SNES Reproductions

[MadTitan]

I am attempting to make some super nintendo repros. There are not many sites or people that seem to do the snes ones so I will try to make my own. I am starting with Secret Of Mana 2 I have the eproms programmed but I don't know which carts will work as doner carts, the only cart recommened i've seen is Illusion Of Gaia and I don't really want to destroy that one. Anyone know of any sites or suggestions. Thanks for your time. If this thread is inappropriate I apologize and lock it please.

[dao2]

Hey!

Can't help you on your quest there, but when your all setup and ready to start pumping out SoM2s I'd be intersted in one so drop me a line please.

[Viraneth]

So am I. I really can't help you, but I suggest checking wikihow

[badinsults]

http://snesdev.romhack.de/som2.htm

...

Just noticed that you said you knew about that one. But yeah, I don't think there is a list of pcb types that would help you out. I will make one up if people send me high quality PCB scans.

[carlcarlson]

It's a long shot, but you could try emailed someone at gamereproductions.com

And good luck, it'd be cool to have somehow who does snes games. So many good rpgs with translations to get!

[MadTitan]

Thank you for the responses. I was able to find a suitable list after some searching. Does anyone have any experience making labels? The electrical part and putting it all together is no problem but I don't have a lot of experience with making labels. If someone can make me a label that I can print and put on the cart I will give them a free copy of the game once it's done for their time. Again, thanks for the help.

[carlcarlson]

I can mess with that. Do you need someone to just design it, or do you need the printing and all?

[MadTitan]

I have a printer that should work fine and I will buy sticker paper and laminate. I just don't have the time to sit down and mess with the labels. This is the last week of the month for us coming up so i'll be lucky if I work under 60 hours. I can also pay you for your work / time if you would prefer.

[carlcarlson]

Nah, a free cart would be cool. SoM is one of my favorite games for the system, so I'd like to check out the sequel. Do you have any sort of timeframe for this thing? I'll start messing with it when I get a chance.

Also, are you using a translated rom or the original? Should the label be as if it were for a US release?

[MadTitan]

I am using a translated rom, so i'm looking for a label the same as any other US snes game has.

[MadTitan]

There is no time frame whenever you get a chance to work on it is fine. Thanks for the help.

[outsider]

If you get the hang of it and are ever interested in making reproductions for sale, let me know.

I'd love to play through Shin Megami Tensei I & II in English. There's already a good translation available, but no one to put it all together for play on an SNES.

[PH5]

I have done a couple of snes carts myself, so if you want I can show you a relatively easy way to make your own labels. Also, I am very interested in how the wiring of the eproms goes and what cart you used. I'm sure we would all like to see how you went about it, and the results.

[BadChad]

Im a little late on this one. Hopefully MadTitan got things going as I too am looking for someone who would like to make SNES carts. And Ill definetly be puttin some cash in your pocket thats for sure. So many translations come to mind.

Anyway, as for Secret of Mana 2. Has anyone ever heard of the 3 Player hack? SOM2 originally only supports 2 players instead of 3 like SOM1, so with the hack you can support up to 3 players. Just thinking, if your going to make english copies of SOM2, why not get that 3 Player hack in there as well. (Im trying to get a 3 Player Hacked Copy. I Started and finished SOM1 with 2 of my buddies on the SNES. Looking to start SOM2 with the same 2 friends instead of just one of them.) If you dont have it already, ill post one on Zshare. Ill leave a link at the bottom.

So Im quessing anyone here who is a fan of SOM1 is also a fan of Secret of Evermore. Still no where near as good as SOM but it runs on the same engine and all in all its a good game. But unlike SOM it didnt support any multiplayer. This suckes alot of the fun out of it for me as I really enjoy playing multiplayer on SOM1. But a solution to that as well! I also have a 2 player hack for SOE which I would REALLY like to get in cart form!

Another amaising game that comes to mind is Terranigma. If you've played this game you know what Im talking about. Definetly one of the best Action RPG's for SNES. And this too Id really like to add to my collection.

Id also like to help you in anyway possible in terms of labels if you require any. And with that beeing said, here 3 Labels for the 3 games I just talked about.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/BaddyChaddy/SecretofMana2Label.jpghttp://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/BaddyChaddy/SecretOfEvermoreLabel.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/BaddyChaddy/TerranigmaLabel.jpg

If these are too small just let me know and Ill make them bigger.

Heres the Labels and the Roms:
Labels - http://www.zshare.net/download/14421853fa1cca38/

Hope to hear some good news from MadTitan.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Rom links are a big no-no here.

And Secret of Evermore has nothing to do with the Mana games. They share no code between them. Evermore was made outside of Japan.

