC-E to the 2K static RAM (which has a known pinout), and
extending that information by reviewing an NEC data book on their
1-Megabit factory-programmed PROM's (it's an old data book, so I
couldn't go any further).
The TG-16 differs from the PC-E in that the D0-7 datalines are
reversed (actually, the PROM is programmed that way, and the wires
leading to the data bus in the machine are reversed). I have
shown here, the card pinout (which does not differ). I believe
that this is the PC-E port pinout (TG-16's just reverse the data
lines' order; swap 0 for 7, 1 for 6, 2 for 5, and 3 for 4).
-
Additional information: to copy a TG-16 game to work on a PC Engine with
copier, reverse the bit order; check for the first bytes to be 78 54 A9, the
letters NEC at offset 15 hex, and then change the F0 at offset 0B to an 80.
Section 8: Ordering foreign game magazines:
==========================================
The below information comes from James Mathiesen: To order a British
magazine, call first; pay with a VISA card or an International Money Order:
Title: Computer + Video Games (computer and console games)
Title: Mean Machines (console games only)
Phone: (0858) 410510
Title: ZONE (console games)
Phone: (071) 580 8908
Title: Sega Pro (Sega only)
Phone: (0225) 765086
Title: Sega Force (Sega only)
Phone: (051) 357 1275
Title: TOTAL (Nintendo only)
Phone: (0458) 74011
=======================
``What is anime?''
Anime refers to Japanese animation. It tends to be aimed towards a more adult
audience than American animation, and has a large cult following in the US.
Historically, much anime has been brought over with heavy cuts and/or changes
in plot, but companies have recently begun to release more accurately dubbed
or subtitled anime. The connection with video games is that many Japanese
video games are based on anime; furthermore, such games are often the least
likely to be brought over to the US since Americans supposedly aren't
interested in it.
``What is a Tera Drive?''
It's a Japan-only system which combines a PC and a Mega Drive; it's not
available in the US.
``What is a Wonder Mega?''
It's a Japan-only system combining a Mega Drive and CD with a JVC CD system.
It's not available in the US.
``What is a Super Gun?''
It is a "home" system which plays an arcade board at home. This plays the
same as the arcade game, of course, but also costs about as much as the
arcade game (over $1000 for Street Fighter II).
``What is Valis I?''
It is a Famicom game not brought over to the US. There are Mega Drive/Genesis
versions and there will eventually be a Super PC-Engine CD-ROM version.
``What is Thunderforce I?''
It is a game produced by Technosoft for Japanese personal computers only.
``What is Phantasy Star I?''
It's a Sega Master System (8 bit) game.
Section 6: System Capabilities:
==============================
[chart originally by Corey Kirk]
______________________________________________________________________________
| | Neo Geo | SNES | Genesis | TG-16 | NES | Sega M2 |
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
|Bits (CPU)| 8 + 16 | 16 | 16 | 8 + 8 | 8 | 8 |
|Bits (Gx) | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 8 |
|CPU | Z80 68000| 65816 | 68000 | 6502 6502| 6502 | Z80 |
|APU (Aud) | | 6502 | Z80 | | | |
|MHz | 4 12| 3.6 | 7.6 | 3.6 3.6| 1.8 | 3.6 |
|Graphics | 320 x 224| 256 x 224| 320 x 224| 256 x 216| 256 x 240| 240 x 226|
| -2nd mode| | 512 x 448| |512 x 262*| | |
|Colors |4096/65536| 256/32768| 64/512| 482/512*| 16/52| 52/256|
|Sprites | 380 | 128 | 80 | 64 | 8 | 16 |
| - size | unlim | 128 x 128| 32 x 32| 32 x 64| 8 x 8 | 8 x 8 |
|Audio | 15-lyr |PCM 8-lyr | 10-lyr | 6-lyr | mono | mono |
|RAM | ? |128K+64Kgx| 72K+64Kgx| 8K+64Kgx| 2K+ 2Kgx| ? |
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
|CD CPU/MHz| none | ?/21 |68000/12.5| none | none | none |
|CD RAM | | 1024K | 768K | CD=64K | | |
| | | | | SCD=256K | | |
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
* This information has few sources and may be wrong.
