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Post by Sinistral on Mar 12, 2021 16:44:18 GMT
Hi all, this is going to seem like a strange post, I can't explain this any other way, but does anyone have experiance of Codemasters games not working at all on SMS model 1? I've tried three different Model 1 systems, and a Megadrive with Master System convertor. All games play fine on these systems apart from Codemasters titles.
I got Micro Machines off Phil and couldn't get it to work. So like always, I cleaned it with Isopropyl and tested it again in my NTSC Master System. Still no joy. It would get as far as showing the Codemasters logo, then go to a blue screen, I could hear music playing, but the image was static.
I left it for a while, and came back to it a bit later. Tried it in a PAL Megadrive with Master System convertor (same RGB Scart cable and PSU as the Master System). This time I just got a black screen. Swapped back over to the SMS, and see the Codemasters logo and crash in the same place.
I then assumed it was because my Master System was 60Hz, so I unboxed another system PAL model 1 and tried it - exact same. So at this point, I think the cartridge is goosed, then I decide to try Dizzy and Cosmic Spacehead. Cosmic I get the exact same issue as with Micromachines, with Dizzy I just get some garbled corruption from the start. Again, tested all these in the PAL Megadrive, PAL Master System and NTSC Master system, exact same results.
I read that these games use a different display mode than standard SMS games, so I go down the route of thinking it's either cable or my TV that's the problem. I decided to plug into a SCART>HDMI convertor and still get the same issue. At this point I think to change the RGB scart cable for a composite cable - Same. Then I try a different TV (older TV) - same. I go back to original TV and then Try an old Coaxial Aerial - Same issue Last thing I try a SMS 2 - and all games work flawlessly first time. I'm so confused. I know I've played these games previously on both my Megadrive with SMS convertor and SMS Model 1.
Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?
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Post by segamasterdude on Mar 12, 2021 17:16:54 GMT
Codemasters games only work on the sms 2 as far as i know.
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Post by Rastanfarian on Mar 12, 2021 17:54:58 GMT
I think I remember reading that they will work on the last sms1's with the Alex Kidd Bios.
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Post by segamasterdude on Mar 12, 2021 17:56:20 GMT
I think I remember reading that they will work on the last sms1's with the Alex Kidd Bios. I read the same but it must only be certain versions because they don't work in my sms1 with ak built in.
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Post by playgeneration on Mar 12, 2021 18:17:28 GMT
The code masters games use a slightly higher resolution pal mode. This wasn't part of the original graphics chip. The games won't play properly in NTSC/60HZ. There are Model 1 consoles with the later graphics chip in them, I found models with Hang on and Safari Hunt built in would work fine.
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Phil
Sonic the Hedgehog
Posts: 2,192
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Post by Phil on Mar 12, 2021 19:02:13 GMT
Hi - sorry to hear you are having problems. I'm sure it also works with the MS1 with Missile Defence 3D Built in it too...
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Post by Sinistral on Mar 13, 2021 0:24:42 GMT
Hey Phil, it just goes to show every day is school day.
I just find this so bizarre to be honest, I'm sure I played Micro Machines before on SMS1 and also on my Megadrive 1 with MS convertor, but I couldn't have. I started with a 1988 "Dixons Exclusive" system that had no game built in, but came with Hang on/Safari hunt combo cartridge. Later I had a MD1 and SMS convertor. I do think I used to play on an old SMS 1 with Alex Kidd built in, so that may explain things.
I'm now thinking this must have been quite a mistake for Codemasters, there must have been repercussions with sales and a large number of customer returns. I know Dizzy and Cosmic Spacehead came out in 1993, but to make this mistake again a year later with Micromachines is bizarre. It may go some way to explain the apparent scarcity of these CodeMaster's titles. I realise the SMS 2 install base was probably much larger at this time, but there was still plenty of SMS1s floating around at this point.
Here's my list of what's has and hasn't worked. Maybe we can grow this list for future reference.
1988 SMS 1 with Hangon/Safari Hunt built in. Model 3005-5-A (PAL-I)
- Not working after Codemasters Splash screen in Cosmic Spacehead or Micro Machines. Dizzy shows a pink screen with garbled characters from insertion.
