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Thread: Genesis cart issue (never seen anything like it!)

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    Default Genesis cart issue (never seen anything like it!)

    Bought a complete copy of Forgotten Worlds for Genesis this weekend for $10. I was quite happy until I popped it in to play it.

    I was treated to, in order:

    1) Shiny "SEGA" logo
    2) Title screen with "START" or "OPTIONS" choices (pressed start)
    3) An intro set of cutscenes, showing two burly guys discussing their problem (I didn't catch all the text)
    4) A quick on-screen "fizzle"
    5) A picture of one dead burly guy and the words "GAME OVER"

    You can then repeat those steps, in order, as many times as you'd like. I could get the options screen to come up, but the game refused to start.

    For troubleshooting purposes, here are all the things I've already tried:

    1) Blowing out the cartridge and the console.
    2) Cleaning the cartridge (which was actually in pristine shape with bright golden connectors).
    3) Disconnecting the Sega CD from the Genesis.
    4) Using a three-button pad instead of a six-button (both Sega-branded).
    5) Opening up the cartridge (everything was in order, no obvious breakage or evidence of repair).

    So, what else? If it's not worth fixing, I can still take it back -- but it's the only copy I've ever seen locally.
    Active systems owned: Wii, X360, PS3
    Inactive systems owned: RCA, INTV2, NES, SMS, Genesis, Lynx, SNES, Saturn, PS1, GBC, DC, PS2, GBA, Xbox, GC, PSP, DS
    Systems wanted: Coleco, 7800, TG16, GG, 3DS, Vita, WiiU

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    It'll do that if you use a 6-button controller.

    At least, it does it on my Genesis.

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    Quote Originally Posted by FABombjoy
    It'll do that if you use a 6-button controller.

    At least, it does it on my Genesis.
    Forgot to list that in the troubleshooting guide (fixed). I tried it with a three-button controller, too. (Always good to have both.) Same problem, though.

    Arrrggh!
    Active systems owned: Wii, X360, PS3
    Inactive systems owned: RCA, INTV2, NES, SMS, Genesis, Lynx, SNES, Saturn, PS1, GBC, DC, PS2, GBA, Xbox, GC, PSP, DS
    Systems wanted: Coleco, 7800, TG16, GG, 3DS, Vita, WiiU

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    I'd try it with a few different controllers just to be sure. Ya never know.

    But the symptoms you describe are precisely what happens on my Gen2/CD2/32x combo if I use a 6 button controller. Try starting the game & unplugging the controller.

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    Quote Originally Posted by FABombjoy
    I'd try it with a few different controllers just to be sure. Ya never know.

    But the symptoms you describe are precisely what happens on my Gen2/CD2/32x combo if I use a 6 button controller. Try starting the game & unplugging the controller.
    Will do. It is an early-release game after all, so I can forgive it. (I'm running an early-edition "High Definition Graphics" Genesis on top of a tray-loader Sega CD.)
    Active systems owned: Wii, X360, PS3
    Inactive systems owned: RCA, INTV2, NES, SMS, Genesis, Lynx, SNES, Saturn, PS1, GBC, DC, PS2, GBA, Xbox, GC, PSP, DS
    Systems wanted: Coleco, 7800, TG16, GG, 3DS, Vita, WiiU

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    Fixed!

    The only controller I can get to work with the game is a very original three-button Sega unit -- and even then, it seems to work only with the red-lettered version (my gray-lettered version triggered the problem too).

    Pain in the ass, but at least the game works. Weird game, too, but fun.
    Active systems owned: Wii, X360, PS3
    Inactive systems owned: RCA, INTV2, NES, SMS, Genesis, Lynx, SNES, Saturn, PS1, GBC, DC, PS2, GBA, Xbox, GC, PSP, DS
    Systems wanted: Coleco, 7800, TG16, GG, 3DS, Vita, WiiU

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    Well, I tried my copy and had these results:

    Sega 3 button, red ABC button letters - Works fine
    Sega 3 button, black ABC button letter - Works fine
    3rd party 6 button - Crash after start
    --same controller with MODE held down on bootup - Instant 'game over' after intro

    Strange behaviors, for sure.

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    Odd, yes. The only other game I can think of that has problems with six-button controllers is Desert Strike.

    Thanks much for the help!
    Active systems owned: Wii, X360, PS3
    Inactive systems owned: RCA, INTV2, NES, SMS, Genesis, Lynx, SNES, Saturn, PS1, GBC, DC, PS2, GBA, Xbox, GC, PSP, DS
    Systems wanted: Coleco, 7800, TG16, GG, 3DS, Vita, WiiU

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    HAHAHA

    HAve you noticed theres a MODE button in the 6-button controllers? press it duing startup and the game wont crash....