[BadChad]

Sorry about that. Removed the link. I can alwais just e-mail them to him.

The engine of Secret Of Mana is still very much similar to Secret Of Evermore.

[Mason P.]

I hope you get this working. If you are willing to sell, please let me/us know.

[Daria]

All this bullshit hype over reproduction carts is exactly why I want an SNES copier. Not to mention a stack of floppies with official looking labels would look awesome. I like way too many SFC games to pay $60 a pop for a translation.

[BadChad]

Yeah I know what you mean. But im quite the collector so Id have no problem pumping out $60 or so to have these made in cart form. But yeah theres definetly a good few games Id like to have made.

As for official looking labels, I redid the 3 labels. Made them bigger for better print detail, and I added a couple things to make it look more official like the cerial code and the made in japan. (Cerial codes are from the original carts)

Heres the Secret of Mana 2 Label:


All 3 Labels can be downloaded here: (Secret of Mana 2, Secret of Evermore, Terranigma)
http://www.zshare.net/download/14458570ae040e44/#

That should take care of the labels for MadTitan. If you need anything els just let me know and Ill whip one up.

[Daria]

One, you should probably PM MadTitan, I don't even know if he's even seeing this thread.
Secondly, your label looks nice. But it's not real looking either. Not that I was talking about yours when I made my original comment. But hey, your can of worms. So here goes: The original image is too grainy. I realize it's tough to find good quality scans online and cleaning it up is no small task. But it's IS grainy. The top logo is jagged. That's easier to fix and just needs a bit of anti-alising with the black background.

Not that anything I'd put on a floppy would look fantastic, but then they are cheap and disposable. I have bought a few NES reproductions and I'm happiest with the quality of the cartridge I designed myself. In future if I commisioned more I'd make certain to only use my own label designs.

And third, I don't see how being a collector equates to overpaying for homebrews. I realize MadTitan hasn't released an asking price, much less confirmed whether or not he can even make the carts. But I've never seen anyone ask under $60. It's your money, have fun with what you do with it. But personally, for $60 I could find a nice complete SNES RPG. Colecting for me is about the hunt, not the deeper pockets.

[suppafly]

http://snesdev.romhack.de/som2.htm

...

Just noticed that you said you knew about that one. But yeah, I don't think there is a list of pcb types that would help you out. I will make one up if people send me high quality PCB scans.

That sounds like A LOT of work!

Definitely better to pay for a repro :D

[carlcarlson]

I think I've got MadTitan covered on the label front. He can correct me if I'm wrong though.

[Zebbe]

WOW! What a professional-looking and classy "Secret of Mana 2"-logo you have over there! It just screams quality and leave no hints of homebrew at all. Must have been made with an expensive and high-tech program like Microsoft Word or something.

[Bratwurst]

And third, I don't see how being a collector equates to overpaying for homebrews.

I respect your opinion but would like to temper your position that it's overpaying. To make repros and homebrews require programming and soldering equipment, a moderate level of skill and research (because it's rare anyone will hold your hand through it) and of course, the materials and time. I can tell you the only reproductions I own are the ones I've made for myself, because I could never consider one in the same league as an 'official' game.

[MadTitan]

Wow this post has gotten a lot of new responses since I was last able to check.

Let's see first BadChad thank you for taking the time to make some labels but I am all set. carlcarlson has made some awesome high quality labels for me.

Unforunatley this process is taking a lot longer than I would like since it's hard to find any free time to sit down and work on the carts.

I decided to start with StarFox 2 since it only uses 1 eprom and would be easier to make. I made a few and they work but there is some slowdown when playing certain levels. I have been researching the problem and it seems to be because it uses an fx2 chip which no released games do except Doom. I started with Stunt Race FX, and then I tried Yoshi's Island. I ordered some faster eproms and i'm going to try it on a Doom cart next.

I will be willing to make the games for anyone who doesn't have the desire or the knowledge to do it themselves. I don't want to overcharge people on these games I am making them as a fan and collector who would love to see them in cart form and help other fans and collectors get them as well. I have no idea on a price I would ask for them yet.

Here are things to consider when you think repro's are overpriced though. It costs me a little over 100 dollars for 12 eproms. Games like Secret of Mana 2 use 4 per game. Games like Tales Of Phantasia use 6 per game. Line address decoders which are used 1 per game cost about 15 dollars for 3. The donor carts off of ebay are about 10 dollars after shipping.

One time purchases for me were also 205 dollars for an eprom programmer. 100 for an eprom eraser. 75 for a good pencil tip soldering iron. 45 for a desoldering iron. 15 for a 3.8mm game bit driver.