________________________________________________________
| | GameBoy | Lynx | GameGear | TExpress |
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
|Bits (CPU)| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 + 8 |
|Bits (Gx) | 8 | 16 | 8 | 16 |
|CPU | 6502 | 6502 | Z80 | 6502 6502|
|MHz (CPU) | 2.2 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 7.2 |
|MHz (Gx) | | 16.0 | | |
|ScreenSize| 2.6" | 3.5" | 3.2" | 2.6" |
|Graphics | 160 x 144| 160 x 102| 160 x 144| 256 x 216|
|Colors | mono (4) | 16/4096 | 32/4096 | 241/512 |
|Sprites | 8 | unlim | 64 | 64 |
| - size | 8 x 8 | unlim | 8 x 8 | 32 x 64 |
|Audio | 2-lyr | 4-lyr | 4-lyr | 6-lyr |
|RAM | 16K | 64K | 24K | 8K+64Kgx|
|----------+----------+----------+----------+----------|
``Does the Genesis CD-ROM have extra colors, sprites, or resolution?''
No. Gamepro magazine said otherwise one issue; this was an error.
Section 7: Compatibility:
========================
FAMICOM: Same as NES. Adaptors reportedly exist.
FAMICOM DISK SYSTEM: No US counterpart. (People kept copying the disks.)
SUPER FAMICOM: Same as Super NES. The European or Australian, and the
American or Japanese, versions aren't compatible because of lockout chips; but
you can buy an adapter which takes two cartridges and uses the lockout chip
from one and the program from the other, letting you play the games (either
way). Games run faster on US machines and slower on European ones.
For American/Japanese games, the cartridges are shaped so as not to fit in
each other's machines. If you cut away the plastic that prevents them from
fitting, or if you buy an ``adapter'', you can play them... usually. Although
lockout chips don't cause problems between American/Japanese systems, the cart
may detect what kind of machine it's being used on, and refuse to run; the
Japanese version of TMNT 4 does this. The Super Famicom equivalent of a
language switch would solve this problem, but nobody knows how to make one.
One usenetter called Nintendo and was told that newer _machines_ weren't
compatible (Japanese/US). There's no real evidence for this, however.
PC ENGINE/COREGRAFX: Same as Turbografx-16. Cartridge games are not
compatible, but you can buy adapters for $20-30 through many mail order places
(get a game magazine and check the ads). CD-ROM games (and, according to
rumor, Super CD-ROM games) are compatible without adapters; the Super CD-ROM
expansion (3.0 card plus 256K memory) will also work in a TG-16 with adapter
(in case you can't wait for the US version). Buying an adapter may well be
worthwhile since the PC Engine is very popular in Japan, and many games
released for it never reach the US. (So far. This may change.)
An adapter in reverse, to play a TG-16 game on a PC Engine isn't possible.
Note: The CD-ROM2 is the counterpart of the CD, not the super-CD. Why it's
named 2, I have no idea; maybe because the system is version 2.0.
SUPERGRAFX: No US counterpart. (The Supergrafx is an enhanced PC Engine and
can play PC Engine games without modification, though of course these are hard
to get in the US.)
MEGA DRIVE: Same as Genesis. (The Wonder Mega is a Mega Drive with a built-in
CD-ROM, combined with a JVC CD system.) Compatibility is a bit tricky.
The European and Australian machine known as the Mega Drive is (except for
putting out PAL signals) identical to the Genesis, and all comments below
which refer to the Genesis, not to the Mega Drive, apply to them. Converted
Japanese machines are popular in Europe; these often have permanent English
language modifications (and act like a Genesis with respect to compatibility.)
If you want to play a game on the "opposite" machine, you have to cut out some
plastic around the cartridge slot on a Genesis. On a Mega Drive, you _might_
have to disable the cartridge lock (I didn't, but some people have told me they
needed to). The cartridge lock is the plastic tab that pushes into the slot
from the left side when you turn the machine on. There are also adapters which
alleviate the need for cutting things. Some games are bilingual, and play in
Japanese/English depending on which machine you use them in; the list is below.
The Mega Drive games Rolling Thunder II, Thunder Force IV, and Super Monaco GP
2 won't play on a Genesis unless you install a language switch (see below).
The Genesis game Dragon's Fury won't play on a Mega Drive without a language
switch (though the MD version, Devil's Crush MD, works on both machines). It
is rumored that some other Mega Drive games won't run on a new machine, but I
have no examples.
For the CD-ROM, there will be 4 different versions: American, European,
Japanese, and Asian. The origin of the CD drive and the origin of the disk
must match. If you have a new machine, the origin of the machine must also
match, but you can reportedly get around this with a language switch. (Anyone
tried that firsthand?)
