RetroDuo NES/SNES Clone Official Thread. Castlevania III, StarFox WORK, SMRPG WARNING

[Nero 99]

Wow!

That's really strange considering that there's video confirmation of that game working.

I'm assuming that you made sure that the game was totally clean before attempting it, as the pinsets on my RetroDuo grip VERY soft, so, if the pins aren't clean - you might have an issue with it not booting.

Were there any software, or cartridge hardware revisions made to Super Mairo RPG during it's production that could be causing this specific instance of non-compatibility?


Interestingly, there are several reports of instances of Mario RPG working fine on FC Twins, and others claiming that it doesn't work on those ... perhaps the problem lies in a production run of Mario RPG and not either of the game units.

*EDIT* I did a quick bit of Google-research, and it looks like some people claim that Super Mario RPG has 3 software versions in the USA V1.0, V1.2 and V1.3 (found through SNES ROM dumping) ... 2 and 3 apparently have some type of verification code within the SA-1 chip that checks for authentic SNES lockout hardware. SO, it looks like SMRPG V1.0 is the one that runs on all SNES Clones (in the case of reports that it works on the FC Twin) That sucks! Sorry man, maybe there will be a work-around in the future.

Yea the pins were clean and it worked on my SNES. Oh well the game was a freind of mines and the whole reason he got rid of his FC Twin was because it wouldnt play Super Mario RPG. As for there being different versions of the game, I figured thats what it was so I guess when I buy it myself Ill have to hope that its a version 1.0. Anyways thanks for the info frankie I really appreciate it.

:EDIT: oh yea the grips on mine are also really soft. The nes one is soft too and i was pretty surprised when it took a bit of force to pull it out.

[GrandAmChandler]

Quick update, I got my Black RetroDuo today. I can confirm the following work:

NES:

-NWC 1990 Repro cart from RetroUSB
-Super Mario Bros. 2 Japanese Repro cart
-California Raisins Repro Cart
-Earthbound Zero Repro Cart
-Drac's Night out Repro Cart

SNES:

-Stunt Race FX SNES cart

[Nick Goracke]

Wonder if it's possible to get RGB out of these units (with a mod, obviously). I'd love to do RGB on the NES without destroying a Nintendo-made arcade board...

Anybody seen this done/attempted before?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I don't suppose there is such a thing as an S-Video to RGB adapter? Is there?

Also, for anybody interested - I revised the CRAP out of the first post, which was getting rather messy and unwieldy.

I'll now be keeping a running tally of compatible/incompatible hardware and software there. Take a look-see!

[Leo_A]

I don't suppose there is such a thing as an S-Video to RGB adapter? Is there?

Probably, but such a thing would not improve anything since the source is still the s-video output.

[Wirestone]

Well, gosh. I guess I'm going to have to post some pictures of my own here -- I have a white unit.

[ooXxXoo]

WoW!...I can't believe it!
This little beast has a Samsung KA2198BD RGB Encoder PAL/NTSC.Therefore it has RGB outputs.Modding Time!..Get Yours while they last!

[strassy]

WoW!...I can't believe it!
This little beast has a Samsung KA2198BD RGB Encoder PAL/NTSC.Therefore it has RGB outputs.Modding Time!..Get Yours while they last!

can you explain in plain english what this means?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

WoW!...I can't believe it!
This little beast has a Samsung KA2198BD RGB Encoder PAL/NTSC.Therefore it has RGB outputs.Modding Time!..Get Yours while they last!

Interesting info!

If you don't fubar your unit in the process of making it RGB - please be sure to make some modification diagrams and post them.

[Nick Goracke]

WoW!...I can't believe it!
This little beast has a Samsung KA2198BD RGB Encoder PAL/NTSC.Therefore it has RGB outputs.Modding Time!..Get Yours while they last!

I'm interested now

[ooXxXoo]

Its me again....I got another set of the Retro Duo today(Black model)...I did some comparison side by side between the 2 models(White/Black),and found just a few differences.It seems to be more than one revision made to the Retro Duo mother board.The only change that I noticed between them was just a chip...For some reason the controllers included with the white model are better responding than the ones found with the Black one,specially with fighting games such as Street Fighter II where you have to make all sorts of moves...The white system cartridge ports seem to hold in place the games better.The cartrige ports found in the Black model are a bit more loose when inserting a game...the s-video signals provided by the white model are just a notch cleaner than the black one,but the sound is much better within the black system.They both have the same Samsung RGB encoder!...If you are curious to see what the Retro Duo motherboard looks like,take a look!...

http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/HPIM5847.JPG

There is a clock missing in both of the boards but I'm thinking that it may be for the PAL systems.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Its me again....I got another set of the Retro Duo today(Black model)...I did some comparison side by side between the 2 models(White/Black),and found just a few differences.It seems to be more than one revision made to the Retro Duo mother board.The only change that I noticed between them was just a chip...For some reason the controllers included with the white model are better responding than the ones found with the Black one,specially with fighting games such as Street Fighter II where you have to make all sorts of moves...The white system cartridge ports seem to hold in place the games better.The cartrige ports found in the Black model are a bit more loose when inserting a game...the s-video signals provided by the white model are just a notch cleaner than the black one,but the sound is much better within the black system.They both have the same Samsung RGB encoder!...If you are curious to see what the Retro Duo motherboard looks like,take a look!...

http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/HPIM5847.JPG

There is a clock missing in both of the boards but I'm thinking that it may be for the PAL systems.

GREAT info!

Admittedly a bit of it is greek to me, but I understand the concept of A/V output mods.

Keep us posted if you attempt an RGB mod.

[lovablechevy]

Its me again....I got another set of the Retro Duo today(Black model)...I did some comparison side by side between the 2 models(White/Black),and found just a few differences.It seems to be more than one revision made to the Retro Duo mother board.The only change that I noticed between them was just a chip...For some reason the controllers included with the white model are better responding than the ones found with the Black one,specially with fighting games such as Street Fighter II where you have to make all sorts of moves...The white system cartridge ports seem to hold in place the games better.The cartrige ports found in the Black model are a bit more loose when inserting a game...the s-video signals provided by the white model are just a notch cleaner than the black one,but the sound is much better within the black system.They both have the same Samsung RGB encoder!

huh... that's really weird! thanks for this tid-bit! i only have a white one so i wouldn't know there was a difference. of course, i bought my brother a black one, but he hasn't even opened it yet.