There is also the cheaper stuff like wire of ribbon cables to make all the connections and the solder itself. Overall it is a much more expensive process than I originally thought it would be.

I haven't even gotten to the labels yet but I have an expensive laser printer that I hope will print high quality labels. I also need to find some type of high quality glossy sticker paper to print the labels on.

Also one last question for the board. Does anyone know if 7th Saga II has ever been fully translated? I can only find partial translations. Thank you and sorry for the long post.

[Jorpho]

WOW! What a professional-looking and classy "Secret of Mana 2"-logo you have over there! It just screams quality and leave no hints of homebrew at all. Must have been made with an expensive and high-tech program like Microsoft Word or something.

If I'm not mistaken, that is actually derived from the title screen logo that the translators put in the English hack. :p

[Zebbe]

If I'm not mistaken, that is actually derived from the title screen logo that the translators put in the English hack. :p

This is not surprising at all. I was actually sarcastic, by the way.

[Jorpho]

This is not surprising at all. I was actually sarcastic, by the way.

But of course. You know, the original Japanese title screen (http://www.romhacking.net/trans/440/) didn't look much better.

[Kitsune Sniper]

WOW! What a professional-looking and classy "Secret of Mana 2"-logo you have over there! It just screams quality and leave no hints of homebrew at all. Must have been made with an expensive and high-tech program like Microsoft Word or something.

It wasn't that different from the original version. :(

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/DARTHVR/SD3SPA200603_2222-21-54.png

And here's the Japanese version:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/extra_life/SD3Cover.jpg

I wish I was around back then, I would've whipped up a better title screen than that. :P

[BadChad]

Wow this post has gotten a lot of new responses since I was last able to check.

Let's see first BadChad thank you for taking the time to make some labels but I am all set. carlcarlson has made some awesome high quality labels for me.

Unforunatley this process is taking a lot longer than I would like since it's hard to find any free time to sit down and work on the carts.

I decided to start with StarFox 2 since it only uses 1 eprom and would be easier to make. I made a few and they work but there is some slowdown when playing certain levels. I have been researching the problem and it seems to be because it uses an fx2 chip which no released games do except Doom. I started with Stunt Race FX, and then I tried Yoshi's Island. I ordered some faster eproms and i'm going to try it on a Doom cart next.

I will be willing to make the games for anyone who doesn't have the desire or the knowledge to do it themselves. I don't want to overcharge people on these games I am making them as a fan and collector who would love to see them in cart form and help other fans and collectors get them as well. I have no idea on a price I would ask for them yet.

Here are things to consider when you think repro's are overpriced though. It costs me a little over 100 dollars for 12 eproms. Games like Secret of Mana 2 use 4 per game. Games like Tales Of Phantasia use 6 per game. Line address decoders which are used 1 per game cost about 15 dollars for 3. The donor carts off of ebay are about 10 dollars after shipping.

One time purchases for me were also 205 dollars for an eprom programmer. 100 for an eprom eraser. 75 for a good pencil tip soldering iron. 45 for a desoldering iron. 15 for a 3.8mm game bit driver.

There is also the cheaper stuff like wire of ribbon cables to make all the connections and the solder itself. Overall it is a much more expensive process than I originally thought it would be.

I haven't even gotten to the labels yet but I have an expensive laser printer that I hope will print high quality labels. I also need to find some type of high quality glossy sticker paper to print the labels on.

Also one last question for the board. Does anyone know if 7th Saga II has ever been fully translated? I can only find partial translations. Thank you and sorry for the long post.

Ok, thats cool carl already hooked you up with labels. I can alwais use them for myself when your up and running. Feel free to use the Secret of Evermore and Terranigma label if you like. I undertand supplies are not cheap, so I have no problem paying a few extra bucks. Im not complaining considering your one of the very few that will actually make SNES carts.

Hope everyhting goes smoothly for you.

[carlcarlson]

I wish I was around back then, I would've whipped up a better title screen than that. :P

Meh, if those clouds are animated it might be kind of cool actually. Certainly impressive for the time.

[Zebbe]

It wasn't that different from the original version. :(

*pic*

And here's the Japanese version:

*pic*

I wish I was around back then, I would've whipped up a better title screen than that. :P

OK, but they should have at least choosen a less generic font.

[AB Positive]

I'm heading this way with just regular famicom carts... and I may be missing something here but what stops you from using a game genie type device and just getting the original SoM 2 cart?

To do Mother or FF3 the donor cart can be the original if you're going to use a jp cart. *shrugs* I don't know the SFC translation scene as well as I should so maybe I'm missing something.

