View Full Version : Zelda Circuit Boards
First off, let me say that I'm new to collecting, so take it easy on me. I know 99% of you probably know this info off hand. I have done my "internets" research, but I haven't found the rarity of different Legend of Zelda Circuit Boards. I have two different boards, one dated 1987 and one dated 1988. I would like to know if one is more desirable than the other. One is NES-SNROM-O3 and the other is NES-SNROM-05.
http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/45904/2235606950103326570S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2235606950103326570PAbiqW)
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/43267/2026215810103326570S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2026215810103326570NmjejV)
Blitzwing256
08-06-2009, 12:47 PM
zelda went through 2 rom revisions, it would be interesting to see if the board revisions coincided with em, if you could dump both boards to check that would be an interesting experiment.
Tupin
08-06-2009, 03:59 PM
Well, if it's anything like Super Mario Bros. 2, the version with the full pin set is a lot rarer and worth a lot more money than the version with the pins missing.
I have no idea if it's the same with Zelda, I don't think Super Mario Bros. 2 has any differences between the versions.
Well, if it's anything like Super Mario Bros. 2, the version with the full pin set is a lot rarer and worth a lot more money than the version with the pins missing.
I have no idea if it's the same with Zelda, I don't think Super Mario Bros. 2 has any differences between the versions.
Do you have any sales data to back this up?
rbudrick
08-06-2009, 05:13 PM
IIRC, the only ROM difference was in the save screen that had a wartning to tell you to hold in the reset button. Of course, if anyone knows otherwise, I'm all ears.
-Rob
Tupin
08-06-2009, 05:55 PM
Do you have any sales data to back this up?
I can only assume Nintendo made the full pin set version until they realized the Famicom Disk System was never going to be released for NES. Those pins that are missing in post-1987 NES games aren't necessary and were only there to serve as a direct connection to the expansion port on the bottom of the system, where the Disk System would have plugged into.
aclbandit
08-06-2009, 10:39 PM
I can only assume Nintendo made the full pin set version until they realized the Famicom Disk System was never going to be released for NES. Those pins that are missing in post-1987 NES games aren't necessary and were only there to serve as a direct connection to the expansion port on the bottom of the system, where the Disk System would have plugged into.
I always love learning new things, and I'm certainly glad to know why some of my carts have missing pins -- I've wondered for YEARS.
Enigmus
08-06-2009, 11:01 PM
Well, if it's anything like Super Mario Bros. 2, the version with the full pin set is a lot rarer and worth a lot more money than the version with the pins missing.
I have a full pin 1987 original release. How much is it?
That, and since Rad Racer was pre-1988, I have an 1987 copy with full pins. How much is it, or is it just worthless?
Tupin
08-07-2009, 12:02 AM
Mario 2 wasn't released until October 1988, so I guess that means that any Nintendo game published before Christmas 1988 could have a full pin variant, as that was the Christmas they realized the FDS would never have a North American release.
Games with a full pin set aren't that special, you find early titles like Wrecking Crew with them all the time. Games that came out later, such as Mario 2 and Zelda have full pin variants that are really hard to find, so the same would go for Rad Racer.
My guess is that Nintendo was going to use the extra pins as a way to add onto games they already had made via the Disk System. Or perhaps they were going to use a dongle cartridge in a similar way the RAM adapter on FDS is? Who knows, I still can't believe nothing regarding an American Disk System has been found anywhere, I heard that it was officially announced to be released but it kept getting pushed back internally and when Zelda was released with battery backup everyone forgot about it.
Oh, and not at all related, but ever go into the "Design" part of Wrecking Crew/Excitebike and select "Save" or "Load"? That was meant to be used with the NES Data Recorder which also would have been used with the NES version of Family BASIC. Unlike the FDS, prototypes of these exist and are on display at Nintendo World in New York City.
Terminusvitae
08-07-2009, 09:29 PM
Well, if it's anything like Super Mario Bros. 2, the version with the full pin set is a lot rarer and worth a lot more money than the version with the pins missing.
I have no idea if it's the same with Zelda, I don't think Super Mario Bros. 2 has any differences between the versions.
Someone else may have done, or may do, some more digging with the software guts of SMB2 than I have managed to accomplish, but I haven't found any ROM differences between the two pin variants. In regard to the hardware itself, the full-pin release is the only known board that can be used to create a FF3 reproduction cart. At least, that's the last that I've heard; another certainly could have been discovered since I last checked.