There are bilingual CD games, with two versions depending on the language
switch. (Of course, if you have a Japanese CD drive and want to see both
versions you'll need an old machine, since a new machine will only work at all
on one language setting.)
(The excuse for incompatibility, as reported in EGM, is that current games
don't use music or footage from licensed properties, but CDs will, and
licensing might only apply to limited geographic areas. Needless to say,
current games _do_ use music, and at least digitized pictures from, licensed
properties. Nor do the compatible PC Engine/TG CD's seem to have this sort of
problem. Nor do regular music CDs or laser discs, for that matter).
SEGA MASTER SYSTEM: same as and compatible with US version.
NEO-GEO: same as and compatible with US version.
GAMEBOY: same as and compatible with US version.
LYNX: same as and compatible with US version.
GAME GEAR: same as and compatible with US version. The Japanese TV tuner,
however, works on Japanese TV frequencies, some of which differ from US TV
frequencies.
PC ENGINE GT: This is the equivalent of the TurboExpress, and runs PC Engine
games. The same adapter that plays PC Engine games on a TG-16 will also play
them on a TurboExpress.
MISCELLANEOUS: The "Master Gear" adapter plays Sega Master System games on the
Game Gear; they must be 256K or less. (Phantasy Star is >256K and won't play
properly.) The games will reportedly not run at the correct speed if the game
is from a country where TV uses PAL (i.e. Europe). Adapters in reverse are
probably possible, but I haven't heard of any.
How to make a language switch (Genesis/MD).
On a Genesis/MD, there are jumpers labelled JP1, JP2, JP4, and JP3. The Genesis
has a capacitor on JP1 and a trace on JP2; the Mega Drive has a capacitor on
JP2 and a trace on JP1. The bottom ends of JP1 and JP2 are connected together.
So if you cut the trace and the top end of the capacitor, and install a DPDT
switch between them which reconnects them either unchanged or swapped left to
right, you have a language switch. You'll need some wire, a soldering iron,
solder, and a DPDT switch.
[I DIDN'T TEST THIS]: Some machines do not have the capacitor. They have an
open circuit instead. Also, I have been told (though I haven't checked!) that
even on machines with a capacitor, you can throw it out and leave an open
circuit. In either of these situations, the switch is a lot simpler, requiring`a SPDT switch and less wire and solder.
JP3 and JP4 can be similarly swapped for a 50/60 hz switch.
The language switch lets you choose between English and Japanese mode on games
which have dual-version ROMs, and lets you play the Japanese version of
Rolling Thunder II and Thunderforce IV on a Genesis, or Dragon's Fury on a
Mega Drive.
Genesis/Mega Drive dual version (language switch) list:
Bonanza Brothers: Game plays in Japanese.
Columns: Instructions are in Japanese.
*Cyberball: Japanese version has a modem option.
Dragon's Fury: This game does not play at all on a Mega Drive, giving a
message about how it's not intended for use in Japan. (The Japanese version,
Devil's Crush MD, does play on either system.)
Dynamite Duke: Harder on the Mega Drive.
Elemental Master: Harder on the Mega Drive.
Fatal Labyrinth: Game plays in Japanese.
Fire Shark: Different title screen with Kanji.
Flicky: characters have Japanese names and instructions are in Japanese.
Forgotten Worlds: Text is in Japanese.
Gaiares: Plays in Japanese language, but the language can be changed to
either version on either Genesis/MD. Hold down A, B, C, and press Start for an
options screen which lets you choose the language.
Ghostbusters: The Ghostbusters speak Japanese.
Ghouls and Ghosts: Different title screen with Kanji. To see it on a
Genesis, select the last music and sound (26 and 56) from the options screen,
then press lower left; A, B, or C; and Start all at the same time. (I never
tried this, but Gamepro magazine claims it works.) The game shows some other
Japanese text, and when you die during a boss you start out earlier.
Insector X: Title screen refers to company as Hot-B, not Sage's Creation.
The MD version shoots more slowly. Ending text for the game is still in
English.
*Marvel Land: The Japanese version says "for Mega Drive" or "for Genesis"
but the language stays Japanese. Presumably the English version does the same
in English (can anyone confirm this?)
Mystic Defender: This game is actually the anime-based Kujaku-Oh (Peacock
King) 2 game. In Japanese mode, the opening text is replaced by a graphics
screen (never seen in the US version) with Japanese. The levels have names,
the main character wears a white robe, the lightning magic effect is different,
and the character is named Kujaku in the ending text (which is still English).