[Jorpho]

I'm heading this way with just regular famicom carts... and I may be missing something here but what stops you from using a game genie type device and just getting the original SoM 2 cart?

I've often thought a device of that nature would be nifty, but somewhat impractical - in order to use it with more than one game, you'd need to have an easy way to rewrite the ROM inside of the device, and if you're going to go through the trouble of making something that complex, why not just build a bona fide flash cart and be done with it?

There are also a few patches which expand, decompress, or otherwise heavily alter the ROM in such ways that it would be difficult to manage all of it using a game genie-like device.

[BadChad]

I have a box filled with a bunch of junk like extra controllers, cables and sports games for my NES, SNES and Sega, so I peeled the label off one of my hockey games to I could measure exactly what size they need to be to help you out whenever you get to doing the labels.

8.3cm in length and 4.4cm in height.

I also tested it out just to make sure it fits ok, so I made a print on normal white paper then cut it out.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/BaddyChaddy/Picture013-1.jpg
As you can see it turned out pretty good. Some of the small writing like the serial code you cant see very well so it would of been be a good idea to bring them up a font size or two, but it might be fine when printed on some high quality paper.

Anyway, just thought Id give you the label size and show you an example of how it turned out just to help you out a bit so you dont need to go through the trouble of figuring it out yourself.

[50TBRD]

The small stuff needs to made in a vector based program like Illustraitor, but you'd have to make it from scratch.

[BadChad]

Hmm not to much action going on in this thread lately I see. Just wondering how things are comming along. Any progress update you can fill us in with?

[AB Positive]

I'm getting set up to do the same thing, although all the info I have so far is for famicom translations (I want to play Earthbound on my twin fami, basically) but with SNES info I imagine I'd be able to do the same thing. Hell... I want to play some T-rpgs too, like Ranma rpg and Tenchi SRPG... :D

So... when I get stuff in and actually get one done and working, I'll be in contact ;)

[BadChad]

So Im assuming not everything went acording to plan for MadTitan or AB Positive?

[AB Positive]

Almost here - had three straight months of roommate drama - which had (finally?) been repaired - once I catch up on bills I'm buying the last part I need to start working - the eproms :)

got the programmer and the applications needed. If I succeed I'll make a thread and show links. I have copies of Mother and Final Fantasy 3 ready to go. :)

[maxlords]

I'll be set up to start trying this in the near future. I've got the equipment at the moment...need to work on soldering practice and get some data on what donor carts I need and such and I should be good to go inside a month or two....I hope :)

[BadChad]

Right on boys. Good to know theres still effort beeing put into this.

Im not really into turn based RPG's and I pretty much have most of the NES repros Id like to have already including a few customs I had gamereproductions make for me (love that guy!) so Im good for that. But I'll still be waiting to fork over some cash for a few SNES repros. Id really like to get SOM2 (3 Player), SOE (2 Player), and Terranigma out of the way and then casually grab others I have in mind through time.

So when you got your operation up and running you got yourself a long term customer here!:king:

[pootle]

Hi,

Looks like nice work so far, if either of you get stuck with anything give me a shout. Some of the repros i've done can be seen in this thread;

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120604&highlight=repros

Always happy to help a fellow soldering iron junkie:)

Kind Regards, Andy.
http://vectrex.playntradeonline.com - Home of the 72-in-1 Vectrex multicart

[carlcarlson]

MadTitan gave up, which sucks because I made custom labels for him in exchange for some repros. Now he's got my labels and I've got nothing...

SO, if any of you who are making repros want some labels let me know because I was really excited to be getting a SoM 2.

[BadChad]

Well its not the end of the world. If he gave up then he wont be using them anyway. At least give him credit for trying.

[Cauterize]

I too am interested in making my own carts... However the one question I need answering is where do you get your eeproms from and which ones are the right ones to get?

Same question applies to NES, SMS and Genny eeproms!
Ive been looking at the willem programmers, but didnt want to buy until i knew i could source some eeproms!
Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[carlcarlson]

Well its not the end of the world. If he gave up then he wont be using them anyway. At least give him credit for trying.

True, unless of course he actually made some but then told me he failed just to keep from having to send me some. I'm not saying he did do that, but I wouldn't rule it out. And it's not like I just whipped those labels up either, I spent a decent amount of time on them.

[8bitCaged]

OK I found a site that sells snes repros Here (http://www.super-nes.com/customcarts.htm) there a lot of money 1 Game = $250.00
2 Games = $450.00 gee, but it can happen and $60.00 a cart sounds good now.

