NES converter in games other than gyromite

[allyourbase]

i recently found and bought 2 copies of gyromite with the converter attached safely inside. Last week, i was doing my routine 3-month cleaning of my nes collection (i have cats, so dusty pins are a problem for me) and decided to weigh a few of my games out of curiousity (this is the method i used to sure-handedly pick out the gyro carts last month...) I individually weighed each of my 150+ titles before cleaning them on a postal scale that I have and found the following:

-an average NES cart weights between 3.5 to 3.7 ounces.
-the converter gyromite carts weighed 4.0 and 4.1 ounces, before "surgery".
-battery pak games with the golden stickers on the back of the carts weigh 3.9 to 4.1 ounces.

I DID have a few titles strangely that had no save function/golden sticker that weighed the same as a gyromite cart:


-Legacy of the Wizard
-Castlevania III Dracula's Curse
-Kid Klown

I know there are a few titles on launch of the NES that were rushed to market and have converters inside, gyromite being one of the most common and generally least valuable (w/o R.O.B.).
I don't think there are converters in any of these games that i have, but can anyone explain the weight? has anyone opened any of these carts previously personally? I can imagine it is just a variation of boards/hardware
that are causing the difference.
Has anyone had experience with games containing converters besides Gyromite? What technique do you personally use when trying to find a converter-filled game? I did seem kind of stupid/suspicious carrying a postal scale in my pocket into my local thrift and weighing stuff out in the aisle, ha!

anyway, just wondering.

[Zoe F]

Honestly I found it easier to just get a copy of Stack-Up and get the converter out of it. As far as I know all copies of Stack-Up have a converter inside.

[allyourbase]

I've had trouble with

A- Finding stack-ups readily
B- Paying under $15 for one, when i do come across it in the wild

is that the case for everyone or just me?
seems like alot of $$$ just for a game that's going to be split and gutted

[InsaneDavid]

We've been over this a zillion times and I have a resource here (http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/editorials-davidnesconvert.html). :)

[allyourbase]

Thank you insanedavid, I found your link very helpful.

[aclbandit]

Well, in response to the extra weight of the Castlevania III, it's a Konami game: Konami often does crazy things to improve sound output. I know for a fact that at least the Famicom version of that game had a custom sound chip; the US version may have the same. Pop it open and take pics-- I'm curious now ^^

[Tron 2.0]

Well, in response to the extra weight of the Castlevania III, it's a Konami game: Konami often does crazy things to improve sound output. I know for a fact that at least the Famicom version of that game had a custom sound chip; the US version may have the same. Pop it open and take pics-- I'm curious now ^^
JPN CV3 use the VRC6 chip while the,U.S CV3 use the MC5 chip same as SMB3 so there are not the same.

[Poofta!]

JPN CV3 use the VRC6 chip while the,U.S CV3 use the MC5 chip same as SMB3 so there are not the same.

which is better?

[Scawt]

We've been over this a zillion times and I have a resource here (http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/editorials-davidnesconvert.html). :)

That's fantastic, man. I've been looking for a proper Gyromite to mod, but now I'll have to sift through any of the original releases. Thanks a ton.

[Tron 2.0]

which is better?
I'd say the jpn CV3 is better music and a easier difficulty.
Just a sample.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ8cPsSJW38

[Draven]

That's cool. I've heard of it before but never knew how to spot one without weighing it. There are 2 copies of Gyromite for 2 bucks each at the flea market...time to do some investigating!!!

[Icarus Moonsight]

I got one out of an Excitebike. Just look for the 5-screw heavies with side pins.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I'd say the jpn CV3 is better music and a easier difficulty.
Just a sample.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ8cPsSJW38

I believe the music in that video is straight off the Portrait of Ruin pre-order CD.

Akumajou Densetsu > Castlevania III
But, it's a pain in the ass and expensive to get it going. Unless you already have a Famicom hanging around. So Castlevania III running on an NES is just fine otherwise.

[Tron 2.0]

I believe the music in that video is straight off the Portrait of Ruin pre-order CD.

Akumajou Densetsu > Castlevania III
But, it's a pain in the ass and expensive to get it going. Unless you already have a Famicom hanging around. So Castlevania III running on an NES is just fine otherwise.
Guess so far as the video go's though youtube is litter with videos of,Akumajou Densetsu.Far as the game being expensive hardly loose it's dirt cheap but cib some what pricey.Not that it's a big deal to play the jpn version but it is some thing.Given it's a easier game and the music sounds so crisp and clear.While the music for the,NES version sounds so 'flat to me with the added difficulty.It...just feels like a dumb down version of the game to me if ya ask.Still it's a matter of choice on what you are willing to spend.

Though being a owner of both a famicom and CV3 i'd say it was worth while.

[atreyu187]

I found one in 1943 just the other day!! :)

[Icarus Moonsight]

Was it a 5 screw? I've never heard of a converter in a 3 screw case. :hmm: 1943 was rather late in release to have a converter in it. Maybe an initial run used famicom overstock PCBs? Interesting.

Don't think I could gut a 1943 for a converter though. I'd almost have to keep that. :)

[allyourbase]

That's very interesting. I have seen several games that have not necessarily fit David's criteria with converters in them- but haven't really inspected any but black labeled titles as far as opening them up. May I ask how much your 1943 weighed?

[allyourbase]

the pins being off-centered plus the 5 screw flat-heads= converter argument seems to be the most common.

why are the pins on these certain games off-centered? are other games (take this 1943 example) that might not fall into the 5-screw or early/rushed release category out there? Can those be identified by the off-centered pins?

so since a title like 1943 is not an early release nor a 5 screw cart, would the off-centered pins denote a converter? I'm interested to know, Atreyu if your 1943 had off-centered pins by any chance?

[Blitzwing256]

Was it a 5 screw? I've never heard of a converter in a 3 screw case. :hmm: 1943 was rather late in release to have a converter in it. Maybe an initial run used famicom overstock PCBs? Interesting.

Don't think I could gut a 1943 for a converter though. I'd almost have to keep that. :)

the japanese verison of the game was differnt with japanese text.




to the oroginal guy who found it, are you sure it was 43 and not 42? and could you possiblly post pictures? i'm curious.

[GarrettCRW]

I believe the music in that video is straight off the Portrait of Ruin pre-order CD.

No, it's not. The PoR CD only features music from the prologue, title screen, and first stage.