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Jump to:, Super Nintendo/Famicom F.A.Q. Version 1.0a Last updated 3/03/99 Maintained by FM2000 (Lou Cassaniti) (C) 1997/1998/1999 FM2000 (Lou Cassaniti) email: [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Document info A. Disclaimer C. Obtaining the FAQ D. Contacting the maintainer II.
The SNES in a nutshell A. What is the SNES?
Can I play my NES games on the SNES? What global markets is the SNES released in?
What is the SNES called in those markets? What are the differences between the US SNES and the European SNES and the Japanese Famicom?
Is the US SNES compatible with European and Japanese games? What kind of video is the SNES capable of? What are the technical specs of the SNES?
What is that weird port on the bottom of my SNES? What's the 'new' SNES? What kind of screwdriver do I need to use with those weird screws that SNES hardware and cartridges use? The SNES at Retail A.
When was the SNES released? What were the various SNES sets sold? How much was the SNES? How many SNESs were sold?
SNES Games A. What were all the games released for the SNES? What are the enhancement chips used in SNES/SFC games? What was the largest game? The smallest?
Were there any unlicensed games made for the SNES? What are those 'health' games all about? Are there any SNES multicarts? What are those extra two 8 pin connectors on some of my games? The battery inside my game is dead.
Can I replace it myself? What kind of battery do SNES games use? How many different SNES games were released?
SNES accessories A. What happened to the SNES CD-ROM unit? What are the cheating devices available for the SNES?
What NES-to-SNES adapters are available? What is the Super Game Boy? What is the Super Scope? What is the SNES Mouse? What SNES backup/cartridge copiers are available? What US SNES/SFC/PAL SNES cartridge adaptors exist? Newsgroups VII.
Thanks and credits A. Publications used B. Contributors I. Document info A.
Copyright This document is copyright (C) 1997 by FM2000 (Lou Cassaniti). It may be freely distributed on BBS's, FTP sites, WWW sites, and any other form, so long as no money is charged for it. This document is not to be distributed in a modified form. If you have a correction, suggestion, or addition for the FAQ, by all means, please let me know, and I will make the necessary adjustments. Disclaimer This FAQ is in not sponsored or in any way endorsed by Nintendo Ltd., Nintendo of America, or anyone associated with Nintendo. No warranty is given to the accuracy of the information in this FAQ. This FAQ was created and is maintained by FM2000, with contributions from other fans of the Super Nintendo.
Obtaining the FAQ This FAQ is usually posted monthly to all relevant Nintendo newsgroups. The latest version of the FAQ can always be obtained at D. Contacting the maintainer The maintainer of this FAQ, FM2000, can be reached by email at [email protected]. II.
The SNES in a nutshell A. What is the SNES?
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) is a 16 bit video game system from Nintendo. It is the successor to the extraordinarily popular Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), an 8 bit system, which was Nintendo's flagship system from 1985 to 1991. The SNES is also the predecessor to the Nintendo 64 (N64), a 64 bit system, which was released in July 1996, and is Nintendo's flagship system today.
Can I play my old NES games on the SNES? The SNES cannot play NES games, and there is no adapter from Nintendo that would allow you to.
But, there are unlicensed adapters that exist that do allow you to (See section V - SNES Peripherals, part C). Please also note, there is also no way to play your SNES games on the N64 that I am aware of. What global markets is the SNES released in? What is the SNES called in those markets? The three major global markets for the SNES are North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (including the UK), and Japan.
Other parts of the world usually import games from other regions that use the same television standard; for example, many Australian retailers sell European games, because they both use the PAL television standard. However, some games are marketed specifically for a certain country, either inside the three main markets, or for countries outside those markets. This is usually done due to problems with with the language difference; for example, several RPGs were released in Germany, in German, because of the important role the text plays in the game.
In contrast, a shooter will be distributed throughout a region, because the language it is in makes little difference in the ability to play and enjoy the game. The SNES is known as the Super Famicom (SFC) in Japan, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) everywhere else. What are the differences between the US SNES and the European SNES and Japanese Famicom? The Japanese Super Famicom and European SNES are virtually identical in appearance. The top of the unit is contoured with power and reset switches set into the unit itself. The US SNES is box shaped, with a rectangle shaped area on top which is slightly raised, which is where the cartridge is inserted. The switches on the US SNES are bars which move along the top of the SNES.
Overall, the Japanese and European model is much more sleek looking. The cartridge port in the European and Japanese models is the same, while the US model has a larger opening to accommodate the slightly bulkier US carts, and has two tabs which prevent insertion of non-US carts (see part E below). The hardware is virtually identical, with the exception of the fact the foreign models generate a picture for viewing on their respective regional television standard (NTSC for Japan, North America, Philipines, PAL for Europe, Asia, South America, Australia), and the lockout chip is different in the PAL (European) SNES than the NTSC (US and Japan) models (see part E below). Is the American SNES compatible with Japanese and European games?
Control Decks are not compatible with games from outside the region they were released in, without a work-around. Every cartridge has a regional lockout scheme to prevent it from being used with a SFC/SNES in another region, and some have more than one.