1986 SMS 1 with no preinstalled game. Model 3010 (NTSC) - Not working after Codemasters Splash screen in Cosmic Spacehead or Micro Machines. Dizzy shows a pink screen with garbled characters from power on.
1988 SMS 1 with Missile Defense 3D built-in. Model 3005-05-C (PAL-I)
- Not working after Codemasters Splash screen in Cosmic Spacehead or Micro Machines. Dizzy shows a pink screen with garbled characters from power on.
Megadrive 1 Model 1600-05 with SMS convertor Model 1620 (PAL-I)
- Not working at all, blank screen when powered on. High Pitched humming sound heard.
Megadrive 2 Model MK-1631-50 with SMS Convertor 2 Model MK-1621-50 (PAL-I)
- Not working at all, blank screen when powered on.
SMS II with Sonic built-in. Model 3006-05A (PAL-I)
- Working with Cosmic Spacehead, Micro Machines and Fantastic Dizzy
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Post by Sinistral on Mar 13, 2021 0:52:19 GMT
The code masters games use a slightly higher resolution pal mode. This wasn't part of the original graphics chip. The games won't play properly in NTSC/60HZ. There are Model 1 consoles with the later graphics chip in them, I found models with Hang on and Safari Hunt built in would work fine. Hi Playgen! long time no speak, hope you are doing good these days! It's interesting you manged to get it to work with Hangon/Safari Hunt model, no such luck for me!
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Post by playgeneration on Mar 13, 2021 7:49:34 GMT
The code masters games use a slightly higher resolution pal mode. This wasn't part of the original graphics chip. The games won't play properly in NTSC/60HZ. There are Model 1 consoles with the later graphics chip in them, I found models with Hang on and Safari Hunt built in would work fine. Hi Playgen! long time no speak, hope you are doing good these days! It's interesting you manged to get it to work with Hangon/Safari Hunt model, no such luck for me! I'm good thanks, still around but not much spare time any more! All my SMS games are in storage boxes, and haven't been played in a few years. I didn't have to do anything special. I used to buy consoles cheaply and mod them to sell back in the day. Every one with Hang on and Safari hunt built in I had would just play the Codemasters as normal. Only in 50hz though. I guess you could probably work it out from console serial numbers as to which ones are the later ones with the updated chip.
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Post by edwithmj on Mar 13, 2021 11:39:02 GMT
4 Pak All Action has a similar problem as well I think.
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Phil
Sonic the Hedgehog
Posts: 2,192
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Post by Phil on Mar 13, 2021 11:39:04 GMT
I just tried a couple of Codemasters games into my 50hz sms1 with hang on/safari hunt built in and they work fine including the unreleased roms. I guess by 1993 most people would be be buying new games for their SMS2's and retailers wouldn't have had that many returns...
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Post by Sinistral on Mar 13, 2021 12:24:08 GMT
I just tried a couple of Codemasters games into my 50hz sms1 with hang on/safari hunt built in and they work fine including the unreleased roms. I guess by 1993 most people would be be buying new games for their SMS2's and retailers wouldn't have had that many returns... Hi Phil, can you check the model number from below the system please? Be interesting to see if the model number is the same as my (not working) Hangon/Safari Hunt system.
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Post by flatapex on Mar 13, 2021 14:34:02 GMT
The only models that work started production in late 89, from what I can tell that 90 on every pal model had the updated vdp (5246)
Vdp 5246 is also used on model 2s
So, the grail item is a model 1 that plays these games.
There are only 3 bios versions that are any use: 2.4 which is hang on and safari hunt (and includes snail maze) 3.4 which is hang on but no safari hunt Alex Kidd version
So we talked about production date and this can be found to a point in the serial number, the board is a VA3 which is thought to have entered production circa September 89
The second number of the serial number needs to be 0 for 1990, 1 for 1991 or if you like gambling 9 for 89
Hope this sheds some light on what will work and what will not.
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Post by segamasterdude on Mar 13, 2021 15:09:56 GMT
Dinobasher which was unreleased will work on any sms because it works with the sega mapper.
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Post by flatapex on Mar 13, 2021 16:06:15 GMT
Dinobasher which was unreleased will work on any sms because it works with the sega mapper. Was it modified to do that?
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