Outrun: The attract mode does not include sound, the startup screen says
"push" (not "press") start button, and "(C) Sega 1986, 1991" is printed in
reverse order. The default options are KM/H and a different button selection
(but can still be changed on the option screen).
Quackshot: Text is in Japanese.
Revenge of Shinobi: Title screen changes to Super Shinobi, and credits are
shown at the end.
*Rolling Thunder II: The Japanese version only works on a Japanese setting.
Streets of Rage: Title screen changes to Bare Knuckle, and all text is in
Japanese, including the introduction. The clock resets when you encounter thes and black-haired on a MD.
* Information obtained by testing a Japanese cartridge
In addition, most gamesð¯.ë with a standard "Sega TM" screen omit the TM when
".
Thunder Force III: company's name is spelled "Tecnosoft".
*Thunder Force IV: The Japanese version only works on a Japanese setting.
*Thunder Storm FX (CD): Turns to Cobra Command when set to US.
Truxton: Turns into Tatsujin. (What does this mean?)
Twin Hawk: Different title screen with Kanji.
*Wrestle War: The wrestler is blond on a Genesis and black-haired on a MD.
* Information obtained by testing a Japanese cartridge
In addition, most games with a standard "Sega TM" screen omit the TM when
played in Japanese mode, even if the game isn't otherwise bilingual.
Super NES/Super Famicom dual-version list:
*Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4: only runs on Japanese machines.
*Super Adventure Island: In the opening, Master Higgins appears upside down
on Japanese and right side up on US machines.
PC Engine/TG-16 pinout.
This information was posted by David Shadoff (david.shadoff@canrem.com)
and is mostly verbatim:
Notes:
(1) For reference, pin 1 is the short pin (on the left, if the card
is to inserted forwards), pin 38 is the long pin on the right.
(2) * - means I think this is what it is
** - means I don't know
(bar) - means it is an active-while low condition (usually denoted
by a bar over top)
(3) I'm telling you all I know (which really isn't much), and it may
contain errors, also - I will not be held responsible for errors
in this list. (or any damages resulting from the use of, or
inability to use, this information, etc...)
Pin Use
--- ---
1 ** 20 D4
2 ** 21 D5
3 A18* 22 D6
4 A16 23 D7
5 A15 24 CE (bar) - chip select
6 A12 25 A10
7 A7 26 OE (bar) - output enable
8 A6 27 A11
9 A5 28 A9
10 A4 29 A8
11 A3 30 A13
12 A2 31 A14
13 A1 32 A17
14 A0 33 A19*
15 D0 34 R/W (bar over W) - read/write
16 D1 35 **
17 D2 36 **
18 Gnd 37 **
19 D3 38 +5V
It is interesting to note that pins 6 thru 29 are basically exact
duplicates of the functions of pins 2 thru 25 on a 2764 EPROM.
Obviously, the design of the chip's die was not a complete re-work;
it just sits on a different package.
I got this information from tracing address- and data-paths through
the PC-E to the 2K static RAM (which has a known pinout), and
extending that information by reviewing an NEC data book on their
1-Megabit factory-programmed PROM's (it's an old data book, so I
couldn't go any further).
The TG-16 differs from the PC-E in that the D0-7 datalines are
reversed (actually, the PROM is programmed that way, and the wires
leading to the data bus in the machine are reversed). I have
shown here, the card pinout (which does not differ). I believe
that this is the PC-E port pinout (TG-16's just reverse the data
lines' order; swap 0 for 7, 1 for 6, 2 for 5, and 3 for 4).
-
Additional information: to copy a TG-16 game to work on a PC Engine with
copier, reverse the bit order; check for the first bytes to be 78 54 A9, the
letters NEC at offset 15 hex, and then change the F0 at offset 0B to an 80.
Section 8: Ordering foreign game magazines:
==========================================
The below information comes from James Mathiesen: To order a British
magazine, call first; pay with a VISA card or an International Money Order:
Title: Computer + Video Games (computer and console games)
Title: Mean Machines (console games only)
Phone: (0858) 410510
Title: ZONE (console games)
Phone: (071) 580 8908
Title: Sega Pro (Sega only)
Phone: (0225) 765086
Title: Sega Force (Sega only)
Phone: (051) 357 1275
Title: TOTAL (Nintendo only)
Phone: (0458) 74011
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