SNES Powerpak is now available

[kcchiefsfan1981]

Hello, I am new here. I am interested in getting one of these but only have a RetroDuo. I know they are supposed to work but has anyone tried this on a clone system?

[Mitch]

Thanks, looks like I have a 2-1-3 on my gray SNES and I can't seem to get Mystiq Quest to boot up on my older yellowing system. It is really strange, some games like FF Mystiq Quest, Secret of Mana, and Super Mario RPG absolutely refuse to boot (black screen) while others like Donkey Kong Country 2 and Super Mario World boot up fine with no problems. Anyone know what that is?

If you load the powerpak without the compact flash card it will tell you what revs you have.

Mitch

[renejr902]

i read that on retrozone:

System Compatibility List:
Works on full size Super Nintendo and Super Famicom systems from NTSC and PAL regions with correct lockout.

Does not work on the Nintendo SNES mini, possibly fixable in the future

Works on the RetroDuo and FC Twin clones, no lockout needed.

Other clones untested, likely to work.



So retroduo is compatible

[cooky560]

looks cool

[c0ldb33r]

I don't really understand this. I inserted the empty cart into each of my SNES consoles and they both self-identify as 02-01-03 consoles. Why would one work and the other not?

The only difference I can see is on the sticker below the power button. One is English only and says USA in the corner (functional). The other one is English/French bilingual and says CANADA in the corner (non-functional). Weird.

[shadowkn55]

Some of the late model SNES systems that use the same ASIC (cpu and ppu unified into a single chip) as the mini SNES identify themselves as 2/1/3 systems.

[c0ldb33r]

Some of the late model SNES systems that use the same ASIC (cpu and ppu unified into a single chip) as the mini SNES identify themselves as 2/1/3 systems.

But I thought mini-SNES consoles didn't work at all. My "DSP1 not installed" console works on non mode 7 games.

[Mitch]

But I thought mini-SNES consoles didn't work at all. My "DSP1 not installed" console works on non mode 7 games.

Apparently there are micro-revision SNES consoles that are slightly different even though the report the same.

By the way, do your consoles have the word "eject" molded or printed on the eject switch?

Mitch

[c0ldb33r]

By the way, do your consoles have the word "eject" molded or printed on the eject switch?

The "DSP1 not installed" console is molded. The "DSP1 installed" one is printed.

[Purkeynator]

Another difference I noticed in my two SNES'es: The power adapter receptacle on the console. My older one has a round hole that you stick the power socket in from the power adapter. The newer one with the sticker near the power switch (and non yellowing case) simply has two little prongs that you still insert the same power plug over. Definitely a revision of some sort. Maybe we can piece together how to tell what rev you have without opening the case or using the PowerPak (which is back in stock by the way).

[Greg2600]

Here's my comparison of the earlier full size and later full size models (without opening)...

Earlier - Printed Eject on button, cartridge locks in place when switching power on, base has 4 rubber "feet," console is noticeably heavier, FCC ID on base is silver sticker, probably yellowed by now! 2/1/2 or 1/1/1 revision.

Later - Molded eject button, cartridge doesn't lock in, bases has 2 rubber feet, lighter weight, FCC ID on base molded in, probably still grey. 2/1/3 revision.

I believe the older ones didn't have the sticker, while newer did, but I'm not certain on that.

Coldb33r, I think you could be mistaken, I don't think both of your systems are 2/1/3, I think one is 2/1/2. Can you load Lion King and press B-A-R-R-Y in one of the game menus? I know that works.

Purkeynator, I think you're "newer" one is actually missing the round plastic cylinder in the power port. My "newer" one had one but it actually broken off. I think the newer ones were flimsy like that. Basically, sometime shortly after SEGA shrunk the Genesis, Nintendo went and reduced the cost of the console by removing a lot of extraneous plastic and metal in the system. Inside, the sound chip, which had been on this large daughter board, became simply integrated into the main board. From everyone's testing, it sounds like the later version plus the mini are lacking something the older ones still had.

[Mitch]

Greg, the only problem with your theory is there seem to be multiple revisions of the 2/1/3 console. My main console is a 2/1/3 but has four rubber feet, a silver FCC sticker and a printed eject switch. It also works fine with the PowerPak.

Mitch

[renejr902]

my snes is 2/1/1 (tested with FFMQ) printed Eject. FCC ID IS silver and theres a silver sticker with this:

Super Nes control Deck
Model No. SNS-001
Rating: DCv10 850ma
use with adapter no. SNS-002 ONLY
Made in Japan
SNS - USA

Im from Canada. But i think this snes has been bought in USA some years ago. but im not 100% sure.

I will have my SNES powerpak soon to test it

anybody know if this version is working ?

[badinsults]

I still don't know why you guys aren't asking these questions on the NESdev forum. That way you can get some answers from the guy who made these.

[Mitch]

I still don't know why you guys aren't asking these questions on the NESdev forum. That way you can get some answers from the guy who made these.

I emailed retrozone directly with the issues I had, I posted them here more as an FYI for other people.

Mitch

[kcchiefsfan1981]

Just ordered one. See how well it works with my RetroDuo.

[MachineGex]

They up for sale again. I am happy with mine and now want the NES version. Anyone know when that will be available again?

[Greg2600]

Greg, the only problem with your theory is there seem to be multiple revisions of the 2/1/3 console. My main console is a 2/1/3 but has four rubber feet, a silver FCC sticker and a printed eject switch. It also works fine with the PowerPak.

Mitch

Not quite a theory then Mitch! I still believe there's something about the physical appearance of the console. So far, anyone who has a SNES with the characteristics I described as the earlier model works, or at least it seems that way.

[renejr902]

retrozone answered me about my star ocean saving question. this is the answer:

The battery information is pulled from the internal game header of the ROM, so if the save question does not appear it is a problem with the ROM. The header info can be seen in the LOG.TXT file after the game loads.


so what do you think?

anyway i will test my rom as soon as i get my snes powerpak

[jupitersj]

My powerpak should be arriving soon and I chose to buy my CF card separately..

I was hoping those who have it working at the moment could post with their working/non-working model CF card so we could make a small list of compatibility?

I purchase everything almost solely online so not having to repeatedly return and diagnose if it's a CF card or the powerpak's fault would be great