I hope someone dose this, I would get a few at $60.00 a pop and I bet others would to. You would make a good buck.

[Bratwurst]

OK I found a site that sells snes repros Here (http://www.super-nes.com/customcarts.htm) there a lot of money 1 Game = $250.00
2 Games = $450.00 gee, but it can happen and $60.00 a cart sounds good now.

I hope someone dose this, I would get a few at $60.00 a pop and I bet others would to. You would make a good buck.

Wow, that's such a ripoff. The finish (or lack thereof) on the labels are a joke too.

[jb143]

I too am interested in making my own carts... However the one question I need answering is where do you get your eeproms from and which ones are the right ones to get?

Same question applies to NES, SMS and Genny eeproms!
Ive been looking at the willem programmers, but didnt want to buy until i knew i could source some eeproms!
Any help will be greatly appreciated!

EBay
You might also check...
www.digikey.com and
www.mouser.com
They both carry EEPROMS and take orders from individuals.

[rbudrick]

In the jpg on the last page, Licensed is spelled wrong. Dunno if someone mentioned it,but I was too lazy to read everyone's post.

-Rob

[BadChad]

OK I found a site that sells snes repros Here (http://www.super-nes.com/customcarts.htm) there a lot of money 1 Game = $250.00
2 Games = $450.00 gee, but it can happen and $60.00 a cart sounds good now.

I hope someone dose this, I would get a few at $60.00 a pop and I bet others would to. You would make a good buck.


Yeah I knew about this place for a while, but theres no way in hell Id spend that kind of money on them. VERY unreasonable, especially when all 3 can be done for less than the cost on 1! ;)

[maxlords]

Judging from the cost of EPROMs, the number of EPROMs needed, and the donor carts, I'm estimating that carts should cost easily $60-80 to sell when all is said and done, possibly more depending on the game. Some of em take up to 4 $10+ EPROMs. Plus whatever a donor cart costs...and some need more expensive games like Donkey Kong Country or Super Mario All Stars and whatnot that you might not be able to find easily for $3 or $4. Plus labor...and right now I won't be fast at this. And that doesn't include shipping, and I haven't figured out how much it'll cost to make labels either.

And even after all that, the profit margin won't be large. It'd be nice to make $15-20 a cart on the time involved, but honestly, I'm not sure I'd even be able to make that much and have people actually buy em. $60 a cart seems low honestly. $250 is obviously unreasonable, but some of the more complex ones (like Secret of Mana 2) are looking like they'll easily be in the $80+ range when all is finished. I'd assume those $250 prices are for someone that's making them and billing by the hour.

[jeffg]

i think $80 a cart is very reasonable.

I have Star Ocean, Bahamut Lagoon, Front Mission, FF V, and Dragon Quest V and if you look at all the soldering and such that was needed to do it, it is well worth the $80 in my opinion

[BadChad]

Yeah I agree. Thats pretty much what I payed for my SNES repros and I think its a very reasonable price.

[Lios]

Wow I've been looking at making some snes repros to sell and I had no idea how huge of an interest there is in them. I've made a few personal proto reprogrammable carts and they worked great, a single repro is a piece of cake.

So I have a great source of next to free donor carts, I know for a fact Troy Aikman's Football makes an excellent up to 32 mbit lo-rom games with 64 kb of sram. It can also be converted to hi-rom if need be though I would rather find another similar donor game that is already internally masked to hi-rom pinout, shouldn't be too hard to find a bunch from my source.

However games that use add-on chips would be too costly as there are some chips that only one or two games used. (Megaman X 2 and X 3 come to mind) so keep that in mind. Also for eproms/flash chips I have another source that I can get them from for pretty cheap, and I calculated the cost of chips to be at most ~$25.00, that would be for a 32 Mbit game. For tales of phantasia or star ocean it would be more like $35 minimum in the chips.

I am trying to gauge interest before i plunk down some money on the initial investment. Here are some caveats to me making and selling some repros:

1. 1 MB 8-bit eproms or flash chips are a bit hard to come by, and I don't think my source has any atm. I could use twice the amount of 0.5 MB eproms, but honestly anything more than 16 Mbit would be more trouble than it's worth with 0.5 MB eproms. That would require me cramming 8 of them in the cart for 32 Mbit and 12 for tales or star ocean, which quite frankly ain't happening. If I can get a hold of 1 MB 8-bit eproms though then it's no trouble at all. As far as cost goes though 0.5 MB eproms are about half or less the price of 1 MB ones so price would be about the same using either chip.

2. As far a the label goes I have neither the equipment nor the artistic talent to make nice labels. So you can either make your own label and apply it when you get the game OR you could sen your design to me and I could get it printed at a print shop or something this is really the only part I am not totally sure on the cost.