There are some adaptors available which can allow you to get around the lockout scheme (see part V section for more info). Below are is a list of the lockout schemes used: 1. Regional Lockout Security Measures Implemented US and Japanese games use a chip (see note 3) that prevent games from those regions from being run in European Super NES decks, but do not prevent Japanese games from being run on North American decks and vice versa.
Japanese and European games, as well as the design of the cartridge port, are identical (see note 2). Games from Europe can be inserted into Japanese SFC decks, and vice versa.
North American SNES decks and cartridges are designed differently than their Japanese and European counterparts. Games from Japan and Europe cannot be inserted (without modification) into North American SNES decks, and vice versa. To make matters worse, some games implement a form of regional lockout called 'PAL Protection' (see note 4), which prevents use of games designed for PAL systems (Europe) on NTSC (Japan and North America). So, as you can see, you can insert a European game into a Japanese SFC, but the lockout chip prevents it from running. You can run a Japanese game on a US deck, but you can't insert it. Plus, the cartridge may employ NTSC/PAL protection as well.
Now that you know what the lockout schemes are, we will now discuss how they work and how to disable them. Physical Lockout Inserting Japanese and European games in your American SNES - Inside your US SNES cartridge well, you will see two small tabs, which correspond to the two grooves on the bottom of US games. These tabs prevent the insertion of Japanese and European games, which do not have the two corresponding grooves. There are two ways around this; either physically remove the tabs, or use an adaptor.
I do not recommend physically removing the tabs, because it will void your warranty, and there is always a small risk you might damage something. An adaptor will extend the cartridge port and allow any SFC/European SNES cart to be inserted. Adaptors can be found in most video game specialty shops and game importers.
(If you have an adaptor, let me know about it; what make it is, how it performs, where you got it, etc., and I will list it in this FAQ.) However, if you don't want to pay for an adaptor, and don't mind taking the risk, you can remove the tabs by grabbing them with a pair of needlenose pliers, and gently rocking the pliers back and forth until the tabs come off. Later SNES decks released have metal in the tabs; it doesn't matter, except it will make them slightly harder to remove. (Please note I am not responsible if you decide to try this method and damage your SNES; as I said, I do not recommend it.) Inserting American games in your Japanese or European SFC/SNES - The European and Japanese control decks have a contoured cartridge well that prevents American games from being inserted. Similar to above, you can physically alter the deck to accept the foreign cart by filing away the plastic which prevents insertion of the American cartridge, but again that is something I do not recommend. Again, there are adaptors that allow you to plug in American games in your Japanese/European control deck. (I really would like a detailed explanation of how to remove the plastic in the European/Japanese control deck so American carts can be inserted. If you can explain it and pass it onto me, that would be a big help, as I don't have a European/Japanese control deck of my own to test.) 3.
Lockout Chips The following information on the SNES chip lockout system was sent to me by Karel ([email protected]). SNES Game Cassette Security IC - I noticed a lot of questions on the 'net about the SNES game cartridge security and country dependent games. I have seen claims that the only protection is the mechanical incompatibility, this definitely not true. I happen to have the SNES service manual from the European and the US version. Both Control Decks having a security chip in the Deck and a counterpart in every game cassette. The device are called CIC.
The operation is as follows:. The CIC (F413 for the European PAL version or the F411 for the NTSC version) is connected to main unit reset. The reset signal (reset) from F413 (F411) to S-PPU2 is set low and places the S-PPU2 in standby. F413 / F411 seeks communication with the CIC (D413 / D411) in the game cassette.
If communication ends successfully then the RESET is set High to start the S-PPU2. If the communication fails then the RESET signal remains LOW, disabling the further operation of the console.
Note: It might be possible that first versions of US control decks did not use the security device and that the only protection is the mechanical incompatibility but there is no record of that in the service manual (rev. (Please note, I don't think that happened either. If anyone can prove this definitively, please let me know.) - - RESET SWITCH Game Cassette - SNES/SFC Hardware v - - U8 RESET - CIC U3 D413 (PAL) - D411 (NTSC) S-PPU2 D411 (NTSC) - - - ^ v - - S-CLK - - The communication between the cassette and the deck is done over four wires. It uses the edge connector pin 24, 55, 25 and 56. The CIC in the cassette is connected to the power supply but has no other connections to the internal cassette circuitry. It is very likely that the security device in the console can be disabled by connecting the reset directly to the S-PPU2 the F413 (U8) output pin 10 is the RESET output to pin 34 from the S-PPU2 (U3).
An alternative could be, placing a US-CIC between a US deck and a European cassette on a extension card (or vice versa.) - Further, he offers the following method for modifying your US or European SNES. I have not done this, and cannot be responsible if you damage your SNES. While going through a website of a dealer who sells European games, I noticed something called a PAL/NTSC adaptor.
