Impressive Famicom Clone: Micro Genius IQ-501

[ooXxXoo]

A few months ago I got this unlicensed Micro Genius IQ-501 AV Famiclone system from another member here, seems to be one of the early FC clones out there...To my surprise it isn't NOAC based, but rather real 1-1 discrete cloned hardware...

This unit had 50Hz/PAL settings, making it hard to properly display in American/60Hz NTSC tv sets ..To make matters worse, there was a very nasty Sync signal which made PAL to NTSC video converters to act funny and jump all over the place.. Finally having some spare time I decided to find a solution...

As soon as I took this system apart, I quickly noticed a set of 40 pin chips (with sockets) almost exactly the same as those found in an original Nintendo NES/Famicom system..In other words, a vivid copy of Nintendo hardware....After carefully checking each chip pin by pin JACKPOT!, they were indeed true copies of Nintendo's CPU and PPU.....

Since I had a lonely NES Motherboard laying around for the longest time, I desoldered the original CPU and PPU for the swapping, removed the official Xtal too...







The Micro Genius IQ-501 chip sockets made everything so easy too, simply removed the native CPU,PPU and Xtal and plug those of an original NES, then you'll have a nice NTSC AV Famicom system (can play original NES games w/ converter).. Definitely a grood quality machine for a Famiclone that is.....

This mod is a good solution for those who are Famicom clone enthusiasts and have a PAL Micro Genius IQ-501 (or any other PAL Famiclone with the same feaures) and NTSC equipment.....Although, you might have to sacrifice a probably already broken NES( for the parts)....The Micro Genius is well built and has a somewhat nice look + it's AV!




......

[Steve W]

Wow, that must have been an early Famiclone, with that complicated motherboard. Nowadays they make them the size of a postage stamp with circuitboards as thick as tracing paper. Two or three cartridge inserts/removals and the dang things snap.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Sweet find!

[Poofta!]

does it play all games flawlessly now? like castlevania 3 and stuff?

[otoko]

Is that TV an Apex?

[Icarus Moonsight]

Wow, that's something special.

What about the control ports? Standard NES/AV Fami or other (9-pin perhaps)?

[Kitsune Sniper]

Wait. WTF? I SAW one of those at a local flea market about three months ago. I didn't think it was anything special so I left it behind.

Dammit.

[JC]

Used to own one of those. Neat to know about its insides.

[Thrillo]

These old non-NOAC Famiclones are very interesting. I've always wondered if they were truely backwards-engineered the hard way by using a metal file and microscope and such, or whether they were done via a heck of a lot of peeks/pokes and some 6502 docs.
Does it have any sort of sound or video issues like the typical NOAC Famiclone?

[Poofta!]

Is that TV an Apex?

looks like it, yes. i have one of those. (left it at a friends house, very average set, good for retro gaming)

[ooXxXoo]

Yes indeed, it is an Apex.....(have to kill this one, before my plasma tv )

Before the CPU/PPU swap, I was having a few games compatibility problems, most likely related to the system being set at 50Hz......But after the mod, it's been playing every single game flawlessly......
There are no sound issues, just a bit of ghosty lines in the video output, just as those present on a real Famicom.....

.....

[tubeway]

I just picked one of these systems up at the Goodwill, near mint in the box. Doesn't include an A/C adaptor, though. Not sure what to do with it now, though, since it seems like a lot of work to make it functional....

[zebular]

Can anyone tell me what kind of power supply I need for the Micro Genius? I don't want to fry it as soon as I get it...

[Pikkon]

Right here dude.

http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/261121521428

[zebular]

Right here dude.

http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/261121521428

THANKS!

So I'm guessing this means I need a 10v 850mA and that does mean if I get a universal power supply should the "+" or "-" be lined up with the word "tip"?

[Pikkon]

A megadrive/genesis model 1 ac adapter will work just fine on it.

You could use any ac adapter with the right specs,but it has to be this.
(+)------------(o------------(-)

[Rickstilwell1]

I've got a controller for this system if anyone who's got one of these systems needs an extra. I couldn't find anyone interested in it when I did a sales thread.

[Parodius Duh!]

Yeah they are cool and all but if you live in N. America then its pretty much pointless, just buy a real Famicom...

You guys that are finding these at goodwills and flea markets must live in an area with a high volume of Russian or Taiwanese immigrants, as thats where the MG was mainly sold. Greece too.

[zebular]

I've got a controller for this system if anyone who's got one of these systems needs an extra. I couldn't find anyone interested in it when I did a sales thread.

Yeah I'm interested... it was that or one of the 3rd party famicom controllers. Private msg me how much and where to pay and whatnot.

[Parodius Duh!]

There was a show dedicated to Micro Genius, or the Dendy as its known in Russia....this episode even reviews the pirate pile of crap, Somari!

http://youtu.be/Wzg3GQpRHLg

Micro Genius also produced some of their own games including Thunder Warrior and Journey to the West...