3. Provided the game you want a repro of is 16Mbit max or I can get some 1 MB eproms, the solder work isn't all that much work and I won't likely charge more than $15 for the service. If that is not the case (over 16 Mbit or I can't get the 1 MB eproms). I probably won't do it unless you really motivate me.

4. Only non commercially released or fan translated games. I want people to enjoy games that were never officially released in cart form they way they were meant to be enjoyed. I have no interest is starting up a bootlegging business.

5. I might be willing to do a repro in trade for some retro gaming goodness. What am I interested in? Just about anything and everything console and handheld related. If you think you have something I might want don't hesitate to let me know.

Also this is all still up in the air if I am going to start this up. So don't get your hopes up, If I get enough serious interest and I can get all my ducks lined up in a row, I'll start taking a few orders. At this point prices aren't set but I can probably get most games made from $40 to $60. Smaller games would be cheaper of course. That includes the parts and labor but not shipping.

[Cauterize]

Where as I think the facts repros can be easily made nowadays is fantasic...
Doesnt it raise a little worry with anyone?

Some of these repros are made to such a high standard, its hard to tell the two apart. Good right? Well maybe for a fan translation cart or a unreleased prototype.
But how long is it till perfect replicas of games such as StarFox Super Weekend Cartridge, Exertainment Mountain Bike Rally/Speed Racer, Aero Fighters and Chavez II start hitting the auction and sale sites?

If the labels are done so well, how on earth would you be able to tell the difference in a small gallery picture? And whats to say you wont know the difference once it arrives?

Its just worrying as I know out there are a few villians who try to cash in on us collectors. Weve all read about the various scams we have all suffered. Ive suffered some myself, one involving empty dvd cases with sega saturn covers printed out into them. Comparing a large bundle of those printed DVD cases to the PAL cases in a small gallery picture was near impossible. So how on earth will we be able to spot a repro of an expensive game nowadays?

The only way you could tell would be to open the cart and see how the chips are connected. I would never think to open up a cartridge to check I have the real deal as id be sat for a long time.


And I think the last thought I should leave you with is...
Think twice when a Gold NWC cart hits the net!

[dao2]

Where as I think the facts repros can be easily made nowadays is fantasic...
Doesnt it raise a little worry with anyone?

Some of these repros are made to such a high standard, its hard to tell the two apart. Good right? Well maybe for a fan translation cart or a unreleased prototype.
But how long is it till perfect replicas of games such as StarFox Super Weekend Cartridge, Exertainment Mountain Bike Rally/Speed Racer, Aero Fighters and Chavez II start hitting the auction and sale sites?

If the labels are done so well, how on earth would you be able to tell the difference in a small gallery picture? And whats to say you wont know the difference once it arrives?

Its just worrying as I know out there are a few villians who try to cash in on us collectors. Weve all read about the various scams we have all suffered. Ive suffered some myself, one involving empty dvd cases with sega saturn covers printed out into them. Comparing a large bundle of those printed DVD cases to the PAL cases in a small gallery picture was near impossible. So how on earth will we be able to spot a repro of an expensive game nowadays?

The only way you could tell would be to open the cart and see how the chips are connected. I would never think to open up a cartridge to check I have the real deal as id be sat for a long time.


And I think the last thought I should leave you with is...
Think twice when a Gold NWC cart hits the net!

If you open it up then it's impossible not to be able to tell the difference >< So ask for pictures of it opened maybe? ;p

[Lios]

Where as I think the facts repros can be easily made nowadays is fantasic...
Doesnt it raise a little worry with anyone?

Some of these repros are made to such a high standard, its hard to tell the two apart. Good right? Well maybe for a fan translation cart or a unreleased prototype.
But how long is it till perfect replicas of games such as StarFox Super Weekend Cartridge, Exertainment Mountain Bike Rally/Speed Racer, Aero Fighters and Chavez II start hitting the auction and sale sites?

If the labels are done so well, how on earth would you be able to tell the difference in a small gallery picture? And whats to say you wont know the difference once it arrives?

Its just worrying as I know out there are a few villians who try to cash in on us collectors. Weve all read about the various scams we have all suffered. Ive suffered some myself, one involving empty dvd cases with sega saturn covers printed out into them. Comparing a large bundle of those printed DVD cases to the PAL cases in a small gallery picture was near impossible. So how on earth will we be able to spot a repro of an expensive game nowadays?

The only way you could tell would be to open the cart and see how the chips are connected. I would never think to open up a cartridge to check I have the real deal as id be sat for a long time.