It does not say if it is an adaptor to get by the country lockout system. If such adaptors exist, it would certainly be a better alternative to the major surgery described below, for those games with the lockout protection in place. SNES Game Cassette Security IC Part 2: - Someone handed me some SFC and US SNES game cassettes for testing. I have now successfully changed a PAL SNES control deck. The country dependent chip is disabled and it is possible to play US and Famicom games without restrictions. Important Note: I take no responsibility what so ever for possible damages to your system as a result of the modifications described below. Also note that possible system warranties could be void when the control deck is opened and modified.
The modification is relative simple. The hardest part for me was opening the deck. I manufactured my own (primitive) tool for this but there are addresses where you can buy the proper tools (see or. Remove the top housing cover. Remove the metal shield cover in the front half of the unit (4 screws one is under the power switch.
Note: You have to remove the flat cable between the front gameport Printed Circuit Board and the main PCB. Now locate the CIC chip. On the PAL version this is situated in the front, left hand side.
The chip is printed F413. In the NTSC version this chip could be located above the reset switch printed F411. De-solder pin 10 of the CIC. I used solder wick. This job is relative easy because it is a corner pin. Lift up pin 10 so it makes no longer contact with the solder path.
Take a 74HC04 or similar high impedant inverter device preferably a SMD to save place. Connect the 74HC04 pin 7 to GND and pin 14 to +5V use short wires.
You can use the CIC connection 9 and 18 for GND and VCC. Connect a wire from CIC pin 8 to the input of one of the inverters in the 74HC04, e.g. Connect a wire from the insulated path that was connected to CIC pin 10 to the output of the 74HC04 inverter, pin 8 in the example case. Check that pin 10 of the CIC is still floating.
Insulate and fixate the 74HC04 package to prevent short circuit against the metal cover. Test the console operation. It should now work with all types of game cassettes independent of the country origin. Re install the metal cover, and the close the unit. PAL Protection The following info was submitted by [email protected]: Most later SNES games contain code to check for a 60Hz or 50Hz display. The NTSC TV system displays 60 frames per second (60Hz).
The PAL system displays 50 (50Hz). Later US and Japanese games check for 60Hz, and thus fail to work on PAL consoles, even with a universal adapter. They display a message like: 'THIS GAME PAK IS NOT DESIGNED FOR YOUR SUPER FAMICOM OR SUPER NES.' Similarly, later PAL games check for 50Hz, and thus fail to work on NTSC decks. Some examples of games with a 50/60Hz check are Super Metroid, Pop 'n TwinBee, and Super Mario All-Stars.
There is a way to get around this though. You can fit a switch to your console, to choose between 50Hz and 60Hz displays. With this, you can play all games. For example, let's say you want to play a Super Metroid PAL cart on a US console. You would switch to 50Hz before turning on the console. Once the title screen comes up, you can either remain in 50Hz mode, or switch to 60Hz. The game only does the 50/60Hz check right at the start.
Fitting a 50/60Hz switch is in my opinion essential for owners of PAL consoles. Normally, a PAL console plays games 16 2/3% slower than an NTSC one, with large black borders at the top and bottom of the screen.
In 60Hz mode, it plays just like a US console; full-speed, full-screen. I have yet to write a document describing in detail how to fit a 50/60Hz switch. But in my SNES lockout disabling document (on my web page; see below), I give the URL of a picture which tells you which pins to switch. But don't attempt this unless you have some soldering experience Eventually, I will write a 'step-by-step' guide to adding a 50/60Hz switch.
URL of my page is F. What kind of video is the SNES capable of? The SNES can output RF, RGB, and S-Video. A cable from Nintendo is available for connection of the SNES to S-Video capable equipment, and sells for about $20. The following is a pinout diagram for the multi-out jack on the back of the SNES. This is the jack often used to connect the SNES to a TV using the RCA output cable that came with the SNES, as well as the S-Video cable.
Thanks to Richard Harris ([email protected]) for the info. SNES/SFC output pinouts - These are numbered the way Nintendo did, and the view is looking back 'into' the connector on the CABLE.
Donkey Kong Country Donkey Kong Country, often hailed as, has four cheat codes players can utilize in the SNES Classic Edition version of the game. The Bad Buddy Code allows players to constantly switch between the first and second player, which can make for a rather chaotic run through the game. Another code allows players to mess with the game’s music, but players may be more interested in the codes that give them 50 lives and lets them play bonus rounds. For the following three codes, players need to highlight the “Erase Data” option on the file select menu and press these buttons: Bad Buddy – B, A, Down, B, Up, Down, Down, Y, A Music Test – Down, A, R, B, Y, Down, A, Y, Select 50 Lives – B, A, R, R, A, L The bonus rounds code needs to be inputted when the Donkey Kong Country intro music is playing: Bonus Rounds – Down, Y, Down, Down, Y Mega Man X This year has been good for Mega Man X fans. Not only have they been able to duke it out as X in Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite and purchase a of their favorite character, but they can also revisit the beloved game thanks to the SNES Classic Edition.
And as it turns out, Mega Man X on the SNES Classic uses all the same codes as the original version of the game did back in the day. There are quite a few codes for Mega Man X, all of which are used at the designated password screen. The codes in the game allow players to start the game where certain conditions have already been met, like a boss has been defeated or X already has certain items unlocked.