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    Quote Originally Posted by suppafly
    HAHAHA

    HAve you noticed theres a MODE button in the 6-button controllers? press it duing startup and the game wont crash....
    Hmm... Reread my last post

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    Opps my bad!!!

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    I had the same problem with Forgotten Worlds when I first got it. I didn't have a problem playing it using the mode button on the 6-button Genesis controller. I also tried it on a Nomad yesterday and it works fine when the mode button is used.

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    Shit, I had this same exact problem! I thought you had bought my returned copy...

    Fuck, I could have kept it.

    Well, it's not like my original Genesis controller works anymore anyway.

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    Maybe this is a larger issue, then. (And I thought it was settled!)

    See, the "mode" button does nothing for me most of the time. Maybe it's the age of my Genesis -- it's the super-original "High Definition Graphics" version, the kind that doesn't even show the "Produced or Licensed by Sega of America" on start-up.

    Perhaps it's only meant to work with later versions? :/
    Active systems owned: Wii, X360, PS3
    Inactive systems owned: RCA, INTV2, NES, SMS, Genesis, Lynx, SNES, Saturn, PS1, GBC, DC, PS2, GBA, Xbox, GC, PSP, DS
    Systems wanted: Coleco, 7800, TG16, GG, 3DS, Vita, WiiU

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    Quote Originally Posted by Duncan
    Maybe this is a larger issue, then. (And I thought it was settled!)

    See, the "mode" button does nothing for me most of the time. Maybe it's the age of my Genesis -- it's the super-original "High Definition Graphics" version, the kind that doesn't even show the "Produced or Licensed by Sega of America" on start-up.

    Perhaps it's only meant to work with later versions? :/

    I noticed one of my two 1st style Genesis consoles is like that. Doesn't display any message, and has a RC232 sorta looking port on the back...

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    I'll be double-specfiic, just to get everything as clear as possible.

    ORIGINAL GENESIS, v1.0

    This is the original model with a circular bulge on top ringing the cartridge port. At the top edge of the ring, nearest the slot, are the words "HIGH DEFINITITION GRAPHICS".

    This console has a left-to-right power switch that triggers a red LED light at the bottom of the ring. Next to the power switch is a volume control slider, which adjusts the volume (from levels "1" through "10") of the 3.5mm headphone jack just below it. Note that this volume control DOES NOT control the volume of the game UNLESS it's being played through headphones -- even then, you'll still have to adjust the volume of the television set yourself.

    The connections on the back of the unit are as follows:

    * 9V DC power input
    * RF output for picture and mono sound (RCA plug; most commonly connects to a standard RF switch); also has a Channel 3/4 switch for better reception
    * DIN output for picture and stereo sound (looks a little like a PS/2 port on a computer, but functions differently); note that the required cable is nigh on impossible to find today
    * RS-232 output (function unknown; possibly unneeded for US versions)

    ORIGINAL GENESIS, v1.1

    This model is almost exactly the same as v1.0 above, but with the following changes.

    *The RS-232 port has been removed.

    ORIGINAL GENESIS, v1.2

    This model is almost exactly the same as v1.1 above, but with the following changes.

    * The words "HIGH DEFINITION GRAPHICS" have been removed.
    * The programming has been changed so that only official, NTSC-released cartridges can be played. Such titles are noted by the following on-screen text before the game itself starts:

    PRODUCED BY OR LICENSED FROM
    SEGA ENTERPRISES LTD.
    Any other cartridge will only produce a black screen.

    I'm planning on doing this sort of work for all consoles someday, so everyone knows what's what.
    Active systems owned: Wii, X360, PS3
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    Systems wanted: Coleco, 7800, TG16, GG, 3DS, Vita, WiiU

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    My one Genesis in mention has one more port than what you listed for V1.0


    http://www.vidgame.net/SEGA/Sega/Genesis/gen_back.jpg

    it is like this.

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    Huh...almost looks like a controller port (the RS-232 you mentioned). Mine doesn't have that. I'll adjust my listing accordingly.

    I'm gonna assume that's the very earliest model out there.
    Active systems owned: Wii, X360, PS3
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    The presence of the "Hi-def" moniker doesn't guarantee a lockout-free Genesis. I have a few Genesis units with that text on the case & license screens on bootup.

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    BTW, it's not necessarily an RS-232 port, I just meant that it looks like one, from what I remember. It's labelled an EXT port and no idea what it's function is.


    So what is the lockout-free Genesis (the one w/o the 'license' screen) able play that the other will not? PAL games? I know the cartridge slot is the same as the others.. I wonder if I could play Mega Man: The Wily Wars on that thing without having to get a Mega Key and flip some switches?

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