And I think the last thought I should leave you with is...
Think twice when a Gold NWC cart hits the net!

That is exactly the reason why I refuse to make repros of commercially released games (barring fan translations, as you will know it's a repro when you see a japan only game in a snes cart shell), even if only <100 were ever made. Unscrupulous sellers are going to pass them off as the real deal, something that we all as collectors should not want to happen.

I agree though don't try to replicate the label to look as close to the original as possible, if even a small change, do something to distinguish it from official commercial releases.

[kupomogli]

Sorry, but I wouldn't spend 60 dollars on a fake cart just because it has a fan translation. The original game would be fine with me because I'd end up using my PSP to play the translation anyways.

[Lios]

Sorry, but I wouldn't spend 60 dollars on a fake cart just because it has a fan translation. The original game would be fine with me because I'd end up using my PSP to play the translation anyways.

Emulation doesn't cut it for many, no matter how accurate. For me and many others we want the authentic experience playing it on the real deal in English, it just isn't playable any other way IMO.

[kupomogli]

I don't really like emulation much either unless I actually own the game. It's different not owning the item you're playing rather than actually having a copy of the item you are using.

I don't emulate on my PC either. I emulate solely on my PSP since I don't have to worry about a connected controller, opening different folders to get there, etc. I only emulate up NeoGeo CD on my PSP though, so it works fine for me.

[Jorpho]

Where as I think the facts repros can be easily made nowadays is fantasic...
Doesnt it raise a little worry with anyone?

Some of these repros are made to such a high standard, its hard to tell the two apart. Good right? Well maybe for a fan translation cart or a unreleased prototype.
But how long is it till perfect replicas of games such as StarFox Super Weekend Cartridge, Exertainment Mountain Bike Rally/Speed Racer, Aero Fighters and Chavez II start hitting the auction and sale sites?

If the labels are done so well, how on earth would you be able to tell the difference in a small gallery picture? And whats to say you wont know the difference once it arrives?

Its just worrying as I know out there are a few villians who try to cash in on us collectors. Weve all read about the various scams we have all suffered. Ive suffered some myself, one involving empty dvd cases with sega saturn covers printed out into them. Comparing a large bundle of those printed DVD cases to the PAL cases in a small gallery picture was near impossible. So how on earth will we be able to spot a repro of an expensive game nowadays?

The only way you could tell would be to open the cart and see how the chips are connected. I would never think to open up a cartridge to check I have the real deal as id be sat for a long time.


And I think the last thought I should leave you with is...
Think twice when a Gold NWC cart hits the net!

My understanding is that it hasn't been terribly difficult at all for anyone to make 2600 repros for a good many years now. The market has yet to be flooded with bootleg Quadruns, if I'm not mistaken.

[Kitsune Sniper]

That is exactly the reason why I refuse to make repros of commercially released games (barring fan translations, as you will know it's a repro when you see a japan only game in a snes cart shell), even if only <100 were ever made. Unscrupulous sellers are going to pass them off as the real deal, something that we all as collectors should not want to happen.

I agree though don't try to replicate the label to look as close to the original as possible, if even a small change, do something to distinguish it from official commercial releases.

There's lots of fucktards selling repro copies of Seiken Densetsu 3 and StarFox 2 on eBay. Some of us romhackers don't like this. Quite a few of us (but not all) are fine with repro carts, but making insane amounts of money off of 'em is not fine.

(I used to be anti-repros because of these ebay sellers, but the repro creators can't stop their... customers from flipping the game on eBay.)

[Lios]

There's lots of fucktards selling repro copies of Seiken Densetsu 3 and StarFox 2 on eBay. Some of us romhackers don't like this. Quite a few of us (but not all) are fine with repro carts, but making insane amounts of money off of 'em is not fine.

(I used to be anti-repros because of these ebay sellers, but the repro creators can't stop their... customers from flipping the game on eBay.)

I agree with ya man, If I do some repros I am not going to be getting anywhere near rich not by any means, hence my low asking prices. I will in actuality probably be making $10-$15 per cart if even that, and that is mainly to cover the time and labor involved in making the carts.

I also understand the stance of seeing your hard work that you offer for free get sold for lots of $$$. It pisses me off and I don't even do rom translations, this must be how companies who produce commercial games, that are plagued by rampant piracy feel. But then again as long as humans live their will always be the bad seed/scammers/thieves, and sadly no matter what precautions are taken, they will always find a way around the system.

[j1e]

A tad bit off subject I think, but where can I buy a repro cart of Seiken Densetsu 3 translated for a decent amount? I see these a lot on eBay but not about to pay that much.

