Question, Ms. Pac-man (7800) acting odd...

[AB Positive]

I've tested the 7800 with all my other carts and they work fine, but Ms. Pac-Man is having issues, it will switch randomly between options on the front screen and invariably always end up on a 'two player' option when I hit the button. When playing, Ms. Pac-Man will move horizontally, then up at the first available moment and simply stop there until a ghost eats her. I thought perhaps the joystick simply wasn't registering as centered when I powered up but even holding the stick down before starting the console didn't avoid this.

Is this simply a bug with this cart (which was sealed new oddly enough) or is it a known issue with some copies of Ms. Pac-Man? I tried checking out the (very good) 7800 FAQ on this site but couldn't find anythig specific to this problem.

-AG

[Scoots]

I dunno, if your other carts work fine I don't see how it could be a joystick problem. My copy of 7800 Ms Pac-Man doesn't do that, so it's certainly not an issue with all carts.

[chadtower]

It's probably a damaged or dirty cart. My 7800 ms pac man does nothing like that.

[AB Positive]

sounds like a defective cart, my 2600 crystal castles is also refusing to flat out work, but the other 7800 ones I have work fine, must just be mine. Thank god for 60-day warranties :)

-AG

[chadtower]

This is one you got in Plaistow, yes? Was it sealed?

[rbudrick]

VG Exchange, lol...I go there sometimes. I'm sure Fred would allow you an exchange if you showed him what was wrong.

-Rob

[omnedon]

I give 75% odds that that 7800 is fixable, the same way I fixed mine.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11577

You should offer to buy it again, on the cheap. If it's an original system (small serial number, therefore socketed IC's) it would be easy as pie. If it's a later system, desoldering the IC would be tricky, but doable.

I see times like this as opportunities to get a "deal".

Good Luck regardless!