when dose a cartridge need a Cap/resistor replacement

[SithWarrior]

Is there any sign that a game cartridge needs a Cap/resistor replacement from playing it. Because I own doubles of some games(for the sega gen) and I noticed that there is a big flicker(like someone turns the TV on/off real fast) when going to the next level or something going on in the background which doesn't happen to the copy's I had when I was a kid. the games are Earthworm Jim and Jurassic Park: Rampage edition. I can take a recording of it if needed.

[Leo_A]

Doesn't sound like a issue to the games to me. Sounds more like your television is doing it.

[SithWarrior]

ok I tested these games on another tv and still same thing happens, the tv that I usually play the sega on is a RCA tube tv from the 90's and the other TV I used was a Samsung 1080p HDTV and the same flicker happened but so far I only see this with these two games because I also play my NES, SNES, and Xbox on that same RCA tv and no flicker.

[Compute]

A recording would help most. Does it go flick-flick-flick (so-to-speak..or something like that) or is it just a level-flick-level? It sounds to me like one of those 'tricks' the programmers may have used to fit it onto the ROM or something.

[SithWarrior]

On Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition this is the flicker that I experience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E2BsSDQRh8 if that was a trick that the programmers put in, whats wrong with them it just makes the level unplayable for me on the tube tv and on Earthworm Jim I experience the level to level flick

(I used my moded Sega Gen model 2 to do the recording)

[Oldskool]

That's pretty odd. I don't think that's intentional.

On the other hand, man that rampage edition looks way more fun than the original, I might have to pick that up.

That could very well be a cap problem. If you want try replacing it, shouldn't be difficult. Most Genny games only have one cap and one resistor. If you don't feel comfortable doing it I could do it for you, but I cannot guarantee that it will fix it. If it does then we'll have a fix for future problematic games. Maybe this is an issue we'll have to deal with in the coming years. I'd probably try the cap first, as they go out way more common than a resistor does. Resistors are pretty much indestructable.

Also, I forgot to ask, have you tried this on another Genesis?

[SithWarrior]

I usually play on my model 1 HDG Sega gen I just used the model 2 for the recording since I have the composite and audio out puts on the system and I'll have to find a place in my area that sells the caps after checking which one the cartridge uses.

[Oldskool]

I usually play on my model 1 HDG Sega gen I just used the model 2 for the recording since I have the composite and audio out puts on the system and I'll have to find a place in my area that sells the caps after checking which one the cartridge uses.

Cool let us know what you find out. You should easily be able to find those caps at an electronics store. Now I am curious if that's what the problem is. If you can't find one that is EXACTLY the same don't sweat it. Usually with caps, if I recall correctly, the uF rating is the important one, but the voltage rating is not as important. I guess the Voltage rating can be higher but not lower than the one you are replacing. Or something like that. That's how it is fixing the audio caps on a Turbo Express anyways. But I am no professional, anyone chime in if I need to be corrected.

Oh, and also be careful because there are two types of caps. Some have both prongs out the same side, and some have one prong on each side. Either will work but the two pronged on one side is the more direct fit version. Also, some caps are directional, and some are not, so you have to look out for that as well.

[Gameguy]

On Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition this is the flicker that I experience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E2BsSDQRh8 if that was a trick that the programmers put in, whats wrong with them it just makes the level unplayable for me on the tube tv and on Earthworm Jim I experience the level to level flick

(I used my moded Sega Gen model 2 to do the recording)

Here's someone else playing the same level on an emulator. Skip to 4:45. The same stuff happens, assuming you mean the screen flashing when lightning strikes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju7MjWbHpuQ

Does it only happen on that level? I have a copy of that game but I've never got that far into it, if you have some footage from the first level I could play mine and see it it happens any differently.

[Oldskool]

, is that all it is. The lightning? hell..

[SithWarrior]

So that was intended?, the tv that I usually play on just makes the level unplayable, I was hoping that was the problem, I'm still gonna do the cap replacement and sorry for wasting everybody's time.