[Kiddo]

Heyyo, just spotted this thread. I have an interest in repro carts myself.

In the BS Zelda thread people were discussing trying to repro-cart BS Zelda Map1 and with Mottzilla's ROM hacking progress, we're getting very close to a version of the hack that can be played completely on a real Super Nintendo/Super Famicom cart..

I'd like to see that kind of project done for some other Satellaview games as game. It's kind of difficult to pick out some key ones though - notably a lot of them like KONAE-Chan no DokiDoki Penguin Kazoku and Treasure Conflix would need hacks to be able to play without needing the Satellaview BIOs for key information (Penguins used Sound data and Treasure Conflix used fonts. Treasure Conflix would also need to be fan-translated anyway.)

And a few others, like BS Dragon Quest, are similar enough to the original games that some people would not think a repro cart worth the effort on them.

If anyone wants to do Satellaview EEPROM-burnable hacks, I'd appreciate it.

On the subject reproing rarities - I believe the "repros" of NWC 1990 handled this the best, using a different exterior to clearly show it's not the original and clearly explaining as such (although I'd like it cheaper... I'm such a cheapass. lol). I'd like to be able to see how that could be handled myself when it comes to SFC/SNES games. (One Idea I had was a plastic shell that would sacrifice any attempt at looking like a 'real cart' in exchange to being both NTSC-J Super Famicom and NTSC-U Super Nintendos... PAL ones too if possible)

[Richter Belmount]

Heyyo, just spotted this thread. I have an interest in repro carts myself.

In the BS Zelda thread people were discussing trying to repro-cart BS Zelda Map1 and with Mottzilla's ROM hacking progress, we're getting very close to a version of the hack that can be played completely on a real Super Nintendo/Super Famicom cart..


Heh I would pay money for that , that is something I been wanting for a very long time.

[108Stars]

Well, as much as I would love to play repros of SNES games it seems like they are really more expensive to build than Genesis carts. Pootle says Star Ocean costs £30 and another £30 if he must get the donor cart..
Seiken Densetsu 3 would be £35, plus £10 for the donor cart; while those prices are a lot cheaper than anything I have seen so far, and I do trust him to be honest and all, this is still more than a MD cart. I can get a Genny game with color label, plastic clamshell case, full color manual and shipping for 35 Euros.

Is this the drawback of the many different kinds of chips used in SNES carts?

[carlcarlson]

As far a the label goes I have neither the equipment nor the artistic talent to make nice labels. So you can either make your own label and apply it when you get the game OR you could sen your design to me and I could get it printed at a print shop or something this is really the only part I am not totally sure on the cost.

I can hook you up with labels if you want to work out a deal for some free repros. I had a deal worked out with the creator of this thread (MadTitan) but he ended up backing out after I had already made Secret of Mana 2 and Starfox 2 labels. I can send you some samples if you're interested.

[Lios]

I can hook you up with labels if you want to work out a deal for some free repros. I had a deal worked out with the creator of this thread (MadTitan) but he ended up backing out after I had already made Secret of Mana 2 and Starfox 2 labels. I can send you some samples if you're interested.

Define free. I could do a few at cost of parts, which as stated most will end up being around $30-$35 in just parts, that would include 4 27C801s for a 32 Mbit cart, hi-rom or lo-rom donor cart with 64 kb sram. I am not sure of the label printing costs, that I will have to look into, but I don't imagine it being much per game. This does not include shipping which will vary depending on your location.

As much as I would love to do it at no cost to you, in reality I can't just give away $30-35 of stuff especially being a college student during hard economic times, which doesn't include the time or labor to build the cart. I will however do it pretty much at cost for a few first runs with no fee for labor, so if you want a repro done cheap here's your chance. This is obviously barring special chip games like star ocean, those will be a bit more to find a suitable donor.

Once I make a run to my local sources and get all the parts, I can give a more exact figure, though like i said with a few exceptions $30 will likely cover parts. If it turns out I can't get enough of the needed donor carts or any other part, I will let you know.

[carlcarlson]

I guess it depends on what games you can do in that price range. Unfortunately my main want is Star Ocean, followed by Secret of Mana 2 and Tales of Phantasia. I'm guessing those are all fairly intensive. Let me know what you find out though.

[Ultragoat]

Hello.

I joined these forums just to say, if anyone gets any of these projects going, please contact me as soon as possible. I would love to buy some repros of SFC RPGs in english.

[bazariah]

i still cant see the point of destroying a perfectly good game just to be able to use it as a donor cart to play a rom on the hardware

[Xander]

Bazariah, how many people will cry over a destroyed copy of Madden '96?